121st Edition - 3/22/07

121 - The total number of points to win at Cribbage. Cribbage is a bit of a Schwister tradition. Good game. Highly recommend.

• Special Guest

Today is John's version of what happened with the 2000 marathon, and a quick reply from Kyle. You might remember John and a teammate from the World Series of Pop Culture, but then again, you may not, considering the entire experience lasted about 45 minutes.

John runs and Kyle retorts

kyle speaks the truth. my version was of course a little different, but
most of the facts are consistent.

in order to prepare for the big race, i opted to become johnny rage,
starting around 6a. pretty good. i was pumped. got there late, as kyle
said. kyle moves up front to start. i drop to the middle of the pack at
the starting line. gun goes off. minutes roll by, i cross the starting
line, unaware of the pain that was going to set in.

i am cruising at a pretty slow pace. stop and walk and get water every two
miles, since i figure that i would rather be safe than sorry. see the folks
and katie (who didn't have my gatorade) at around the 8 mile mark. feeling
good. very confident at this point.

then, the infamous hill. well, me, being the thinking man, decide to slowly
jog, and if i get tired, walk the hill. so jog about half way. turn the
corner. cry. walk. get to the top. hard to describe the feeling in the
legs at that point. i equate it to laying in a nice soft bed and having a
someone repeatedly beat your legs with a 2 by 4. that will give you an
approximate idea of the agony.

so i decide to walk for awhile. well, "awhile" turned into 10 miles, which
resulted in my 5.5 hour finish. sad.

among the people who passed me...

"lorraine" - a 73 year old lady who looked as though she could barely walk
a man wearing tevas
a woman who i passed earlier while she was vomiting

all made me feel really good.

so everyone think long and hard if you are going to run one of these. and
don't slack off in the training near the end, like i did. bill, i know how
much you love running, so just keep that in mind.

john.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I want you all to know that I'm currently crying from the previous email from John.
I had a few ideas as I was waiting in a slightly concerned state for John to finish.
Both would have been cruel and foolish, but amusing in hindsight. One was that i would be eating cheetos on the curb and drinking a coke as john came by. However, as I later discussed with John, this may very well have prevented him from finishing the final 100 meters of the race. The other was that I was going to take pictures of the saddest characters that crossed the line before him. Lorraine, of course, being one of them and a fat lady in spandex being the other. Unfortunately I missed the person in tevas.

Moral of the story, stick to the training program or pay the piper.

• Stuff

music videos
* Arctic Monkeys - "Brainstorm" - at arctic-monkeys.com
* Travis - "Closer" - at youtube.com
* The Kaiser Chiefs - "I can do it without you" - myspace.com/kaiserchiefs

120th Edition - 3/21/07

120 - Age of Moses when he died. Really? REally?

• Special Guest

This one is an oldie but goodie. Amazing that this was written seven years ago. At 30, you definitely hit that age where you assume everything took place about 2-4 years ago, then you find out it was closer to a decade. This is Minneapolis Kyle (my Twin's insider), and his first marathon. Tomorrow will be my friend John's version.

+++++++++

Kyle's marathon

Per a many request, I'm updating all on the marathon.

But, the details. Note to self, if course description ever says "relatively flat", be very very afraid.

So, John and I awake at 5:00 am to get food in the belly and to chug gatorade. We then spent the next hour trying to get rid of excess fluids and such so that jaunts behind buildings could be minimized during the race itself. Around 5 till 6 we called a taxi. At 6:15 we called the taxi again. I believe, "oh shit" were her words, as she realized that a cab was not on it's way. 45 minutes till race time at this point. We ordered that one along and called another cab company. The second cab company arrived around 6:20 and we jumped aboard.

"To Speedway Meadows" we instructed. He seemed vaguely familiar with that part of Golden Gate park. Going between what felt like about 100 mph through town, we arrived to the park area at 6:30 ish. no runners in site so we insisted he search a bit harder for Speedway Meadows. Mind you, the park is large. At this point, a healthy trip across San Fran has rung the meter to around $10. Around 20-25 minutes till racetime..

