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OFFTOP 06.19.2009 Absolute Boredom Edition

It appears that I have not created an OffTopic Post since February.  Whoa there.  Where has the time gone?  But I feel incredibly unmotivated today and I would like to share my boredom with everyone.

Some discussion topics:

Who has checked in on Alice and Kev today?  What do we think the next installment of Alice will be?

Yelp: helpful or insanely irksome? 

In the same vein, does anyone know of good Mexican on the Eastside?

What's on for summer?  Relaxing, flying away, working hard, drinking?

Sounders news: Does anyone read it?  Have you read Greg Roth?  Does his "it's" issue make you nuts?  And are you a Fredy or a Freddie?

What should I do with my Morrow bobblehead?

0 recs  |  Comment 664 comments

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I too am unmotivated and bored so ANSWERS

1. Not I.
2. Miles ahead of Citysearch and the like. I use Yelp when going to new cities all the time.
3. Nope.
4. Flying to Cincinnati tomorrow, drinking and watching baseball all weekend.
5. Not really, no. Freddie, definitely.
6. Give it a good catcher so it can realize its true potential.

Oh, and on another topic, Portland is on the verge of losing the Beavers. This distresses me, and the arrival of MLS, while nice, will not fill the void. I love AAA baseball.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It's ridiculous and I can't understand it

There’s an unnatural attachment to the stupid Memorial Coliseum down here, and it’s getting in the way of this whole thing. I can’t even tell you how angry it’s making me.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is a serious bummer.

Hopefully it doesn’t happy, but I’m definitely glad I got my AAA All-Star tickets for this year as a possible last hurrah.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Jun 19, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If it happens it won't happen until after next season

The renovation as of now is scheduled to start at the close of the 2010 baseball season.

In an unrelated note, I still have one extra ticket for the AAA ASG if anyone’s interested – it’s July 15. It also comes with a ticket to the Home Run Derby on the 13th and to the FanFest on the 11th.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I too, am bored, and don't want to craft you all out some more answers.

1.) I saw Alice and Kev today. I’m hooked. Kevin’s behavior is again inappropriate so it looks like he may sour that relationship too. If this were a novel, now would be the time for him to find a friend. However, as this is more of a social experiment, I saw he ruins this one as well.
2.) Yelp is helpful. It’s a good example of power in numbers.
3.) Can’t help you there. If you ever come to LA, Gardens of Taxco.
4.) Med school apps, a half marathon, drinking, and working.
5.) I’d like to get into the Sounders, but I have no access to FSN and so I can’t watch them. It makes it hard to get into it.
6.) Save it. Maybe one day you won’t feel like smashing it.

by abender20 on Jun 19, 2009 11:00 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The hours thing makes me crazy too. Half the time if there are hours, they're wrong.

What’s hard for me about Yelp is the Mexican food part. I know there’s been debates over “authenticity” in food around here, but for Mexican, it needs to be more toward authentic for me. So just looking at the stars doesn’t work, because there’s a clear divide between OH GOD CHIPOTLE STYLE GIANT BURRITOS and hey the best carnitas ever.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jun 19, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're right. A lot fo the reviews suck. I generally use it to get a feel for the atmosphere in addition to the menu the restaurant provides.

Lots of people claim “Hey, it’s authentic!” and have no idea what they are talking about. If you comb, you can generally find one or two people who do appear to know what they are talking about, and then just ignore the rest.

by abender20 on Jun 19, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My strategy with Yelp as far as restaurants is to read the lowest-rated reviews first

because I can then pretty discern what the restaurant is actually like. I’ve found that a lot of the things that people on Yelp dislike are what make me like a place.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Try it, it works

Try it with a restaurant that you know and like – read the negative reviews, and if your experience is like mine you’ll go “but that’s why I like this place!” A lot of restaurants I’ve found like that are rated low by users because of

 - small portions (I’m not looking to eat a bucket of food at every meal)
 - lack of “atmosphere” (that right there is one of the best endorsement I can find for a place because in Yelp-speak it means “not hip and trendy enough”)
 - surly bartenders (I love a good surly bartender. I’m not looking to make friends with the staff – if it happens over time, great, but they’re busy people while at work)

and the like.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh my god it works
I’m not a fan of metal chairs and tables either.
I ordered a taco salad, which had way too much water in the meat and the flavor and sogginess left me wishing I’d gone to Baja Fresh…

My favorite:

The person making my food clearly did not speak English
!!! I’m there.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jun 19, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Any review that contains words like

