164th Edition - 12/21/07

• The Holidays are Coming

With the end of the year it's time to reflect ...

The Bears = Their record is 5-9 and there's no reason to believe they will beat the Packers or the Saints. The future doesn't look bright. But if they can just get a new QB, RB, offensive line, and safety we should be right back in it. It looks like 2-3 years until we can dream about getting back to the Super Bowl.

The Cubs = Fukudome is coming. He's a contact-hitting left hander. It's a nice addition, but nothing amazing. He seems to be the only main difference between last year's club and the one coming to us in 2008. Mark Prior is finally gone, and Kerry Wood might compete for the closer position. Even though the Cubs won their division, I never fell in love with the club.

The Blackhawks = I haven't watching a single second this sesason, but at least they are being talked about. If I ever accidentally stumble upon one of their newly televised home games, I'll set the remote down for a while. And if you happen to have an extra ticket to one of their games, if you pick me I promist to cheer loudly and act like I know what's going on.

The Bulls = Currently the Bulls are 9-14. No player has improved compared to last year. And they have the Celtics, Rockets and Spurs coming up. They did start the season 2-10, so they are 7-4 over their last 11 games. That's good enough to eventually get into the playoffs, but not to make a dent against the improving East.

Rich's bachelor party = $. In the entire history of bachelor parties, Rich's is the only one recorded where everyone won. 13 guys equaled $3000 at the casino playing craps. The worst winner walked away with $100. So let's just hope this is the first of many bachelor parties Rich will be having.

Iowa Hawkeyes Football = Well, my prediction of the Hawks winning the national championship next year has become a little more bold. No bowl game this year is exactly the kind of motivation these boys need to play with a chip on their shoulder the entire season.

• Stuff
  

I have 8 films reviews for 12/21 up on Stuff I Wrote. It's a record. I would pop champagne, but I'm only and don't want to be the first person in recorded history to have a champagne shower alone.

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are coming back on January 7. If they have to, it will be without their striking writers. I really hope we can tell the difference and this helps get the writers back, but I worry we won't.

161st Edition - 8/21/07

• Fantasy: It's all over

My two fantasy football drafts are over. In one league I had the first pick, taking Tomlinson, and therefore winning the entire league. So that's nice.

• Vick: I've been thinking

I cannot walk in Vick's shoes. Apparently he grew up with different values than I did. He didn't find his actions towards dogs he owned awful. If it was cock fighting, society wouldn't have this problem with him. I'm not saying he should walk free, but the reason everyone has a problem with this is their love for dogs. I know people who feel torturing a dog is the same or worse than doing this horrible actions to a human. Please keep in mind Pacman Jones supposedly beat up a stripper. No one seems to be shedding a tear for the stripper.

• Cubs: It was a good run

We are back to being tied for first. After winning the first two games against the Cardinals, getting one canceled, and losing the last of the series ... I feel empty. The Cubs are tied with the Brewers and 3 games ahead of the Cardinals.

• Stuff

Funny, the only reason I felt like blogging today was because I discovered this clip from the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Thanks to Mike D.

160th Edition - 8/15/07

• Cubs: games and inches

The Cubs were inches, or maybe a few feet, away from coming back last night against the Reds. Fontenot hit one to the warning tracks, but that's an out and the Cubs lost 6-5.

The division looks like this ...
Brewers = 62-57
Cubs = 60-58 (1.5)
Cardinals = 56-60 (4.5)

It has become a three-team race. The Cardinals have made it back in by going 6-4 in their last ten games. That is sad. This division is sad.

• Golf: Tiger, Tiger Woods

Sorry I didn't write sooner about this ... Tiger Woods is a great golfer. What I am about to say is not supposed to be mean. I am just insanely curious. After he won, Tiger talked about how this win is very special because his daughter is there to celebrate with him. His daughter is not six months old. She has no idea what the world is, let alone the world of golf. Yet, Tiger seemed totally genuine about how this win is more special because she is there with him. When I have children, will a promotion or victory of any kind be something more endearing because I have a child? I just don't see it. They are two separate things. It always kills me when a family runs up to a winner at the end of anything. It's not the family that the moment should be shared with. It's the caddy/teammate/coach.