Spoke to police officer. Gave us coordinates of where Speedway meadowns was. We then followed a street some distance north of the park to 45th ave. No runners. Then backtracked to find another cop. Gave us the real directions. Problem being that park was closed because of the "race" that was going on, so getting through the park in a car was not possible. At this point, we were questioning if this "race" actually existed. 20 minutes till racetime.

Cabbie then experiments with a road that cuts through the park. It worked out, fortunately. We're in the area, but still see no runners. Cabbie inquires of race location from security guard. He says that we can run through the park to get there. Perfect, just what every about-to-be-marathoner needs just prior to race. Cab fare now double, and 15 minutes till racetime. We are now on foot.

Cutting through the park, mixing bursts of run with walk with stops to remove gatorade from the body. "Katie, get your ass up hear", I screamed (or, may I embellished that a bit). But, eventually, we spotted a herd of runners. We cut down a dirt path, and coincidentally bumped into John's family. About 6-8 minutes until race time and we were there. The gun went off a few minutes after 7:00.

Race details are short and to the point. About 2 miles in we hit a hill significantly larger than anything I'd run around here. Lots of downhill. Then a few miles later we hit another big hill, as large as the first. Then lots of downhill. The next 10 miles were uneventful, as we ran along the water, by the stadium and through some industrial parks. Portable toilets would have come in handy. Speaking for John and I, I think we both belt pretty good about ourselves at the half-way point.

A few miles later we hit the hill. Up it went, shortening the stride, I questioned how I'd perform after the hill. But, I got over it and continued on. That put a dent in the armor, but I was determined that it would not ruin me. Then, I turned the corner..........

Running down a long and steep hill I was trying to stride out a bit further in order to regain the form that I had sustained through the first 14-15 miles. I looked ahead to a hill larger than any hill I had seen before. "Surely", I pondered, "we are about to run up that hill".

After crawling up the hill, I knew the next ten miles would be the most painful I had ever run in my life. They were. Around mile 19, I saw what I believe to be the winner. He was passing the 25 mile mark. Discouraging to say the least. After the longest 2 mile stretch in my life, I made the u-turn on the coast and begin my descend back to the park. Another long hill to finish up on, and the race was over.

Monday I could barely walk. Tuesday was just not good if I'd sat for more than thirty minutes and today is painful, but bearable. A sports massage (thanks Susie) in the evening is hopefully going to cure my woes.

And while I vowed shortly after crossing the tape to never run another marathon again, I have to admit that the idea is slowly warming up to me,though definitely not anytime soon. But, if anyone knows of a good 5 or 10k, I'm in.

--Kyle

• Stuff

*Adam Sandler hosted "The Late Show with David Letterman" since Dave was out with the flu. Sandler was due to be the main guest, but filled that role with Don Cheadle - Both are in the film "Reign Over Me," coming out on Friday.

*Ira Glass interview. If you don't know him from NPR ("This American Life"), he's got a new show based on the radio show, beginning on Showtime this week. click here to read

*Free Iced Coffee today at all Dunkin' Donuts.

119th Edition - 3/20/07

119 - It is the sum of five consecutive primes (17 + 19 + 23 + 29 + 31). 1-1-9 is the emergency number in many Asian countries. The number of Division I college football teams in America.

• NCAA: A little too quick

Perhaps I was quick to award Kevin Sketch (co-worker) first place in our NCAA bracket... Even this email exchange from yesterday ...

Kevin:
I will not win. I have WI & TX in the final 4. So thanks for the love on your web site, but you're actually just rubbing in the pain of the inevitable.

j:
Good. Now I have something to write about tomorrow as well.

Kevin:
I see, this whole tournament pick thing you created is just fodder for your unimaginative musings. Can't you write some mindless drivel like other contemporaries in your business? Come on man, what's Angelina Jolie up to these days? Didn't she just adopt another baby? What's your take on Larry King's surgery? Or talk about the big exclusive story on MSNBC telling everyone how much of a diva Michael Jackson is. You know, all that really important stuff that people care so much about. Aren't you an entertainment writer?
Seriously, I am looking forward to kicking your ass in chess in a few minutes.

(We also play chess just about every day. And since he can't control what I write on this space, I am beating him 143-0-2, it's sad really. Even when I try and let him win, my subconscious takes over and still dominates. Two stale mates is all he has to show for his hard work.)

