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Off Topic - Christmas plans, traditions and other nonsense

Smell-the-glove_tiny by pdb on

It's getting close to Christmas, which means only one thing. Christmas plans. Or lack of same. Which I guess is two things, but there we are. Anyway. What are your Christmas plans? Staying close to home, or going over the river and through the woods?

What about Christmas traditions? There's all the common ones, but what are some of your family's strange/awesome/funny Christmas traditions?

Last but not least, it's winter, which is my least favorite season but my favorite time of year for beers. Any favorite winter beers you've had yet this year?

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I'm going back to Seattle from the 21st to the 2nd.

Unfortunately/fortunately, working from home every weekday besides the two days surrounding Christmas Weekend and the 2nd.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 9, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Soooo, about that...

“October

This sad holiday season we didn’t have the brewing capacity to make our favorite seasonal brew, the widely feard BrownShugga’ Ale. So this substitute beer is a ‘Cereal Medley’ of Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats…. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, and weighing in at 7.6% abv, Then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous hop flavor."

http://www.lagunitas.com/beers/index.html

by joof on Dec 9, 2011 3:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I know. It's a bummer.

But a 6 pack is still more than ample to ruin you.

by Falcon Jab on Dec 9, 2011 3:33 PM PST up reply actions  

If you can't read, the beer is named "Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale (Brown Shugga Substitute)"

The packaging is pretty hilarious. They just kick the shit out of themselves for like three paragraphs.

by Eyebrows on Dec 9, 2011 3:43 PM PST via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

I'm going to have a month off from school starting a week from today.

So my holidays will be spent sleeping and doing nothing of importance because I will have no pressing responsibilities.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 9, 2011 3:31 PM PST reply actions  

Same here!

"All I saw was purple. No jerseys, no numbers, just purple." - Todd Marinovich

by bmxnw on Dec 10, 2011 2:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Hook Norton Twelve Days!

Definitely the best winter beer I’ve had. Possibly the only one, thinking about it.

by Eyeball Kid on Dec 9, 2011 3:38 PM PST reply actions  

Finishing this paper.

Then taking a breather, hiking, reading and writing a bit, sticking around town, nothing too fancy. My family has no special traditions aside from overestimating the size of the tree that we are capable of putting up.

I had Jubelale before Thanksgiving! So good! I also had Scuttlebutt 10° below last week and whatever Maritime’s Christmas seasonal is when I was out last night.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 9, 2011 3:41 PM PST reply actions  

It's all right.

It hit the spot at the time, but it didn’t really impress me a whole bunch.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 10, 2011 8:42 PM PST up reply actions  

I miss the days of hanging lit candles from the boughs.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 9, 2011 4:09 PM PST up reply actions  

There's this guy from Munich who lives across the street from my folks.

He uses candles in his tree. It’s pretty awesome. He also has these little tin windmills that sit a few inches away. They spin from the heat of the flame and make the light go all over the place. It’s really quite comforting and pretty.

by sea-townie on Dec 9, 2011 8:33 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

DBacks continue on their quest to totally fuck us.
According to Steve Gilbert and Jane Lee of MLB.com, the Diamondbacks are on the verge of acquiring right-hander Trevor Cahill and left-hander Craig Breslow from the Athletics.
Confirming a previous report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Gilbert and Lee hear that the Athletics would receive prospect right-hander Jarrod Parker and outfielder Collin Cowgill in return. Oakland may also receive a third player. It sounds like this deal could go down at any moment, so stay tuned.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 9, 2011 3:46 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah, The lost year thanks to TJ surgery takes some shine off him.

Still, him being included in this deal makes it a minus for Arizona I think. Cahill is a #3 at best, though he does have a decent contract.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 9, 2011 4:06 PM PST up reply actions  

The Diamondbacks are one of the few teams that possibly have more high-upside pitching depth than the Mariners.

They can definitely take a chance on losing Parker even if he turns into a number one starter, because they have other guys with the same potential but no injury history. They’ve done some good wheeling and dealing. Everyone thought they were crazy for trading Max Scherzer.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 9, 2011 4:09 PM PST up reply actions  

I got to watch him pitch here in Missoula.

I don’t remember anything about it other than the name.
I drink at rookie A games.
A lot.

by BigR on Dec 9, 2011 6:26 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

Well this may be not as bad as I originally thought for Arizona.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears that the Diamondbacks could attempt to trade left-hander Joe Saunders.
It’s quite a change of course for Arizona, as the two sides were discussing a two-year deal earlier this week, but Saunders is suddenly expendable following the acquisition of Trevor Cahill. The 30-year-old left-hander is due a significant raise in arbitration from the $5.5 million he made this past season, so the D-Backs will likely shop him pretty heavily in advance of the non-tender deadline on Monday.

Getting rid of Joe Saunders is always a plus.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 9, 2011 4:55 PM PST up reply actions  

My brother works at K-Mart

he’s been posting youtube links to all the terrible songs they play over the speakers. Also he had the daily cover for Last Christmas or something. Apparently a lot of people have covered it.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Yup!

Although I don’t know where one is in Los Angeles, but they have them in Washington.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 3:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Lots of flying.

Heading to Chicago on the 18th for a job interview on the 19th, then back to KC that day to fly back to Seattle (Olympia) the next day for Christmas. I love seeing family and friends over the holidays but sometimes too much can be packed into a short trip. Hopefully it’s a little less chaotic this year.

No matter where you go, there you are.

by KC Mariner on Dec 9, 2011 3:48 PM PST reply actions  

We open one present on Christmas Eve.

It’s always new pajamas/lounge clothing. Everything else is opened Christmas morning.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 9, 2011 3:56 PM PST up reply actions  

Bingo.

"All I saw was purple. No jerseys, no numbers, just purple." - Todd Marinovich

by bmxnw on Dec 10, 2011 2:15 PM PST up reply actions  

My mom started doing this at one point as well

Although nowadays we just get it in the morning.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:44 PM PST up reply actions  

We've always done all presents on Christmas morning.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve met more and more people that do presents on Christmas Eve though. I think it’s common enough that I don’t think twice when someone mentions it.

No matter where you go, there you are.

by KC Mariner on Dec 9, 2011 3:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Mroning.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 9, 2011 4:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Winter meetings overlap at a bad time for those of us in school :(

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 9, 2011 4:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I think the way you guys handle the idiots and trolls is top-notch.

I’m sure it isn’t fun to deal with, but in the end, I think it is nice that those threads happen once in a while because it shows people that this site does give people a fair chance to get their point across before giving them the hammer.

I actually love those threads. It was one of the reasons I started reading LL in the first place.

by d0nkey on Dec 9, 2011 5:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Small Christmas party with my mom's side of the family on the Eve, with a gift exchange there.

Inter-nuclear-family present opening on Christmas morning.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 9, 2011 4:19 PM PST up reply actions  

It all depends on what people's work schedules are.

The girlfriend works Christmas Day, but has Eve off. And I somehow got both off this year, well unless somebody in my crew calls in sick(being salary sucks ass sometimes). So we’ll be doing our presents Christmas Eve.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 9, 2011 4:53 PM PST up reply actions  

Both

I’ve always done at least two Christmases with different families.

by BigR on Dec 9, 2011 6:29 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm wondering if it has to do with being raised by a single mom.

We always got stockings on Xmas morning so we didn’t feel like Xmas was over just because we got presents on the Eve.

I love my mom.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 9, 2011 11:42 PM PST up reply actions  

We opened one present Christmas Eve

the rest of the presents Christmas morning, and then opened our stockings Christmas night. My dad always had us wait on the stockings so Christmas didn’t feel “over” at like 10am, after we’d torn through all of the presents.

twitter | CougCenter

by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 12, 2011 2:36 AM PST up reply actions  

One present Xmas Eve, generally one from your sibling.

Rest Xmas morning.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 9, 2011 11:52 PM PST up reply actions  

My family did that.

Christmas morning ended up being horseshit because there was nothing to open. Last year I started “doing” Christmas again after many years of abstaining, and we waited until Xmas morning. It made all the difference.

by royalcurve on Dec 10, 2011 9:38 AM PST up reply actions  

Xmas Eve

My dad and I aren’t really morning people, and the family just finds it far more enjoyable to casually open presents over Almond Roca and brandy.

by Drew_D on Dec 10, 2011 4:10 PM PST up reply actions  

Christmas morning after we've eaten breakfast.

This year we’re starting the tradition of having bloody marys. I have no idea what took so long to think of that. Alcohol makes the holidays with family more fun/bearable. I plan to be drunk by the time the extended family arrives in the afternoon.

by truemsfan on Dec 10, 2011 4:25 PM PST up reply actions  

I somehow managed to get the 21st to the 29th off from work, so I'll get to take a much-needed trip back to Idaho

Should be the fairly standard Christmas- shovel the deck and the roof, have all the family over at my parents, eat some good food, go out with high school friends and party like it’s 2006 (i.e. standing in a freezing garage with nothing but several cases of Keystone Light).

Our right-around-Christmas goes something like:
Night of 24th, go to church. After church we go to Grandma’s and she has a spread of snacks ready. Then we go home and watch A Christmas Story right before going to bed on Christmas Eve. In the morning Mom makes cinnamon rolls, all the family comes over, we open presents and sit outside and drink Budweiser and then we have a dinner afterwards. There’s perpetually a volume control fight- my Dad tries to blast XKCD style Christmas music and my Mom turns it down, and it passive-aggressively goes on all Christmas Day every year to the point that it’s a joke.

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 9, 2011 4:45 PM PST reply actions  

Every year I get a group of people to bowling at around 8pm on xmas day.

It turned into a white elephant thing this last year and even though those can be pretty lame, it has been pretty fun.

by d0nkey on Dec 9, 2011 5:08 PM PST reply actions  

I'll be heading back to Seattle from the 15th-26th.

In September, I moved down to San Diego, and it’s been really weird being away for Thanksgiving and Christmas. When you have lived within 20 minutes of where you grew up for your whole life, it’s weird not doing any of the traditions that you used to. I missed out on Thanksgiving at the parents’ (I did go up to my older brothers, which was nice), along with decorating the Christmas tree. Normally, I think that I am pretty good with change, but this has been interesting to deal with. What was it like for your first holidays away from all your traditional things?

by seattle_since_81 on Dec 9, 2011 5:38 PM PST reply actions  

Sierra Nevada Celebration

is probably my favorite winter beer this year (so far, anyway), but Boundary Bay Cabin Fever isn’t bad.

Not encumbered by the thought process.

by Bart's Evil Twin on Dec 9, 2011 6:39 PM PST reply actions  

This year the Celebration Ale is all fresh hop too

Alaskan just came out with their 25th Anniversary Perseverance Stout. It is AWESOME.

If I feel like something more refreshing but still christmassy itt’s Widmer Bros Brrrrr

by Darth Flamingo on Dec 9, 2011 8:15 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

I got into the Dota 2 beta so it'll be a Dota 2 christmas!

I’m just glad to be home from college. It’s finally the first Christmas where I have money to spend on gifts as well! Which is odd considering the college kid stereotype is that we’re all poor.

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 9, 2011 7:26 PM PST reply actions  

Did you get a spare one? I know many people got a key and a key for a friend.

Just an FYI, those keys can be sold for somewhere in the range of 20 to 30 dollars.

by Eyebrows on Dec 9, 2011 7:46 PM PST up reply actions  

I got my key from a friend indeed.

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 9, 2011 8:27 PM PST up reply actions  

I have yet to get a spare key

Despite being in for like a month.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:45 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm scheduled to work Christmas morning.

Which kinda sucks but hey double time and a half. Plus it’ll be quiet and I finish at 2pm.
Having had both, I’ll take a summer Christmas every time. Especially given our family traditions: BBQ and cricket. Although the cricket has changed a lot, since most of my cousins are interstate now, so it’s no longer the epic it used to be as I was growing up.
And presents on Christmas day for me.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 9, 2011 7:51 PM PST reply actions  

It is.

My first Christmas in WA involved snow. When you’re used to unwrapping presents in shorts and a t-shirt, well… Plpus Christmas BBQ and cricket/other sport/running around with new and fun things on a beach/at a park is the bomb.
Admittedly it was kinda cool to have a white Christmas, but I still freaking hate snow. It should not just fall from the sky where you live, you should have to actually GO somewhere to see it!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 9, 2011 9:58 PM PST up reply actions  

Sweet! I haven't had this year's brew

Looking forward to it then- it’s tough getting in the Christmas/winter spirit in Tucson, but I expect I’ll be hit with a snowgasm as soon as I get back to Idaho and want to consume massive quantities of good winter beer

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 9, 2011 8:19 PM PST up reply actions  

I will agree with this.