• Stuff

I interviewed the cast of "Superbad." -- Read it, and go see the movie this weekend.

159th - 8/9/07

• Pain

Pain is the Cubs getting swept by the Astros. But if you get a tonsillectomy and your deviated septum fixed, and can barely breath ... suddenly a couple of losses make you see the bright side.

1. The Cubs are not amazing. But they can be really good. The last two months gave Cub fans the belief that every series could be swept, and losing streaks end at two games. The Cubs are a solid team, and now with the injury of Soriano, they have holes in every section of the game (such as relying on a defensive Matt Murton).

2. The Brewers are just as bad. They can't win. So we remain 1 game back in the worst streak we have had since June. Thank god the Central Division sucks. And Cardinals ... don't you dare get any ideas about making a run.

3. Pain is temporary. The Cubs will continue to fight. And after I heal up, it looks like all signs point to me being 100 percent for my fiancee on our wedding day.

• Barry - still stroking

I saw Barry Bonds live at Dodger Stadium the year after he broke the single-season home run record. He was amazing then, and he's still getting it done. He's had an amazing career, and I think the majority of his problems stem from being an arsehole, instead of tainting the record with steroids. People cheat, lots of people cheat. Everyone is pretty sure Bonds cheated along with others. But because everyone loves Hank Aaron, and nobody except for Barry Bonds likes him ... we're annoyed. I'm just glad the constant coverage is over. Between Bonds coverage and "Who's Now!" Sportscenter was rough.

• Stuff

Wow. The Piss Screen. http://www.piss-screen.de/
Every home needs one.

Harrison Ford marathon on Spike TV this Saturday.

158th Edition - 8/3/07

So, I've golfed twice recently, and both times I shot a nine on a hole ... yet I continue to play.

• Cubs: Losing and still winning

For the first time all season, the Cubs lost a game AND remained in first place. Sure they are timed with the Brewers, but still it's something.

And today marks the BIG GULP for the Cubs this season. A man by the name of Kerry Wood is off the DL and in the bullpen. I like the nickname Big Gulp for him. Though I did hear he's lost close to 40 pounds. Perhaps it's a 'to be continued'

• You know what? That's it.

I could talk about Barry Bonds not hitting no. 755, or A-Rod not hitting 500, but who cares? They will eventually.
Bill Simmons sums up the summer quite nicely ...
Welcome to the summer of discontent

• Stuff
  
  *I still like movies. And here are two new reviews to prove it ...

Stuff I Wrote

*Andy Samberg is a part of "Awesometown" - a failed 2005 pilot. The power of the Internet commands you to watch - click to watch

*A long time ago I passed on Lollapalooza tickets. I have some friends going, but I didn't like the idea of standing in the heat all weekend. And the forecast IS ... 95 and sunny. And now, if I really want to, I can watch Lolla from here ... click to watch

156th Edition - 8/1/07

Here I go, here I go, here I go again (now imagine a guitar just kicked in)

• Things we missed ...

Vick likes animals (but not in a good way), Sergio almost becomes the best golfer not to win a major who almost wins a major, an NBA ref makes David Stern realize he might not be the only one to control who wins the games, Devin Hester is the best wide receiver ever for the Bears, and Kevin McHale decides to make the Celtics relevant again (by giving them Garnett).

That's it, that's the whole list of July events ... oh wait, there's one more thing ...

• cubs, Cubs, CUbs, CUBs, CUBS!

Yes, that's right, I am feeling confident and comfortable with the Cubs these days, and why not? They are sitting 1 game behind the Brewers, who have lost 9 of 13. It's just a matter of time before they are in first. Then Kerry Wood can come back and seal the deal ... I just threw up a little in my mouth.