• NCAA: The other contenders

*Dave, aka Denever Dave, aka ihuc13 is sitting pretty with 7 elite 8s remaining and all his final four.
*Emily, aka Emily's bracekt (her typo, not mine) also has 7 elite 8s remaining, but her miss is Maryland, going to the finals.
*The one to watch out for seems to be AE, aka Elijah's little brother, aka Andrew Edwards, aka 'shoulder don't work' - he has all the 8 elite 8s left, and is only 3 points behind the leader.

• Greg Oden: the gentle giant

I am sick of a story being made over nothing. Greg Oden, in the closing seconds gave a hard foul in the Xavier game. Talking heads are trying to say that Oden got away with one, and that gave the Ohio State Buckeyes the game. When I was watching the game, I noticed the Xavier player fly after Oden fouled him, but I also noticed Oden touch the ball halfway through the foul. In other words, he was going for the ball. Also, just because Oden is strong, doensn't mean he has to foul light. Hard Fouls are typically the point of fouling. Tap a guy, and maybe it doesn't get called. There was 10 seconds left, potentially in the college career of Greg Oden, so he hit the guy.

• Stuff

SXSW (South by Southwest) is over. And once again, I wasn't there. Next year I will be. I 94 percent guarentee it!
Anyway, here are a few videos from the concerts.
http://2007.sxsw.com/coverage/video/
Word on the street (the street being my future sister-in-laws boyfriend) is that Ghostland Observatory is somebody to check out.
http://myspace.com/ghostlandobservatory

118th Edition - 3/19/07

118 - This is the most interesting thing I could find - 118 ways to save money for college. Wow, hope this isn't an indication of how boring today can be.

• Other things (Quick Hits)

*Kobe Bryant is good. He went for 65 points on Friday night and followed it up with 50 points last night. He and Wilt Chamberlin are the only ones to do that.

*50 is also the number of points the 76ers got beat by last night. The Rockets won 124-74.

• NCAA Basketball

*Our Leader (in the 1st Annual The Daily Score NCAA Tournament Pick'em Competition Spectacular) is Kevin Sketch (aka Plausible Deniability). He has picked 38 out of 48 for 50 points. Two girls are tied for 3rd and I am 16th.

*Of the 16 teams in the sweetness, UNLV (7) and Vanderbilt (6) are the lowest seeds remaining.

• Stuff

*Monday Box Office
People still like Sandra Bullock, but more people like blood.
1. 300 - $31 million - a solid B.
2. Wild Hogs - $19 - yup, i still hate this film.
3. Premonition - $18 - Roeper called it one of the worst endings ever.
4. Dead Silence - $8 - heard awful, awful things about this film.
5. I Think I Love My Wife - $6 - I thought this film would do better. It's not awful, but the subject isn't fun. I assume there were alot of women out there telling their men, "No, I don't want to see a movie about a man wanting to cheat on his wife."

*Saturday Night Live
Not good enough Julia Louis-Dreyfus. In fact, I can't remember laughing out loud once. The Italian sketch was OK. Never a good sign when both musical performances are the best parts (Snow Patrol). And yes, Chris Rock showed up for the opener, and then talked about black men getting hung back in the day ... not his best stuff.

For the season: 8-7
Funny: John C. Reily, Hugh Laurie, Alec Baldwin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Rainn Wilson

Not Funny: Dane Cook, Jaime Pressly, Matthew Fox, Annette Bening, Jeremy Piven, Forest Whitaker, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

*New Shows
Raines - Jeff Goldblum. It's fine. I just don't know why I would watch it. I already have enough and it didn't give me anything mindblowing.
Andy Barker, P.I. - wow, this guy is destined to be someone I always give the benefit of the doubt to ... and he NEVER delivers. The show is weak.

117th Edition -- 3/15-3/18

OK - here is the plan ... I will update this one entry (117th Edition) throughout the next 4 days. I will always put the newest entry at the top, so if you are just joining, you might want to scroll down and read that first.

Also - Movie Review - "I Think I Love My Wife"

• 6:45 p.m. - Sunday - over

The games aren't over. I am. Done. I can't believe Texas is done and I didn't get to see a dominant Durant game. Just said. Now I have to wait five years before he can dominant for a season in the NBA. Three if I am lucky.