“wishing I had gone to Baja Fresh” is a guarantee that I will want to go there. Works every time.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's funny because almost without fail the one or two star reviews of bars I love follow this script:

“The people that hang out there are pretty sketchy looking. Bartender was too busy chatting away with the people at the bar to notice us standing there; why don’t you get off your ass and DO YOUR JOB if you expect ANY sort of a tip from ME!!! Drinks were way too strong and the tables looked like they hadn’t been ACTUALLY cleaned in years. Walls are still covered in smoke residue. Music was way too loud and all the hipsters [ED: In this case, the people that write these reviews are wealthy-ish yuppie types that most people think of when they think of hipsters. The people they’re referring to are punk rockers, artists, and other endearing scumbags.] are way too much to deal with. The only reason anyone would ever subject themselves to this place is because they want to look “cool.” Well if rude service, paint-thinner strong drinks and ear-splitting music are what you call “cool” you can just keep it."

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The funny thing is that bars where I've actually gotten terrible service *coughHazlewoodcough*

and that are actually really fucking snobby and horrible have almost universally glowing reviews.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like bartenders that aren't fake.

What most people think “friendly” in a customer service context means is fake. I know this because I fake friendliness to people I don’t know or people I know and don’t like on a daily basis. I think it’s fine to expect that in some contexts, but not in a bar; bartenders can’t afford to bullshit you.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like Yelp for basic, quick stuff.

For more in-depth research, try chowhound.com. It’s a little more obscure but has a higher percentage of people who know what they are talking about.

by waldo rojas on Jun 19, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

I haven’t ever heard of Alice and Kev, but thanks for pointing me that way. It looks interesting.

Never used Yelp before. I tend to stick to what I know on the interwebs.

I live in Tonasket, so the good Mexican comes from the local taco stands.

Deep-sea fishing and doing yard work with some M’s games sprinkled in.

I haven’t paid much attention to the Sounders, though I should.

Send it down to Tacoma to get stretched out and learn how to pitch.

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 19, 2009 11:03 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

10 minutes before I leave for work and heeeeere we go...

1.) This is the first I’ve heard of Alice and Kev. Seems like a funny idea, but I just really don’t give a fuck about the sims.
2.) I generally don’t trust the opinion of people, but when a lot of people agree on something, it’s actually helped me make some decisions.
3.) Here in Ellensburg there is a place called “El Corporal” which actually has some pretty fucking good food. The enchilada sauce is great.
4.) Working, which consists of campus catering, and research with a prof here at school. And lot’s of drinking.
5.) Wish I kept up as much with the Sounders as I wanted to, but the playoffs are the only thing that matters anyway so whatev.
6.) Keep it and when he turns into a great starting pitcher maybe it will be worth something.

by Zwakamatsu on Jun 19, 2009 11:07 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm bored too.

1. Alice and Kev looks interesting. I have never played Sims and I don’t really even know what it is. But this I’ll read.
2. I use Yelp semi regularly. I generally get a second opinion though, if I’m unsure.
3. I don’t know ANYTHING about the Eastside.
4. No plans whatsoever besides training my dog and fencing my yard. And working my ass off.
5. I haven’t been paying as much attention to the Sounders as I would like.
6. I am not sure I’ve ever seen a bobblehead in real life.

by royalcurve on Jun 19, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Answers

1. I find the continuing adventures of Alice and Kev to be absolutely fascinating and it is now on my RSS feed.
2. I’m indifferent to Yelp.
3. Can’t help you.
4. Mostly working as many hours as I can so I can pay for another year of school.
5. I haven’t paid a ton of attention to the Sounders, but I’ve enjoyed watching what games I can catch. Also, Freddie.
6. Give it to a Voodoo priestess.

Has anyone here listened to the Faunts? I can’t stop listening to their M4 single.

by BrianL on Jun 19, 2009 11:29 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

What's a good gateway into The Byrds?

I’ve always been curious about them – they seem to be the kind of band I’d like quite a bit, but I’ve never really gotten too deep into their catalog. Where should I start?

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:32 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I like The Byrds.

This is a good one

As far as albums go, I’d say Notorious Byrd Brothers.

by royalcurve on Jun 19, 2009 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

They’re one of those bands that everyone’s always telling me I’ll love, because of my love of shiny power pop, but have never really explored.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I also love the shiny power pop.

I’m surprised I don’t have Chris Stamey patterned pillowcases.

by royalcurve on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Bees

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Jun 19, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yelp: helpful or insanely irksome?