• Bulls

Well, it looks the four final teams in the Eastern Conference Playoffs will be the Heat, Cavs, Bulls and now the Celtics thanks to Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. As an NBA fan, I'm excited, but this does hurt the chances of the Bulls getting another championship ... perhaps someone should make the Kobe call ...

• Who is more NOW?

Yes, July is a slow sports month, but ESPN has made Sportscenter a NIGHTMARE because of the whole, who's more NOW. Luckily, it looks like ESPN News is doing a great job of being Sportscenter from 10 years ago. I have made the switch, and I'm feeling fine.

• Stuff

If I owned a jail, this is exactly what I would have done. Luckily, now I don't need to go down that road - click here to watch the best remake of a video by an entire jail.

Kayne West gets together with Zach Galifianakis and makes a video. It's not enjoyable, just addictive - click here to watch.

155th Edition - 7/3/07

And we're back ...

I think that was my longest break since the beginning of "The Daily Score." Sorry. I had a bachelor party and got lazy, plus the Cubs were winning and I thought it might have something to do with me not writing.

The bachelor party quickly summed up ...
I won basketball (with my 8.5-year-old nephew)
I lost dodgeball
I won slosh ball
I lost softball
Thanks to the 19 other guys that were there.

Look for another long break from me at the end of September, that's when I walk down the isle. Clearly, both situations are related to the future wife, so I assume you can see the pattern (the wife is the reason I don't write more).

I never stopped with the film reviews and now
'Transformers"
and
"License to Wed"
are up on Stuff I Wrote

• Cubs: First time in a long time

The Cubs are over .500 for the first time since they were 3-2 this season. It feels good. And they get to beat up on the Washington Nationals for three more games, then the Pirates before the All-Star Break.

I am giddy. Watching the Cubs beat the Brewers on Sunday afternoon was my second favorite moment of the season (#1 being D. Lee's pinch-hit grand slam against the Sox).

• MLB: All-Star Teams

Right now, everyone is saying who should and shouldn't be on the All-Star team, but the more important thing to discuss is HOW the teams are made and WHAT the teams fight for ...
HOW - The fans vote, and then the players vote and then the managers fill in the rest.
WHAT - They are fighting for home-field advantage in the World Series. It's a huge deal.

The problem is that fans are decided who their favorite players are, but not who the best players are and then the managers try to fill in a roster to win the game.

Why wouldn't every single AL fan (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, White Sox, Indians) vote over and over again for the worst NL players? How is their not a web site set up for this already? They should be desperate to vote in Cesar Izturis as the NL's starting shortstop. It would be a guaranteed out and a good chance for an error. Why wouldn't a Red Sox fan show their team loyalty by screwing their opponent?

• Bears: Tank not full

That's the headline everyone is writing. Tank Johnson wasn't drunk. His blood-alcohol level was .72 and needed to be .8 in Arizona to be drunk. The Bears got rid of him, but this gives someone else the chance to believe he is a changed man.

• Stuff

*Nathan Fillion ("Serenity") is in talks to join "Desperate Housewives," sigh. I really didn't want to watch this show anymore, but he's so freaking awesome.

*Since I'm getting a shout-out, I figured I should return the favor ... For something that constantly is writing a huge variety of articles in the Minneapolis area - check out -- The Deets

154th Edition - 6/20/07

154 - before 1961, 154 was the number of games in an MLB season.

• Bye, Bye, Bye Barrett

Well, it appears I don't know as much as I think I do ... Michael Barrett was the problem, not Carlos Zambrano. After getting into a fight with Zambrano, exchanging words with Hill and playing his worst defense ever (which is saying a lot), Barrett is no longer a Cub.
He's been traded to the Padres for backup catcher Rob Bowen and a minor-league outfielder. In other words, they dumped him. It will be interesting to see if Barrett catches for Maddux. While teammates, Maddux was the only one in the rotation who didn't want Barrett to catch for him.

• And Bye, Bye for me as well...