"Cold Case." I never have seen an edisode, and now that I have been shown the same damn two seconds of someone pulling a gun on someone else -- I want the show cancelled. Tonight. Before it airs. Just awful.

Ohio State was the game of the weekend. Mainly because I found myself rooting against an underdog (which I rarely do) because they were beating up on the Buckeyes so bad. Plus, it was one of those cases where Xavier didn't blow it, Ohio State just played amazing down the stretch. Plus, it was the first really good game of the tournament and it started an amazing day of basketball.

Now I need to start preparing for my Fantasy Baseball Draft. Yes people, the REAL excitement is about to begin.

• 4:03 p.m. - Sunday - close

Virginia was close. Purdue was close. I am watching the games on tivo and it looks like I am about 45 minutes behind. Florida just pulled away and won by seven, but the game was much closer than that. I wish there was a stat to show close games during the regular season. Like, if a game is ever within 4 points with 3 minutes left, that's a close game. So far, I think every Saturday and Sunday game has qualified for that. Though Southern Illinois and Oregon are trying to erase that fact.

I had to go watch "TMNT" this morning. It's what they have decided to call "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

I still can't believe we are close to finishing four days of college ball without one buzzer beater.

Hmmm, I wonder if I get the UNLV pick right I will officially be in the top half of the bracket.

• 7:45 p.m. - Saturday - Buzzer? Beater?

Wash St vs Vandy. Tie game. 60 to 60. Damn. OOOOOvertime. Both teams are making great shots in OT. James Brown says 5, 8, 5 on the game clock, 8 on the shot clock ... then he gets it right. Vanderbilt ball, seconds remain ... I hate Mencia's Bud Light commercial. I want that little guy at the end to break the bottle over his head, and now back to the game... Our first double OT of the tourney.

Somehow VCU is tied with Pitt (the one game I was calling a blowout). Insane day. A 35-16 run by VCU to get back into it. 1:00 left. Wow, free throws. Two seconds left. Fields misses the first. The crowd is cheering. Misses them both. OT.

Wash St is slipping. Vandy up by four ... YOU GOT TO FOUL ... nope, Vandy wins by 4 and will play Georgetown. Georgetown won thanks to Patrick Ewing Jr's reverse dunk in the final minute.

Back to VCU vs. Pitt ... VCU down three with 19 seconds left because Pitt didn't want to make free throws. Damn, missed the three. Pitt should finish this off now. Argh, hate the huge comeback that doesn't produce. Still no buzzer beaters today.

• 7:05 p.m. - Saturday - Best. Day. Ever.

I'm not going to say this is the greatest day in the history of college basketball, but ... This Is The Greatest Day In College Basketball. If there is one buzzer beater then everyone else will agree with me.
Butler won. Sosa decided to miss two free throws after making his first 15 and Louisville lost. Vanderbilt and Wash St are tied late. The only game that is not amazing is Pitt killing VCU. So far, six games, all but one close. I've stood on the couch once already during the Ohio State game, and it just might happen again.

Side note - I'm really tired and only had one green beer today ... wow, writing that sentence just made me hungry for more beer ... And YES! The F is not at the grocery store yet after working out, Guinness will be MINE!

• 2:40 p.m. - Saturday - It's over

I believe I said that about six times during the Xavier/Ohio State game. Most of the times I said that I assumed Xavier was going to win. Clearly the best game of the tourney. Just an amazing comeback by the Buckeyes. I assume most of the country wanted the comeback to happen since NO ONE had them losing this early.

• 1:05 p.m. - Saturday - good morning

I have had my omelet, biscuit, homefries and french toast. And now it's halftime with Ohio State leading Xavier 29-25.

More P.O.T.T. (player of the tournament):
Reynolds from Virginia - 28 pts, 7 reb
Kemp from Nevada - 27 pts, 12 reb, 4 assists

• 8:40 p.m. - Friday - classic

Nope, I'm not talking about the games. The F (fiancee) just went to "get ready." This is after the last 20 minutes, when I kept saying, "Do you need to get ready?" And her saying, "I am ready." And yes, her bracket is killing mine.

P.O.T.T. watch - Durant - a quiet 25 points and 8 rebounds.