Both! I use it all the time, but some of the reviewers are insane. My store’s only sub-four start rating was a one. I e-mailed the person that left it and asked what we could do to improve our customer service, which seemed to be her main beef. Without going into details, I will just say that her expectations of what constitutes “acceptable customer service” were outlandish. This was not made apparent in her review at all, and this is extremely frustrating.

Also, the fact that you have to pay for advertising to be able to publicly respond to customer complaints (some of which I am sure are mean-spirited and patently untrue) without violating the TOS is absurd. Luckily I haven’t had to deal with such things, but if it ever happens it will suck. Some of the more batty one-star reviews are hilarious though. And it certainly has its uses.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

Also I am also bored so I will answer the other questions.

I checked it and was bummed to see that it was a Kev update. Those can be entertaining but never as good as the Alice updates. I hope she keeps her job.

I know of no good things on the Eastside besides Evolution Studios mainly because that’s the only place I ever go on the Eastside.

Enjoying bachelor life for a week while the better half is in LA, going to Portland for a mini vacation, going to Missoula for Wäntage Total Fest, writing a new album, playing some shows, drinking some beers.

I watch the games and go “ooh, pretty.” That’s as far as I’ve gotten.

Put it in a closet until we figure out if he sucks or not.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quick question for you, I imagine you get requests for recommendations.

Do people generally just ask for a blank recommendation? As in “whats good?” and then wait for an answer? Or do they get a little more specific, like “what would you recommend for action/romance/drama/television series/specific director etc. ?”

by Kermit. on Jun 19, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nine times out of ten it proceeds like this:

“Do you have a recommendation?”
“Sure, what are you in the mood for?”
“Something good.”
“Okay, are you looking for something new, something fairly recent, a classic?”
“I don’t know. Probably nothing too old.”
“Okay, what type of movies do you tend to like?”
“Um, I don’t know. Just good ones I suppose. I guess I want to watch a new release.”
“Okay, I liked (recent movies I liked, nothing too weird.) Any of those look good?”
“I don’t know. What are they about?”
“(Plot description.)”
“Well, I’m really more in the mood for (very specific answer to my first question.)”
“(Very specific suggestion I could have given fifteen minutes ago.)”

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

.

1. Read a few entries when I saw that thing going around, thought it was mildly amusing, never went back and don’t really care to.
2. Yelp is useful. I use it in conjunction with Chowhound.
3. The Eastside of… Seattle? No. But, let me tell you about a few taco trucks in East L.A…
4. Hoping to get away to Utah. Zion, Bryce, Monument…
5. Having lived out of region for a while now I find it terribly difficult to care for that team.
6. All it needs is a little TLC.

by sammy on Jun 19, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I am left with pretty much no answers for any of your questions, NOLA.

However, I am going to Las Vegas next week, and I’ve got baseball games to play in most weekends until late August, so that’s cool.

In the meantime, it’s all about saving and kicking student loans in the ass.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 12:05 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

there's no need to save, you're going to Vegas!

You’ll be rich in an hour! Drinks on you! WOOOOO

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've got a bowling tournament to be at

But if I do win the million, I’ll totally throw the ball in the gutter on purpose and tell my teammates “sucks to be you.”

Or I won’t.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So Fremont Fair is this weekend. Anyone going?

If so, you should come by and put a bullet through my fucking brain say hello.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:13 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

A wise choice

nobody likes a damn dirty hippie.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here is my favorite part of the Solstice Party Flier my friend made.
Bring: If you want to sit in a chair, it’s best advised that
you bring it. If you want to drink something other than
beer, water, or a combination of the two from the bottom
of the keg bucket, you have to bring it. Also, bring a
friend or anything you might think would make the party
more fun.
Do not Bring: Hippies. Dogs. Children. Hackey Sacks.
Last year, no one brought a dog, but we got children and
hippies.
Let me be clear— I don’t hate all children, just yours.
Leave the brats at home, preferably with a David
Carradine closet playtime kit.
Also, before you bring that friend, ask yourself "Might
my friend be a stupid fucking hippie?" If the answer is
anything other than an emphatic "no!", leave the dirtbag at
home.

by Sec 108 on Jun 19, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Solstice is awesome because it's light until like eleven.

Fuck hippies for laying claim to the change in seasons.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hippies in the 60s were aight.