Tonight I leave for the beginning of my bachelor party. Golf, basketball, slosh ball, dodgeball, softball and disc golf are all on the schedule. There will be 21 guys in attendance and we're taking over my parent's house. Hopefully a friend will document the event, I might not be sober enough.
(You, as an avid reader of the Daily Score, won't notice I'm gone at all since I haven't been writing much lately)

• Bulls: Come here Kobe

Yes, I want Kobe Bryant on the team. Ben Gordon and others can hopefully be enough.

• Stuff

*My interview with Bruce Willis.

153rd Edition - 6/13/07

• NBA: foul

I'm referring to Bowen's contact on Lebron James IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING ... and of course, the smell that the finals are letting off. James is a superstar and with superstars there comes favoritism (Wade in the Finals last year). You give him that call. You let him decide the game at the free-throw line (3 shots). You do this because it will make a bad series better, but most importantly, because it's the right call. I look forward to the day when robots are the refs.

• Cubs: equally foul

It was the eighth inning. The bases were loaded. No outs. The Cubs couldn't score. They lost in the 13th inning.

• Fantasy MLB: two no-hitters

There have been two no-hitters in baseball this year - Buerhle and now Verlander, sorry Schilling. I was first made aware of this from my friend Bro, who emailed me to brag about how he owns all the no-hitters this year in our fantasy baseball league.

• Stuff

Watch the entire first episode --
Flight of the Conchords
If I had talent, creativity, was from New Zealand and had a friend of the same make-up, this is the type of show I would have considered making if I had moved to the States ... I was that close.

Premiere Magazine did an article about movies stuck in development hell.
It sucks that most of this films were ones that I read the book and was INSANELY excited.

Speaking of Dave Eggers and movies ... This is a must read about old summer flicks

152nd Edition - 6/8/07

152 = The Post-Hardcore band Taking Back Sunday also have a use for the number 152. It appears on the cover of all their albums (most notably Tell All Your Friends), as it was the number of the turn off lead singer Adam Lazzara took on the way to/back from concerts for refreshments and a rest. The number appears in the forms of:
Tell All Your Friends:Picture of the road turning.
Where You Want To Be:The sign states 152 miles.
Louder Now:$1.52 entrance charge.

• MLB: Almost ...

Curt Schilling was one out away from a no-hitter. He shook off the sign from Jason Varitek, and chose to throw a fast ball away instead of a splitter. It was a single to right field. ONE OUT AWAY! This is the reason I don't play professional baseball, I just couldn't get over it. I would desperately be looking for the reset-button. In fact, I have taken a no-hitter in the ninth four times in fake life (video games), yet I have never done it ... So I guess I know exactly how Schilling feels.

• NBA Finals: Not Close ...

You didn't actually convince yourself the Cavs had a chance did you? LeBron didn't have a FG in the first half, and they were down by only five ... But more importantly the score was 40-35, this is why no one likes the Spurs, they actually use logic and skill to use the best strategy to kill their opponents.
The truth is, the Cavs would have been equal to the Lakers in the West. Maybe we get one great LeBron game from the series.

• Cubs: Here we go again

The Cubs have won 4 out of 5 and are putting together a nice little run. Rich Hill struck out 11 last night, winning 2-1. Such a tease. They are 6 games back, but 6 games under .500.

They also picked Jason Vitters third in the draft ... I don't know what that means either.

• Stuff

*My Movie Reviews
"Ocean's Thirteen"
"Surf's Up"

*Isiah Washington - Dr. Burke - is not coming back on "Grey's Anatomy." I like his character, but clearly people on the set had problems with him. Remember, he's the guy who wanted to tussle with Jennifer Lopez on "Out of Sight."

*"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" comes out on DVD (both Season 1 & 2) September 4. This was mainly written for my North Carolina crowd.

*Joy Division sneakers - A pair of sneakers inspired by Joy Division are set for production. The manufacturer, New Balance, is awaiting final clearance on making the shoes, which are based on the artwork to the band's landmark 1979 album Unknown Pleasures. This is mainly written for my Atlanta crowd.