Illinois decided not to score in the 2nd half and lost by two. 54-52. I will make a post before I sleep. I swear.

• 6:50 p.m. - Friday - it's racial!

"Oh, yeah ... Fight the Power!"

"He's got that farmboy look."

Can you guess the color of the players that were referred to in the above quotes by the announcers? Neither can I ... neither can I.

Illinois is looking good, up by six close to the half. Listening to Billy Packer call the Kansas/Niagara game is just awful. He's picking on Niagara every chance he can get as they slowly slip away from a superior team. "Kansas makes sure Niagara falls," yup, that's going to be the headline.

OHHHHHHH!!!!!! Carter just hit a 3 for Illinois ... and was fouled. Let's see if he converts the four point play ... an it counts! Illinois up by 10. It's that easy.

• 4:40 p.m. - Friday - overtime. OVERTIME!?!

Just annoying. Creighton falls in overtime to Nevada. I had it right there, the amazing comeback was within my grasp. But now, all is lost. I will officially now just root for good games, I swear. No more thinking I have a chance.

On a side note - the Shia LaBeauf movie was pretty good. Though I had no idea what I was walking into, so I had no expectations.

At least I had Winthrop. The only thing I can currently hang my imaginary hat on.

Also - it couldn't be more disturbing to finish watching a basketball game and then be taken to a Dr. Phil, already in progress.

• 11:26 a.m. - Friday - embarrassing

So, I just went to check my bracket ... Yup, I have Albany (read below). Just embarrassing. Albany just chucks it up. I have already seen one 3 hit the side of the backboard. My other upsets sure to go wrong today ... Creighton and Winthrop.

• 11:18 a.m. - Friday - "working"

I'll do my best to keep notes and update at about 12:30 then late afternoon, then late late night. We'll see how that goes. There is a going away party tonight. Mike D (NFL picker) is moving.

I am in NCCA On Demand no problem this morning. In fact, this thing is great. Plus, next year when I get VIP status I can look down at all you people and laugh.

So - today, once again, I have to miss some afternoon games. At 2:30 I need to see a Shia LaBeauof (I try to spell his last name different every time) movie. He's the kid from "The Battle of Shaker Heights" and "Holes" and "Constantine." If you don't know him yet, you will, he also scored the (human) lead in "Transformers." I will be interviewing him in the coming weeks.

Anyway, it's Virginia 8, Albany 2. Clearly this is a version of the bigger school just being better, taller, quicker. No way Albany keeps up with them.

I'll do my best to keep notes and update at about 12:30 then late afternoon, then late late night. We'll see how that goes. There is a going away party tonight. Mike D (NFL picker) is moving.

• 9:56 a.m. - Friday - the comeback!!!

I am in last place, tied with a girl -- out of 24 people. Three individuals currently have 14 points each. My West bracket is horrendous and my East is barely holding on ... BUT there is no way I can finish last. I am the letter j! So I am on the comeback trail and my goal is to finish middle of the pack. I want to be the guy that no one pays attention to, that is just glanced over while their eyes make their way up the leaderboard.

• 10:46 p.m. - Thursday - I rue

I rue the day I picked Gonzaga based on the logic of them playing Indiana (overrated) and them playing a tough regular season and them not having good luck in previous tournaments (so I thought they were due). Rough night all around, "Scrubs" wasn't even that funny.

• 9:37 p.m. - Thursday - And we're BACK!!!!

Sorry. I "had" to go watch Shooter for "work." Am I using these "" correctly? Any way, Oh course Duke lost. My reverse logic never works. My bracket is busted, so now I can go about my business and just enjoy the games. Glad that nonsense is over with ... though, it Gonzaga could beat Indiana, UCLA and not Duke, then I'm right back in it ... sigh.

P.O.T.T. (player of the tournament) watch: Can't be Curry (scored 30) from Davidson because they lost. Greg Oden started strong with 19 pts and 10 boards. Rice from B.C. scored 26 points.

• 4:00 p.m. - Thursday - No upsets.
  

Good, god, Vanderbilt is off to a quick 7-0 lead. Is there no upsets planned today? This is unreal. It's the opposite of real.

As soon as I was done complaining about the Butler game, Old Do hits a 3 and then that is followed by Butler hitting five 3s in a row. Butler takes a big lead and doesn't look back.