It’s the Phish/String Cheese Incident/Bob Marley-and-no-other-Jamaican-music-ever-except-maybe-Ziggy-Marley-because-his-name-is-Marley-and-ska-sucks-because-it’s-just-a-ripoff-of-Bob-Marley hippies that suck.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just realized Led Zeppelin gets slammed for stealing soul from the black man.

Yet I don’t hear much about Madness, early Police, or The Clash. Maybe there’s a good reason for this, I know nothing about ska.

by Kermit. on Jun 19, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Second wave ska bands sounded nothing like trad ska and were always very open about their influences.

Two-Tone put out a bunch of first wave bands in the 70s and made them more money than they ever would have otherwise.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, though to be fair some people did complain

about all-white groups like Madness (who were popular with some racist/skin elements). It was hard to slam a lot of the 2nd wave bands (like The Specials) for ‘ripping off the black man’ because they had black members.

The Clash were routinely mocked (mostly gently) for being posh private school educated toffs going on about how awesome Kingston is. Then they visited, wrote ‘Safe European Home’ and seemed to agree with their critics.

by marc w on Jun 19, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There was a period of time where it was tough to seperate racist skins and skins though.

Not too long, but a time.

And I think Madness kind of sucked anyways, so there’s that.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My first year working in Fremont I had to cross the bridge to catch a bus

so I walked around and checked it out. Seems fine and I’m sure I’d check it out if I lived in Fremont and wasn’t working. I just don’t understand why people come from all over the city (and from farther away, I’m sure) to go.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Frankly I'd be fine with calling in a tactical nuclear strike so long as I had a half hour to leave the area

but then in the days leading up to the Fremont Fair I tend to get a bit over zealous in my distaste.

by acblue on Jun 19, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hooray for not working at work

I have no idea who Alice and Kev are. From what I gather it has something to do with the Sims, which I was addicted to for a week or so at one point.

I stumble across Yelp through Google searches, and it is hit or miss.

I haven’t really found a mexican place I like in the Seattle metro area, but I’m from Yakima and stuff there is truly “authentic.”

Big plan for the summer is the drive across the country to move to Nashville.

Don’t follow Sounders news much, but watch them when they are on TV.

I think the good snarky Morrow comments have already been taken.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Dancing Football on Jun 19, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Also my favorite band for the summer is Blind Pilot

I can’t stop listening to them.

I never really liked the old tagline.

CougCenter

by Dancing Football on Jun 19, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

So this is kinda cool

Flip Flop Fly Ball. Infographics about baseball stuff. More trivial than statistical but still kinda neat.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

That is truly awesome.

I always saw Ghostface Killa as more of a middle infielder, though.

by abender20 on Jun 19, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, I've been looking at this site a lot of my day now.

And I have a challenge. Name as many ballparks on this graphic as possible, in whatever manner you like (team name, city name, ballpark name, whatever). No cheating by looking at the bottom of the graphic.

I only got three, and I didn’t even get Safeco Field.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Three here, Athletics, M's, Royals. I'm kinda surprised you didn't get the M's

But the ones I didn’t know have their little tells that I don’t recognize, I’m sure.

by Kermit. on Jun 19, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I got Fenway and Safeco.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I actually got Texas, Oakland, and Boston

I confused Seattle for Cleveland; I was looking for the wrong tell.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That one just jumped out at me

although I was surprised to find out that Miami’s stadium looks pretty similar except for the little peak in CF at Fenway.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Quite a little challenge, isn't it?

It also makes me realize how totally useless I am at figuring out NL parks.

Now if we had a photo of the outfield wall, or some indication as to the height of the wall at every point, I think it’s be a lot easier.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Having never read the site, other than the odd link from SB, I don't know if there is any content I'd be adept at spoofing.

Plus my muse only shows up once in a blue moon. I stopped reading sites like that some time ago, the odds of running across aggravating content were just too high.

by Kermit. on Jun 19, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I go there for news, Jim Caple and Jonah Keri

aggravation is just an amusing side effect of a site that employs Jemele Hill, Skip Bayless, Rick Reilly and Gregg Easterbrook

by seattlebruin on Jun 19, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hate the Krebs cycle.

Almost as much as the Calvin cycle.

by Mariner John on Jun 19, 2009 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is a fucking amazing idea

an ESPN spoof site is one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard (I sincerely hope no one has already done this…)

by seattlebruin on Jun 19, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, I get to be Easterbrook

I can write 8,000 word columns on random subjects while pretending to be analytical and creepily lusting after women on TV

by seattlebruin on Jun 19, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought so too until I moved a block away from one

and then tried it for the first time in 20 years. It’s basically a step above Taco Bell – their deli sandwiches are OK, but their pressed-meat-and-cheese-goop sandwiches are horrid.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is happening up above, but deserves it's own ST.