*And finally ... I'm looking forward to suing.
read this story
then read my article

151st Edition - 6/4/07

• Cubs: Summer has begun

The Cubs area roller coaster/soap opera ... and I still have hope as they head into a three-game series against the division leading Brewers.

My dream scenario is a Carlos Zambrano for Alex Rodriguez trade (along with other names). After Zambrano lost control because Michael Barrett is a better hitter than catcher (everyone should know this by now), and tried to fight Barrett in the dug out and then succeeded fighting Barrett in the clubhouse (two black eyes and a cut lip) ... wow that sentence was as big a train wreck as the club.

Also, Lou Pinella has a huge rant on Saturday and gets kicked out, suspended indefinitely (until the meeting on Monday). I love the arguing as an amusement, but one of the most idiotic traditions continues at Wrigley ... when annoyed, fans in the bleachers throw trash on the field and delay the game. I don't believe in the death penalty, but the fans that do this have me rethinking. Ohbytheway -- anybody else notice Ozzie Guillen got kicked out of Sunday's White Sox game? Poor guy is just sniffing Pinella's fumes.

Top all this off by the Cubs winning 10-1 and I find myself right back on the bandwagon. So sad.

• Stuff

MTV Movie Awards thoughts:
*Those yahoo movie trailer spoofs were awful. Almost as bad as Dane Cook introducing them. It reminded me of the sketching during "Studio 60" -- how can there be such little talent in the world?
*Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen are comic gold and I bet most people thought Cohen was doing an accent.
*Jack Nicholson is an icon and therefore I will let whatever that was slide.
*Is constant swearing (and getting bleeped) really that cool? If I ever form a band and perform in a large venue, I can't wait to drop the F-bomb so people will worship me.
*Wow, did you hear Jerry Bruckheimer tell Johnny Depp to thank the writers when they won for best movie? HI-larious.

Box Office Review
1. Pirates: $43 (down a bunch)
2. Knocked Up: $29
3. Shrek: $26
I understand that everyone needs to see the blockbuster, just make sure you make time for "Knocked Up." It's off to a good start.

Also - think "Pirates" didn't make much sense (I agree). The screenwriters attempt to explain themselves - click to read

148th Edition - 5/24/07

• Cubs: They call him MR. Marshall

I thought I was going to wake up and write a glowing article about the return of Mr. Sean Marshall. But then I noticed the Cubs lost 2-1. Marshall gave up a late two-run homer and now the Cubs are 20-24, and 6.5 games behind the Brewers. Marshall probably pitched well enough to stick in the rotation, which will now have three lefties in it.

It's painful right now. After watching Derek Lee hit a grand slam last Saturday to beat the Sox, I thought it was the beginning of something. It wasn't. And now neither was this.

• Bulls

Picking ninth in the draft won't happen. They will trade that pick along with either Chris Duhon, Andre Nocioni or maybe even Tyrus Thomas.

• Stuff

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" -- the review is up.

*I'll be sitting down in a group interview with Bruce Willis soon, what do I ask him?

*Saturday Night Live - The 2006/20007 Season

Zach Braff had a good start, but I will let my friend (and best man) describe the episode.

"i was pretty disappointed overall. the
opening skit was one of the funnier openers i'd seen in awhile, but
then the zach skits were just kind of blah. it seems like there are
some indicators of a less than strong show--any time they do the house
party skit (kind of funny, but the special guests always seem
uncomfortable). and then whenever the special guests play themselves
a lot in the skits. just not a lot you can do with that. finally,
there seemed to be a lot about garden state. i loved the movie, but
isn't this a couple years late? was this the season finale from 2
years ago?"

For the season: 11-9

Funny: John C. Reily, Hugh Laurie, Alec Baldwin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Rainn Wilson, Shia LaBeuof, Molly Shannon

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

*Other Season Finales:

Scrubs: Good, but they're back where they started and I'm kind of getting bored with the show.

Grey's: Depressing. I was wrong with every hunch I had, mainly because I was thinking positive.