Georgetown was down 11-4, then they went on a 76 - 44 run. At what amount do we have to cap a run? Perhaps when one team scores over 40 it is too much.

Some quick STUFF -
*David Duchovny will be in a sitcom on Showtime. About ten years ago I declared Duchovny would be one of the biggest comedy stars of our time ... can I still get credit for this?
*My favorite - Ben Folds - will be opening for John Mayer this summer ... So apparently, Ben doesn't want me to see him anytime soon.

• 3:20 p.m. - Thursday - slow...

It's 29-29 with 12 minutes left in the Old Dominion vs. Butler game. Apparently they are choosing to only shoot with two seconds left on the shot clock. Slow game. I have Butler, in fact I have all #5 seeds winning, which, in it's self, is an upset. Wash State ended up winning by 16, there should be a rule that teams make keep it close in the first half unless they promise to keep it close in the second. I had dreams of Oral. I wanted Oral. I could feel Oral ... winning the game and me looking super smart. But no, I'm just the moron who thought I'd get Oral all the way to the second round ... and I knew it the entire second half.

Also - I just got an interview with Molly Shannon lined up. I think this is my first SNL actor that I get to interview ... I just hope she's ready to talk about "Don't get me started, Don't EVEN get me started," for 30 minutes.

• 2:34 p.m. - Thursday - Yeah! I mean Oops... I mean YEAH!!!

OK, so I thought I had Oral Roberts beating Washington State. I was sitting here cheering like an idiot as Oral played tough and took it to half with a 28-26 lead. Well, then I was updating my bracket and noticed I have #3 Wash State winning. So, I quickly change sides, and BAM! They go on a 9-0 lead to start the half and my favorite team in the world, Washington State, is in control of the game ... Wow, nope, I am right, I did have Oral Roberts. So my positive vibes clearly have kicked me square in the arse. Is it possible to be drunk on basketball?

• 1:21 p.m. - Thursday - Wow. Ohhhh for Two.
  

Texas Tech lost by nine. Maryland hit a huge 3 with two minutes left, and held on to beat Davidson. Two games are done and I am 0-2. If this keeps up I will have the worst bracket in the history of the NCAA Tournament. Actually, I would be pretty cool to miss every single one.

On a side note, I highly recommend Lean Cuisine Brick Oven-Style Pizza (BBQ). As far as microwaved individual pizzas are concerned, this is my favorite. Lean Cuisine ... It's not just for middle aged women who pretend to eat healthy.

This afternoon I will be watching one game on TV and another on the Web.

Just got an email asking if I want to interview Jamie Kennedy for his new movie "Kickin' It Old Skool." Wow, I've got some thinking to do.

• 11:54 a.m. - Thursday - God Lord, It's WORKING!

Currently at work, watching Davidson vs Maryland (I have Davidson). This was exhausting. It wouldn't work for the last 20 minutes. I now I get to see Davidson leading by 5. Joy. I won't be updating until I get home and eat some lunch.

• 11:08 a.m. - Thursday - The Waiting Room & The Brackets

I am currently in the NCAA March Madness On Demand Waiting Room. It's as exciting as you think it is ... I started at 92,000th in line, and now I am at 35,000 ... but I've been at this number for a while and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. On the plus side (sarcasm), if I was a VIP I would be 11,000th in line. I can't be VIP this year, but I could next year, so really they are just rubbing it in. Just like that little curtain that seperates me from first class. Wow, it just changed. Now I could be 6,300 for VIP ... and 34,800 is my current position.

And it looks like we have 24 players in the 1st Annual The Daily Score NCAA Tournament Pick'em Competition Spectacular!

I am most curious about a few of them...
1. The Sports Guy - I read him all the time and think if cat's wore pajamas, he would be those pajamas. So I read his picks and filled out a bracket for him.
2. Girls - We have 5 women participating. I watched my fiancee fill out her bracket and it was a real treat. I think she had Oregon winning because we want to live there one day. She got lucky with Kansas winning some games because she has a friend that lives there. I believe the standard woman is just as capable of picking as the standard guy, I just love the thought process.
3. Me - I really hate some of the picks I made. But I threw in some reverse logic and suddenly, Duke was winning two games.