What is the funniest word in your lexicon? I really do like “shellac”.

by abender20 on Jun 19, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

My last name. :(

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Jun 19, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Screed.

Like diatribe, only it sounds like it’s authored by harpies.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Jun 22, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

One of the stated reasons?

Easier for kids to text. I can’t wait until I’m old and my food choices are . , ~ * or if I’m feeling frisky :

by waldo rojas on Jun 19, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Somehow, I missed this in the shuffle.

Good show.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh and WTF

from that link:

“Although the award for stupidest rebranding of 2009 remains with the SciFi Channel (it’s changing to SyFy next month)”

SyFy? Really?

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So if something is really Sci-Fi Channel-ish

Does that mean we call it SyFylous?

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- P&P&Z

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Jun 19, 2009 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

It does now!

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm completely sympathetic to Harold Reynolds plight.

There’s something I’d like to say about what he wrote there, and maybe I even have a point to make. Only I completely lack the ability to vocalize it with any semblance of coherence. Especially since I’m functionally retarded due to reading that article.

by Kermit. on Jun 19, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It;s occurred to me that Joe Posnanski is what Bill Simmons would be

if Bill Simmons actually wrote more than once a month, and was actually funny

by seattlebruin on Jun 19, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love Joe Pasnanski so much.

I love him so much, I want to take him behind a middle school and get him pregnant.

50!

by joof on Jun 19, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pos is so far ahead of Simmons it's not even funny

Posnanski doesn’t lean on pop-culture or movie references nearly as much as Simmons does – Simmons has gotten better over the last couple years, but still it gets tiring to read a sentence and know it’s going to end in a Swingers reference or something.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love this response in the comments section.
I can totally relate Harold. I am a farmer and I can’t believe how science has taken over the agriculture business. Like I had an old neighbor who was much like Dick Williams. He said, “If something is going wrong with your crops, then the situation will dictate what to do. Like, if rain is your problem, then sacrifice two goats or one pig. If pests are your problem, then yell at the moon for a forenight and bury three red stones in your field. Problem solved. But I shouldn’t have to tell you beforehand, you should know this.” Now days they have fancy inventions like irrigation, meteorology, crop rotations, and fertilizers. I am like, “Phooey and bunk!” I am just like you Harold, I don’t need their new fangled theories and hocus-pocus in order to understand farming better. I mean a meteorologist has never farmed, what can he tell me or my old neighbor about farming? We reached the pinnacle of understanding with yelling at the moon! The point is that I have nothing left to learn just like you, Harold.

50!

by joof on Jun 19, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Well crap

Setanta’s gone bust. This means that a whole bunch of Premiership games that were supposed to be televised in this country now might not be – ESPN is apparently in on the bidding to pick up the pieces, but if they don’t that’s 46 less Premiership games that won’t be shown here.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 19, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The Morrow bobblehead...

…will become part of my Mariners shrine in the storage closet off of my deck.

"Where's my doctor?"

by mw3 on Jun 19, 2009 5:47 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Well

I went to the Washington Brewers Festival tonight. It’s was a .75 mile walk from my new house. I’d recommend going. It poured, but it was fun and tasty. I might go back on Sunday.

by chrisisasavage on Jun 19, 2009 11:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Leaving all blame and responsibility aside, I can't stop thinking how terrible Endy's injury is

He’s a premium defensive outfielder, perhaps his only real value as a player. I can’t stop thinking about several issues.
Gootch has tendon problems with one or both knees, Endy’s value as a trade piece this season, and tantamount to everything the mans career. He loses a step, or has recurring problems and spends significant time on the DL in the future, this could be it for him. This is terrible for the team, and for him. Dammit.

by Kermit. on Jun 20, 2009 2:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I feel the need to go on a music downloading spree and would love some help (and I know some of you would be more than happy to help me)

Bands I like:

Ratatat
Beirut
The Rolling Stones
Tycho
Aphex Twin
Beck
Common
David Bowie
Dire Straits
Mos Def
Eric B. and Rakim
Nas
Jethro Tull
Islands
Kaiser Chiefs
Kate Nash
Thievery Corporation
Lupe Fiasco
Moby
MGMT
Mogwai
N.A.S.A
Neil Diamond
Neil Young
Of Montreal
Outkast
Radiohead
Raconteurs
Slick Rick
Yelle