Picked up a six pack right when it came out, and it was very well received at the gathering it went to.

by Drew_D on Dec 9, 2011 8:21 PM PST up reply actions  

EVERYONE is saying this.

Every time it’s mentioned, everyone says “Jubelale is really good / amazing this year.”

by Eyebrows on Dec 9, 2011 10:17 PM PST up reply actions  

I will add to that

It’s better this year than it has been in about five years – and 2009 was a really good year too. This one’s just that amazing.

by pdb on Dec 10, 2011 9:02 AM PST up reply actions  

I prefer Sleighr. Jubelale is a little to spicy for me.

It’s not bad, but it’s got a cinnamon kick instead of smooth sweetness.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 19, 2011 1:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Are there any good two player wii games that are not battle/sports games?

Games with a story line and cooperative play would be great. A way to still “beat” the other person (in points, or whatever) would be better but not necessary. Anyone have any experience with these?

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 9, 2011 8:34 PM PST reply actions  

Mario Party is a good one for playing with friends.

"All I saw was purple. No jerseys, no numbers, just purple." - Todd Marinovich

by bmxnw on Dec 10, 2011 2:19 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

It's also a great way to lose all your friends.

Because you will inevitably screw each other over for coins or a star, and there’s no coming back from that.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 10, 2011 5:14 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I fucking love Mario Party.

I haven’t played it properly since the Gamecube but I doubt it’s much different.

by Eyeball Kid on Dec 10, 2011 6:31 PM PST up reply actions  

There's also the new Fortune Street which is more Monopoly than Mario Party

I’m trying to remember if there is a Dokapon game for Wii, those are also rather board game like.

Wario Ware sort of has a two player mode.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:47 PM PST up reply actions  

New Super Mario Brothers is great.

It’s a cooperative game, and because of how the game works, you’ll kill eachother all the time on accident, which is always great fun. It only has the smallest figment of a story though.

by joof on Dec 11, 2011 12:50 AM PST up reply actions  

I second this. Of all the multiplayer games I have ever played, this one was one of the most interesting.

The 2 player interaction was done incredibly well. Perfect for 2 people who are really good at video games, or for 2 people who have no idea what they are doing. Or a combination of both.

A++++++++++++++++++

by d0nkey on Dec 12, 2011 10:23 AM PST up reply actions  

I'm gonna spend Xmas at my folks. But I am much more excited about my birthday.

It’s on the 23rd, I turn 30. I’ve worked retail since I was 14, so I’ve never not busted my ass on my birthday. This year I have it off! I’m stoked but I’m also stumped as to what I’ll do. It’s been 15 years since I had a birthday to myself. Any suggestions?

by sea-townie on Dec 9, 2011 8:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions  

Faceplant, Doppelbock, and Slow Elk.

Slow Elk’s a fall beer I guess, but I drink it all winter.

by BigR on Dec 9, 2011 9:40 PM PST reply actions  

Dave Cameron is now a member of the BBWAA!

Linkage

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 9, 2011 9:43 PM PST reply actions  

That's a great Xmas present!

Even if he doesn’t celebrate it (can you tell I’m from Seattle?). He can still receive gifts. Kudos!

by sea-townie on Dec 9, 2011 9:48 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

Last weekend I bought myself a Xmas present.

I wont $1000 at the casino playing Texas Hold Em and then I immediately bought a MacBook Pro. I am so happy with it. The thing I love most is the touchpad. I know that most people probably think this is old news but god damn this touchpad is awesome. When I’m drink I can easily zoom into the page to be able to read the words on the page. Has anyone else treated themselves to an awesome present lately?

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 9, 2011 10:35 PM PST reply actions  

I haven't gotten myself anything nice lately.

But I have been spoiled by the MacBook. Tis’ sweet until you forget how to use other laptops.

by sea-townie on Dec 9, 2011 10:38 PM PST via mobile up reply actions  

I just wrote a seven and a half page paper where the only resource we were given was a book, and lecture notes that essentially summarized the book entirely.

Is it just me, or does writing a paper based off of nothing that the teacher doesn’t know already do nothing but prove that I’m good at pulling quotes for said paper? I figured I wouldn’t have to do this kind of stuff once I got into college. It’s just mindless busywork that’s wasting time I could be using studying for something like my chem or vector calc finals.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 9, 2011 11:06 PM PST reply actions  

A lot of college is filler.

It’s just a means to an end. It became a lot less frustrating for me when I started focusing on that part.
That said, thank god I only have one year left.
PS. Good luck!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 10, 2011 1:15 AM PST up reply actions  

Thanks man. This class is one of the last core requirements I have left.

I more or less get to start focusing entirely on my major starting next semester, so it’s not too bad. Just time consuming during my busiest time of the year.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 10, 2011 1:34 AM PST up reply actions  

Probably, but I wish writing was more a core requirement across all majors in undergrad.

Writing well is a cross-disciplinary skill and students need a lot more practice and more direction in it. By which I include skills like: how to do research, what kind of research is good and what’s shitty logic. The world needs a whole heap of more people trained in those.

by Matthew on Dec 12, 2011 12:24 PM PST up reply actions   3 recs

I wish they had some sort of placement test for writing aptitude

because I agree with you that it is a skill that too many people lack but I didn’t really gain anything from the class because writing is a skill I already have.

by Mariner John on Dec 12, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I loved getting out of the core writing classes, because it mostly felt like I was writing fluff.

Once I was writing in the Engineering department, writing felt less like fluff, and more like a way to transmit useful information.

by joof on Dec 12, 2011 12:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes

Writing should absolutely be a huge part of every college curriculum, but I hated taking a writing class

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 12, 2011 1:36 PM PST up reply actions  

At USC everyone has to take Writing 340

you can take any version of it you want regardless of major. The Engineering version is widely considered the worst. I took it anyway :(

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:49 PM PST up reply actions  

My school focuses on all of those for our undergrad core requirements,.

The only problem I had with this was that I had done the vast majority of these things in high school. At the very least they refined my skills in those areas, but at the same time it always felt like I could be doing something more relevant to my major or interests instead repeating what I had excelled at in high school.

And you’re dead on about the world needing more people with that type of training. Especially that part about logic.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 12, 2011 1:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Writing scientific journal articles are so fun!

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 12, 2011 2:57 PM PST up reply actions  

I wouldn't mind that.

Especially since I’ve been through three subjects from three disciplines where they all had their first piece of assessment designed to teach this, which was boring as batshit to do three times.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 12, 2011 6:59 PM PST up reply actions  

I agreed with this philosophy back when I thought sports journalism was the lowest form of "writing."

Then I discovered the fanfiction world. Oh boy, if that’s what our high school/college kids are writing, we are so fucked.

by Benne on Dec 12, 2011 9:19 PM PST up reply actions  

Sooo, the Rays pulled another Longoria.

This time with Moore. WHERE’S THE ACKLEY DEAL, MARINERS?

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 10, 2011 1:57 AM PST reply actions  

Boras!

No matter where you go, there you are.

by KC Mariner on Dec 10, 2011 5:10 AM PST up reply actions  

I love this.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 10, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions  

That's not even the dumbest bowl name this year

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:49 PM PST up reply actions  

That's a beautiful thing

Anything to convince people that there is nothing in Idaho but potatoes is a beautiful thing.

That said, the Humanitarian Bowl name had more street cred

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 12, 2011 5:29 PM PST up reply actions  

McCall, and the traffic in McCall.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 12, 2011 5:47 PM PST up reply actions  

According to the wiki
In addition, Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets can be found (the other is the Himalaya Mountains, in Pakistan and India), and is the only place six-pointed star garnets have been found.

NEAT!

by d0nkey on Dec 12, 2011 5:47 PM PST up reply actions  

No. There are four things in Idaho

1. Potatoes
2. White People
3. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
4. The Boise State football team.

That’s it. There’s nothing else, so don’t come visit.

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 12, 2011 6:38 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

Don't listen to him rich white eco-touristy people looking for the next Jackson Hole or Sedona.

Some guy on the internet was recently saying that Idaho has the second highest amount of “untouched” acreage in the United States. It sounds highly exploitable and all the trees you cut down can be used to build your multi-million dollar monstrosity homes.

Also, Damn you! Boise State kickers, 2 years in a row blowing a chance at the BCS title. Debatable if the voters would have put one loss Alabama in instead of them, but the Broncos would have been deserving of a shot.

by Craptastic-J on Dec 12, 2011 6:52 PM PST up reply actions  

Exactly

Dangerous wild potatoes

by tootthekazoo on Dec 13, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions   2 recs

I know a guy who tripped in Idaho on a wild potato.

His mouth fell onto another wild potato. The blood loss from the compound fracture in his ankle could have killed him if the suffocation didn’t first. The police ruled it an accident. Idaho cops always let the famous get away with murder.

by Craptastic-J on Dec 13, 2011 3:46 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

It took until this year to realize that it was the Fight Hunger Bowl sponsored by Kraft

no kidding up until now, I thought it was actually called the Hunger Bowl, which seemed like a really weird thing for a food company to endorse

by seattlebruin on Dec 12, 2011 3:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Personally

I’m a big fan of the TAXSLAYER.com GATOR BOWL!

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 3:41 PM PST up reply actions  

Do people realize that we tried to hire Chris Petersen with a $4M/year salary and ended up with JIM MORA JR?!

I mean Jesus if you’re going to do that, why not just save the fucking money and name Kliff Kingsbury coach? At least that way the offense would be entertaining

by seattlebruin on Dec 12, 2011 3:07 PM PST up reply actions  

So the plan was to use the money to go get a splashy, good hire for the program

instead they spent the money on a guy who isn’t splashy, is probably a terrible hire, and people are already speculating that he won’t get along with the AD’s office.

woooooooooo

by seattlebruin on Dec 12, 2011 3:08 PM PST up reply actions  

I think he's pretty splashy.

At the very least, Bruins Nation is even more spectacular than usual right now.

by Drew_D on Dec 12, 2011 3:11 PM PST up reply actions  

I for one am downright ecstatic with about this hire

My tax dollars are being well spent.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 3:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Topics!

I don’t care about beer, so I can’t answer the beer stuff. As usual. I heard Jubelale is good this year!

As I’m getting married next summer we now have to blend our families’ Christmas activities, which is a little interesting and weird. I think we have it sussed out to Christmas Eve at in laws’ house with gift exchange, Christmas morning with my family with gifts for the kids, and the afternoon of Christmas Day at home with our dogs.

by royalcurve on Dec 10, 2011 9:42 AM PST reply actions   1 recs

We were always Christmas morning.

Stockings. Breakfast. Presents.

breakfast always seemed to take forever.

by msb on Dec 10, 2011 10:09 AM PST reply actions  

This year, once again we get out of going over the pass (yay, Very Aged Parent!)

and the family is getting together on Christmas Eve day, which means I don’t have to do a darned thing on Christmas morning. Wonderful. I’ll likely walk over to my dad’s for lunch.

by msb on Dec 12, 2011 7:35 AM PST up reply actions  

I wasn't even aware we were going after him.
According to WTAM 1100’s Nick Camino, free agent Josh Willingham has narrowed his list of desired landing spots to the Twins, Indians, Rockies and Mariners.
The Rays were in the running at one point but might have been scared off by the outfielder’s escalating asking price. Willingham, 32, batted .246/.332/.477 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 136 games this past season for the A’s. He’s likely to make a decision within the next week.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 10, 2011 2:32 PM PST reply actions  

Don't look at this as giving up on Casper Wells.

Look at this as giving up on Peguero.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 10, 2011 2:57 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't know, I'm pretty smashed.

I think the rational was that you’d normally get commenter of the year, but doubting Casper Wells opens the door for others.

by Eyeball Kid on Dec 10, 2011 7:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm kind of meh on Casper, but I meant I was never in on Peguero.

And especially after all the comments by the manager justifying his presence. Don’t even get me started on the whole Peggy nickname, yeesh

by Kermit. on Dec 10, 2011 11:18 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm amazed how Casper's swing is compact , awkward looking and hits balls really far.

Also how Peguero’s swing is like a helicopter blade twilrling, awkward looking and hits balls really far.