Hereo's: Really? That's it? Compared to a great first season, it was flat.

The Office: They can't do anything wrong. It's the best show on TV.

Lost: I hope to watch this weekend.

*Michale Moore's "Sicko" trailer: http://movies.aol.com/movie/sicko/26778/trailer

147th Edition - 5/18/07

• Bulls: Done and done

It was a good run. The team should be proud. They're still a young team. It's a good step forward ... Whatever. I am disappointed. I wanted a Game 7.

The Bulls were ahead by five points at half time, because of P.J. Brown's 20 points. He also finished with 20 points and barely played the second half for no apparent reason. Ben Wallace's contract had back spasms and he saw limited action. When he played, there was no enthusiasm. I have a bad feeling this will be the case for the next four years.

The final score was 85-95 and the Bulls shot terrible. If the Bulls can't shoot, they lose. It's that simple, though their inability to rebound hurt last night as well.

It will be a very interesting off-season. I am putting Hinrich, Gordon, and maybe Thomas and the draft pick on the market. One of them can go. I would love to say good-bye to Wallace, but that won't happen.

Speaking of the draft pick, we find out our order on Tuesday night. I love that we have the option of taking the Knicks pick. Like there is some sort of chance of us turning it down.

• Cubs vs Sox: part 1

Inter-league play is starting and that means the players have to act like this series means something. I understand these games are for the fans, I was on the verge of REALLY getting into the Cubs, but then they decided to go 2-5 on their road trip. Now a sweep is all they need to do to get back to .500.

• Stuff

I still have "The Office," "Lost," "Scrubs," and "Grey's" to watch this weekend. Plus Zach Braff is hosting Saturday Night Live. It almost sucks that I have a full social wknd of parties, plus the weather is perfect.

The concert is The Arcade Fire at the Chicago Theater. Highly anticipated.

Robert De Niro and Al Pacino will be in "Righteous Kill" together. They play cops tracking down a serial killer.

And don't forget to read my review of
"Shrek the Third"

146th Edition - 5/17/07

• Bulls: Just when I think I'm out ...

The Bulls don't feel like losing anymore ... And I love it. Two games ago I was ready to start my campaign to get Tyrus Thomas and a draft pick traded for Jermaine O'Neal. Now I'm ready to watch the Bulls mature before my eyes, perhaps this season, definitely next.

The Bulls have Game 6 tonight at home. The Pistons still have the home court advantage. So far, the only people who have suffered from this series are the NBA fans. Piston fans assume they will still win, Bulls fans think they have a chance ... but NBA fans have been left with 5 games that have all been pretty painful to watch. Lopsided. Let's hope that continues (in the Bulls favor) for Game 6.

• Where are the Cubs?

The Riot (Theriot) has been a treat to watch, but Soriano has been playing hurt (from what I hear) and Lee now has neck spasms. It's still early, but we can't say that forever and with the way the Brewers are playing, the Cubs need to start picking it up a notch.

• NBA: David Stern

I love David Stern. He was on every sports talk show on Wednesday. Mainly giving one word answers. He constantly pointed the finger at Amare and Boris for leaving the bench of the Suns during the Robert Horry hip check. I agree. If players can't learn and coaches (six per team typically) can't keep a player near the bench, then their idiocy should cost them a game. The only problem is, I want the Suns to advance. Let's hope that still happens. Though last night they had the game in their hands, leading the whole way. Then they scored 6 points in the last five minutes and lost 85-88.

• Stuff

*Star Wars movies, for fans, by fans. The winner is picked by George Lucas. click to watch

*And as always, watch where you break dance ...

143rd Edition - 5/8/07

• Bulls: Beat Down

The Bulls lost 87-108. The Bulls are down 0-2. The Pistons were having a good time relaxing on the bench during the 1st quarter. There is no reason to think the Bulls can win four of the next five games, even if three will be at home. It's sad. The Bulls look like a completely different team compared to the domination of the Heat.

Perhaps the Pistons were just playing possum this season. If so, nicely done.

• Cubs: Things are looking up

The Cubs are above .500. I took in my first ever roof-top game on Sunday and had a great time. I attempted to hit for the cycle (one of every meat). After a hot dog, then hamburger, then Italian beef, then chicken breast ... I stopped. I couldn't do the Italian sausage. The crowd seemed to take it hard.

• Stuff

*Mario: Game Over - click to watch

142nd Edition - 5/3/07

• NBA: Done and Done
  

Lakers = Done. Kobe is complaining about needed a better team. Poor Kobe. Suns advance.
Nuggets = Done. Carmelo now has an off-season to complain about Iverson. Spurs advance.

The Suns will take on the Spurs. Classic match up. Love the match up, based on how the Mavs are playing (after the season went 1-1, I assumed they would walk) I just wish it was the Western Conference Finals.

The Pistons will take on the Bulls starting Saturday. Classic match up. Love the match up, I just wish it was the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Cubs: Take Two

The Cubs finished up Tuesday's delay, won, and then won the next game to win two on Wednesday against the Pirates. They are 12-14, and getting close to .500. Soriano has also hit a home run in each of the last two games. Yes, I am starting to get giddy.

• Stuff

*My SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW is up.

*I don't get it. How is Bingo a TV show?

*If you live in Atlanta, perhaps you should get off your arse and go to the Coke Museum to see the Andy Warhol exhibit ... John, I'm looking in your direction.

*The WORST 100 COVER SONGS EVER

139th Edition - 4/26/07

• NBA

Bulls are up 2-0 on the Miami Heat. I am nervous. They have only held home court right now. Remember when they HAD to beat the Nets on the road to get the #2 seed? The Bulls aren't good on the road, maybe that changes in the playoffs, I just don't know why.

The other series ...
Rockets 2-0 and looking good against the Jazz. Can't wait to see them in the next round.
Pistons 2-0 over the Magic. Hopefully they can start looking old.
Suns 2-0 over Kobe ... I mean the Lakers.
Warriors and Mavs 1-1. Mavs are back in control. Shouldn't be a problem now. But the days of over-hype were great weren't they?
Nuggets and Spurs 1-1. Good stuff. Love the differences.
Raptors and Nets 1-1. It's the Vince Carter series, and so far, just like him, it's a let down.
Cavs 2-0 over Wizards. BOOORRRIIINNNGGGG!

• Cubs: Prior to nothing

Mark Prior has been injured 80 percent of his entire major league career. He is done this season. Probably won't be ready for spring training of next year. This is the man that I would have built my fantasy team around for the decade (3 years ago). It's sad. He's with the Cubs for this year and next, so there is a chance we will see him in a Cub uniform again.

• Stuff

*There was never a press screeing for "Next" - you've been warned.

*I hate when kids say things for attention ... this is CLEARLY not the case with this.

138th Edition - 4/24/07

• Cubs: Killing Me

I went to bed last night with the Cubs heading to extra innings. And somehow, I just knew it wouldn't be working out. The Cubs lost again in extra innings. Their record is now 7-12, and they are five games back of first. Only the Royals and Nationals have worse records.

Alex Rodriguez is just hitting all these home runs (he had two more last night) so the Cubs will pay him a lot of money next year, right? Otherwise, I just don't see the point.

• Bulls: Tonight's the night

The Bulls have a chance to go up 2-0 tonight on the Miami Heat, but if history proves correct, Shaq complaining means he will now be able to enforce his will on the refs. Thus, 1-1 looks more likely.

• Stuff

*Big day today. I get to see "Spider-Man 3" and "Knocked Up." Yes, I am giddy.

*This is one of the most interesting music sites I have encountered. Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire ... good stuff. http://www.blogotheque.net, but especially this - http://www.blogotheque.net/concertaemporter/ - if you don't read French.

*SNL
Nope, no good Scarlett Johansen. "Saturday Night Live" consisted of repeated every line into the ground until it was dead. "Marble Columns" is the best/worst example of this. Yes, it can be funny, but it's not the highest quality sketch.