And I’m sure there are others but any help would be appreciated. I’m open to almost any genre of music

by Fogel on Jun 20, 2009 11:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

"Urban" music recs:

Jake one-White Van Music. (top-notch production with a potpourri of emcees)
Method Man/Redman – Blackout 2
MF DOOM – mmm…food (kinda old but damn it’s good)

The newish Wu-Tang was actually pretty good as well, you never know with those guys.

by waldo rojas on Jun 21, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You might not like island music, but I'm bored:

Jacob Miller – Collectors Classics
Lee Perry – Arkology
Congos – Heart of the Congos
Steel Pulse – True Democracy (more English-style, but still very nice)
The Chantells – Children of Jah

And kind of obscure, but check out Billy Boyo (Zim Zim and the DJ Clash reissue). He died young and didn’t have a large body of work but put out some stone grooves.

by waldo rojas on Jun 21, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Thought I would share this simply because it made me laugh out loud.

I’m several years into a game of Out of the Park Baseball 10 (which kicks ass by the way) when I get a trade proposal from the Giants. Guess who San Fransisco hired after finally getting rid of Sabean? None other than Bill Bavasi. Poor Giants fans.

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Jun 21, 2009 11:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I just have to say, I never knew this was wrong until now.

It seems comparatively minor, though, considering it’s just an incorrect article. Anyway, thanks for smartening me up.

by Lanky on Jun 23, 2009 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's a quote you'll enjoy:

“All of a sudden” is an idiom. There is no logical or grammatical reason why we say “all of a sudden” rather than “all of the sudden.”
- Link

This is why it strikes me as minor.

by Lanky on Jun 23, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And I counter with:
But that day has not yet arrived, and until it does, the proper phrasing remains “all of a sudden,” and those who use “all of the sudden” will be marking themselves as imperfectly educated, or at the very least as careless in their use of language.

by acblue on Jun 23, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was 7 years ago. The English language moves faster than that.

But if you disagree, perhaps you should let Mr. Krauthammer know:
“Now all of the sudden everything is the fault of Wall Street malfeasance.”

Like it or not, I would say “all of the sudden” has reached mainstream acceptance. You’re certainly entitled to your preference, but I think reading too much into its usage regarding the user’s education would be a mistake.

by Lanky on Jun 23, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well considering you linked to the National Review

you quite obviously did seeing as how it blatantly violates the no politics rule.

by acblue on Jun 23, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well we didn't talk about politics, did we?

I assumed it would be kosher, given that I was just citing my source. I didn’t intend for anyone to actually read the article.

by Lanky on Jun 23, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It doesn't matter.

Anything referencing politics in the least is off-limits.

by acblue on Jun 23, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You are a lucky man.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Jun 23, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Me too. Never heard it in my life.

Of course I’ve lived in non-English speaking countries for the majority of the last 15 years…

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 2:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The is a logical reason why:

‘All of a sudden’ is longhand for ‘suddenly’ and sudden is interpreted as ‘an instant of time’ in this case. Proper usage for ‘all of a sudden’ is in the description of a rapid, unexpected change in whatever is being described. If it was ‘the sudden’ that would imply that the change was expected to happen, as ‘the sudden’ would then refer to a specific instance in time. How, therefore, can you sensibly use ‘all of the sudden’?

‘I was watching the clock to tick towards to 2PM and all of the sudden it was 2PM!’ Hardly compelling narrative there.

by Graham on Jun 23, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Your example has far too many errors for me to evaluate how tinitillating it may or may not be.

However, you certainly provide a strong argument for your preference. Personally I would rather use ‘suddenly’ and be done with it.

by Lanky on Jun 23, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pardon?
Your example has far too many errors for me to evaluate how tinitillating it may or may not be.

by acblue on Jun 23, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Way to set us back, Jessica

In this story, a new (female) sports fan talks about how she now “gets” soccer, by telling us the hottest players.
Well done. Very well done.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Jun 22, 2009 10:47 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

How absolutely wooden was Julia Roberts in Ocean's Eleven?

I was doing my ironing for the week last night and had it on, and was reminded just how brutal she was in her first real scene at the table with Clooney. Her lines are written to be really glib and biting, but she basically flatlines her way though them. In a movie that makes hay with the character interplay (Clooney and Pitt especially), she stood out.

by abender20 on Jun 22, 2009 11:29 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

"she basically flatlines her way though them"

insert Flatliners reference

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Jun 22, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Her version of funny is basically Erin Brockovich, that's a bit limited as far as range.