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 10, 2011 11:47 PM PST up reply actions  

Huh, why not.

I am convinced that Seattle sports teams exist to make me hate Seattle sports teams.

by the other side on Dec 10, 2011 3:03 PM PST up reply actions  

What the hell are regionals?

I recently watched all of Community (I regret not getting into this show sooner), but if I had to pick a favorite it’s either the first paintball episode or Advanced Dungeons and Dragons.

by BrianL on Dec 10, 2011 4:14 PM PST up reply actions  

Having never seen Glee I think some of it went over my head.

It was still probably top-5 for me for the Annie scene and the Troy/Abed rap alone. “I am Jehova’s most secret witness” had me rolling immediately.

I am convinced that Seattle sports teams exist to make me hate Seattle sports teams.

by the other side on Dec 10, 2011 5:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Last week's where they made the commercial was pretty awesome

But Advanced Dungeons and Dragons was soooo gooood too, as was the first paintball episode

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 10, 2011 5:40 PM PST up reply actions  

Going to agree with the paintball episodes mentioned above.

Also, the first season Halloween episode — when Jeff finally gets a chance with Slater and loses it because he actually does care about those weird classmates — is excellent. Largely because of Abed’s Batman impression.

by Joe Metro on Dec 10, 2011 9:05 PM PST up reply actions  

.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 11, 2011 1:38 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I didn't really like it as much as most people seem to.

I get why people like it but it wasn’t as funny to me as Remedial Chaos Theory was.

by Mariner John on Dec 12, 2011 11:41 AM PST up reply actions  

I'm re-watching season one and confirming what I had suspected: Community took awhile before it really became what it is today.

Maybe they were afraid of alienating viewers early with really strange episodes outside the realms of reality, but it was mostly a normal show in the beginning. I’m like 12 episodes in and not even close yet to Modern Warfare.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 12, 2011 1:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Having trouble mustering up any emotion about it.

I am convinced that Seattle sports teams exist to make me hate Seattle sports teams.

by the other side on Dec 10, 2011 5:10 PM PST up reply actions  

For all we know, could be as simple as a pain medication or something that he didn't run by his agent

Or he’s just really stupid for a player as high-profile as him to be juicing in this day and age.

by Benne on Dec 10, 2011 6:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Am I naive to think a MLB player shouldn't have to run pain medication by their agent?

I’d think any doctor treating a professional baseball player, and the player himself, would be aware of banned substances and would take extra cautions. I can understand it happening more with Minor League players who are lesser known or who speak/read English as a second language, but with Ryan Braun?

That said, I do not believe that this was necessarily the case here. No one knows yet what happened and I don’t want to jump to conclusions. I hope it was a mistake because if it wasn’t, come ON.

by truemsfan on Dec 10, 2011 8:13 PM PST up reply actions  

MLB has the strongest drug testing in its history, and the media steroid witch-hunt is still alive and well.

Perhaps Braun really was stupid and/or egotistical to think he could get away with juicing. Or perhaps he was taking an innocuous medication, and didn’t think to clear it with his trainer/agent/union/MLB. No matter how this shakes out, Braun is still at fault for getting a positive test in the first place.

by Benne on Dec 10, 2011 8:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Plus it is fake

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 2:52 PM PST up reply actions  

I bet you don't believe in Santa either :(

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 12, 2011 3:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Its the work of rapper and pancake afficianado Mac Lethal

Link.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 4:11 PM PST up reply actions  

I still believe that there are people like that out there.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 12, 2011 5:41 PM PST up reply actions  

No, those are people related to the issue.

I’m talking about things like "It seems like those fires in Oakland are raging wild. Let’s go to Twitter, where @JohnSmith writes “wow, thos fires r ragin wild1”, and @JaneSmith tweets “omg, the fires r big!” Back to you, Frank.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 13, 2011 2:18 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh, reader reactions!

Well, might as well dip back into this well a second time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQnd5ilKx2Y

by Matthew on Dec 13, 2011 2:24 PM PST up reply actions   3 recs

Not just reactions!

They read off Tweets to report on what was happening of the occupy protests, and I believe did so on some riot, though it escapes me at the moment. Essentially the news is starting to read off Twitter news updates so they don’t have to go to the events themselves or verify anything.

Excellent video though, I’m going to have to watch their stuff.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 13, 2011 2:29 PM PST up reply actions  

On the 17th I will be attending the annual Christmas party. Everyone gets drunk (except me and my friend I bring with, and those too young to drink) and has a good time (except my friend who brought with me)

Great times are had by most….

Then on Christmas eve I spend time with my moms and open gifts from her. We eat Chinese food with the neighbors (that friend referred to above) and I stay the night.

On Christmas, I go to my adoptive mother’s house and open up presents and her brother comes over and we chat and watch crappy, yet enjoyable Christmas movies. For breakfast, we have a crab quiche (fucking awesome) and for dinner I am splitting a bit of King Salmon with my uncle while my adoptive mom feasts on her planked salmon (taste too much like wood for me).

All I want is snow this year and I will be set.

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Dec 11, 2011 9:19 PM PST reply actions  

I have a few

If I’m at my folks, we have a noble fir that has candles on it, and German decorations that are older than I am. It gets lit Christmas Eve and Christmas Day evening as well. If I’m on the east coast, where my husband’s family lives, we just do whatever…it’s not something that is regular enough that I’m even aware that a tradition exists.
However, this year, my Christmas present is a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. My sister in law lives in Vermont, and it’s a few hours’ worth of drive down there.
I plan to lounge in it like a boss. :D

by section331 on Dec 12, 2011 12:36 AM PST reply actions  

I've been on a mission to try as many winter brews as I can this year.

Like everyone is saying, Jubleale is probably the best combo of price/alcohol content/taste that I’ve tried so far. It is just so impossibly solid. Love it.

Other favorites include Full Sail Wassail, Scuttlebutt 2 Below, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Winter Hook (surprisingly really good this year!), Boundary Bay Cabin Fever (wish this was available in 4 or 6 packs) and Kona Pipeline Porter (also incredible this year). Like the OP said, this season sucks shit for weather, but the beer is heavenly.

Also finally tracked down some 2011 Abyss last week so I can die happy now. Gave some to my dad, who isn’t an avid beer drinker/nerd, whose only reply after tasting it was “Oh, this is the good stuff right here.”

by sanford_and_son on Dec 12, 2011 8:38 AM PST reply actions  

I have actually heard unflattering things about this year's abyss

A coworker grabbed a few bottles and said it was pretty raw. Of course he’s comparing it to a 2007 he drank a couple weeks ago, but still. The consensus in our beer circle seems to be in needs a few months to take the edge off.

by Drew_D on Dec 12, 2011 9:47 AM PST up reply actions  

Interesting!

I had no recent comparison, just my rosy memories of the 2009 and 2010, so I was pretty happy with it. But, I’ve always wanted to be able to compare different years side by side.

I’ve also found that folks who have an aversion to anything licorice flavored (or perhaps had bad experiences with Jager in your college years, heh) then they probably won’t like one of the greatest beers on earth. Very sad for them, but more for me!

by sanford_and_son on Dec 12, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions  

Where did you find this year's Abyss?

I’ve been looking and haven’t been able to find even 1 bottle.

By the way, if you happen to have an extra bottle or two, I still have a few bottles of the 2010 Abyss. Maybe we could arrange a swap?

by ToddK on Dec 12, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Whole Foods

But they went really quick.

by Drew_D on Dec 12, 2011 1:12 PM PST up reply actions  

Forgot a coupl

Alaskan Winter Ale (much lighter than most winter brews, almost too light for my liking)
Ninkasi Sleigher (the name is almost better than the beer, but it is quite good)

by sanford_and_son on Dec 13, 2011 9:52 AM PST up reply actions  

@CapSea, this is kinda hilarious

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2011/11/28/2595038/10-things-the-mariners-can-improve-in-2012#84080447

  1. Push Low Cost/Multiple Year Contracts – It may not be possible after Evan Longoria, but the low cost/multiple year contract strategy has its advantages with less downside. This should be pursued with all good young players.

And then a week later, they sign Matt Moore to yet another stupidly hilarious contract

by seattlebruin on Dec 12, 2011 11:36 AM PST reply actions  

Shannon sez:

“Be sure to tune in tomorrow night from 7-9 as we broadcast the first Hot Stove League Show of the winter, or, if you like, stop by and see us as we will be broadcasting from the Mariners Team Store at Alderwood Mall. Dan Wilson will sit in with us and guests will include Jack Zduriencik, Dustin Ackley and John Jaso.”

by msb on Dec 13, 2011 7:53 AM PST up reply actions  

Verizon cell phone recommendations?

requirements: I don’t have a ton of money to spend on a telephone, don’t necessarily need 4G, but a stylish, reasonably functional smart phone, don’t really care what the OS is, but very comfortable with Android. Needs to be somewhat rugged, as my phones tend to end up with sand in them

by seattlebruin on Dec 12, 2011 1:04 PM PST reply actions  

Move somewhere with no sand.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Not only terrible cause of the lack of coast and beach

But sand is everywhere (ashtrays, planters, street fairs, all of which you could end up drunk at with sand in your phone) and it probably limits you to, I don’t even know, some dystopian concrete jungle.

by Craptastic-J on Dec 19, 2011 9:47 PM PST up reply actions  

And for the phone destruction thing problem

My HTC Evo flew off of my car at 40 mph, hit the street, kind of blew apart, and skidded, in the rain. And it’s basically no worse for wear, one scratch at the top right corner on the plastic. Not that the Evo is an option for you, but my HTC has been pretty disasterproof.

Blew apart = back cover and battery flying off

by Craptastic-J on Dec 19, 2011 9:51 PM PST up reply actions  

Extremely strongly leaning towards Bionic at this time

Really want a Razr, but don’t want to spend the money for something that I’m far too likely to break

by seattlebruin on Dec 20, 2011 2:28 PM PST up reply actions  

A $100 premium over the Bionic just doesn't strike me as worth it for a thinner phone with kevlar and "nanocoating" on the display to be water repellant.

I don’t need a 720p screen on a phone. Much as I loathe Apple, the Retina display has it right with the iPhone. There’s only so much sheer pixel count is gonna do before you hit diminishing returns.

The RAZR is trick, but $100 over the Bionic? No.

Although Amazon shaves that $100 premium down to a $50 premium at a whole $70 less than VZW’s list price – $229.99 on contract if upgrade eligible. That’s ALMOST enough to persuade me to go with the RAZR. The Galaxy Nexus (which, see below, I’m still not sold on) is only $10 more than that.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 20, 2011 10:44 PM PST up reply actions  

I have the Droid X - I don't know if they discontinued it or not but its been pretty reliable

Also, I hear the Droid 2 is pretty nice

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Dec 12, 2011 2:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Don't know if you're still shopping, but some thoughts from a Verizon employee:

1) Don’t buy a 3G Motorola Droid – Droid 3, Droid X 2, Droid Pro – the latest software update is terrible. Reboots left and right, known to power off during a voice call.
2) Don’t buy a Thunderbolt. See above.
3) Buy from Amazon or Best Buy or other third party vendors. Better pricing.
4) You may not need 4G, but get it anyway: still grandfathered on unlimited data, and if you want to pay Verizon for tethering, 4G mobile hotspot services are unlimited, unlike 3G which is capped at 2GB.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 19, 2011 1:45 PM PST up reply actions  

Galaxy Nexus

Pure Google Android, every time.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 2:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Then definitely Galaxy Nexus!

Pure Android, ICS, great everything. The speed, screen quality, and camera quality are good enough that it should hold the buyer over for a good 3 years. I know people who are still happy with their Nexus One.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 4:11 PM PST up reply actions  

Vast, vast, not cast.

The Verge seems to like it a lot. And they’re basically SBNation so yeah.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 4:41 PM PST up reply actions  

My main issue with ICS is that it's a HUGE leap over Honeycomb for tablet interfaces, but basically a lateral move for Gingerbread on the phone front.

The lack of hardware buttons introduces a mild learning curve for non-tech geeks (though I’m fairly certain seattlebruin can figure it out, otherwise our national defense is screwed). Manufacturer skins have been offering swappable home screen widgets long before Google baked it straight into Android, so that doesn’t impress me at all.