For the season: 10-8

Funny: John C. Reily, Hugh Laurie, Alec Baldwin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Rainn Wilson, Shia LaBeuof

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

137th Edition - 4/19/07

137 - apparently the number 137 gives you a headache, http://www.137.com/137/.

• Bulls: NNNNNoooooooooo!

The Bulls lost to the Nets last night in a sloppy game, the Cavs won and now ... let's just say I have no optimism. None. It's not over, but it's close.
The Bulls will have home court advantage on the Miami Heat starting Saturday. After that, they would play the #1 seed Pistons. And after they proved last night that they can't beat the Nets on the road when it REALLY matters, I just don't see them getting past the Pistons ... only to have to play the Cavs, then beat the Mavs/Spurs/Suns in the finals.
It's all up to Dwayne Wade if the Bulls even get past the first round.

• White-Sox: NO-NO!

Mark Buehrle pitched a no-hitter for the Sox last night, improving their team record to 6-7. It was the first no-hitter for the Sox since 1991. Buehrle's only walk was to Sammy Sosa, who he then picked off at first base. Good to see Sammy still making a name for himself.

• Cubs: Nope

The Cubs continue a slow slide to the dark side. They are 5-9 and in last place in the Central. One bright spot is that Felix Pie is proving himself in center field while Alfonso Soriano is out with a hammy. But this is not a team that was supposed to have to prove themselves, that's why they came with a high price tag.

• Stuff

*Ed Norton is THE HULK. It's actually happening.

*If you love Mystery Science Theater - then you love this. It's simple math. http://rifftrax.com/

*"Voyagers!" .... anybody remember this show? It's from 1982, and I was amazed to read it only lasted one season. I was five and remember a handful of episodes about Buck and the kid, traveling through time. I can't wait to be SEVERELY disappointed when it comes out on DVD July 17 ... just three days after my birthday, interesting.

134th Edition - 4/11/07

134 -
*In 134 A.D. a university opened teaching rhetoric, law and philosophy in Rome, called the Athenaeum.
*The World's tallest thermometer is 134 feet in height and it is located in Baker, California.

• The Weekly Bull (47-32)

The Bulls smacked the Knicks around (98-69) and it was over after the 1st quarter (21-10). They helped themselves in many, many ways. First, the Bulls remain the #2 seed for the playoffs. They have three games remaining, and if they win out, they clinch the #2. The Cavs have 4 games remaining (3 home) and the Raptors still have a chance.

Also, with the loss, the Knicks are most-likely out of the playoffs, which means the Kevin Durant era is about to begin in Chicago ... or perhaps another lottery pick, if the Bulls don't get the overall #1 pick. Yes, since the Knicks don't make the playoffs, the Bulls get their 1st round draft pick. Eddy Curry, thanks again.

Remaining games: Friday = Bobcats, Sunday = @ Wizards, Thursday = @ Nets

• Quick Hits ... Moneny and Fame

*Most people wouldn't think Kevin Durant turning pro after one year, and Pacman Jones getting suspended for an entire year from the NFL, aren't related. I think it's the same ballpark. It's still the same ballpark if Durant never for one second does anything wrong. It's all about the money. Durant should go pro, the money being talked about is huge and Durant has been looked upon to be the financial provider for his family. Try to think about yourself at the age of 18-20, and think what you would do with millions. I would go insanely overboard, and I wouldn't have any family or friend depending on me for money (but I'm sure they would want some). Our system is broken and Jason Whitlock helped me see that a little better.

*Money is currently not buying wins for the Cubs (3-5). But luckily, no one in the Central is winning (4-4 is the best record). Once the weather changes the Cubs will hit more home runs.

*Speaking of the weather ... it's snowing sideways in Chicago. I assume the Cubs will be getting the day off.

• Stuff

Noah Baumbach ("Kicking and Screaming") has a short film on YouTube.

part 2

part 3