I kind of remember her delivering a couple of lines in Pretty Woman with the same staccato monotone. No way in hell I’m watching that again to verify, worked for Erin B., sucked in Ocean’s.

Plus she walks like a man, the line from Matt Damon “this is just the best part of my day” as she walks down the stairs caused me to laugh out loud in the theater, even a terrific actor would have a hard time selling that line.

by Kermit. on Jun 22, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So the other thread has me thinking

which teams do you think have the most players on their current 25-man that you’ve never heard of? Who are the actual teams after looking at the rosters? Obviously, the Mariners should tie for last on the lists of everyone here.

My guesses (top 5)
1. San Diego
2. Washington
3. Oakland
4. Florida
5. Houston
(bonus) Pittsburgh

by seattlebruin on Jun 22, 2009 12:13 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Moneyball movie on hold

link


Sony pulled the plug late last week after Soderbergh turned in a rewritten script substantially different than an earlier draft by screenwriter Steven Zaillian.

Shall we speculate on what changed in the script? I want to think that Paul DePodesta is an alcoholic reclamation project taken by Billy Beane from some unfulfillnig think tank at Harvard to be his top assistant, furthering illustrating Beane’s magical powers

by seattlebruin on Jun 22, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Bill James is no longer animated?

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Jun 22, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok so I've stumbled upon a treasure trove of free beer

My local corner store has decided to stop selling singles out of six-packs because the remaining five beers are piling up in the walk-in. Obviously nothing super-fancy but I can get tons and tons of Full Sail Amber and Inversion IPA (not to mention gallons of Coors, Corona, Bud, et al) clean and free. Only problem is that all of them are past their “best-by” date. At worst it seems to be about April. The beers have been in a walk-in cooler the whole time. Is there anything wrong with drinking these? I’m not gonna get the death or anything, am I?

I want to poop at your house - Thingray

by tootthekazoo on Jun 22, 2009 7:05 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

There are literally close to 20 six-packs available of this stuff

All of them are missing just like one or two beers. I’m giddy

I want to poop at your house - Thingray

by tootthekazoo on Jun 22, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Very!

And still delicious, at least going by the 2 I’ve had already!

I want to poop at your house - Thingray

by tootthekazoo on Jun 22, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

God, Full Sail Amber is amazing

to be fair though, half the reason their Amber is so great is that it’s $6.99/6 pack, but free is free =)

by seattlebruin on Jun 22, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How is there only one within five miles of you?

I realized that between Mission Valley and Murietta, there are at least five BevMo!s within one mile of the 15

by seattlebruin on Jun 23, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There's one on Santa Monica and LaBrea, which is exactly 5 miles from me.

There are a few in the valley, and the next closest to the South is in Manhattan Beach.

by abender20 on Jun 23, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The explanation I got in SF was that AleSmith only distributes in San Diego

so any store outside of SD that wants to carry it has to go to the brewery.

by acblue on Jun 23, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair, I found it at the Temecula BevMo! primarily because people in Temecula

do things like go to fancy beer bars that have your standard AleSmith/Stone/Lost Abbey on tap and try to order Coors Light

by seattlebruin on Jun 23, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly.

I’m a definite enthusiast, but I also drank way, way more than my fair share of MGD this weekend.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

On the scale of awesome to terrible MGD is on the trembling edge of "not bad".

Especially for a crappy domestic.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Jun 23, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity

I would have drank my weight in Keystone Light if that were available, given those conditions.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Though I now make a distinction between party beer and beer I drink with meals

beer with meals and at bars is always something that I’ll enjoy the taste of. Party stuff is stuff that won’t get me too full and may or may not get me drunk as hell

by seattlebruin on Jun 23, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My friend found a baseball-watching drinking game on College Humor or something.

You can’t watch an entire baseball game without going through at least 10-12 beers. It’s impossible. I didn’t like that game.

by abender20 on Jun 23, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

As explained

linky

Except we play with a house rule that stealing can occur from either side of the table, which adds extra surprise (and gets more people involved in the game)

by seattlebruin on Jun 23, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not a huge 90 Minute fan

I like 120 a lot more, much less drinking for more being messed up

by seattlebruin on Jun 23, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would have been disappointed if Schumaker was actually the Stig.