The Verge’s big praise on the interface front seems to be in terms of design. They like the new “look,” but it doesn’t offer much enhanced functionality – swipe straight to camera from lock screen is caged from Windows Phone 7, and isn’t even available if you have an active lock setting enabled. The fact is the software nav buttons’ persistent presence on the home screen really means they could have had physical buttons, but didn’t bother. A persistent selection of favorite apps along the bottom is borrowed from the iPhone, and more importantly is something a good deal of manufacturers (especially Samsung’s TouchWiz interface) have learned to integrate.

The improved functionalty of device-imposed data limits is useful in the era of capped data plans, but since bruin has been running on unlimited data for some time now, he’s grandfathered and such a feature is irrelevant to him. Moderately improved multitasking functionality, again with a dedicated, persistent software button – screen shots instead of icons, woo. If you know WHAT app you want, how Android displays it to you doesn’t matter.

Since my life isn’t integrated with Google (I use Microsoft’s Live services for e-mail and calendar as well as Office Live instead of Google Docs, since I can work locally and then upload, pull it down pretty much anywhere, eh…there’s a long conversation on how much better Office Live is than Google Docs), the improvements to baked-in Google services are just meh. Google Talk is nice, but I can just text people for quick communication via the phone. And the People app is once again something that third-party skins (particular HTC’s Sense) have been doing long before Google realized how integral social networking is to 21st century life. Heck, Microsoft pulled it out with Windows Phone 7 even before the Mango update.

It just seems so incremental. I’m still using a computer with phone functionality. Great smartphone OSs should be glance-and-go, because it’s a mobile device and I’m not using it as a computer. It was sad when webOS disappeared because the card functionality was so to the point. BlackBerry has the right idea with its messaging-centric phones, but the interface is a mess. Windows Phone 7’s only major flaw at this point is how it handles notifications – tells you you have a text, but you still have to go into the messaging hub to view it – and poor app support.

It’s not that it’s bad; it just isn’t enough to convince me to spend a $100 premium to have it over Gingerbread, especially when I can buy a Gingerbread device and load a custom ROM on it or just wait and deal with the familiar and perfectly functional Gingerbread, knowing that the newer devices will be updated to ICS in the near future. Give it a couple months, and the RAZR or Bionic or HTC Rezound are going to be running ICS.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 19, 2011 4:57 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I didn't even notice this, but Josh in his Q&A/comment section, says this:

“There doesn’t seem to be any good contact consolidation tools in ICS. They need Synergy.”

So the People app is still a mess. Augh.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 19, 2011 5:05 PM PST up reply actions  

I know everyone hates on the Pentile display, but isn't it good on the Galaxy Nexus.

And I guess maybe it’s because I’m fully engrained into google with my job (docs, email, etc) that i find the Android experience pretty nice.

I guess it depends on what you need. I have a Nexus S and don’t want to drop $700+ on a Galaxy Nexus right now, but if my contract was up it would definitely be my next phone.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 5:19 PM PST up reply actions  

If you have a budget of $300 for a new on-contract smartphone, and you already use Google services, and you're on Verizon.

then buy a Nexus before a Rezound or RAZR.

If you’re just looking for a functional smartphone, where 4G is wanted but not necessary, and you have no user investment in Google services, and are on Verzion, then buy a Bionic.

This is about my attitude with the whole thing.

For those who aren’t already tied up in the Android operating system, I still think Windows Phone 7 is the best thing out there in terms of interface and software. I just want more apps. =( Also, Verizon’s HTC Trophy is outdated with a small screen and just kinda meh.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 19, 2011 5:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah I've played around with WP7, and one of my co-workers likes his a lot.

The dearth of an app market kind of sucks for most users, though.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 5:31 PM PST up reply actions  

ICS seems a mess.

Upfront, it’s really pretty. But the persistent software buttons combined with the weird app/widget toggle…they have like three different UIs in one OS. Augh.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Dec 20, 2011 10:39 PM PST up reply actions  

I am not clicking on anything that contains the words "hot" and "brown"

I learned my lesson the first time

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Dec 12, 2011 2:17 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

That does not look edible

but does look like something called a hot brown.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 12, 2011 3:04 PM PST up reply actions  

I got into the Tribes Ascend closed beta and holy crap is it fun.

Only complaint I have with it so far is that some of the hitscan weapons are pretty overpowered since it’s a primarily projectile based weapon system, but not enough to even come close to ruining the experience for me.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 12, 2011 3:21 PM PST reply actions  

Why are macadamia nuts so goddamned delicious?

I got a jar to snack on at work today. Ate the whole damn thing. Then I read the nutrition label… is 150g of fat a lot?

I should probably induce vomiting now

by d0nkey on Dec 12, 2011 5:42 PM PST reply actions  

All nuts are like this, pretty much.

On the bright side, it’s “good” fat, but still.
It’s why I try and avoid nuts as a general rule, even if they are so damn tasty.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 13, 2011 3:42 AM PST up reply actions  

Dave wants us to trade for Casey McGehee. The Pirates say fuck you Dave!
Pirates acquired 3B Casey McGehee from the Brewers for RHP Jose Veras.
The Brewers agreed to terms with Aramis Ramirez on Monday, which made McGehee expendable. More importantly, this is an indication that they are comfortable with Mat Gamel as the replacement for Prince Fielder at first base. As for McGehee, he push Pedro Alvarez for his job at third base or even play some first base depending upon what happens with Derrek Lee and Garrett Jones. McGehee, 29, batted just .223/.280/.346 with 13 home runs, 67 RBI and a .626 OPS over 600 plate appearances this season. He projects to make somewhere around $3 million in his first year of arbitration.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 12, 2011 6:11 PM PST reply actions  

Everything Dave has wanted to happen this offseason has not happened.

I can only assume that the one thing he didn’t want to happen is actually going to happen now.

Fielder here we come!

by Cascadian Man on Dec 12, 2011 8:57 PM PST up reply actions  

I believe their playoff chances are still alive, but very slim.

Hawks need to win out, lots of other NFC teams need to fall apart and lose a lot.

by sanford_and_son on Dec 13, 2011 8:16 AM PST up reply actions  

I'll settle for anyone other than Jackson right now.

Not Whitehurst, even though I love the guy. But Jackson is awful. I’d take the top QB at whatever position we end up in and roll with it.

by d0nkey on Dec 13, 2011 10:17 AM PST up reply actions  

Dear god no

He’d be the worst QB Pete has coached not named John David Booty

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

He was better than Booty

and would have been even more so had he remained in school another year.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 10:35 AM PST up reply actions  

I thought they would be!

But the defense plays tough. Marshawn is excelling in Cables system. Young players are making plays etc…

We’re a good QB away from being a good team!

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 11:29 AM PST up reply actions  

I'm no expert, but it would seem to be a good year for QBs.

Kellen Moore, RGIII, Luck, Matt Barkley are all likely to go out this year.

by Drew_D on Dec 13, 2011 12:31 PM PST up reply actions  

I've seen zero of RGIII

Is he NFL qb worthy? Or are you talking about Moore’s girl arm?

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 1:20 PM PST up reply actions  

He's talking about Kellen Moore

I would be completely OK with taking Griffin and seeing what happens. It’s just that he’s NotLuck

by seattlebruin on Dec 13, 2011 1:25 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, but would you advocate trading up to get Griffin?

I can’t believe he’d be available to us in the mid-teens or wherever we would end up picking

by tootthekazoo on Dec 13, 2011 1:29 PM PST up reply actions  

Depends what we'd have to give up

if it’s only a few slots and would cost like a fourth rounder to swap, then sure. No way for a pick that’s likely to produce a starter/solid regular (2nd round or better to me)

by seattlebruin on Dec 13, 2011 1:32 PM PST up reply actions  

The more I find out/watch of RGIII, the more I'd love to see the Hawks take him.

He’s a phenomenal athlete, but also a good passer. Nearly made the Olympics for hurdling. Good guy off the field. Wants to get his Masters degree. I see Griffin having a ceiling as high as the other two, even if he’s a bit riskier because he’s not “prototypical” If he did pan out, he’d also be an NFL “star” and that’s also really cool.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 1:41 PM PST up reply actions  

Hypothetically speaking, if the Hawks were drafting 19th and Barkley had secured his spot as the 2nd best QB on the board... it might take a first and a second to move up 10 picks? Maybe? The Browns last year are an example of how costly it could be.

If Seattle had to give up a 1st, 2nd, next years 1st, and maybe another pick on top of that. But for a team thats biggest hole is QB, the most important position on the team… worth it. In my Humbled opinion.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 1:52 PM PST up reply actions  

I am comfortable trading "good" picks if it means getting the right guy

Like you say, we aren’t and shouldn’t be needing to use a 1st or 2nd round pick on a major need, so trading some of that in order to solidify the QB spot works for me

by tootthekazoo on Dec 13, 2011 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

Well to Moore's credit

Most of those guys aren’t close to Moores college records.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 1:29 PM PST up reply actions  

Well as NFL prospect yes.

But If I had the option of trading the farm for Luck and the 1st pick. Or taking Moore in the 2nd – 4th round. I’d take Moore.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 1:43 PM PST up reply actions  

It depends what's on the farm.

These Seahawks with a good QB look like a playoff team and the majority of the good players are under 26 and under contract for a few years. I would trade draft picks that aren’t yet players for one guy that could be the face of the offense for the next decade.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 1:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Moore plays in a shitty conference in a passing scheme

designed to maximize his limited talent and boost his numbers. Were you also an advocate of Colt Brennan or Timmy Chang?

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 12:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Colt Brennan yes.

Timmy Chang never.

Pete wants a smart game managing QB that won’t turn the ball over. Moore is like Jake Delhomme without the back breaking INT.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 15, 2011 8:56 AM PST up reply actions  

And with an even noodlier arm

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 10:36 AM PST up reply actions  

No he hasn't

just like when he was in college Tebow is an exception to established rules/thoughts. He’s not a new defining standard and should not be used to judge or evaluate anyone else.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 11:01 AM PST up reply actions  

Currently Tim Tebow is 7-1 as a starter in the NFL

Running a high school option offense.

No he isn’t a new standard. But everyone said he wouldn’t make it as a starter in the NFL. And so far he is.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 15, 2011 11:24 AM PST up reply actions  

Tebow is also an athletic freak of nature

and, I hate to say this, possesses certain intangible qualities that not every person in the world has.

Ascribing the Broncos success entirely to Tebow and the offense is poor evaluation. The defense is playing better and they’ve produced some ridiculous turnovers. Did Tebow will Ponder to throw that INT? Did Tebow will Marion Barber to run out of bounds?

Maybe I’m wrong and Moore does become an NFL star. But if I’m gambling a high draft choice and a coaching career on a QB, I want a guy with a little more upside than Kellen Moore.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 11:39 AM PST up reply actions  

I wouldn't draft Moore before the 3rd round.

But I do believe he posses some of those intangibles that are hard to find.

The defense may in fact be playing better because of the Tebow gameplan. The entire gameplan is now focused on field position and ball control allowing the defense to rest. (Look at the Hawks defense ever since the running game took off)

That could be complete bullshit and I have zero evidence. But damn the Broncos are fascinating right now.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 15, 2011 12:01 PM PST up reply actions  

I do agree that they're fascinating

Tebow Time has become must watch TV.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 12:19 PM PST up reply actions  

The Rams and Jags sitting at 2 and 3 helps us in that neither of those teams will draft quarterbacks. (Probably not at least.)

And with 3 potentially top-level QB prospects, there’s gonna be some trading going on. It seems like the organization has been spending two years getting to this point where they add the QBOTF in the 2012 off-season. Colts could also be inclined to make a deal. I’d just say, every team has the possibility of getting a top QB in the next draft, it’s just a matter of what you have to offer the teams at the top, so might as well win as many as we can.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 11:21 AM PST up reply actions  

Depends on how you feel Peyton would age.

I think he’ll age better then most QBs. So I would say 5 years.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 1:16 PM PST up reply actions  

It doesn't seem like they'd co-exist for five year or three years or two years.

I am trying to carefully not state any of my opinions as fact. It’s just… why would we think he wants to learn from Manning for more than one year? Why would Manning want to see his heir apparent sit behind him on HIS team unless he felt he was only going to give it one more year? Maybe they don’t want to play on the same team at all. Other situations like this don’t even warrant comparison. Steve Young had flamed out in Tampa Bay before he backed up Montana. Brees looked like a bust when SD drafted Rivers. Aaron Rodgers was “only” a late-first round pick and it seemed Favre would finally retire. I don’t see why the Colts would do anything other than just “choose one”
Luck will be a lot cheaper and could have 15 years ahead of him. But Peyton Manning is the Colts.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 1:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Rodgers was "only" a late first-round pick but the consensus before the draft was that he was as good, if not better and more pro-ready, than Alex Smith.

When the Packers drafted him, it was a bit of a surprise because most people thought Favre still had five or six seasons left in him. (Favre would first seriously float ideas about retirement the season after Rodgers was drafted.) It was apparent that the Packers knew Favre had a limited shelf life of usefulness and drafted his heir apparent. I could see Polian going a similar route, especially given the pedigree of Luck.

by ThomasG on Dec 13, 2011 3:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Favre held the Packers hostage for years.

By saying he was/wasn’t going to retire. GB was never sure when Favre would actually leave. Thats why they drafted a QB. Peyton has 4 years left on his contract.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 4:15 PM PST up reply actions  

There's a big difference between Luck's draft status and Rodgers.

Rodgers and Smith were considered “neck and neck” up until the moment that the Niners decided on Smith. But it’s not like he was seen as a cant-miss prospect (obviously) or not a single team in the league would have passed on him. You could draft Aaron Rodgers and sit him for 2-3 years because fans weren’t sure what they had because most of them predicate their knowledge on pre-draft, draft hype. He was seen as the “guy that slipped” and you had Brett Favre so it was like “cool. Insurance.”

That’s not Luck. If the Colts draft Luck, and keep Manning, they probably won’t co-exist for 3-4 years. That would be ludicrous, because why would Luck want any part of that? If that was the case he might as well stay in school, he can be a starter sooner by staying out of the draft, than by going to the Colts knowing they wont trade him or Manning.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, that's begging to ask the question "would you rather have Manning for the next few seasons or Luck for the next five or six?"

Obviously, due to Manning’s injury and uncertain future, that’s not as easy of an answer as previously imagined. I don’t profess to know Polian’s decision but I can’t imagine he’d let the pick go for anything less than a king’s ransom. Luck is the rare true franchise quarterback.

by ThomasG on Dec 13, 2011 4:41 PM PST up reply actions  

And what would he get for Peyton Manning? Probably nothing. He'd have to just cut him.

Its Peyton Manning + Kings Ransom or just Andrew Luck. And I’m not envious of the decision… or… I am very envious of it… kind of. I don’t know. That’s just a tough decision, because it could either keep the franchise viable for a long time or put it in the dump if he makes the wrong decision.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 8:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Manning, if even 80% healthy, has considerable value.

Maybe not as much as Luck (or the pick) himself but there are enough teams out there that are an above-average QB short of being legitimate contenders in the short-term (Chicago, KC, Oakland, maybe Houston if Schaub’s out long-term). Hell, Carson Palmer netted the Bengals potentially two first-round picks and he hasn’t been a decent QB for years.

That’s also presuming that this is an immediate either/or scenario, which I’m not sure it is. We don’t know what Manning 2012 looks like, let alone Manning 2013. There’s a distinct chance he either retires or plays at a much lower level than previous years. Drafting Luck and keeping Manning doesn’t automatically mean Luck’s on the bench for 3-4 seasons.

by ThomasG on Dec 14, 2011 5:46 AM PST up reply actions  

Prior to this injury, I would have agreed.

But, given what has happened over the past year, that’s no longer a sure thing. I can’t imagine Polian is banking on a five-year window of being a serious contender with Manning, especially given how most of the key players on the team are on the wrong side of the age curve. Luck might be the best pure quarterback to come out of college in over a decade; pass on him and that opportunity may never present itself again.

by ThomasG on Dec 13, 2011 3:39 PM PST up reply actions  

But there's still a non-zero chance that Peyton can never throw again.

Will the Colts really gamble with that chance? I don’t know. They’re stuck in an unprecedented situation here (unprecedented in that Franchise QB with no injury history or decline phase develops crippling nerve problem out of the blue), so they probably don’t know what will happen any more than we do.

by Benne on Dec 13, 2011 8:50 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm surprised Peyton is even thinking of playing in the NFL again.

I admit I haven’t followed his injuries that closely, but multiple neck surgeries and then playing in the NFL doesn’t seem to be a wise decision. Especially after all the salary and endorsement money he’s made.

by Jed MC on Dec 13, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions  

Its probably not the smartest decision.

But he is a football player. The best one in the NFL when healthy. So its hard to just “give it up”

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 11:53 AM PST up reply actions  

He's been playing football his entire life and hadn't miss a game in his career and now nothing. He probably feels like he's getting a divorce from not playing.

Walking away from THAT can’t be easy, and walking away from a bonus in March thats worth over $20 million won’t be easy either.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 11:56 AM PST up reply actions  

Well, if Peyton is indeed 100% healthy, the Browns seem logical for a trade.

Two first round picks, trade Colt McCoy along with that to be a good backup, and add in whatever pick(s) evens out the deal. The Browns have been searching for a franchise QB for their entire expansion existence, they should go all-in on a guy like Luck.

On the other hand, the Colts have seen what it’s like to not have one of the best QBs in the NFL and I’m sure that hurts. The main problem I foresee is that Peyton could have 4 years left. This isn’t a Steve Young situation, there’s no way Luck will sit for more than a year if any time at all.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 13, 2011 11:54 AM PST up reply actions  

The upside is that the best QBs in this draft other than Luck

will be Nick Foles, Landry Jones and Ryan Tannehill. And all those teams that were terrible will cry as RG3 and Barkley stay in college.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I'm a Trojans fan

Of course I want him to stay.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 3:58 PM PST up reply actions  

I honestly think he might

his brother just got paid, so its not like the family needs the money. His brother liked college and can probably tell him what its like in the NFL vs College.

OTOH if Barkley goes Kalil would be crazy to stay. Protecting an unproven QB is just asking to have your stock drop.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 4:00 PM PST up reply actions  

Welp I was wrong

Kalil going pro.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 9:40 AM PST up reply actions  

BAM

football monopoly = OVER

by seattlebruin on Dec 16, 2011 10:48 AM PST up reply actions  

Apparently there were a few top OL recruits waiting to see if Kalil would go pro

before fully committing to USC, so I guess this helps in a way.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 11:44 AM PST up reply actions  

The Jim Mora Jr era is amazing so far

I can’t believe I both typed that and actually believe it

by seattlebruin on Dec 16, 2011 12:01 PM PST up reply actions  

Interesting Noel Mazzone as OC

Is Hundley gonna be the QB next year?

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 2:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Apparently we finally get some rain late Wednesday ...

“What do Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix all have in common? All three of those drier-than-Seattle locations have had more rain than the Emerald City so far this December. In fact, all three cities have had 10 times more rain than Seattle.”

by msb on Dec 13, 2011 8:10 AM PST reply actions  

Yeah but as usual, Southern California gets rain in bunches

we’ve had like two rainy days in December so far but it’s absolutely poured on each of them

by seattlebruin on Dec 13, 2011 8:20 AM PST up reply actions  

I am in Iowa right now and it is currently ten degrees warmer than Puyallup was when I left.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 13, 2011 7:35 PM PST up reply actions  

I've been gone from these for a while.

Have the week off during Christmas – Was thinking of going back to Oahu for New years but decided to stay. Christmas tradition has always been with my Mom’s side of the family.

For the first time ever I have to throw a company Christmas party. Anyone have any good ideas?

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 13, 2011 9:28 AM PST reply actions  

OK, this might be a terrible idea... but I'm all for signing Joe Saunders

he actually has an above average career FIP+ (103, so not by much), and I know tRA hates him but… if there was a team and a stadium perfectly designed to make Joe Saunders look like a decent pitcher, it’s Safeco with the Mariners’ defense.

He’d probably be cheap, like 1/$5M or something and is probably a 1 WAR starter at the floor with the upside for a bit more. If he puts up a nice ERA and the defense makes him look good, you can always flip him at the deadline – if not, you’ve bought yourself a steady guy who can eat a bunch of innings with not-atrocious performance until Paxton and Hultzen are ready.

Thoughts?

by seattlebruin on Dec 13, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions  

Jerry DiPoto repeatedly referred to Joe Saunders' winning percentage as a reason he made the trade

he made no mention that he would be gunning for the Angels’ GM job 15 months later (CONSPIRACY THEORIES!!!!)

by seattlebruin on Dec 13, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions   2 recs

WHOA

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 13, 2011 1:41 PM PST up reply actions  

I was actually wondering if this would be a good fit earlier.

…based on everything you’ve got there, almost down to the letter. I just hadn’t gotten as far as looking at his numbers. Get out of my head.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 13, 2011 11:17 PM PST up reply actions  

If you think Yankee fans have bad trade ideas, that's only scratching the surface.

For a good laugh and insight into the NYC sports fan’s mind, I present to you the WFAN Twitter Trade Proposals. Link.

No matter where you go, there you are.

by KC Mariner on Dec 13, 2011 12:09 PM PST reply actions  

Around the eyes.

Emma Thompson?

Josh Brolin??

now that looks much more promising.

by msb on Dec 13, 2011 2:39 PM PST up reply actions  

He's got some of Keanu Reeves magic juice.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 12:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Winter beers

I’ve so far had Harpoon Chocolate Stout, which is as awesome as its name implies and Clown Shoes Pecan Pie Porter, although the latter is more late-fall than winter. I recently picked up the Stone/Ishii/Baird collabo Green Tean IPA which was pretty, uh, interesting.

by ThomasG on Dec 13, 2011 4:35 PM PST reply actions  

A little heLLp?

As some of you know I was recently displaced from my job. My boss said that he was going to close the business and quit paying me. Much as I wanted to stay, when the paychecks stopped coming I had to go.

The problem for me here is that in all of my work history I have never had to apply for a job outside of my circle. Ergo, I have never needed a resume. Now I find myself in need and, as many of you probably know, I am not that well written. Nor am I all that creative. I have tried several times to write my resume but keep coming up against the same wall that I come up against every time I try to write anything that isn’t a set-in-stone fact.

Is there an online tool that could help me build my resume? One that will show me what possible employers are looking for (with some sort of built in direction tool telling me what exact word structure they like to see)? I’m sure that this is asking a lot for a web app, but I currently can’t afford to pay someone to build my resume for me.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

by ToddK on Dec 13, 2011 10:19 PM PST reply actions  

If you can apply for unemployment, most states have resume-building help available.

And a way to think of your resume is, in fact, a document containing set-in-stone facts; what you did, when you did them. Those aren’t up for negotiation. A resume is just a foot in the door – the interview itself is where you can get into the nuance and details. The resume just lists your jobs, your tasks, and your dates of work.

I don’t know any online resources, sorry…

by pdb on Dec 14, 2011 6:55 AM PST up reply actions  

This resume has a "skills" section

Would I be mistaken if I assumed this is the place to mention attention to detail?

by ToddK on Dec 14, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions  

Thanks for the help folks.

I start my new job on Monday. Gawd what a huge load off!

Thanks again.

by ToddK on Dec 17, 2011 1:47 PM PST up reply actions   3 recs

Non-baseball books--

any suggestions for football or basketball-related books? It’s time for me to buy books for the nephews… I have David Maraniss’ Lombardi book, but still need some more ideas.

by msb on Dec 14, 2011 12:11 PM PST reply actions  

No that guy is terrible

I’ve heard good things about this book, albeit its a little on the hardcore side.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 12:40 PM PST up reply actions  

I can't seem to read this comment

it keeps getting lost in the glare from the lights hanging over all 11 banners in Pauley Pavilion

by seattlebruin on Dec 14, 2011 2:05 PM PST up reply actions   2 recs

*national championship banners

I forgot we don’t have an NCAA Tournament Participation banner like usc

by seattlebruin on Dec 14, 2011 2:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I ain't even mad

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 4:01 PM PST up reply actions  

I am thinking one of the Dungy books for the more football-oriented kid, who wants to coach

now it is the younger one, who is not so much a reader and leans more to basketball and baseball. I was thinking The baseball codes, and then maybe a basketball book of some kind, but so many of them are tracing seasons or bios that I’m not sure he’d be interested in. I might end up with one of those Uncle John bathroom books, instead :)

by msb on Dec 14, 2011 12:51 PM PST up reply actions  

It's a bit dated but Paper Lion is the gold standard for football non-fiction.

For a book written over fifty years ago, it’s still a fascinating read. If they like style of Posnanski, they’ll love this book.

For more modern books, Halberstam’s Education of a Coach was a quick but very interesting look at Bill Belichick. If they’re into Sabermetrics, The Hidden Game of Football is indispensable.

Bill Simmons’ The Book of Basketball is enjoyable and will definitely spark some internal arguments.

by ThomasG on Dec 15, 2011 7:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Dogs are so funny.

By “dogs” I mean my dog.

As long as she’s been with me she has gone pretty much everywhere with me. Including work.

Now I don’t really use my cell phone all that much. Especially during the day while I’m working. However my girlfriend, who is a school teacher, would call me at work during the summer and then pop in and pick Nikki up and take her swimming. Nikki was usually not too far away when my phone rang and then around 10 minutes later in came “the lady that takes me swimming” (this is, I’m sure, Nikki’s name for her).

So now, if my phone rings during the day (she doesn’t do this if it’s dark outside) she goes and sits by whatever the common entry/exit door for wherever we happen to be. She just sits there and watches, waiting for her swimming buddy to show up. If she’s not picked up within about 15 minutes she comes to me and starts nudging the pocket I keep my phone in with her nose.

It’s odd to me that she acts this way because I take her swimming all the time. In the same place she would go with the girlfriend. It’s also odd to me that she seems to be able to tell time. Or at least she knows when it’s been too long so it must be time for the phone to ring again to “reset” her.

Does anyone else have a pet with quirks that seem out of character for the animal?

by ToddK on Dec 14, 2011 2:02 PM PST reply actions  

Yeah, my dog is as quirky and oddball as all get out.

I learned a lot about dog communication and cognition from a book I recently read, and recommend. It’s called “Inside of a Dog” by Alexandra Horowitz. Really good stuff.

by royalcurve on Dec 14, 2011 3:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Dogs can be obscenely smart

My childhood dog knew upwards of 150 different words for things by the time he passed in August. Any time you’d have a conversation with somebody in front of him, he’d just watch intently, visibly trying to figure out what you were talking about.

He also had a ridiculous sense of time- didn’t matter where we were, what time zone we were in, when daylight savings time was, whenever- he’d always start crying for dinner within five minutes of 3:30.

Excellent dog- I miss him terribly, but he was very high maintenance.

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 14, 2011 3:44 PM PST up reply actions  

Man my dog always comes and looks at me at 5 if I'm at home

and stare at me begging for dinner. On normal days he goes right to the food bucket after his walk when I get home.

Also he has a ridiculous routine where he runs around my apartment and roll around every day. And he always approaches the door from the same angle.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 14, 2011 4:03 PM PST up reply actions  

My cat, when I was off in New York, used to still go out on the porch and wait every night around the time I used to get off work.

She also goes into the pantry all the time because she sees us getting food from there.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 14, 2011 4:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Classical Conditioning?

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 14, 2011 5:34 PM PST up reply actions  

But conditioned to what?

The girlfriend picked her up to swim maybe 2 times a week for 2 months out of the year.

And, again, I take her to the lake almost every day during the spring, summer and fall. How could she be more conditioned or attuned to the few times she goes that I’m not taking her?

by ToddK on Dec 14, 2011 9:40 PM PST up reply actions  

My dog can say my name and tuck himself under the covers.

He can also open cans of dog food by himself without demolishing the can. He’s an interesting dog to watch.

by chezbergrur on Dec 16, 2011 10:52 PM PST up reply actions  

If anyone other than the Rangers get Darvish they become my bandwagon team for the next 5 years.

If the Nationals get Darvish, I might have to start posting on Federal Baseball. Strasburg, Darvish, and my obsession with Ryan Zimmerman is too much to overcome.

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 2:58 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah I've updated this to be Marlins or Blue Jays, whichever signs Darvish.

I’m not sure I could root for the Nationals, but Marlins and Jays have a bunch of fun players, and Darvish would put that team over the edge.
If the Rangers get Darvish I’m going to cry.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 14, 2011 3:12 PM PST up reply actions  

Given my previous statement, this is a relief:
Shocking development: The #Angels did not make a bid for Yu Darvish.

I don’t really listen to rumors unless they eliminate someone from the bidding. Who, even in the industry, knows who has the winning bid? I’d be shocked if the Mariners didn’t at least bid.

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 4:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Well whoopsies on that read. MLBTR says the Yankees DIDN'T post an offer.

Now I’m depressed that I’ve read the tweet. :((((

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 4:11 PM PST up reply actions  

But not the Yankees?

They have an unlimited cash flow and a need for pitching. Why wouldn’t they buy the best pitching prospect in baseball?

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 4:16 PM PST up reply actions  

And Yankees, yes.

I don’t know how I forgot them.
I very much don’t want the Yankees to get him, though.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 14, 2011 4:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Agreed, no way they can buy anything.

Their ownership just divided on financial issues; I can’t see them spending a huge chunk of money to supplement an already excellent rotation that will only get more expensive.

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 4:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Before you stab the puppy?

You could probably kill two birds with one stone here.

by Drew_D on Dec 14, 2011 4:21 PM PST up reply actions  

Right, just picked up on that.

It’s been a long day, and I’m only in to my second cup of coffee. The important thing is that the puppy burns if he goes to the Yankees.

by Drew_D on Dec 14, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions  

Que?
CONFIRMADO…Mañana sera chequeado en Barquisimeto Carlos Guillen por Los Seattle

I don’t quite understand the translation of this, but it looks like it could be news! Or it’s not, and I’ve wasted a comment.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 14, 2011 3:46 PM PST reply actions  

Google says they are two completely unrelated sentences.
CONFIRMED … Tomorrow will be checked in Barquisimeto [Venezuela] Carlos Guillen to the Seattle

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 14, 2011 3:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Woo! Go Jack Z!
#Mariners re-sign catcher Chris Gimenez to ML contract…40-man roster now at 37 players.

Couple more catchers and we’ve got ourselves a ball team!

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 14, 2011 4:31 PM PST reply actions  

If you, like me, were confused by this, we have an explanation:

Greg Johns

Though Gimenez figures to make about the same figure as a minimum salary Major Leaguer, the re-signing affects the amount the Mariners would pay him if he winds up in the Minors.

"We had every intention of re-signing Chris," GM Jack Zduriencik said. "There was just some procedural stuff that required us to non-tender him before we negotiated a new deal for 2012."

Also, he was the player rep in the final month or so of the season. Like Pineiro was just before he got the boot. And Mark Lowe before he was traded.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 14, 2011 4:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, I read that.

Gimenez is still terrible and I’d be surprised if we couldn’t have gotten him on a minor league contract instead. Even non-moves like this are starting to bother me.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 14, 2011 5:02 PM PST up reply actions  

You're not alone there...

I think that part of it is informed by the dearth of catching we have in the high minors with Bard and Yepez both headed elsewhere, but we already have Quiroz and Moore is no lock. Besides, do we really need a fourth catcher on the 40-man?

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 14, 2011 5:13 PM PST up reply actions  

I wonder if the plan is to make Adam Moore go away

That’s the only way it really makes sense to me

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 14, 2011 5:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Right, if a trade or something happens soon, then I'd get some of these smaller moves.

At the moment, though, it seems like we’re just wasting spots and opportunities. These are the kinds of small and useless moves that good teams shouldn’t be making.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 14, 2011 5:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, he was hurt with a meniscus tear this past year and hit .259/.355/.315 in the Arizona Fall League.

I wouldn’t exactly say that he has a lot of trade value at the moment.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 14, 2011 5:31 PM PST up reply actions  

I wondered if it means Miggy's on the block.

I can’t think of any other reason why you’d want that many catchers on the 40 man. But what the hell do I know.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 14, 2011 9:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Good news though! They've also signed Phil Valiquette.

A 24 year old lefty reliever that throws hard, doesn’t strike people out, and walks a lot of people. Woo!

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Dec 14, 2011 7:27 PM PST up reply actions  

He was with us towards the middle-end of last season too.

Rehabbing and such.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 14, 2011 10:17 PM PST up reply actions  

Can someone tell me if I'm supposed to love or hate Coldplay? I can never tell. I just know that people make fun of them a lot and then people love them a lot.

I couldn’t have told you a single song by them other than Yellow… but I dig this new song. Am I a bad person?

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 14, 2011 6:14 PM PST reply actions  

Coldplay post-Viva La Vida is just confusing

Maybe it’s the “I liked them before they got big in the US” hipster syndrome going on. I enjoyed almost all of Coldplay’s album so I’m probably biased. Perhaps maybe it’s a guilty pleasure, but I view them as not bad as some people make them out to be.

"Why ask a failed romance to come see your successful one? You know, it's like inviting the Seattle Mariners to a World Series game. It's just weird for everyone."

by Slurvey on Dec 14, 2011 6:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I've never enjoyed them myself, I find them really boring.

It’s fine if you like them though, it’s not like you’re listening to Brokencyde or something.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 14, 2011 7:53 PM PST up reply actions  

.

A friend told me to look over there. But, I wouldn’t know about that.

by the other side on Dec 15, 2011 11:13 AM PST up reply actions  

I hope when WB reboots Batman they actually make a Batman movie

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 10:39 AM PST up reply actions  

I used to love the animated series.

Tried to go back and watch it. Can’t get through 3 minutes.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 15, 2011 10:49 AM PST up reply actions  

I still love it.

Some episodes are tough, but on the whole I felt it aged well.

by BrianL on Dec 15, 2011 11:00 AM PST up reply actions  

Not quite Batman: TAS

I think Death of the Joker from Batman Beyond might have been one of the most horrifying things in the entire Batman franchise.

by BrianL on Dec 15, 2011 2:55 PM PST up reply actions  

The Tim Drake torture scene with the Joker monlogue blew me away as a kid.

“I’ll begin with how I peeled back the layers of the boys mind.”

“Oh he briefly tried to fight it at first.”

" You would of been proud to see him so strong. But all too soon the serums and the shocks began to take their toll. And the dear lad shared such secrets with me."

“Secrets that are mine alone to know…….Bruce!”

“It’s true Batsy! I know everything. And kinda like the kid who peeks at his Christmas presents, I must. sadly anti-climatic. Behind all the stern and baterangs, you’re just a little boy in a playsuit, crying for mommy and daddy!”

“It’d be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. Awww what the heck, I’ll laugh anyway!”

Insert amazingly creepy Joker laugh

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 15, 2011 4:41 PM PST up reply actions  

I thought that was the unedited version?

I thought the edited version was the Joker getting electrocuted and the blood removed.

If not, then holy shit I need to see the unedited version.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 15, 2011 7:59 PM PST up reply actions  

Ah damn. You got me all excited that there may have been an even more awesome version out there.

And personally, I’ve always considered that scene part of Batman: TAS instead of Batman Beyond. The “unofficial” ending to the series, since the series never really got an official ending.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 15, 2011 8:01 PM PST up reply actions  

The coda to Justice League Unlimited left things on a good not too I thought.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 10:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Somebody needs to watch Brave and the Bold.

When done right (read: not by Schumacher), campy Batman is hilarious and worthy of belonging in the mythos.

by Benne on Dec 15, 2011 7:13 PM PST up reply actions  

Brave and the Bold was pretty awesome

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 11:45 AM PST up reply actions  

They own the IP and are already planning another reboot in 2015

Maybe this time it will actually feature Batman

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 11:00 AM PST up reply actions  

When I watched the trailer last night

it made me finally come to terms with how little I care for Nolan’s “Batman”.

I’ve actually only watched his second movie once. I can’t make myself sit through it again.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 11:03 AM PST up reply actions  

Nolan's Batman just doesn't really feel like Batman

He’s not a detective, he’s not a master planner, he’s just a rich dude with some ninja training. I dunno how to say it right.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 15, 2011 11:31 AM PST up reply actions  

That's exactly how I feel about the current Sherlock movies.

Alright action flick, but that’s certainly not Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation.

by the other side on Dec 15, 2011 11:55 AM PST up reply actions  

It's not exactly all that far off though.

Holmes is a bit of a cocaine injecting, shooting letters into his wall for fun, talented bare-knuckle boxing nutter in the books.

by joof on Dec 15, 2011 12:23 PM PST up reply actions  

I think we are seeing that this weekend.

Even though Downey’s terrible accent is terrible.

by msb on Dec 15, 2011 1:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I"m confused. Nothing in that movie looked particularly nerdy, except that Simon Pegg is in it.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions  

I don't know, none of my friends/anyone I've talked to are nearly as excited about either MI:4 or the prologue so I feel like a nerd?

Also, I’ve been anticipating all this for the better part of a year.

Also, I just watched the new official trailer for DKR and I am flipping the fuck out. WOW.

by sanford_and_son on Dec 19, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Here's the trailer on

Youtube.

It looks great and all, but I don’t find myself getting crazy excited over this trailer.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 19, 2011 1:13 PM PST up reply actions  

It was a total blast!

Really fun movie. Almost half of it is filmed in IMAX ratio, too. The scenes in Dubai will damn near give you vertigo.

by sanford_and_son on Dec 20, 2011 7:57 AM PST up reply actions  

I liked Face/Off :(

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 20, 2011 7:24 PM PST up reply actions  

I could eat a peach for hours.

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

by Faux on Dec 20, 2011 7:33 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I do, too. But I love vintage Nicolas Cage.

Not sure about the magnetic prison subplot, though.

by yuniform on Dec 20, 2011 7:59 PM PST via Android app up reply actions  

From the looks of it, it makes Facebook seem more MySpace-y.

I don’t have it on my profile yet, and I’m frankly kind of scared to go and look through all of the stuff I posted on Facebook when I was a freshman in college. That has the potential to be not good.

by thehemogoblin on Dec 16, 2011 12:21 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't think I want to relive all the stuff from my last relationship

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 2:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh god

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 16, 2011 5:54 PM PST up reply actions  

Google+!

I mean, I’m kidding around, but I really do like their interface.

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Dec 16, 2011 8:05 PM PST up reply actions  

That's not true!

Sometimes there are people who bought into Google+ making fun of Facebook.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 17, 2011 12:04 AM PST up reply actions  

Between Spiceworks (IT community) and Wil Wheaton's G+ pages, I'm pretty happy with G+.

I’m pretty sure that all things being equal, I’d be ok with G+ being just a Wheaton distribution vehicle.

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

by Faux on Dec 19, 2011 5:17 AM PST up reply actions  

I love this time of year.

Jerry Crasnick : There were signs today (I can’t say precisely what) to indicate the #Cubs are stepping up their pursuit of Prince Fielder.

Nick Cafardo: Cubs are not major players for Prince Fielder. Not ready to spend big.

by msb on Dec 15, 2011 3:16 PM PST reply actions  

I tried watching the first one and got bored halfway through

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 16, 2011 3:33 PM PST up reply actions  

I work on the front desk of a hotel.

Amusing moment so far this shift: A guy comes down complaining the door on his dryer is broken – he can’t open it. I go up to take a look to find him tugging on the hinges, and pop the door open using the handle with no effort at all. The look on his face was priceless!
Surely I’m not the only one who’s helped someone overcome a seemingly obvious “problem”. Let the snickering begin!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 16, 2011 9:51 PM PST reply actions  

I also work at the front desk of a hotel

Last night I got mercilessly berated by a guest who couldn’t connect to the internet- she kept getting errors when authenticating (you have to enter your name and room number), insisting that her information was correct and asking what I was going to do for her because of the inconvenience. I finally convinced her to let somebody come up to take a look, and within ten seconds it was clear that she had the room number incorrect.

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 17, 2011 7:00 AM PST up reply actions  

Don't you just love it?

One more year of uni and I can get back into the real world with a real job.

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 17, 2011 8:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Working at a hotel front desk has been the single most obnoxious experience of my life

and I am in exactly the same position- one more year.

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 17, 2011 8:41 PM PST up reply actions  

It's not too bad for me, really.

I work at a 4.5 star place though, so that helps. Except for the odd insanely demanding/expecting guest.
Good luck with your last year!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 18, 2011 3:08 AM PST up reply actions  

In college I went on a trip to Vermont with a girl I was dating.

During the trip, as the windshield got dirty from all the bugs and road dirt, I hit the washers to clear off some of the mess. My girlfriend had a bit of a startled reaction to the washers; asking how did I do that. I assumed she was asking because she thought they were broken and said I didn’t know they weren’t working. To which she followed with: “No, how did you do that water thing?” She had no idea winshield washers existed. I asked her what did she do any time her windshield got dirty. Her reply: “I go to the car wash.”

by ThomasG on Dec 20, 2011 10:53 AM PST up reply actions   3 recs

Deal-breaker.

Like, the moment I hear that, I’m leaving her ass on the side of the road. It’s over.

by thehemogoblin on Dec 20, 2011 11:15 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

GS52 coming back?
Source: The Mariners are on the verge of a 1-year deal to bring back LHR George Sherrill for about $1.1m + incent. Pending physical.

At least so says Jason Churchill.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 17, 2011 11:40 AM PST reply actions  

Yayyyyy

and simultaneously why did we draft Lucas Luetge.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 17, 2011 11:41 AM PST up reply actions  

Hooray!

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by Corco on Dec 17, 2011 7:06 PM PST up reply actions  

LL Community!

Are any of you website designers, or know friendly website designers? My man of honor was in charge of taking care of our wedding website, but every person he knows and talked to is too busy to do it. We don’t have a budget that’s through the roof or anything, but we know what we want and we just need someone to execute it. Any recommendations? (The free wedding websites widely available on das internet are not to our liking. I’m not a template kind of girl.)

by royalcurve on Dec 17, 2011 8:23 PM PST reply actions  

Oh, by the end of January / beginning of February is ideal.

I know it’s not a lot of time, but I was waiting around for 3 months for my friend to work on it, so now time is getting short.

by royalcurve on Dec 19, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions  

Today's XKCD is absolutely spectacular.

And also too big to post, so I’ll link.

It’s either a very good or very bad thing that I’m not a schoolteacher. Haven’t decided which.

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

by Faux on Dec 19, 2011 5:23 AM PST reply actions  

Sorta basebally.

#Mariners Hot Stove tonight from 7-9 on @710ESPNSeattle Eric Wedge, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp and Larry LaRue

by msb on Dec 19, 2011 2:13 PM PST reply actions  

Any plans for New Years resolutions?

I don’t do “resolutions” but I do tend to change stuff around the new year without any “goals” or “do this as of the first!”

Going back to the gym tomorrow.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 19, 2011 4:18 PM PST reply actions  

I'm not really into stuff like that.

If I decide something’s worth doing I tend to start when I have the “Aha!” moment rather than leaving it for something like the new year.
Next year though I should be in a position to get my black belt in Hapkido. Closest thing I have!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 19, 2011 6:24 PM PST up reply actions  

Write a book.

Being an aspiring writer is lamer than being an aspiring musician.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:27 PM PST up reply actions  

This is mine as well.

I want to have the first draft and first re-write done before 2013 comes around.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 19, 2011 9:46 PM PST up reply actions  

6 chapters in means I'm like 12% done

Too bad it’s all terrible and needs to be re-written.

Also, for JAH, you can write music, then you can be less lame. Or just the lyrics…

by Craptastic-J on Dec 19, 2011 9:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Being an aspiring lyricist is the best of both worlds!

I’d be like the dad from Blossom.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 10:01 PM PST up reply actions  

I have resolved to lose somewhere between 40-50 lb between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2012

Not sure I’d call it a New Year’s Resolution, but it’s been in the plans for a while now.

by pdb on Dec 19, 2011 9:32 PM PST up reply actions  

Nice, good luck.

As someone who has previously lost a lot of weight and kept it off, here’s some things that helped me along the way:
Start in small increments, it’s easier to stick to at first. Once you get used to changes you can ramp them up as necessary.
Allow yourself a treat every now and then or you’ll go insane and/or bend to cravings/binge eat.
Daily exercise is ideal, but make sure you do some at least every 48 hours. You’ve generally got that as something of a window before the excess energy in your system converts to fat.
Get your friends/family on board if you can, it helps to have a cheer squad.
Water. Lots of water.
You can do it!

by Aussie Mariner on Dec 20, 2011 8:16 PM PST up reply actions  

Thanks

We have already decided that Monday is treat day (mrs. pdb is joining me in this quest, although her goal is less severe than mine) – that’s the day we usually go to the bar for dinner anyway, so we’ll keep doing that but get salads instead of fried sides and have less beer (not lesser beer, just less beer!). And I just started biking to my new job – 11 very hilly miles each way, which doubles my last commute (which was also almost completely flat, so no real workout or challenge), which if I can do three consistent days a week will be a great base from which to keep working out more on the weekends and whatnot.

by pdb on Dec 20, 2011 8:57 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't drink soft drinks typically

I’ll generally have one soda a month, if that. My downfalls are carbs, cheese, fried food, and good beer.

by pdb on Dec 21, 2011 8:16 AM PST up reply actions  

Some things I want to accomplish in 2012:

- Read or listen to 20 books
- Get back into and stay in Master League SC2
- Build a fantasy baseball site before the season starts
- Help grow the company I work for in a meaningful way
- Join a soccer team
- Practice guitar at least 15 minutes per day

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 10:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Are there any SC2 gamecasters you would reccomend?

I used to watch Psystarcraft and Husky but haven’t tried anybody else after I stopped playing about eight months ago.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 10:27 PM PST up reply actions  

If you want to just learn to play better, watch Day[9].

If you want entertainment and insight, watch the GSL cast by Tasteless and Artosis.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 19, 2011 11:51 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah the GSL has the best players, casters, and production.

They charge to watch more than the first game in a series or watch in high quality (you pay per season), but there are places where people upload the VODs afterward… Although I always pay to watch because it’s convenient and great content. Try watching the first game of last season’s final. It’s pretty great: http://www.gomtv.net/2011gslsponsors7/vod/66643

If you don’t want to pay anything, then the best tournaments outside of GSL are MLG and Dreamhack, but those are weekend events, so it’s a lot of content in a compressed time period. Other GSL-type leagues include IPL and NASL, but I don’t have a ton of time to just watch games (mostly I just listen to GSL while I’m working), and the casters in IPL and NASL are pretty poor, and the quality of players is a step down from GSL, MLG, and Dreamhack.

M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage

by lailaihei on Dec 20, 2011 9:51 AM PST up reply actions  

I have a friend competing in MLG on Columbia's team.

Anyway, he showed me the greatest final ever. The Blizzard cup from 3 days ago. If you haven’t watched it, watch it now.

"Satisfaction is the enemy of success." SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on Dec 20, 2011 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

My Terran macro is soooooo bad.

My micro is amazing with Terran though! With Zerg it’s the opposite where my macro is amazing, but my micro and timing in attacks are pretty weak though. My friends are both masters 1v1/2v2 and it sucks being the third leg on the 3v3 team with them. However I do drops so while I’m never there in full force for the team fight I do manage to take away most of the enemies’ mains and expos.

by Slurvey on Dec 20, 2011 1:04 AM PST up reply actions  

Oh, you know, the usual.

Get my pilot’s license…. learn Sanskrit….

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 20, 2011 12:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Find a job that I don't want to quit/won't end up getting fired from

and possibly develop a real career path again.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 20, 2011 3:23 PM PST up reply actions  

Mine

1. Move back out of my parents house to Seattle.
2. Get some sort of techincal certifications so I’m not working retail for eternity
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
3. Relearn how to play soccer in hopes of joining a team in the future.

by Robert on Dec 21, 2011 10:02 AM PST up reply actions  

As a person that went down the "breaking into IT" road from doing anything else (non-college), focus on a vendor for your cert.

As in, if you want to work in Windows, get your MCP in W7. For Linux, get your RHCP. If you want to network, get your CCNA. Network+/A+/etc. will get you the crappiest of ISP call center jobs and not much else.

You will be shit on salary-wise for exactly one year when you get your first IT job, bear with it and when you have your 1 year experience, go somewhere else and make twice as much, or if you like where you work get that other job in writing and take it to your current boss and demand that salary, and they’ll give it to you because they know you and know they’ll have to train anyone they hire.

YMMV and all that, but this how I and pretty much everyone I know broke in.

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

by Faux on Dec 21, 2011 12:26 PM PST up reply actions   2 recs

God Bless You

I’ve be spinning my wheels in neutral for pretty much forever since I never know where to start. Any other good resources?

by Robert on Dec 21, 2011 12:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Don't be afraid to take a call center job, but make sure they realize you're serious about moving up.

If you’re not second level by the time you hit 4 months, you’re doing it wrong and need to go elsewhere. Unless you’ve moved up in a call center, you won’t get a job doing anything not involving phones.

Be a jack of all trades, and you’ll go further than someone that “only does program XYZ support”. This sounds like it contradicts my other comment, but you want a specific cert, then branch out to anything that runs on that base cert as the employer wants things done.

Once you get into a real company, talk to everyone and figure out ways to help them in their everyday jobs (making Excel templates/scripts/purpose-built programs). This will make you a rock star in your company, and they’ll never want you to leave.

From personal experience, if you’re given the opportunity to take tests on the company dime, do it in a heartbeat, and spend every waking hour doing so. Not doing that has come back to bite me in the ass recently.

If you’re looking to go into Windows for certs, email me and I’ll pass along a few study documents I used. After the tests it’s all who you know and where you can get a foot in the door.

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

by Faux on Dec 21, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I wish I knew more people who worked call centers.

Because their stories were hilarious and I wasn’t the one who had to work there!

When the internet became a thing and we all learned how vastly vapid other people actually are, people who worked call centers in the 70s and 80s looked around and said “told you so”

by Matthew on Dec 21, 2011 2:27 PM PST up reply actions  

Not a call center, but I do phone support for people in our company that have home computers for work stuff.

I’ve gotten everything from someone using their floppy drive as a credit card scanner to the classic 45-minute phone call trying to get a computer to turn on, but fail, because the power’s been out for three hours.

by BrianL on Dec 21, 2011 2:48 PM PST up reply actions  

A lady calling a mail order company refused to give her credit card number over the phone

That’s one of literally hundreds of anecdotes I got to hear about on a regular basis.

by Matthew on Dec 21, 2011 3:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't think of them as resolutions, so much as plans. Which I guess is kinda the same thing?

In which case it’s basically:

1.Propose to girlfriend(assuming things stay on this safe course)
2. Buy new vehicle, preferably one that is good on gas this time and is newer than 1997.
Potentially 3. Get Surveillance Supervisor and/or Surveillance Tech Lead job at bigger casino on I-5 corridor and move to corresponding location.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 21, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Is this just who won the posting or a contract announcement?

Or both?

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:07 PM PST up reply actions  

So you're saying there's a chance!

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:20 PM PST up reply actions   2 recs

There's a chance the Rangers can't sign him, if that's what you mean.

As I understand it, he goes back to Japan if no contract is signed and no one else can get him.

by wazzu93 on Dec 19, 2011 9:32 PM PST up reply actions  

I'd forgotten it didn't fall down to the next highest bid.

Poopcicles.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Iwakuma didn't sign with the A's!

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 20, 2011 12:32 AM PST up reply actions  

Anybody else going to try the new Star Wars mmo?

I’ve been on the early access and I am having a blast. It’s like eight Knights of the Old Republic games, except I can pistol whip fools and crotch kick my way across the cosmos.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:18 PM PST reply actions  

I was really disappointed they weren't going to finish the Reven VS the Sith Empire story line as a KotOR game too.

But I’m really surprised how much the whole “fetch eight bantha colons” quests are enhanced with voiced story lines.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:45 PM PST up reply actions  

From what I understand, they did finish that storyline.

Unfortunately, it was in an expanded universe novel written by Drew Karpyshyn and it was thoroughly underwhelming.

by BrianL on Dec 19, 2011 9:48 PM PST up reply actions  

Looks like my policy of ignoring the expanded universe comes in handy yet again.

Very lame though. The KotOR 1 reveal was one of the few “Holy shit! I did NOT see that coming” moments I’ve had ever.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 9:52 PM PST up reply actions  

There's some good expanded universe stuff, particularly Zahn, Allston, and Stackpole's books

but Karpyshyn is regarded as one of the worst writers Bioware employed. Turning the Revan story over to him as part of an EU novel was a recipe for disaster.

by BrianL on Dec 19, 2011 9:56 PM PST up reply actions  

I've always heard the Admiral Thrawn series was worth a look, just never could be arsed.

I see he wrote for Jade Empire. That explains things.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 19, 2011 10:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Thrawn Trilogy was good, I think it slotted in at #84 on NPR's top 100 science fiction novel list.

But yeah, Karpyshyn is all action and no substance, sort of the Michael Bay of video game and novel writers. Whenever there’s a rarely panned Bioware game or story, Karpyshyn’s usually at the center of it.

by BrianL on Dec 19, 2011 10:14 PM PST up reply actions  

Star Wars was actually okay up until 1999 or so.

Then the contract was handed off from Bantam Spectra to Del Rey and it was like a bunch of bad Frank Miller clones were hired to shit all over the franchise.

Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy was infinitely better than the garbage Lucas spewed out from Phantom Menace onward.

by BrianL on Dec 19, 2011 10:50 PM PST up reply actions  

I've been playing it for the past two days.

Apparently I’m the Morale compass of my group of friends, because everyone else in my group of friends voted to vent an engineering bay full of allies into space. Bunch of jerks. >=(

by joof on Dec 20, 2011 8:53 AM PST up reply actions  

I played the beta

its WoW of 5 years ago with voice acting and Star Wars music.

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 20, 2011 9:31 AM PST up reply actions  

Good news for me then. 2006 was my favorite time in WoW.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 20, 2011 9:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Has anyone played this?

Kerbal Space Program
I’m not much of a game player but building rockets and seeing if they’ll fly sounds fun. Plus the YouTube videos of failed rockets are hilarious.

by wazzu93 on Dec 19, 2011 10:39 PM PST reply actions  

It's hard to get into, but once you understand it it's totally worth it.

Building something that you know is going to fail horribly is hilarious.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 19, 2011 10:58 PM PST up reply actions  

Any Adventure Time fans?

I had heard of it but never watched it. This scene made me an instant fan:

Jake gets bitten by a spider

by Craptastic-J on Dec 19, 2011 11:48 PM PST reply actions  

I love Adventure Times.

Some of the jokes fall flat occasionally, but for the most pat it’s really enjoyable. The stuff they get past the censors is ridiculous.

by Cascadian Man on Dec 20, 2011 12:45 AM PST up reply actions  

Yes, some of it is very hit or miss, but things like the link above

I’ve watched 100 times in the last 2 days.

It almost fits in better with the Adult Swim stuff than where they air it.

by Craptastic-J on Dec 20, 2011 3:01 PM PST up reply actions  

So that's where that dog thing came from.

I’ve seen its image pop up on forums recently.

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Dec 20, 2011 9:12 PM PST up reply actions  

Well of course they did.
Royals signed SS Yuniesky Betancourt to a one-year contract.
According to the club’s official Twitter account, Betancourt will serve as a backup at “short, third and second” next season in Kansas City. He posted a rough .252/.271/.381 batting line in 2011 for the Brewers while playing his usual brand of poor defense. No word yet on the financial terms.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 20, 2011 1:02 PM PST reply actions  

I love the SB Nation Android app, but is there any way to view or add recs?

That button at the bottom of comment threads is awesome, though I wish you could change the settings so it just said “Z.”
Also, I just got a smartphone. What other apps (not on the market’s top 20 list) do you love?

by yuniform on Dec 20, 2011 4:29 PM PST via Android app reply actions  

Memmmmmmmmreeeeeeesssss.....

@CarrieMuskat: Buddy Bailey, Jeff Fassero and Mariano Duncan will be AA Tennessee staff. #Cubs

by msb on Dec 21, 2011 11:27 AM PST reply actions  

MORE GRIT, MORA FOOTBALL

BUY YOUR ucla SEASON TICKETS NOW!

Look at the excitement!

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 21, 2011 4:13 PM PST reply actions  

Those picture choices were perfect

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 23, 2011 12:06 PM PST up reply actions  

BASEBALL
GregJohnsMLB Greg Johns
RT @AnthonyDiComo: Now on Mets.com: Catcher Rob Johnson joins Mets with Minors deal atmlb.com/uvraON #Mets

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Dec 22, 2011 11:33 AM PST reply actions  

Some chatter that Bridesmaids could get a Best Picture nomination. I have no problem with that. I'd at least like to see the door open wider for comedies getting credit at the Academy Awards.

So… Would LL like to help create a list of legitimate movies that they saw this year that they think could fill out the 10 nominations?

I see a lot of movies, but I have a bad memory.

I think my favorite movie of the year (that I can remember or have seen yet) was Drive.

Moneyball I saw recently. It was okay, I thought.

follow @casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on Dec 22, 2011 2:23 PM PST reply actions  

Drive and 50/50 were the two movies I saw that struck me as oscar worthy.

Moneyball maybe, but to me it was on a different level from those two. Honestly, I liked Horrible Bosses better than Bridesmaids, but they were both very good.

by the other side on Dec 22, 2011 4:46 PM PST up reply actions  

I don't think I would throw it in the best picture category, but I watched the new Mission Impossible and it was pretty awesome.

Although, I am not a fan of epic suspensful action scene buildups, then a twist, and another epic suspensful action scene buildup, then ANOTHER twist into epic suspensful action scene endings. But it was a good movie and held true to the series. Unlike #2.

by d0nkey on Dec 22, 2011 4:54 PM PST up reply actions  

With 10 slots, the Academy now has more freedom to throw a token slot away on fan favorites/blockbusters.

So this year, that slot could go down to either Bridesmaids or Harry Potter. Maybe Tintin, if it catches on in America.

At the least, an Original Screenplay nod is very possible for Bridesmaids. And The Help is going to get 20,000 nominations and I will be sad when it does.

by Benne on Dec 22, 2011 7:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Is there a story behind this?

To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.

by bluemax on Dec 23, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions  

You have to kinda be an old school wrestling fan to get the joke I suppose.

Chris Masters was a wrestler with a good body who couldn’t work, cut a promo, and had almost no charisma. And yet for some reason at one point he was given a solid push. Just like similar r guys in the past like Brian Adams, Andrew “Test” Martin, and most famously, Lex Luger.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 23, 2011 1:03 PM PST up reply actions  

LL-Cooks request for you festively minded chefs out there.

I am making eggnog for a get together this holiday, but I test ran a batch last night based on a recipe my grandmother had and it was flat and far too sweet. Does anyone have a tested formula that is.
1.) About 90 proof. (I have bourbon left from the previous batch, but can purchase other liquor)
2.) Doesn’t taste like a melted vanilla milkshake with a bit of booze and nutmeg on top.

There’s kind of recipe overload on the google, and I’d rather not be batch testing all night.

by Drew_D on Dec 22, 2011 4:29 PM PST reply actions  

I wish I could help you, but I've never made eggnog.

Hope it works out okay! If you master it, post the recipe so we can all enjoy!

by royalcurve on Dec 22, 2011 9:55 PM PST up reply actions  

Sure

Ingredients:
1 bottle bourbon or scotch whisky.
Ice
1 quart store-brand egg nog

Instructions:
Pour egg nog from store container into home container so it looks like you made it.
Distribute.
In your glass, add three cubes of ice, pour two finger of bourbon.
Drink your glass.
Repeat as desired.

by Matthew on Dec 22, 2011 11:30 PM PST up reply actions  

Beltran--->Cards
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have reached a two-year deal with free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran.
No word yet on the financial terms of the agreement. Beltran, 34, batted .300 with a .910 OPS and 22 home runs in 142 games this past season for the Mets and Giants, and should help replace some of the offense lost in the Albert Pujols departure. He’ll likely open the year in right field, but could move to center once Allen Craig recovers from his offseason knee surgery.

@Goose1701

by Goose on Dec 22, 2011 4:53 PM PST reply actions  

So I was in Minnesota last week and went to this microbrew mecca known as The Happy Gnome (70 taps!) in St. Paul and got to try some brews that I'd only heard of, but are not distributed in Washington.

I mainly stuck with the winter-ish ones:

Great Lakes Christmas Ale – Incredible! Tasted like gingerbread and honey with a 7.5 alc content. One of my new favorite beers ever
Great Divide Hibernation Ale – also really good, bit on the lighter side
Surly Bender Ale – a coffee infused brown ale from an awesome MN brewery. First microbrew I’ve ever seen in a tallboy can. The Midwest knows how to live, I tells ya.

Also, got to have Brooklyn Brewery Imperial Chocolate Stout on tap for the first time, soooo good. Why god why can’t we get this in WA?

by sanford_and_son on Dec 23, 2011 10:49 AM PST reply actions  

Most beer that Great Divide brews is pretty good

Especially the Titan IPA and Yeti stout. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them in WA before.

by enguy on Dec 23, 2011 1:06 PM PST up reply actions  

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