Since the Stig is actually Ben Collins, they will only ruin the Stig as a character if they openly admit it. This was just a fun way to screw with the Top Gear world after all the speculation that has occurred since the last series.

by abender20 on Jun 23, 2009 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Neat tool!

http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jun 23, 2009 2:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

This is pretty awesome

Made more so by the second picture, in which Uno and McCaughey look reeeeeeeeeallly damn young.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 2:22 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I had completely forgotten that Conrad Uno was that thin once

he never gets enough credit for being awesome, either.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aww.

I had neglected to click on picture no. 2.

by msb on Jun 23, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know, isn't that crazy?

McCaughey’s hair is so not-gray! Uno’s so svelte!

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm really bummed I missed the YFF show this weekend

according to my friend that went it was the best show he’s seen them play in a mighty long time. Which could be explained by it being the first show they’ve played in a mighty long time, but he said they were really on their game, which is awesome.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They have glasses now too

at least they did at one of the bars I went to on Saturday night.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 23, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can think of one reason why this has any merit.

If you are at a ballgame and enjoy drinking water and the vendor is offering you your choice of Coors Light cans directly from his tray but you are not allowed to touch the cans.

by abender20 on Jun 23, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well this is very interesting indeed

Streaming in-market games are coming to the YES network market. No need to have mlb.tv – if you’re a subscriber to the YES network you get access to the streamed Yankees game. It’ll be interesting to see if this happens in all markets that have RSN’s.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 24, 2009 9:22 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Does anyone have a preference for tattoo artists in Seattle?

I know, we could go on forever yapping about “tattoos? Cool or awful?”. I haven’t gotten one since 1990. But I have a specific reason for getting a small one now. No fancy artwork, just text. Does it matter who I go to, really?

by royalcurve on Jun 24, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Probably not but Anchor is awesome and deserves your business.

When I finally stop being a baby that’s where I’m going.

by acblue on Jun 24, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

HAH!

Whoops! budy = body

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

My most recent one ventured up onto my neck area. That hurt like holybloodymotherfuckinghell. Chest close to nipple area hurts likes balls as well. Arms not so much.

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The tricep is apparently the worst.

There’s a tattoo place around the corner from our house. In getting to know the owner he says that he’s lost count of all the big burly guys that come in and want barbed wire rings or tribal marking rings or whatever around their biceps, but then he said that when the artist starts in on the very underside of the upper arm, most of them refuse to let the artist continue because it’s so painful.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 24, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can confirm that

Back of triceps hurts quite a bit, but compared to the neck it’s like a butterfly kiss.

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow $130 an hour is a good price.

I might have to stop by there the next time I’m back home

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's an awesome place, too

I haven’t had any work done by them but in flipping through their books they have some really good artists there.

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 24, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Far out

I’ll definitely check it out now

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Like the non-hairy side?

I’ve heard about 50/50 for folks saying it hurts like fuck/doesn’t hurt too much for that area. I think it wouldn’t be too bad personally.

by coolguyrob on Jun 24, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It probably doesn't matter much for text.

If you want to get some of you old ones re-done, I’d suggest this guy. He did one on my leg and re-did the one on my arm.

by Jed MC on Jun 24, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously?

If I click on this link will I be transported to my idea of joke heaven?

by royalcurve on Jun 24, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

So Matthew just suggested that I need to start a kangaroo court at my office for hilariously awful MS Office-related errors and such

Who’s got office stories where you at some point thought “wait, how the hell did you do that?!”

Today one of the older, incredibly technology inept engineers took a spreadsheet I had made, including page setup/print settings, and somehow made every cell it’s own page and turned page break preview on – this caused the page number (up to 4,000!) to display in every single cell.

His solution? Take a screenshot and send me a 5 MB bitmap of his screen via e-mail (thank God they gave me a bigger mailbox) asking me how to fix it and saying that he was sure I had a reason to display the page breaks.

by seattlebruin on Jun 24, 2009 12:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Of this page?

I’m running Adblock and I can’t see those ads. Are you on the latest FF?

Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.

by pdb on Jun 24, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup.

I just used Firefox to block it. Seems weird that Firefox would kill it and Adblock wouldn’t, but I can’t see the Axe ad anymore so yay.

by acblue on Jun 24, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup.

I simultaneously lost ctl-z, but that turned out to be unrelated ….

by msb on Jun 24, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Holy hell the U.S. is beating Spain 1-0 in the Confederations Cup semi.

Just wanted to post that. This thread is raping my computer, so . . . later!

by Teej on Jun 24, 2009 12:48 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs