Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Win or Lose, Boston Celtics' New Big 3 Era A Success

OT for Humbled Fan, April 28th

Clemente_tiny by msb on


Humbled Fan has requested a forum to talk about the end of Michael Scott's management of The Office.



How about some links--

Michael meets David Brent

A Michael vs David quizaroo

A nice summation of why the in-office salute to Michael worked last week

And for those of you looking forward to another British tradition ... there is a wedding on tv tonight.  You can watch it live at the Queen Mary tea shop if you like.  yum, crumpets.

Comment 1112 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Read More: Seattle Mariners

Comments

Display:

I feel so honored!

Tonights episode will have Jim Carrey, Will Arnett, Ricky Gervais, and of course Will Ferrell. I don’t think I can even handle it and we still don’t know who the new boss is!

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 12:54 PM PDT reply actions  

I guess a prompt helps. Will you watch the NFL Draft?

I must admit, I grew up treating the NFL Draft like a holiday. Lock myself in my room and tune in for at least the entire first day.

Moving it to a weekday sucks.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

People care about a nonexistent sport?

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Draft weekend was usually the first time we'd break out the grill for the season and throw a large party.

Of course it was just an excuse for a bunch of idiots to start drinking around 11, eat copious amount of bad food, and ogle the local college girls’ track team as they ran by.

by ThomasG on Apr 28, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

If it wasn't at 2am

I might be tempted as an excuse to make a big tea

by msb on Apr 28, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's not as big of a deal here as Chuck & Di's wedding was, that's for sure

but there’s definitely a small contingent of people that are into it.

In a related note, could the people and the attitudes in this piece be any more English? I felt like oppressing a colony after reading it.

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Haiti's at a rather low point right now. Strike while the iron's hot!

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

There are a lot of them out there!

The actual line on Kate ditching Harry at the alter is +$50,000. And that isn’t even among the stranger prop bets.

by schismatix on Apr 28, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

And I assume that by alter you meant altar

I can’t link to it at work because I can’t get to it, but Paddy Power is even taking bets on what the main course will be at the reception meal.

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, that comment was full of bad everything. Sorry.

Bodog has some pretty funny bets listed, like “Will the Wedding Car break down on the way to Westminster Abbey”? They’ve even got wagers regarding the future royal children.

by schismatix on Apr 28, 2011 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'll follow it.

Not watch it.

I hate the fact that they spread it out over three days now.

Its finally happened.

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 28, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah two days before was fine

because most people only care about the first two rounds anyhow. Dragging it out to 3 is ridiculous.

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

by bluemax on Apr 28, 2011 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

I fucking loathe Berman,

but Kiper is a sweetheart and a good football mind if you can get over his hair. I personally would love to see Kiper strangle Berman to death on live TV.

by kevin_ess on Apr 28, 2011 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't trust a man with that much hair gel

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

More The Office

Popdose listed their top Michael Scott moments, and another NPR story bids Michael Scott a fond farewell.

Michael Scott is probably one of my favorite TV characters in the last 20 years. What are some of your favorite characters?

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions  

Dana Carvey

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, so many.

Homer Simpson, Michael Scott, Omar, Tony Soprano, the already mentioned Swearengen, Ron Swanson, Liz Lemon…

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Also:

Tim Riggins and Coach Taylor, Sayid and Sawyer (not counting the last season of bullshit), Jax from “Sons of Anarchy”, Bubbles, Omar, Stringer, Snoop…..hell, most characters from “The Wire.”

And definitely David Brent.

by sanford_and_son on Apr 28, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Tim Riggins is one of my favorite dramatic characters of recent times

all I wanted from the final episode of FNL (this is not a spoiler) is to see Coach Taylor smile. Just once. Throughout the whole series, he had this ultra-stern look that was occasionally broken by a half-smile; all I wanted was for him to bust out a big one for once because he deserved it.

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

The more I look back on Lost the less I like it

I watched the whole series, but now when i talk about it with people my whole reaction to it is “what the fuck was that anyway?” and not just because of the last episode, which I liked pretty well. It just seems like a show that, for me, won’t hold up over time.

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Definitely.

I think most of the fun was in the discussion and anticipation of the next episode, saying “What the fuck was that? And where does it go from here?” – that all goes away when you’re watching it on DVD.

by Eyebrows on Apr 28, 2011 4:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Ben started off as a great character, and the actor that played him was perfect too. But they kind of ran out of things for him to do by the 4th season or so.

Honestly, I’m semi-embarrassed for being as gung-ho about Lost as I used to be. The most I can defend it now is saying that the first 2 seasons are incredibly exciting and awesome, but impossible to sustain as evidenced by the last 3 seasons.

But, man, you let someone borrow that first season DVD and you won’t see that person for like 3 days save for panicked text messages with questions about polar bears and “others.” Such a great season. I feel like if it had gotten canceled right after that, the world would be a better place.

by sanford_and_son on Apr 29, 2011 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

I actually loved the last season

much more so than I liked any previous season. I think most of my problem with Lost was the same problem I have with the Red Sox – it’s not the product itself, but the fans that got to me. People spent sooooooo much time trying to decode EVERY SINGLE THING in Lost that it seemed like it was getting to the point where it was less a coherent TV show than a big, desperate scavenger hunt for meaning that, to my eyes, just wasn’t there.

It was getting so bad that I used to mock it when my wife and I watched it – “ooh, that one tree moved in the wind much more so than the others did – that must mean there’s a hatch buried there!” and random things like that.

The last season was great because it explained all the stupid stuff that happened four years ago that the fans wouldn’t let go of, like the damn polar bear, and did it in a way that was at least mildly interesting.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'll list the ones I can think of, although many have already been mentioned.

Arrested Development: Gob, Tobias
Home Movies: Coach McGuirk
Seinfeld: Kramer
Scrubs (for like six? seasons): Janitor
Parks and Recreation: Ron Swanson

by RunningFool on Apr 28, 2011 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was always a Jerry fan on Seinfeld, and I don't know if I'm the only one.

Then again.. George? Loved him too. Don’t get me wrong, love me some Kramer. And Puddy was my favorite non-regular.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's amazing how an almost throw away joke character

became so much more

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

People have already called out some of the best, but here are a few more.

Ones I’ve already seen – Al Swearingen, Tony Soprano, Charlie Kelly, Ron Swanson.

I’ll add Hank Hill, the TV versions of Jemaine Clement/Bret Mackenzie, Alex P. Keaton, J.R. Ewing, Lionel Hutz, Jack Donaghy, Jack Bristow. I’d like to specially call out Spock – as a kid, I preferred Kirk, but as I grow older I really prefer the subtlety Leonard Nimoy brought to the role. To show small but significant bits of emotion without truly showing emotion – that’s good stuff.

by Chris Hafner on Apr 29, 2011 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

I saw an interview with Jemaine the other day

I guess he’s one of the voices in Rio. I didn’t recognize him at first because he is now sporting a Brian Wilson-esque beard and really shaggy hair.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Quincy.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's called "Next Stop Nowhere"

and it’s awesome because it’s all about how evil punk rock is – some guy got killed at a punk show and in investigating the killing, Quincy decides to basically go on a jihad against the punk rock lifestyle. Keeping in mind that this episode aired in 1982, it’s an absolutely brilliant slice of white suburban American hysteria and it’s absolutely fucking genius. Just YouTube “quincy next stop nowhere” and you’ll be able to see bits and pieces of it.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

I will have to do this!

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

OMG

Amazing.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm telling you, it's unfuckingreal

I used to have a video tape of it but I don’t know what happened to it, and I would love to get my hands on the full episode again.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

"That's called slam dancing!"

“NEXT STOP NOWHERE I WANNA GET OFF”

I want to start a band just to cover this song.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Was that a real band, or was it actors?

I need to know this.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

The cut your wrists line is delivered so epically

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

This makes it even better.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

Holy shit!

“The music I heard said life was cheap! And suicide and murder are okay!!”

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Now I kind of understand what that Spoon song was about.

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

by JY on Apr 29, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Casey from Sports Night

Stringer from the Wire
Dr. Cox from Scrubs
Jessie from Breaking Bad
Dr. Reid from Criminal Minds
Emerson Cod from Pushing Daisies
Any role Craig Robinson has ever had

by the other side on Apr 29, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

"Hi, I'm Larry and this is my brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl"

I loved those three idiots on the Newhart show, even though I was likely too young to get all the jokes and innuendo

by Kermit. on May 2, 2011 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

Since TV seems to be the talk of the day, I'll pose a question.

Is the sports show with Norm McDonald worth DVRing? I’d say yes for Norm McDonald, but no for the fact that sports shows are really hit and miss.

Anyone seen it yet?

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 1:24 PM PDT reply actions  

I saw a about 10 minutes of it.

It was decent, but not something I’d specifically make time to watch. Think Norm MacDonald doing Weekend Update, but it’s all sports.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 28, 2011 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Damn, I forgot the "a".

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Eh.

I only get it right because my last name is “Mc” and people spell it “Mac” all the time.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 28, 2011 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, but he always gets confused when the Irish slurs start working their way into a conversation

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

by Faux on Apr 28, 2011 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have vowels, I'm just lazy.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 28, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

Here's a fun question: Best Weekend Update host(s)?

Options:
Chevy Chase
Jane Curtin
Dennis Miller
Kevin Nealon
Norm Macdonald
Colin Quinn
Jimmy Fallon/Tina Fey
Tina Fey/Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler/Seth Myers
Seth Myers

For some odd reason I was a big Dennis Miller fan as a young boy. I remember liking Weekend Update then.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I liked Dennis Miller too.

That was a perfect spot for him and his humor.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 28, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

I haven't watched anything after Norm MacDonald

but I’d rate the ones I have seen thusly:

Miller
Chase
Curtin
Nealon
MacDonald

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Jane Curtin, man.

Then Tina Fey / Amy Poehler.

by royalcurve on Apr 28, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

It had the misfortune of coming on soon after The Onion's show, which was brilliant in concept and usually exposition.

In the pilot, Norm had a decent Tiger Woods commentary and Blake Griffin cameo, but I didn’t laugh much.

by yuniform on May 2, 2011 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

I just got an ad with autoplaying sound on the gamethread page.

Are these tolerated by SBN or should I be reporting it somewhere? It was really annoying, if that helps.

by RunningFool on Apr 28, 2011 1:45 PM PDT reply actions  

Saddest you've ever been watching a sitcom?

I think the finale of the British Office was pretty moving and I still get choked up. Ricky Gervais can actually act.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

That was my first reaction as well.

I watched that show right after breaking up with a girl. Thought I could use some comedy.

untimely baseball writing @ the playful utopia

by Patrick Dubuque on Apr 28, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

I thought the finale of Extras was pretty touching also.

Saddest I’ve ever been watching a sitcom? I can’t think of one at the moment. As far as general tv goes, I bawled like a baby at the end of MASH.

by royalcurve on Apr 28, 2011 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh crap, I meant Extras.

But The Office was sad too.

It’s the end of Extras I was thinking about.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 28, 2011 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

The final episode of Extras really got to me

throughout that entire series, Ricky Gervais’ character was such a vindictive tool, and in that one last episode everthing got turned around and dumped on his head for a change, and it was really tough to see that even though he deserved every bit of what he got.

by pdb on Apr 28, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

Cheers was pretty tough.

But usually I’m more sad when I get to the end of a really great video game.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 28, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was SO BUMMED for the rest of the evening on Monday

because I’d just beaten Mass Effect 2 and [semi-spoilers!] had three of my people killed because I was misinterpreting who I should be choosing for what role. Having those characters die because I screwed up really sucked so I had to go back and replay the whole ending of the game on Tuesday to make it right.

by Eyebrows on Apr 28, 2011 3:20 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

I'm bummed because I didn't go right to the end

and Kelly died :( The only way to get her back would be to replay the entire game.

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

by bluemax on Apr 28, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yup. Once you've retrieved the Reaper IFF, you have to go go go to the Omega Relay.

Any delay and either Kelly or Dr. Chakwas dies.

The user formerly known as Phildopip

by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Apr 28, 2011 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm glad I assembled my whole crew and did all my loyalty missions before going after the IFF.

I had a hunch that would set off the end of game chain of events and was right about that.

by Eyebrows on Apr 28, 2011 3:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Yeah I knew that

but I stupidly went back to the Krogran planet to buy something I didn’t really need, and thus Kelly died.

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

by bluemax on Apr 28, 2011 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't have a save that far back :/

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

by bluemax on Apr 28, 2011 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Finale of Roseanne.

Which is weird because the season leading up to it was horrible.

Also: Monk

by ThomasG on Apr 28, 2011 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

THe final season of Roseanne jumped the shark so badly,

I’m surprised they didn’t actually have the Fonz guest star. What a fucked up end to a (then) good series.

by kevin_ess on Apr 28, 2011 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Does Star Trek TNG count as a sitcom?

In my youth, I was really bummed when that ended, and it ended with a pretty great finale too.

At least they later made some awesome movies, and some not so awesome movies, to sate my geeky appetite.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

#2 might be my brother.

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

by JY on Apr 28, 2011 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sorry, #3.

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

by JY on Apr 28, 2011 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

And it was.

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

by JY on Apr 30, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Music discussion!

Has a band you had previously written off released an album that renewed your faith in them?

For me it has been Foo Fighters with Wasting Light. I have never really disliked them but since The Colour and the Shape it’s all been sorta meh. But their new album is so good. It’s just an awesome hard rock record and what mainstream rock should be.

by Mariner John on Apr 28, 2011 4:26 PM PDT reply actions  

Yes, yes yes - I am going through this right now.

One of my favorite artists released music under the name The One AM Radio. It was more or less a solo act, very slow dreamy introspective music. Generally just him with a guitar and a laptop at shows, though sometimes he’d bring a band with an upright bass and horns. I’d gone to a bunch of his shows but they were almost always in super small places, 50 people max at each show.

I figure he was getting tired of being the king of his niche and wanted to branch out a bit. So after he released This Too Will Pass, which was AMAZING and one of my favorite albums at that point, he decided to stop being sleepy bedroom 10-minute song guy and go straight up dancy full indie rock band. He announced this change on his myspace or whatever, and posted a few demo tracks which weren’t the worst thing ever, but they were pretty mediocre. After a few months, the band had their first show at UCSD when I happened to be in town. I attended and again, while they weren’t bad, their new songs were generic and their new-sound takes on his existing songs just felt wrong.

I lamented the death of one of my favorite bands. I’d understand if he made a new band and kept The One AM Radio as a side project (or vice-versa), which would have allowed me to keep the hope alive that he would still tour or release in his old style.

This was all years ago. I’d largely forgotten about it all when I found out that the new One AM Radio album is finally coming out. I pre-order just because I loved his old music so much, I felt I owed it one more chance.

I found a leak of the album online AND IT IS SO FUCKING GOOD. He took the mediocre songs and fixed them and the album is just so much fun. Dancy/poppy/energetic with just a hit of that wistful melancholy stuff he used to do on his old albums. Yes, it’s completely different but he went from being the best at one type of music I like to releasing an album in a totally different style I enjoy and NAILING IT.

I’m so excited about it. I haven’t cared this much about a new album in years. They’ll be playing at the Comet in a few weeks and I can’t fucking wait.

I realize this is all a bit too much breathless enthusiasm and I understand it’s my opinion and that many who hear his old or new stuff might not care for either. But it’s really got me over the moon right now.

by Eyebrows on Apr 28, 2011 4:50 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

Wish I could, sandwich.

I have to enter Swedish hospital’s sleep clinic that night for a sleep study!

by royalcurve on Apr 28, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Those are so much fun

75 sensors attached to your face, a couple of breathing monitors, a creepy nurse like technician guy on an intercom. I think I fell asleep from 3:15 to 3:24.

by Craptastic-J on Apr 29, 2011 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

Going to Sweden for a hospital seems like it would help anyone's sleep.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions  

Field Gulls does not seem to be hot on the guy that they did pick.

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

by JY on Apr 28, 2011 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

I admit I was a bit stunned

but honestly the only position I would’ve been unhappy with us drafting in the first round was RB. The Seahawks need help EVERYWHERE.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

Only places we are set seem like: LT, SS, 1 CB spot, LB (Mostly).

I would have been okay with Ingram, but I’m fine with improving the line for Lynch if he stays.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

Eh I'm not sold on our LB depth but certainly we didn't need a first rounder there

and Earl is a FS not a SS I think.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

Eh, I thought it was a reach.

I don’t like the pick, but I don’t hate it. It fills a need on the line, but could you have gotten another right tackle that’s around 90% of Carpenter in the later rounds?

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Are we going to put this off until we get the O-line just right?

Free agency happens, players leave. Players get hurt. You can’t keep putting off the most position on the roster forever, and this team has put it off for too long.

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

For this analogy to work, the difference between QBs would be equivalent

to taste in colors and styles of arm chairs, and that just doesn’t fly. I’m with BrianL.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Right now we have one chair, of unknown quality.

Even if we had a brand new leather chair, or a well worn comfy recliner, we’d still want to make sure they were protected before we put them in place.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm of the opinion that our line isn't nearly as bad as everyone thinks.

Great, no, but our QB play has made them look far, far worse than they are.

Get a decent QB in the right now and they could very well look serviceable.

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

I hate Matt Hasselbeck, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo because they've led everyone

to believe that all-pro QBs are easy to find in the later rounds.

Give me a first round QB

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree with you that first round QB's are historically the way to go.

And because of Tom Brady and a few other guys, the perception has changed, as well as the lack of success of so many first round QB’s. But out of the 32 guys who will start the season as their teams starting QB (barring injury) over 20 will be first round picks.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Typically, late first round QB's fail. I think higher expectations are placed on them than should be, because they are "first round" QBs.

But they fell to 25 for a reason. It is the most important position in the game, yet Dalton, Mallett, and Kaepernick were all passed on by multiple teams that need a QB.

I admit to being sold on Mallett leading up to the draft, but clearly Pete and John are not sold on him. I just tend to trust their judgment that none of the QB’s available at 25 were worth it, though they may be worth it in the 2nd round.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

That was how I felt about it

We have so many needs that I was pretty much fine with any player worth a shit being taken at 25. No major difference in money between a 25 and a 2nd rounder and being short a pick had to have put us in a rough position with regards to possibly trading for something different.

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don't really have high expectations of any of the 1st round QBs

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

And one more QB is off the board in the second

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have to disagree on this one.

Not saying it can’t work the other way around, but I feel like history has shown us that a great supporting cast is the best thing a young QB can have. They work symbiotically but I’d rather have the LT before I had the QB.

Peyton Manning had Marshall Faulk and Marvin Harrison when he came into the league.
Matt Ryan had Roddy White and Michael Turner.
Joe Flacco came into a great situation.
Carson Palmer had Ochocinco, Houshmanzadeh, Rudi Johnson.
Kurt Warner had all of those amazing elements.
Matt Schaub had Andre Johnson and was much better setup than David Carr.

I don’t know. If I were the Panthers, I would have strongly considered AJ Green. I think Blaine Gabbert will look like the much better pick in 3 years.

The Hawks could have drafted a QB, but they can still draft a QB in round 2 that wouldn’t be much of a step-down (if at all) then what they could have done at 25.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

Flacco had a defense.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Flacco didn't have to do much, which is why I say he was put in a great situation.

“Go be Trent Dilfer, but with room to get better. For right now, just don’t fuck us”

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes, yes, we'll all stipulate that if the rest of the team is great, then the importance of getting

an amazing QB goes down. We don’t have that situation.

So the question is: do you want to try to build a really good line around Whitehurst, or do you want to find a QB and let that (at least in part) determine the kind of line you build?

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

We have decent WR's,

but it’s not like he’s stepping into a Fitzgerald/Boldin/etc group like Lienart could have.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Better than what Bradford has in St Louis

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

I can't name a WR in St Louis.

What Bradford did was pretty impressive.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

Danny Amendola.

That’s all I can think of and I looked at St Louis’s WR roster 4 hours ago.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Brandon Gibson!

I thought you were a Cougars fan.

by Mariner John on May 1, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Laurent Robinson, Donnie Avery

Bradford succeeded without Avery last year since he was on the IR. Not sure of Avery’s status (if he’ll be recovered or not) but he’s a high ceiling guy. First WR off the board in the 08 draft.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 2, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

Not to mention a solid pair of TEs.

There are tools in place to allow a QB to succeed.

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

That I will agree with you on.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

He's a winner

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

How did Christian Ponder go 12?

Maybe I missed something “combine related” but I thought he was a disappointment his entire career. Maybe thats just false FSU expectations.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

I laughed out loud when they announced that pick

on the radio. They had to go to commercial right away because the guys they had were so stunned. It was amazing.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Easier transition into a pro-style offense

Not that I agree but that was his big selling point.

by ThomasG on May 2, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

And now I'm going to have to put my money where my mouth is on Andy Dalton.

Carson Palmer, “goodbye”

Dalton has Chad Johnson and AJ Green. Don’t know what the status of Andre Smith is, but Dalton shouldn’t suck if given the job.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Or Ryan Mallet

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Kaepernick.

Damn. I was hoping he’d slip further.

by BrianL on Apr 29, 2011 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Derp

I misread ESPN.com earlier

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

I feel like Williams is really over rated

so I’m okay with 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 Apr 29, 2011 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

It was a weird draft to be sure

but I do feel like we addressed pretty much everything but QB and DL. This team was talent poor at almost every position so it was gonna be hard for them to totally fuck it up.

I’m not overwhelmed by any means but I feel like there are a lot of unanswered questions that need resolving still.

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Stupid basketball

I didn’t get to see The Office last night because of a goddamned basketball game. WTF.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 7:00 AM PDT reply actions  

I taped it if you really need to see it.

and of course, there is Hulu, which might be more do-able :)

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

I got it this morning, but thanks

it’s just annoying because all the DVR picked up was an hour plus of a basketball game I didn’t give two craps about.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

I keep thinking I should switch to DVR

but it sounds like there is just as much chance to not get something as there is with human error & the VCR…

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

It's funny because usually

if a show’s not on the DVR will just skip it and not record anything – the flip (and better) side of that is that a DVR will typically follow a show if it moves times, so you don’t have to do anything in order to record a show that moves at the last minute, which is really handy. In this case, our local NBC is re-running The Office on Sat night, and our DVR is set to grab it then and we didn’t have to do anything.

DVR’s can also be set to only grab new shows, or only reruns, or all episodes, and you can also tell it how many of each show to store. You can also “lock” a show so it never deletes. DVR’s are awesome. For some reason last night our DVR grabbed the 45 minute block where The Office was supposed to be, even though it wasn’t there.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

Tips for back pain

Severe back pain, even. Deadlifting, felt-fine-during-the-exercise-but-woke-up-the-next-day-unable-to-sit-up kind of back pain.

I mean, I got hardcore drugs from a doctor who basically said to just wait it out, ice and rest. But I’m here at work, sitting at a desk, and can’t take my hardcore drugs.

Apparently lower back pain is common. Anybody have tips on relieving it? Sitting positions, stretches, or over the counter items that provide some relief? This is the first time I’ve ever experienced this kind of back pain.

Makes me feel old. But sitting is really unpleasant.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 9:40 AM PDT reply actions  

Stand if you can, don't mind any side-long looks, but keep to your regime of icing, stretching if allowed as much as you can.

get up and walk about a bit every so often, it will help.

See if lumbar support helps when sitting

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

Heating pad, heating pad, heating pad

If you have to sit all day, definitely get up and move around as much as you can. Stand at your desk if at all possible.

Sit up as straight as you possibly can, and be very vigilant about your posture all day/ As for stretches, if you’re sitting, Stretch your legs out in front of you and reach your fingertips out towards your toes – you don’t have to touch your toes (although you certainly can if you’re able), just make sure you can feel the stretch in your back.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

and gently, gently.

ibuprophen is all I have ever used

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks guys. Ibuprofen is what I've been taking thus far.

I think I might pick up a heating pad at lunch to use between icings. I’ve been trying to stand up and walk around when I can, but it seems I can only sit for about 30 minutes before the pain starts to be too much, so hopefully management doesn’t mind that I keep getting up…

Man, this is bad. Lesson learned—being sedentary is better than trying to exercise. Har har.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

You are probably right. Deadlifts supposedly work your hamstrings a lot.

I may have strained those as well. Pretty much my whole backside, from mid-back to knees, is stiff and achey.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

I've been using a little wheel with handles off either side

You sit on your knees and roll forward then back to a sitting position. Goofy little exercise but it’s been great for my back from the neck to tailbone and an excellent ab workout. Get a little stretch at the same time, much better than sit ups and crunches.

Realizing everyone is different, this might be worth a shot, I spend all day humping a 60 pound rucksack around in steel toe boots and this has been terrific help.

by Kermit. on Apr 29, 2011 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Takes about 5 minutes twice daily

Start off with abbreviated movements and extend as I warm up

by Kermit. on Apr 29, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm so, so sorry.

Last summer I suffered a severe lumbar strain and ended up in the emergency room because I was certain my kidneys were exploding or something. For a week prior to the ER visit I tried everything. Pain relievers, massages, chiropractor, stretches, ice, gentle stretches… I put to use everything I had learned in massage school. Sadly for me, nothing worked until the doctor gave me oxycodone and a month’s worth of muscle relaxers. Haven’t had pain since.

Now, I genuinely hope that isnt’ the case with you. Good luck!

by royalcurve on Apr 29, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks... this is probably the most painful/irritating ailment I've ever endured.

I guess you don’t realize how much you rely on your back until it blows up. Standing? Sitting? Sleeping? Lying down? Tying your shoes? Even sitting on the pot, for Christ’s sake—everything is a painful ordeal.

I also got oxycodone and muscle relaxers. I couldn’t wait a week—yesterday was too painful, I had to literally fall out of bed and crawl to the bathroom counter to haul myself onto my feet. Day 3 feel exactly the same as day 2, which is depressing—I was really hoping it would improve quickly. I went to the chiropractor yesterday too, and it didn’t help at all.

But I’ve survived 3 hours of workday so far… so I guess I’m surviving. Progress!

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

If you were lifting when you did this, then it's probably not great advice, but....

I went to physical therapist early this year because I was having lower back issues and she explained to me that I should be working out my chest more because it acts to stabilize everything else. And so long as I do my exercises and am not sitting funny (for whatever reason), it seems to hold true: I went from daily pain to almost nothing.

Otherwise, HEATING PAD

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

by JY on Apr 29, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

That makes sense, I wasn't doing any abs before that point aside from some lower back stuff.

So I guess the lesson is keep everything in balance?

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

Funny, it's all designed to work together!

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

by JY on Apr 29, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yep.

Everything in moderation, as my great grandpa used to say. Of course, his emphasis was on EVERYTHING.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

I know I'm a bit late to the party,

but I have been using one of these for the last 2 + years and it never fails to take the pain away.

by ToddK on Apr 29, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

How hard is it to fix a blinker?

My left turn signal stopped working yesterday. The right one still works fine.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 9:55 AM PDT reply actions  

I have never changed a blinker but I have changed headlights and it's a minor PITA

At least in our car, the housing containing the lights/turn signals is right in front of the battery. I had enough room to get my hand in the housing but not enough room to get leverage on the bulb to remove it, so I had to remove the battery – or more accurately, I had to have the dealer remove the battery because the stupid battery was bolted into the stupid battery tray with a stupid bolt that was at a stupid angle that could stupidly only be reached with a stupid custom wrench that stupidly only the dealer had.

But if it’s on the non-battery side, it should be fairly easy.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

I should also note that my dashboard light/sound

do not indicate that I’ve activated my turn signal as well.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ah, that I can't help you with

Sounds like maybe a wiring problem?

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

Some cars do that to let you know the bulb has burned out.

How difficult the repair is really depends on what the actual problem is. Electrical short? That’s a bitch to track down and fix. Burned out bulb? Three minutes, two of which will be spent finding the right screwdriver or wrench to remove the cover.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

So should I take it to a mechanic or something?

My old neighbor does mechanicy stuff out of his garage so I’m guessing he’ll give me a fair rate on it, but I’m wondering if its worth bugging him over.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

Check and see if the bulb is burned out first.

$3.00 fix if that’s the case.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

This is probably going to fix it too.

The dasboard indicator is usualy lit up at the end of the chain. So if the bulb is dead, the current won’t get back to the dashboard.

Also, I like to replace both lights when one goes out, so that you don’t end up having to do this again in the near future when the other burns out.

by d0nkey on Apr 29, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

All right cool, I guess I'll make a trip to the auto parts store today then

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Can't hurt to try it.

A few bucks and a few minutes and you’ll have your answer.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

Way late on this, but don't forget to check fuses as well

Some vehicles will fuse the individual signals on their own fuse, instead of as a whole system. But from what you’re describing it sounds like it is either a bulb or a fuse

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah so it turns out it was a bit more than this

The other morning when driving into the parking structure I had something dragging under my car. Well that something was apparently my front left blinker (the entire thing, wiring, plastic cover, bulb etc) and that’s why nothing worked.

It took me two trips (one to my old neighbor and one to a place he recommended), $126, 3 hours, and the front blinker from a 93 Accord but it all works again.

On the bright side the taco place next to the place I got it fixed at had amazing Al Pastor tacos, so it wasn’t a total loss!

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

Was that a VW, pdb?

I was taking care of a 2004 Jetta and was gobsmacked to realize I couldn’t replace the battery because it was strapped and bolted down in a way that I couldn’t access with any reasonable socket wrench. Thanks, VW – after all, why would you want your car owners to do incredibly minor maintenance on their cars?

by Chris Hafner on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

The dealer took pity on me though

I went in with my already-purchased headlight, told them I’d already switched the non-battery-obstructed one, told them that I was incredibly annoyed that I couldn’t quite get the battery-obstructed one out, and they actually did it for free – one of the guys came out and just swapped it in the parking lot. I was impressed, I didn’t think dealers did ANYTHING for free.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Like you said, that's a pity job.

It’s technically easy to do, but you need a small and flexible hand to reach in there. I just recently swapped out the bulbs on my ‘03 GTI and it is definitely not something to be attempted if you’re not keen on doing things “by braille.”

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

That Jetta was such a pile of crap.

I mean, it looked good, was reasonably fun to drive, but it fell apart as if it was made of wet Kleenex. Its seat warmer actually once caught the seat on fire, burned its owner’s ass, and partially melted the center console. The day before she sold it, the clutch went out.

by Chris Hafner on Apr 29, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

See, ours has never given us any problems at all

the only thing that’s gone at all wrong actually just happened the other day – the windshield wipers will not stop, now. The “off” position is now pretty much “fully on”, and the wipers don’t park where they used to. Gotta get that fixed, but otherwise it’s never given her or me a moment of trouble.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

You just need a bigger hammer.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

So I have bad taste in movies, but holy shit am I stoked to see "Fast Five."

They’ve all been enjoyable and dumb action flicks, but my buddy compared the newest one to “Bad Boys 2”, which is perhaps the pinnacle of stupid and hilarious balls out action movie in my book, so now I’m even more excited. Plus, THE ROCK is in it and he’s pretty much always enjoyable.

The AV Club review is favorable too!

Not that they’re the end all, be all, but I usually more or less agree with them.

by sanford_and_son on Apr 29, 2011 10:48 AM PDT reply actions  

I'll skip Fast Five (missed the first four),

but I’m starting to get a little curious about the Thor movie.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

I've only seen one preview for Thor but it seems to me as hard of a concept to make a movie out of as the Incredible Hulk

Hulk’s problem as a movie is…he gets angry, and that’s his superpower. Plant him in a library with some classical music, bam, movie over. Thor, he seems to hammer stuff. Which is fine I guess but at that point you’re basically talking about Donkey Kong The Movie if it’s not done well.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions  

You have the whole Asgard thing (if I spelled that correctly),

and his oath to protect the week and innocent. And somewhere in there I’ll bet there will be a woman.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

Fuck.

“weak and innocent”… What is wrong with me today…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

He is the Norse God of Thunder and has a whole bunch of Norse mythology to contend with.

I feel like making a movie about Marvalized Norse Mythology seems like it would be the easiest thing in the world to do.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

What if he wears Hammer pants?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I think you would have to try hard to make a dude fighting Frost Giants and Trickster Gods uninteresting.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

They somehow made a giant green man smashing tanks boring

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Personally I think they went too over the top with special effects in both Hulk movies.

In the comics, Hulk was just a bit bigger than Thing from Fantastic Four. In the movies, he’s two stories tall.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

I liked the second one better

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

There are some comic characters that I think just don't translate

I mean who can name a single Hulk villain?

Then again I can’t name most of Iron Man’s enemies and they made a good movie out of that, whereas they failed with Daredevil who has a better rogue’s gallery.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

I want to know where the villan movies are at.

Come on, give me Dr. Doom or something!

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

Here you go!

BAM!

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Pass.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Doesn't mean it's not worthwhile.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was talking about something like this with my friend.

“Why do all the movies about serial killers suck so much?”

Specifically the straight-to-dvd ones about Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer, Manson, etc.

Why can’t they get good actors, directors, I mean, these are AMAZING stories.

Because you can’t root for a serial killer. Instead, the high profile serial killer movies like Zodiac, Son of Sam, aren’t about the killers at all.

The best its ever been done was Silence of the Lambs and thats why its one of the best movies ever made.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think it's possible to keep you attached to the character,

but you don’t have to root for him/her. You just can’t switch sides and tell it from only Clarissa’s point of view.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Can you name any good movie where the villian was the main character?

And not one where the main character turned out to be the villain in the end as a twist ending or something.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not off the top of my head.

The Shining?

Maybe Cape Fear or Psycho…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I can't think of any definites either

Lady (and Sympathy for Mr.) Vengeance were all I could think of.

by Eyeball Kid on Apr 29, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

It can be done.

Obviously the villan isn’t the ONLY character in the movie, but you can make it revolve around them.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not saying its the "only" character obviously, but villians rarely are the "main" character.

Because “Main” characters are the ones who change throughout the film. It’s not even the most obvious character, and surely you can have an ensemble piece where the main character wouldn’t stick out so much.

Technically speaking, the main character in the Hangover for example is Stu (Ed Helms)

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

True.

But what about Cape Fear, or The Shining?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've seen both, but the remake is fresher in my mind.

I’ll give you that one, but it does get pretty close to “featuring” the villan.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

As does Silence of the Lambs, but still the movies wouldn't exist without either the villian or the protagonist.

It just so happens that the protagonist is 99% the main character.

So could you have a “Dr Doom” movie? Sure, but Dr Doom wouldn’t be the main character.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, thats what I'm saying.

Protagonist and antagonist are both intergral to a narrative, but protagonist will always be the central character.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fuck that noise.

Someone needs to step up and make my wishes come true.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer.

There’s one and its a great low-budget movie.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oops,

didn’t see this before my previous reply.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think Dr. Doom is complex enough

that he could probably carry a movie of his own.

Magneto probably could too.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Magneto would be a great one to carry his own movie.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well, X-Men First Class kind of handles that.

Any Magneto movie would have to be before he was a villian. Nobody would green light a movie where it was just Magneto doing bad shit, because villians rarely have character development.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Villan battles inner demons about being a villan,

falls in love, but can’t have her because he’s an evil person… I don’t know, it seems like there would be places you could go.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree that it seems that way, and as an aspiring screenwriter, I've always wanted to go there.

But it’s not easy. It’s probably the most difficult thing I could try and conquer.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's a noble path to walk.

I think it could be done.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

So, kinda like Wanted?

It worked out okay as a comic book.

by yuniform on May 2, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fuck Mark Millar

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Dr. Doom has a great back story.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

I mean, villians are cool. James Bond, X-men, Batman.

As far as I know, Superman only has 1 real villian.

But like you said about Iron Man, you can create an awesome villian as a screenwriter I hope. Or elaborate from the comics to make someone a legendary villian.

The Hulk, I couldn’t name any character except for the Hulk. In Iron Man, they made up some cool bad guys (by hiring cool actors I’d say)

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's the problem with a Hulk movie though

His “power” stems from his losing his temper, and once his power starts he can’t control it – it’s indiscriminately destructive. It’s hard to make a good movie out of that, because you can’t do the typical “here’s the bad guy for our hero to beat” story – with the Hulk it’s just “don’t make him mad or he’s going to smash everything” which doesn’t really make for a compelling story.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's the thing

the best Hulk stories are often where he’s not the central character.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Bruce Banner spills coffee in crotch,

turns into Hulk, throws Starbucks into the ocean. Bruce Banner’s Chinese take-out arrives cold. Hulk goes and destroys The Great Wall. Bruce Banner climaxes to early, turns into Hulk and destroys own penis.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think Bruce Banner's sexual dysfunction

was a part of the character in the Ultimates.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

On a similar note

Super Man is so over powered that you know he’s not gonna lose any fights, so you have to come up with a conflict he can’t win through pure muscle or whatever.

I think the second Hulk movie kind of tried to make it more about Banner trying to find a cure etc, the problem is people pay to see Hulk Smash so 2 hours of brooding and pipetting aren’t that interesting.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

Besides being way too long, this is why I hated the last Superman movie.

It was like “so why should I be on the edge of my seat again?” dude just handled the falling plane with no problem."

Batman is a person, so that’s why those movies are great.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Right

Batman has no super powers, so he can be hurt, or get tired etc.

Super Man is basically a god.

I’m not sure I’ve ever watched all of any Super Man movie. I’ve seen none of the most recent one.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

HAH!!

This reminds me of arguments my brother and I had as kids when we would play “superhero”.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Superman has a couple of villains.

Lex Luthor… Braniac…. General Zod (had to look that one up)… oh and Bizarro, who is pretty much the greatest villain ever.

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

by JY on Apr 29, 2011 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

But Lex Luthor is kind of a crappy movie villain

because he tries to beat Supes with cunning and knowledge.

Bizarro is unfilmable.

Braniac though, don’t know why they haven’t tried.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

Bizarro is only good for cartoons.

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

by JY on Apr 29, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Quote from 30 Rock.

But yeah, I couldn’t stand the Eric Bana version.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

Norse mythology is completely insane.

Marvelize Audumla, the primeval cow. Creating the world by licking on some ice.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I dig the casting of Idris Elba as Loki, but man, the previews look really underwhelming.

There just seems like there’s something off about it. The premise it’s presenting doesn’t seem compelling at all even for a comic book movie, but I’ll probably still see it anyways.

by sanford_and_son on Apr 29, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

I can't believe Thor is a 94 on Rotten Tomatoes

with 48 reviews in. That’s a lot higher than I ever would’ve dreamed.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

This maybe has "Iron Man" written all over it?

I never thought Iron Man was a good basis for a movie and it obviously did okay.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Is there anything new on The Avengers movie?

Are they really going to make it as they planned to?

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

As far as I know, yes. Last I heard of it was when they announced Joss Whedon would direct.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think its in pre production

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

All due respect to Joss Whedon, whom I know is loved a lot around this and many other communities, but wow..

What a job he has to do here. He’s only directed one film in his career, his own baby, the $40 million budgeted Serenity.

Yes, he is an accomplished television director and while I am confident that he can handle the job, I’m just a little surprised he was given the job of bringing together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Hulk on $150 million budget. With the already guaranteed appeal of Iron Man, and what I assume to be a 100 million dollar+ box office for Thor, I won’t be surprised if the studios expect $1 billion worldwide. Its just a lot of faith in Whedon.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 1, 2011 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe?

The early Iron Man trailers were a lot more promising than the early Thor trailers.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

I just cared about as much about Iron Man before I saw the movie as I did about Thor.

I didn’t know a lot of people who cared about Iron Man. Then he was the cat’s meow. Maybe by Monday everyone will be asking “WHEN IS THOR 2?!!!!”

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I admit to not really reading much Iron Man before hand

but the movie trailers were still more promising than what I saw from Thor.

I mean I’ll probably go see it, but I’m shocked that it’s being reviewed this well.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I loved Iron Man.

Still haven’t seen the second one though.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Don't

It’s not terrible, but it’s nowhere near as good as the first one.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not even worth a few bucks to see?

Or not even worth the time?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd say its okay if you're in the mood for some flash mindless super hero stuff

and if you’re all big on comics and want to grin at the Avengers cameo easter egg stuff.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

A few dynamite scenes, but overall not as funny or entertaining as the first.

They kinda overdid it on Starks’ cockiness and swagger and forgot to portray any empathy.

I read somewhere that large parts of it were ad-libbed and it definitely shows.

Also, Scarlett Johannson is impossibly hot looking in it. So there’s that, too.

by sanford_and_son on Apr 29, 2011 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm in.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think the problem with #2 (which I have not yet seen)

Was that the studio tried forcing in too much allusions to The Avengers to try and build hype. I believe that Favreau got so pissed about it that he vowed not to do another movie for them

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

With exception to Tokyo Drift (which is a different kind of bad) I love the Fast movies.

So over-the-top, I admit that I am usually one of the ones giving that franchise $10 every time a new one opens. And to finally get them all together at once? Hell yeah.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

The Transformer movie trailers have all been so deceptive

RotF looked like it was gonna be action packed and then it was like 2 hours of nothing interesting happening and 20 minutes of slow motion Megan Fox running through explosions.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

I haven't seen any of the Transformer movies.

Are they worth getting On Demand for a few bucks?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd actually have to disagree with sanford on Transformers.

The first one is watchable but almost makes me feel like its intentionally holding a mirror up to American audiences and saying “This is how stupid you are. You are going to give us 100’s of millions of dollars for this trash”

I think the 2nd one is insufferable. I turned it off. Sometimes I’ll catch the last 15 minutes on HBO just because there’s nothing on.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I'm with you

the first one isn’t too bad as an origin movie. The second one has them wandering around doing jack shit for a long time when all I wanted was robot fights.

Also robot balls.

I only watched all of the second one because I got to see it for free on a work day.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

You wanted robot balls?

I’m not sure how to respond to this…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

The robots had balls,

or they joked about it?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

How wonderful.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

The pinnacle of cinema

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

Haha shit that's not what I meant

but I see how it looks like what I wanted.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

So apparently the prince's wife is not a princess?

Only a Duchess? How does that work?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:50 AM PDT reply actions  

If playing Crusader Kings has taught me anything, it is that title and inheritance laws are fucking complicated.

But you have to be born royalty to be a princess.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

Wasn't it Princess Di?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions  

Lady Diana Spencer was the daughter of Edward John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer.

She was born royal, and upon marrying the Prince of Wales, assumed a new position in the royal hierarchy of Princess.

Don't worry; I'm a writer.

by harkening on Apr 29, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

So what does this all mean?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

Is "grab some beers and storm the castle" like "taking him to the Leafs game"?

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

I honestly don't know.

But it’s nothing like “dropping the kids off at the pool”.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions  

But this is the queen's grandson's wife...

Not her husband.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions  

Right. The principle is that you don't automatically get a certain title based on who you marry.

If the Queen of England’s husband isn’t “king,” then I think it’s easier to understand the queen’s grandson’s wife not automatically getting called “princess.”

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

Here's what I found out.
If you’re the Duke of Something then your wife is also Duchess of Something. "Prince" and "princess," by contrast, specifically denote that you’re the direct descendent of the Queen. Thus Prince Charles is a "prince" as are his sons, and his brother Prince Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrix and Princess Eugenie. But Kate’s not descended from The Queen so she’s no princess. William was made Duke of Cambridge in part specifically to address this, since as the wife of the Duke of Cambridge she now has a title befitting her position as an important member of the Royal Family.

But there’s an exception here! The Heir Apparent to the throne isn’t just any old prince, he’s the Prince of Wales. Consequently, his wife (if applicable) is the Princess of Wales. So if the Queen dies, Prince Charles will become King, Will will become Prince of Wales and then Kate will be Princess of Wales

by royalcurve on Apr 29, 2011 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

So yes.

For now, she’s a Duchess. When and if William becomes the Prince of Wales (if Charles becomes King, I suppose) she’ll become Princess of Wales.

by royalcurve on Apr 29, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

Pass the Duchess on the left hand side....

Isn’t that how it goes?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

This would also happen if Charles dies before the queen.

Prince William is next in the line of succession, so he would become the Prince of Wales as the heir apparent, and Kate would thus be the Princess of Wales.

This is interesting to me, because apparently succession does not always pass from the eldest child to the next child—if the eldest child has children himself, they are further up the line of succession than their uncles. I.e. Prince Charles’ younger brother Andrew is 4th in the line of potential successors, after Princes William and Harry.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on Apr 29, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

Perfect, thank you.

I wonder why they made Wm the Duke of Cambridge (something they apparently made up) instead of just splitting out some of the other titles that go with being Prince of Wales.
Prince of Wales is also the Duke of Cornwall. Seems like it’d be easier to make William the Duke of Cornwall (and Kate the Duchess) than it is to create a new title.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

NOW that makes sense.

A large part if it is the order of ascension.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

And here I thought LL could be the one last dying refuge from this crap.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Royalty Inheritance law are fascinating.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on Apr 29, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

I missed the kid has a real job

“The couple live on Anglesey, where the prince is an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.”

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

Didn't he deploy to the middle east as well?

I seem to remember there was some major concern about that, or maybe that was the other son.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

I had to go look it up.

Apparently as the heir, he has done time with each branch of the service on active service, and was in Afghanistan briefly. His brother is making the Army his career, and got pulled back from deploying to Iraq by the higher-ups as to great a target, but he was allowed to go with his unit to Afghanistan.

by msb on Apr 29, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

So I started going to the gym in the mornings, and holy crap do I feel the best/worst I've ever felt.

I don’t think I’ve ever had more energy but yet less ability to use it by halfway through my workday. I give this change two weeks because I’m determined, but is it ever hard to get to bed with interesting sports on west coast time.

Anyone else make major routine/habit changes recently? How did you stick to them?

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 11:40 AM PDT reply actions  

I quit drinking.

Still waiting to feel better in the morning.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

Is that allowed on LL?

I mean I keep my soberness pretty quiet so I don’t get caught.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions  

A WITCH! A WITCH!

Burn him! Buuuuuuuurrrrrrrrnnnnnn him!

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

That'

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

s a damn big duck.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm not that big of a guy...

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

Rawr?

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

I started working out at lunch with one of my coworkers

there’s a work out area in one of the buildings in our complex, not really a gym but it gets the job done.

I felt so sore for the first 3 days, but today I feel fine.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

Oh! OH! Weight Training joke!

What is the most commonly used piece of equipment in a gym/weight room?

The mirror.

You got slurved!

by Slurvey on Apr 29, 2011 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Suggestions for the Oregon Coast?

We’re making plans for a family trip down to the Oregon Coast in July, and I thought since there are quite a few Oregon Coast aficionados here I’d ask for some advice. Cannon Beach is the preferred destination, right? Is there anything in particular that we should see or do?

by Chris Hafner on Apr 29, 2011 12:55 PM PDT reply actions  

Cannon Beach is my favorite base of operations.

But if you really like the actual beach, I would also suggest Oceanside (which is farther south towards Cape Mears). Nice sandy beach sections, rocky sections, and a cool tunnel through the bluff that kids would love (just don’t get caught on the wrong side at high tide).

But CB is pretty awesome. Good restaurants, pizza places and cafes, a microbrewery, and some neat shops. Plus, on the north end of town you have Ecola Creek to play in, as well as the ocean. I think my favorite thing is that once you get there, you really don’t ever have to get in your car for the duration of the vacation. You can easily walk to everything.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

And from CB it's only a hop, skip, and jump down to Rockaway Beach

Which is awesome because it’s really small. The beach itself is pretty nice – wide, flat, easy access – and the town, which is tiny (about 1200 people), still has several good bars and restaurants, and it’s MUCH less touristed than CB is. That whole stretch of beach from CB down to Rockaway is really nice.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Or, just a hop north to Seaside.

Which is touristy as all get up, but some people like that. And if you have kids, they will probably LOVE Seaside. I just would never stay there. WAY too busy and touristy for me.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've never understood the appeal of Seaside when CB is right down the street

Seaside is way overrun by people, even in the off season. I guess that’s what happens when you’re right at the end of the main highway to the beach from the biggest city in the state.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Some people PREFER the tourist trap stuff.

I prefer to get up and walk to town and get some great breakfast, go back to the hotel and sit on the deck and relax, then walk back in for lunch, back to the deck, back in for dinner, back to the deck… My kinda place.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

That sounds great too.

The touristy bit might be fun to visit for an hour or two, but we’d otherwise prefer to avoid it.

by Chris Hafner on Apr 29, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Seal Rock/Newport.

Really, the only bit I’ve been to recently, but I had a blast. Good base of operations, and Newport’s got the Rogue Brewery and Distillery. A bit further away, but that can be nice in itself.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

The brewery area itself isn't amazing, but the shop (a little area of the warehouse) is nice

and the distillery was surprisingly interesting for a tiny little building in a warehouse parking lot.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

The first time I went to Newport

neither my now-wife-then-girlfriend or I had any idea there was a Rogue there. We were driving to the aquarium, and we turned where it said to turn off 101 for the aquarium. As we headed down that road, we both went “Ooh, cool, there’s a Rogue here” as we saw the building – we stared at the building as we drove by and made plans to go there after the aquarium. Next thing you know, we’re at the end of this road, on basically a fishing pier, and…no aquarium in sight.

We backtrack, and discover that the turn for the aquarium was across the street from Rogue, and we totally missed the turnoff because we were both staring at Rogue. Beer is hypnotic.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

I know exactly the street you're talking about!

On the other side of the river is the Rogue brewpub which is nice, and totally not a warehouse, but I happened upon the brewery when they were having a sale, and that was pretty awesome.

by marc w on Apr 29, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'll disagree with Thingray and say that the further south you go, the better.

The Lincoln City through Newport area is the best part of the OR coast., tons of great scenery and rocky outcroppings, and not as many people once you get out of LC/Newport.

You also span the gamut from lots of stuff to do (Newport) to three resort towns with two bars and four restaurants (Yachats, my favorite place ever), within the span of a couple hours drive.

And I didn’t even mention the dune buggying.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

I meant Lincoln City through Florence, with Newport in the middle.

But really the whole stretch down to Coos Bay is great.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

I love that area too,

but it’s a pretty long trek from where I live in Everett, not to mention I typically only go down there for a few days at a time, so every hour of travel is another hour I don’t get to relax.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on Apr 29, 2011 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ah sorry

it was sort of midwifed by a guy who was part owner of Roc-A-Fella, but otherwise unconnected. Raekwon’s track on it is the shit.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Apr 29, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

I actually really like the cast they ended up with

They meshed so well. The new actress in the second season never felt quite right to me.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

Although all things considered

I think if they’d gone a third season I would’ve been okay with a few different actors, as long as the guy playing Ron remained.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Ken Marino. Yeah, definitely, and I think the whole cast was on board but Starz wasn't.

It’s good to see Adam Scott on Parks and Rec. I think everyone was probably replaceable on some level except for Ken Marino, but like with Jane Lynch leaving, you had to ease out of it. It would have sucked if 3 or 4 characters all of a sudden weren’t there, even though the show was kind of setup as a “this is going to be new every week, get used to it”

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I could see Roman, Ron and the blonde dude all being stuck at Party Down

for a lot longer than Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan. But really you only needed to keep Ron around for at least another season to make it transition.

On the other hand Adam Scott’s character’s exit was such a perfect ending.

Seeing him on Parks and Rec is weird, the character he plays is very similar. Although I don’t really buy the relationship between him and Amy Poehler.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

Roman (Martin Starr) will work for a long time because he's part of the Apatow crew. But this was definitely his best role to date and I'm sure he was really sad to see it go.

Ryan Hansen (blonde dude) I thought was REALLY underrated on the show, really funny guy. I hope to see him in more.

This seems like a silly question, have you seen Wet Hot American Summer? I can’t recall anyone talking about WHAS on these OT’s in my time here.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

I absolutely love that movie

It’s definitely got a very strange tone to it, but it’s awesome.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have not seen it

And when I referenced those characters being stuck, I didn’t mean the actual actors, just the characters. Like if they existed in real life Roman and Ron would probably be working for Party Down long after everyone else had left.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, I gotcha.

Dude, you got to see Wet Hot American Summer.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

The title doesn't sound like something I'd be into

but I’ll throw it onto my queue.

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's a comedy about camp counselors

and the title’s part of the joke. Don’t let it throw you.

by pdb on Apr 29, 2011 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well its been recommended enough that I'm willing to try

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

by bluemax on Apr 29, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's not on Instant Watch :(

But I finally watched Adventureland, which wasn’t at all the kind of movie I expected (and apparently this was a problem the movie had when it came out).

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

It was a fine movie

just not the kind of movie I was expecting it to be.

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

Wait on the Netflix site it is on Instant Watch

but when I searched on my PS3 I couldn’t find it.

I’ve added it to my Instant Queue.

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

How odd. I was just thinking about it.

I just noticed that that Heebs guy posting in the current front page thread (Mariners Who Were Never Mariners) has a WHAS user icon.

I saw it for the first time back in college. I think it’s hilarious, but it might be more for people who like overanalyzing how jokes are written and set up than for people who are looking for a regular comedy. Does that make sense?

by Eyebrows on Apr 29, 2011 2:57 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

The first time I watched it, I didn't like it.

Then I caught some of it on TV a few years later and was like “wow. I did not get this before.”

I love how the first 15 minutes play like a straight summer camp comedy and then it all goes insane.

by Kenneth Arthur on Apr 29, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Anybody else that uses Chrome,

I’ve been experiencing a problem since yesterday where the window, when maximized, appears to overrun the margins at the bottom and right of my screen. It is doing it on both my work computer (Win XP, 4:3 monitor at 1280×1024) and my home laptop (Win7 Pro x64, 1920×1200). To clarify, the scroll bar on the RT margin is only showing about 5 pixels here at work and was nonexistent at home, and I cannot see link info on mouseovers (the pop-up in the lower left corner when you hover over a link).

Anybody else experiencing this issue? I’m wondering if it is maybe an extension that is causing it, but it does the same with incognito windows with no running extensions. Searching online gets me nowhere so I’m at a bit of a loss.

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 4:02 PM PDT reply actions  

I have this problem, and almost sure it is a bug, but I can't find anything about it.

Some sites (like support.microsoft.com, for instance) also somehow disable my ability to scroll in Chrome, and float tags seem to have stopped working in the normal fashion.

Unfortunately, with how Chrome updates, it’s pretty much a crapshoot until they release the next update, and they’re within their first couple releases of version 11, so it might be a bumpy ride for a week or so.

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

by Faux on Apr 29, 2011 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

At least somebody else is also experiencing this

The google support “forums” are completely worthless

by tootthekazoo on Apr 29, 2011 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Today was the first day I didn't have my wallet in my back pocket in a while.

While it felt odd, and off-balanced my back felt perfectly aligned.

You got slurved!

by Slurvey on Apr 29, 2011 11:50 PM PDT reply actions  

So you switched to a front pocket wallet then?

Enjoy it, because it is so great. I finally found myself a good replacement for my old and broken card holder. I have a super-slim bi-fold wallet from Fossil that is perfect

by tootthekazoo on Apr 30, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

I bought a front pocket wallet that was recomended on here,

And it`s been in my back pocket for the last four months…

by BigR on Apr 30, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

Anybody else absolutely love soccer this morning?

First, the Timbers spent last night beating the best team in MLS, and handing them their first loss in 18 games. Then I get up this morning to discover that Arsenal finally woke up and remembered they’re a good team, beating Manchester Utd 1-0. What a great way to start a Sunday.

by pdb on May 1, 2011 9:34 AM PDT reply actions  

I had fun at the Sounders game yesterday, though that felt like watching a professional team beat the crap out of

a decent rec league team. Still, I like watching my team dominate the opposition, esp. since I haven’t seen a game like that in a while.

Frankly, I was a bit down on the whole enterprise of soccer for most of yesterday as Spurs were denied at least a draw in a call that rivals the Olivo-was-safe-at-first in its ineptness. I don’t know what I’m getting out of my relationship with European football. It’s a great game, but abysmal calls in baseball matter a lot less to the result. The chaos factor of officiating seems larger than the gap in true talent between many (most?) teams.

Let’s have MLS become a laboratory for new technology in soccer. The purists in Europe would mock it, but then, they already mock MLS. Let’s mock them back for blocking technology that helps teams decide the games and not linesmen.

by marc w on May 1, 2011 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

I should rephrase:

the linesman’s call wasn’t ‘inept’ – it was just incorrect. It was very close, and a linesman a long way from the play can’t possibly get these calls right every time (as any Spurs fan remembers). But it’s remarkable to have a linesman 40 feet away from the touchline rule on something like this in a game that basically decided two teams’ champion’s league fates.

by marc w on May 1, 2011 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, as much as I don't like Spurs I can't help but feel they got jobbed twice

Referees shouldn’t guess. Ever. As someone pointed out in a baseball context, the time spent arguing a call (or calls) could easily be spent doing video review of the controversial call and, y’know, getting it right.

by pdb on May 1, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

They have to guess.

We’re in a situation where a guy at a terrible angle HAS to make this call, and try to account for parallax, while sprinting. To decide who goes to the champions league, or who wins the 1966 world cup.
I simply can’t understand why there’s ANY debate about goal line technology anymore. At some point, it’s not about tradition, or added expense/time, it’s simply about making these random errors an end in themselves. They’re not a bug, they’re a feature! I don’t get this mindset, and while I’ve heard similar things about baseball from time to time, we finally have replay for HRs, and it might expand pretty soon. C’mon football. You can’t let linesmen make this call. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not fair to the fans.

by marc w on May 2, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

That's what I meant by they shouldn't guess

I really don’t understand why FIFA is so….oh, wait, it’s FIFA. Never mind.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

What's the alternative in the current arrangement?

A decree that says that they should never guess is what leads to shit like Mendes goal not counting after Roy Carroll’s howler. That’s just arguing that they should NOT allow a bunch of good goals. I’m not sure that’s better. We all know how to make this better, and we’re all pretty much agreed on it.
Fucking FIFA.

by marc w on May 2, 2011 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

I am on your side, just stated it badly

I don’t want a decree they shouldn’t guess. I want video review.

by pdb on May 3, 2011 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

And it looks like FIFA is moving with record speed

Video review by 2014!

Hopefully after next July leagues will be free to use whatever technology is approved, I wouldn’t want to have to wait until 2014.

by pdb on May 3, 2011 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

No more rock show?

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

by Faux on May 2, 2011 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

DOH

I was under the impression that the Timbers/Sounders was a day game but I see on the Sounders’ website now that it’s an 8PM start. This is a dilemma.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

we have Patton Oswalt tickets for 7.30

I’m less worried about making the Melvins show, I really wanted to see Patton Oswalt. We’ll see which one wins.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, that's right.

That’s a tough one. You could always sell the Sounders tickets for a massive profit, depending on how you feel about such things.

by Aaron Campeau on May 2, 2011 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not a fan!

Gave the tix back to their owner, a friend of mine who can’t use them, who will part with them as he sees fit.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

So we got an Apple TV box over the weekend

Can it be hacked/proxied so I can get Mariners games on MLB.tv? What other cool things can we do with it?

by pdb on May 2, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions  

I finally watched Seven Samurai yesterday.

Yes, it was a very good movie. For the time it was created, it was definitely an achievement. Reminds me a lot of movies I’ve seen that were made far after Seven Samurai. At 3 hours and 3 minutes, I couldn’t watch it all in one sitting, but managed to finish it in a day. But I had been putting it off for a long time.

Any movies you really want to see, but are putting it off because you feel like even though you’ll like it, its going to be a “chore” to watch it?

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 9:40 AM PDT reply actions  

City of God

Had it on hold for months. Also did that with Eternal Sunshine but broke down a few weeks back and loved it.

by the other side on May 2, 2011 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

I've only seen City of God twice, but it's a great movie. Definitly not a "chore"

I think sometimes foreign movies are thought of to be harder to watch because of subtitles or not having “stars” or what have you (not saying you are guilty of this) but in reality, City of God is a gritty, bloody, intense movie thats never boring.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Well that's good to know.

I’m not even sure where I got the impression that it was a chore. I think part of it was that I know it’s going to be fantastic and want to be in the right mindset going in if that makes sense. But I guess that’s a separate thing really.

by the other side on May 2, 2011 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions  

It took me three sittings to get through Ran.

Another one that would have been better on the big screen.

I bought “My Dinner With Andre” on VHS at a thrift store as a joke gift, held on to it for a couple of years, then finally forced myself to watch it. I actually really enjoyed it.

untimely baseball writing @ the playful utopia

by Patrick Dubuque on May 2, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

Same here

And every time I’m looking for something to watch when I’m bored, I always fall back to something I’ve seen before. Hell, I got bored on Monday and watched Speed, which I have seen roughly 2,300 times

by tootthekazoo on May 4, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think I've watched maybe 5 or so movies

from my Netflix queue in the last month plus. But I’ve watched probably a hundred episodes of TV shows.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

Speaking of 30 Rock

Has anybody been using Hulu Plus on the Xbox 360 since it launched on Friday? I’m using the free trial and am enjoying it for the most part, but I’m not sure about forking over $7.99/mo for the service. Our cable service is included in our rent since the condo complex has a thing with Comcast, so can anybody here that uses Hulu Plus (on any device) let me know what worth it has to somebody that has cable?

by tootthekazoo on May 4, 2011 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

From what I could tell, The Simpsons is not on there save for the most recent seasons (which suck) and short clips of the earlier seasons

The Office is on Netflix with exception of the most recent season or 2. I’m just not quite sure if keeping the Hulu Plus sub is worth it when I already have cable and Netflix. Right now I’m using it to get as caught up on this season of 30 Rock as I can before the month is over

by tootthekazoo on May 4, 2011 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm going to see it tomorrow and I can't wait.

And $83 million opening weekend? We’re totally going to get “Fast and the Furi-Six” next year.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

I am also likely seeing it tomorrow and stunningly excited

it has Sung Kang, Tyrese, Vin Diesel, Jordana Brewster!! It’s like taking all the best parts of the first four movies, adding Paul Walker and holyshitthiswillbefantastic

by seattlebruin on May 2, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

You need to be more excited about the Rock being in the movie.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 2, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

You are so predictable.

You are a Chone Figgins groundout.

by Mariner John on May 2, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions   6 recs

Saw it.

Entertaining to be sure. it was a very “fast and furious” type script and story. Shocker.

by the other side on May 2, 2011 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm trying to post a Fanpost, but I'm encountering difficulty.

I have a bunch of charts that aren’t showing up when I paste from Word. How can I successfully integrate my excel charts into the post?

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 2, 2011 11:08 AM PDT reply actions  

SBN doesn't like the tables much.

Sometimes I paste them in and they stick, sometimes they don’t. Screenshot might be the best way to go.

untimely baseball writing @ the playful utopia

by Patrick Dubuque on May 2, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

So Jack Hannahan's April has been hilarious so far

raise your hand if you saw him producing league leading defense at third AND a 137 wRC+ in April

by seattlebruin on May 2, 2011 11:11 AM PDT reply actions  

.546 wOBA!

And a human BABIP! Otherworldly .405 ISO!

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 2, 2011 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

His BABIP is still pretty high

not ridiculously so like Matt Kemp’s was but yeah.

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

Well, his BABIP was insanely low last year.

Hooray for over-regression!

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 2, 2011 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I noticed that

How much of that is because of all those Homers?

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

by bluemax on May 2, 2011 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd bet a lot, since they don't count in BABIP.

Also, if he’s a predominantly fly ball hitter, I’d expect his xBABIP to be low.

by yuniform on May 2, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

20% LD rate

the OF FBs don’t come at the expense of liners – they come at the expense of Chone Figgins ABs

by seattlebruin on May 2, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Me!

Hammerhands! >:(

(not really)

Dawg! He put da team on his back!

by JAH on May 2, 2011 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

So what did people think of Michael Scott's departure?

I thought it was beautifully done aside from basically any scene involving Deangelo.

by Mariner John on May 2, 2011 11:38 AM PDT reply actions  

Excellent

It was the first time in a very long time that Michael Scott was portrayed as something other than a terrible slapstick-y caricature of a boss. I never liked the character much to begin with but I thought his departure was wonderfully done.

by ThomasG on May 2, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

They nailed it, that's for sure

I loved that we couldn’t hear what he and Pam were saying. It definitely hit all the right notes.

I sincerely hope this week is Deangelo’s last episode because man is that one uninteresting character.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

It was just a 4-ep arc, right?

that should start the parade of applicants.

by msb on May 2, 2011 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

I still have no idea who thought that would be a good character.

he’s not funny, he’s not even awkward like Michael could be – he’s pretty much just a placeholder there to do random wacky stuff until the real new boss arrives.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

I feel like the idea of DeAngelo is to not be likeable.

Greg Daniels has done too much good for me to not give him the benefit of the doubt here.

My guess is that NBC softens the blow of losing Carrel by bringing in Farrell for 4 episodes. To soften the blow of only having Ferrell for 4 episodes, Greg Daniels makes him not that likeable, both to “the office” and the audience. For the folks in the office, it gives them a chance to see that life without Michael could actually be worse. Hence Dwights “uh oh”

Whomever they bring in to supposedly be the new boss in 2011, I assume will be much more like Michael. For instance, Amy Poehler is basically a female Michael Scott in Parks and Rec, but with her own take on it.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

I really kinda hope they don't just go with Michael 2.0 though

We’ve seen that, Michael was great, I don’t want them to just plug in a Michael avatar and call it good. That’s where I give Daniels the benefit of the doubt is that I think/hope they’ll push the new boss in a bit of a different direction.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think the original worry was the Michael Scott would be David Brent 2.0 and Daniels/Carell never allowed that to happen.

I am confident that if they brought along someone like Will Arnett for instance, that it would be a much different character. But with the same sensibilties of a Michael Scott or a David Brent, such as making an ass at out ones self.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Leslie Knope = Michael Scott is a lazy comparison. I think P&R's and Poehler's done a lot to make her likeable

For example: Leslie has a friend. She is also obviously competent at her job (it’s always a surprise when Michael succeeds) and has ambitions that Michael doesn’t. Plus, Leslie also has a boss in the cast (Ron effing Swanson), while Michael doesn’t, at least not consistently in every episode.

Leslie also isn’t nearly the cringe-vehicle Michael is.

Also, purposely making a guest character unlikeable seems like a dumb idea. (I’m still a few episodes behind on The Office, and have yet to see Ferrell’s guest starring role.)

by yuniform on May 2, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think Leslie Knope was basically a female Michael Scott in the first season of P&R

which is why I stopped watching P&R. But starting with Season 2, as you say they made her more likable and less ridiculous in the Scott sense.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I gave up P&R after five eps of the first season because it was The Office Lite

but last year started catching back up with it after reading how much better the second season was, and I’m glad I did because it’s a really funny show.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Like you, I recently caught up with P&R and am shocked at how funny it is.

But then again, it features Aubrey Plaza, who I think is in the running for funniest human alive.

by Chris Hafner on May 2, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's hard to find your balance in the first season, especially in a sitcom format.

Everyone knows Seinfeld was almost cancelled. The Office may have been cancelled if Stevel Carell didn’t strike it big with 40 Year Old Virgin that same year.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

The first two episodes of The Big Bang Theory were pretty much unwatchable

they were every sitcom cliche ever, all wrapped up into one spot. But then it got good ratings and started to settle in a bit and really got good – it’s by no means the best show on TV but it’s a funny sitcom that finally found its feet, much like P&R did.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

I keep hearing this, but not believing it, about Big Bang.

I caught an episode about football on a plane a year ago, and remained unimpressed. But enough sensible people like it that I must be dumb.

by yuniform on May 2, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

I must be dumb too.

The only show that I can think of that had the same sitcom-y feeling in the last 10 years that I felt I was the only one who saw how brilliant it was, was King of Queens.

I personally could never get into BBT, 2 and a Half Men, or How I Met Your Mother, and they all became really popular. And I’ve seen plenty of episodes of 2 1/2 and HIMYM. I laugh sometimes.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Like I said, it's by no means the best sitcom ever

It’s fairly conventional, as far as sitcoms go – “story arc” doesn’t really exist in the BBT world, for instance. Things happen and then never get mentioned again. But the writing is good enough to keep me watching it, and it’s good for a few laughs.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think there's more similarities than you are giving it credit for.

Knope has sold out Anne in an effort to get what she wants. Anne is just too needy to go away I’d say. That’s why it always confused me as to why Anne liked Leslie so much even though Leslie has screwed over Anne a time or two. (Once on purpose when she made Anne go out with Chris to get what she wanted for the department)

Leslie is definitely a different breed than Michael (She is the boss, Ron basically takes on an everyday active role as Jan and David Wallace, etc. I mean, he’s his own character, totally different than those.. but Michael had bosses) I’m not saying they aren’t different. But Leslie has many of the same desires as Michael. (Finding love, finding success, wanting respect from her peers)

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Totally disagree.

Michael Scott is a basically negative character – he generates humor by being inappropriate and saying and doing the wrong things in every situation. Nobody likes him in a genuine way – Pam and Jim often do nice things for him because they feel sorry for him, but he’s just an all-around sad sack.

Leslie Knope is the opposite – she’s effervescent, exceptionally good at her job, and optimistic. She says and does the right thing somewhat frequently, and when she doesn’t, it’s because she believes the best about people. Her clueless mistakes come because she’s a positive force, not a negative one.

Yes, they’re both generally single and somewhat hapless in their search for love and professional fulfillment, but I think they take dramatically different paths to getting there.

by Chris Hafner on May 2, 2011 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

I take it you haven't seen Michael Scotts last episode yet.

In last weeks episode it was clear that Jim and Pam cared about Michael moreso than just put up with him. And I don’t think it was just forced into the final episode to make it sad.

Michael Scott treated the office like they were best friends because Michael Scott is a lonely person. He had nobody outside of the office, so they were his best friends. He just didn’t realize that co-workers aren’t necessarily supposed to be your best friends, you are supposed to have a life outside of that.

But not everybody considers family their “best friends” they are just the people you grow with and Michael/Jim/Pam/Dwight grew together during their years of working together, even if Michael was the annoying one who always said the inappropriate thing. But he always meant well. Michael is not malicious, he’s just not aware of whats okay and not okay to say. And its always shown that throughout the series.

Go back to The Dundies in season 2 when Michael is trying to put on a good show and gets heckled from other patrons of Chili’s. Even though Michael is saying inappropriate things and starts to get sad, Jim and Pam step up to the rescue of Michael.

Go back to the first episode of season 3 “Gay Witch Hunt” when he accidentally outs Oscar. Michael doesn’t do it because he has a problem with gay people, he just didn’t know what was appropriate and inappropriate and Oscar forgave him for that, as did the rest of the office.

I feel that David Brent in the british Office was more rude and malicious than Michael Scott. Who was a nice guy who just has no filter and means well.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

No, I saw the last episode - and I thought Michael Scott was characterized as being much more nuanced and incontrol of how he interacted with others than he was through the rest of the series.

After reading through your examples, I don’t know that I disagree at all with them – I don’t think Michael is intentionally a jerk or malicious, he’s just a lonely person who doesn’t have any real family or friendship in his life, so he overcompensates at work. When I say that he’s negative, I don’t mean that he thinks of things negatively – I mean that he comes from an absence of close relationships, or an absence of experience of what is appropriate. I think your examples actually make that case for me.

Knope is different, and her motivations are different. Michael is about absence, but Knope is about presence – presence of very genuine passion for her work and for her friends. Michael is needy, Leslie really isn’t. Michael is Charlie Brown – the lovable sad sack – while Leslie is … well, I’m struggling to come up with a comparison, but she certainly isn’t Charlie Brown. She’s good at things, she’s intelligent, stands up for herself, and views the world through a relentlessly optimistic lens.

I don’t dislike the Michael Scott character at all, but I really don’t think he’s that similar to Leslie Knope.

by Chris Hafner on May 2, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

True enough, and she grew more apart from a "Michael Scott" character after season 1.

I think this is an interesting debate. Even just to explore the similarities and differences between the two shows.

I may come up with a longer and more thoughtful response when I have more time.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah me too. I wasn't expecting to be either.

The last scene with he and Pam in the airport was great.

by Mariner John on May 2, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was so thrilled with Michaels silent last line ever of "Thats what she said"

I watched the episode a 2nd time with friends and they didn’t catch it and I had to rewind it and show them again. It was an amazingly composed “Goodbye”

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 2, 2011 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

I didn't notice that at all and saw that it was there in a review.

I really wish the closer wasn’t whatever the fuck that was with Vickers. That nearly ruined to warm and fuzzies from before. I feel bad for Will Ferrell because that character just does not work. At least he made Andy look good by comparison.

by Mariner John on May 2, 2011 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Deangelo gives me the embarrassed for you shivers almost every scene.

It will probably make the show unwatchable for me when that character plays larger roles.

by w00tah on May 2, 2011 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

He won't, though

this week’s ep is his last one.

by pdb on May 2, 2011 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

That just doesn't sound good.

Almost like a cheesy chicken fried steak burger…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 2, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think I brought this up before

but Yahoo’s Dr Saturday has a nice look on the correlation between recruiting star rankings and NFL draft position:

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 May 2, 2011 12:09 PM PDT reply actions  

Headline alert!

Understated, but still amusing:
Colon’s Performance Has Positive Ripple Effect

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

by Faux on May 3, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions   2 recs

Sploosh!

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 3, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Pac 12 about to get paid

Link

Fox Saturday Prime Time games here we come!

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

by bluemax on May 3, 2011 9:26 AM PDT reply actions  

I think it's just a terminology deal

it’s more like the deal will cover all the big sports, plus it will throw in coverage of college sports like track and swimming that people know as “Olympic sports”. At least that’s all I can come up with because no, colleges don’t control Olympic sports at all.

by pdb on May 3, 2011 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

Aha. That makes much more sense.

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

by Faux on May 3, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

You are correct pdb.

It’s the basic track and field sports, swimming, diving, etc…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 3, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

Fucking Oregon

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

by bluemax on May 3, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm waiting for the talking cans.

“HEY!! I’M COLD!! HEY!! I’M COLD!!”

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 3, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, Ice Cube.
These include new creative featuring entertainment mogul Ice Cube in two ads, titled “Cold Talk” and “Cold Challenge,” that depict a humorous stand-off between Ice Cube – hip hop star, actor, screenwriter, director and producer — and Super Cold Activated Coors Light in a battle over who is colder.

by Chris Hafner on May 3, 2011 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, agreed.

This is inching up to self-parody here. Like the classic onion article “Fuck it, we’re going 5 blades.”

We’re about one year from Coors advertising that threatens customers with pain because it’s so cold. “Your tongue will fall out! If you haven’t gradually cooled your body to handle the maximum refreshment, your stomach could explode!”
Two dudebros pouring ExtremeChill on some old guy who is hassling them about loud music and respecting women and then shattering him with a pool cue.
Scantily clad ‘street team’ known as “Gang Green” handing out keychains in shitty bars.

(coors: contact me at the e-mail in my profile. Let’s talk.)

by marc w on May 3, 2011 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions   5 recs

I'm waiting for the guy in a doctor coat that says "Cold beer is healthy beer."

“beer consumed at non-optimal temperatures will cause cancer. That’s why Coors Light invented the Anti Cancer Can – the mountain turns blue when the beer is healthy!”

by pdb on May 3, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

This would be accompanied by a guy in an unnervingly calm voice talking about the side effects, right?

Coors Light is not for everyone. Do not drink more than 3 Coors Lights in one sitting of you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Drinking Coors Light can cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, diarrhea, erectile dysfunction, halitosis, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, and occasionally, death. Call your doctor if you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours.

All the while, you’re watching some guy in a cowboy hat drive a tractor around his farm.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 3, 2011 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   2 recs

On a semi-related note,

Has anybody here seen the commercials for the Bud Light bottles with the scratch-off label, so you can write your name, messages or complex equations?

by tootthekazoo on May 3, 2011 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think that's the best idea in food containers I've ever seen.

You can instantly mark your water bottle, beer, eventually your doggy bin? I’m sold.

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

by Faux on May 3, 2011 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Honestly its not an entirely terrible idea for some situations

in the kickball league I’m in everyone is drinking in the dugout and one could potentially forget which beer is theirs. With these bottles that problem would be avoided!

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

This seems like a good idea for a company with no incentive to make better beer.

Has anyone seen one in the wild? I only see this picture, and wonder if it works like a scratch lotto ticket. If it comes in that six pack, I’d be tempted to write graffiti urging people to drink actual beer.

by yuniform on May 4, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

!

http://www.bigfatwhale.com/archives/bfw_470.htm

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

by Faux on May 4, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

Jeff's in good company.
Notable adult celebrities who have openly considered themselves fans of the series include Bob Eubanks, Anthony LaPaglia, Ben Stiller, Chaka Khan, Jeff Sullivan and Jake Gyllenhaal.[

Wiki – Phineas and Ferb

That’s the top result for Lookout Landing on wikipedia.

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 3, 2011 10:01 AM PDT reply actions  

Jeff Sullivan doesn't have a wikipedia entry?

For shame!

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

by bluemax on May 3, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sigh

Guy complains that the Cards are a bad defensive team. I point to their SSS UZR which says that they’re pretty decent. Guy responds with the following:

UZR is a nice stat, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

24 errors in 22 games. That is the whole story.

THE WHOLE STORY

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

by bluemax on May 3, 2011 11:56 AM PDT reply actions  

Speaking in absolutes makes you sound like an absolute idiot.

That’s what my momma always said.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 3, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

That guy is such a moron!

Those errors have prevented 19 runs from driving up their pitching staff’s ERA. 19 runs! The pitching staff has to be SO thankful they have the defense behind them keeping their ERA low by ensuring many runs are unearned.

Low ERA = wins!

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 3, 2011 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah I consider it entirely acceptable to tell people to stop talking to you if they're going to be like that

Guy pulled a similar stunt last year during the W.S., I’m talking about the UZR on the SS and he states very forcefully “oh yeah? How many gold gloves he got! THOUGHT SO! BOOM!”

by Kermit. on May 3, 2011 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Time for stabbing.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 3, 2011 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh lordy I could get lost in this site for hours

the BBC has had a show called “Desert Island Discs” since 1942. It’s what it sounds like – each “castaway” gets to pick eight albums, one book, and one luxury item that they could not live without if they were stranded on a desert island. Almost 2900 episodes later, here they all are. Every single one of them. Not all of them are podcastable, but they’re all searchable.

by pdb on May 3, 2011 2:01 PM PDT reply actions  

I think it was Margaret Atwood on a book-version of this game

who said the collected works of Terry Pratchett because by the time you got through with the last book, you wouldn’t remember the first

by msb on May 3, 2011 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm thinking of changing my screen name.

Perfectstrat was good for 15-year-old me, but I’d like to do something more personal. I also find it really weird when someone refers to you as your handle; I don’t know how Tom Tango does it.

I’m thinking of changing to my initials, dq. What do you think?

I remember some LLers recently made the switch, and I think I just email support and ask them to change the sn. Is that true?

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 4, 2011 9:49 AM PDT reply actions  

People call me RC in person all the time.

For what my opinion is worth, dq is a perfectly good screen name. Reminds me of Peanut Buster Parfaits.

by royalcurve on May 4, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm all over the Blizzards personally.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

With a side of gravy?

They have gravy at DQ?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions  

"gravy"

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

by Faux on May 4, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

I just never knew they had gravy at DQ.

What would they need to have gravy for?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

Turkey and gravy Blizzard.

YUMMY!!

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

That's what the lips tell me.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

You're thinking of hot dogs.

Delicious hot dogs……

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

by Faux on May 4, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

With chili?

Okay!!

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions  

MMMMMMMMM

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

by Faux on May 4, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions  

Lips and assholes.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions  

At most places chicken strips come with BBQ, ranch, or honey mustard.

Maybe hot sauce… I’ve never seen gravy offered as a chicken strip sauce before, and I eat me a ton of chicken strips.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions  

Could be a regional thing.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

Good point.

Gravy isn’t as popular in the NW as other places.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Possibly incorrect.

The DQ in Newberg, OR has had gravy as long as I can remember, at least until I moved away in 2001.

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

by Faux on May 4, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

Could be a small town thing.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

I can't even find gravy on their menu.

I’m obsessed!

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Do they have any mashed potatoes or anything?

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not that I know of.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've had the chicken strip basket hundreds of times,

and not once was I offered gravy. It’s ranch, BBQ or honey mustard.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Popeyes in San Antonio in 1997

had some delicious spicy gravy for their chicken strips. Great drunk food!

by hairofthedawg on May 5, 2011 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

My sister used to work at DQ in high school

she said this was the most commonly ordered item aside from blizzards.

Also DQ in Texas is amazing.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

The chicken basket, or the the basket with gravy?

I’m enthralled with this gravy thing.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

Chicken Basket

I don’t remember anything about the gravy.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

On last night's Sounders game, Arlo said Dairy Queen's new-to-me tagline: "So good it's re-DQ-lous."

I approve wholeheartedly, though maybe that’s because Arlo’s saying it, and not some jumbled voice out of the drive thru box. Also, dip cones are wonderful.

by yuniform on May 5, 2011 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

They are among my favorite things ever

I wonder where the nearest Dairy Queen is?

I honestly can’t recall ever seeing one in Los Angeles.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

And after looking on their website

I am unsurprised to learn that the 3 nearest locations are:

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
Fox Hills Mall
South Bay Galleria

Although these are all listed as “Orange Julius/Treat Centers” Hmm.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

There isn't an actual store anywhere in West LA

You probably have to go to Anaheim to find one

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

Do you have a soft-serve machine at home?

Just regular ice cream? I used to try and make them at home by just stirring the crap out of regular vanilla ice cream until it developed a soft-serve-like consistency.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

I might change mine to my actual name which I'm not entirely thrilled about.

If your last name starts with a Q though, that’s pretty cool. Lots of directions to go there I’d say.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah that's what I did

Just follow the ‘contact’ link at the bottom of this page and ask

by Eyeball Kid on May 4, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!!

Makes me think of monster trucks AT THE KINGDOME….

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

In my day it was

 64 Funny Cars at Seattle International Raceway!!!!!

by msb on May 4, 2011 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

That too.

I remember going to the “Seafair Nationals” with my stepdad (before they changed it to Pacific Raceways). Or Supercross, or monster trucks, or, or, or…

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

or THE TACOMA DOME

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

Think of how many domes we used to have!

So many monster trucks could fit inside!

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm considering it but ultimately have too much to do in too little time and no tickets as of yet.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm on a plane right now!

(not really)

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

Being on a boat makes you feel like a boss

Being on a plane makes you feel like a sardine.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

There is no difference, as planes are just airboats.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

They can be both!

Dawg! He put da team on his back!

by JAH on May 4, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

I am a Oakland/SF blackout area resident

I’ve just been on the cheap with At-Bat’s radio. In no surprise to anyone, radio only is less palatable this year. The April preview of At-Bat video really has me leaning towards the .tv package if the M’s manage to look somewhat shiny and interesting.

by Drew_D on May 4, 2011 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

It is May 4th and I am getting into my first Mike Wilson argument over the year.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 10:26 AM PDT reply actions  

Not too shabby!

Who is the next Mike Wilson? Greg Halman?

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

Peguero?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'd say that's close because Mike Wilson hit eight home runs in March and Peguero hit nine last April.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

We should put Mike Wilson, Greg Halman and Peguero in a room and let them fight to the death.

Winner gets a promotion to the big club.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

The org's faith in Mike Wilson to me is simply put:

He’s 4-5 years older than Peguero and Halman, and out of the 3 he’s the only one to never play in the majors.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

I thought Wilson got a late season call-up at the end of one of the crappy seasons...

Am I thinking of Halman or something?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yep! You're thinking Halman.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sounds like a conspiracy to me.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

I have no doubt that some people believe that.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

halp
If Cust doesn’t regain any power or gets hurt, is Wilson really not an option as a DH replacement? He’s got more defensive value than Jack, more power and better plate coverage.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

I can't wait for the Mike Wilson age to dawn.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

I actually think that the org may give him a chance but good god am I sick of him.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

Need to throw a pitcher in there.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

PERFECT.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

Beat me to it.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

Works in video games

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions  

Poor Liddi. =(

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've never seen anyone go from

“does not belong here” to “kind of interesting” so quickly. Even Yuni took a full year to make the opposite journey.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

He could count.

But Mangini, if I remember, came out of spring training last year pretty much amazing. It’s harder to account for these kinds of things when there’s an offseason between “does not belong here” and “kind of interesting”

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Could be.

Mangini gets marks for being left-handed. But Liddi can play the position a little better, which isn’t saying much. I just like rooting for Liddi at this point because a) Italian baseball! b) the scouting community HATES him

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

It really isn't

Mike Wilson spent the season in Wisconsin when he was 22.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think I overrated him as a reaction to the scouting community hating him

and then I saw him and thought that the scouting community wasn’t being mean ENOUGH.
Now I’ve seen him again like 2 weeks later, and the whole swing looks different. It’s weird. It’s like Alonzo Powell pulled him aside and said “swing better!” and it worked, instantly. He’s still not great, and he’ll have contact issues, but…I don’t know what to make of this, quite frankly.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

It still seems like he's pulling the ball a bit much, but I'll take it if he's effective.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

Holy crap

he got good at the exact same time as the Mariners, too. Change in approach or something?

by seattlebruin on May 4, 2011 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

It was like he'd left his "shitty swing" on the first few weeks of the season the way

people leave their turn indicator on. He seriously didn’t look capable of hitting a AAA fastball with the swing I saw on opening day. Now, he does, and he has.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

That seems so odd.

You’d think it would take some time to make such a major swing adjustment.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wait, how are we defining not sucking?

He’s still struck out 14 times in his last 10 games. Though he’s hitting for power now, I’m curious how its different than Peguero, Halman, Wilson?

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Liddi is white, and thus probably hustles/gets uniform dirty/is gritty/all that good stuff?

We are all secretly racist.

Oh, and Liddi has the third-best walk rate on the team.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

By "making a contribution"

The first two weeks, he was completely lost, and struck out in some freakish fraction of his PAs. Now, he’s alternating XBHs/BBs with all of those strikeouts. That doesn’t suck, and that’s better than his earlier performance.

It’s also not different from Peguero/Halman. The difference is that Peguero/Halman looked good at the beginning of the year, and Liddi sucked.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think the real shocker is that Steve Baron's OPS has gone up 200 points compared to last year!

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

I am a fan.

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not too much of a surprise if you read some of the stories in camp about him.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

He used videos to retool his swing in the offseason!

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Mt Vernon still sucks

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions  

Paid for by the Volcano Lobby.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions  

People think Yellowstone is safe.

That Super Volcano will surprise the crap out of them

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 4, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

Being picky,

but that delivery sure didn’t look like a 105 mph pitch.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

Now someone just needs to dub it with the Guile Theme

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

It goes with everything!

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Your Evan Longoria Has the Worst Contract in Baseball fun fact of the day

if he were to break his neck today and the Rays inexplicably picked up all his remaining options in spite of this, he still would have provided ~twice the value of his nine year deal.

by seattlebruin on May 4, 2011 11:51 AM PDT reply actions  

NBA Playoff scheduling is so stupid

No games on Thursday? 3 days between games for the Zombies and Grizzlies?

ZZZ.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Is it wrong that I got a special enjoyment

out of hearing Vin Scully say my last name even if he wasn’t referring to me? I wish I could have a clip of Dave Niehaus announcing my last name as well.

Tell me I’m not alone in this kind of geekery.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:23 PM PDT reply actions  

Yes

and no I can’t get you discounts

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

I share a last name with a shitty Orioles pitcher

Enjoyment is the last thing I get when I see him on the mound

by d0nkey on May 4, 2011 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

One benefit to the weather getting better?

I work next to an auto service shop that does a lot of performance work for drag racers and muscle cars, and Spring-time means tune-up/maintenance time. So, the last few (nice-ish) days have been an aural assault of high-powered drag racers revving up and the occasional parking lot burnout coupled with the ever-present stink of race-exhaust and burned rubber. It is awesome.

Anybody else work next to something that has neat stuff that always catches your attention, no matter how often you’ve seen it before? Or less-mentioned side-effects to the change in the seasons?

by tootthekazoo on May 4, 2011 12:27 PM PDT reply actions  

There is a restoration shop next door to me,

so I get to see some pretty cool old cars, especially on nice days.

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 4, 2011 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

I used to work next to a web company called

Streetfire.net

You could always tell which cars in the parking lot belonged to their employees.

Also they regularly had really nice new cars in and so sometimes we’d get to hear them rev up the engines through the walls.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Also I briefly contracted at a place across the street from the La Brea Tarpits

which even though I’ve been to the museum and viewed them I still found fascinating. Also when it got warmer the smell become more noticeable.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

From our new office, I get to stare wistfully out at sailboats on Lake Union all day.

I used to visit race tracks as part of my job covering racing series, which was a pretty nice perk.

by Chris Hafner on May 4, 2011 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

I used to work across the street from Dorney Park (Allentown, PA).

That was all well and good, but on sunny days it sucked to be inside. On rainy days, I got to laugh at people riding the water tubes.

M's fan in the Bay, soon to be LA SanFranPreps

by perfectstrat on May 4, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

I used to work at a place that shared a fence with a search and rescue/sheriff overflow building.

Every spring we got to watch them mace the new recruits/cadets. It was fantastic.

by BigR on May 4, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

Does this mean the "Kirk is a lackadaisical stoner" meme is alive and well?

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've always wondered something like this in action movies.

When a person is running away from gunfire… is it taught to just run straight ahead as fast as you can, or to zig zag? I’ve always wondered why they never zig zag and the only thing I could think of is that it slows you down.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 5, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Zig Zagging only works against alligators.

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

by Faux on May 5, 2011 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

There's a mobile methadone clinic that parks across the street from us until 11 every morning.

The local wildlife that visit said vehicle can be… interesting, to say the least.

by ToddK on May 5, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

I work on the 13th floor of a building downtown

3 or 4 years ago, a peregrine falcon had caught a pigeon, brutalized it, and was on a ledge on the building across from ours devouring the pigeon’s remains.

I’m talking bloody talons and bloody beak, and an absolutely demolished splatter of feathers and blood remaining.

One of my coworkers took pictures and sent them around the office, and I’m desperately trying to find them.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 5, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions   4 recs

We had a hawk on campus that would do that routinely.

Hawkmadinejad, as he was known to the student body.

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions   4 recs

I wholeheartedly approve of that moniker.

I am going to come into your house at night and rec up the place.

by HititHere on May 5, 2011 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think twitter is pretty awesome if used correctly.

I just hate seeing the same re-tweet 50 times because everyone re-tweets it and they re-re-tweet it and so on.

But something tells me there are other twitter applications that filter those out for you

by d0nkey on May 4, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've only done it for like 3 days so I'm still not 100% sure what a # is used for.

And I don’t follow enough people yet to get a re-re-re-re-tweet.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Before #winning, we had "completely mundane thing happened to me #FML"

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Some people seem to use the # as a joke in EVERY SINGLE TWEET.

If done well, it’s funny in limited exposure, but if done poorly or too often it’s really annoying. Example: “I really enjoyed my Taco Bell taco. #notreallyIhatefakebeef”

by Chris Hafner on May 4, 2011 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah I don't want to decipher hashtags.

Some are good. Like the Rainn Wilson one from today #rainnstaint

by d0nkey on May 4, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

I've seen good uses for it

For example people in the games industry list links to jobs with the #gamejob tag, and others who are looking for jobs use #gamehire to advertise themselves.

I enjoy Twitter lists a lot. The best way to get instant Mariners news is from Dave Cameron’s Mariners writers list.

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Its basically a way of organizing a set of people you want to follow

So for example someone made a list of all the Game Publisher twitter accounts. Now instead of having to subscribe to each individual account I just add the list. My main twitter feed isn’t filled up with any of the tweets as I only see them when I opt to view the list.

Its a nice way to organize accounts while keeping your primary feed clear and since you can follow other peoples lists it saves you effort!

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

by bluemax on May 4, 2011 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

My least favorite twitter users are those who hashtag every post.

I really only think it should be used to categorize something like #Mariners or if you have something to add on to what you are saying but overall hashtags are overused.

by Mariner John on May 4, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have never used Twitter so maybe I'm not getting something

but why do people use hashtags outside of Twitter? I see a lot of people doing that in FB and other places, and it strikes me that it’s just a stupid affectation since it’s not in Twitter – am I wrong?

by pdb on May 4, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

So, RA Dickey is even more awesome than I thought.

http://www.fangraphs.com/not/index.php/extry-extry-r-a-dickey-is-a-swordsman/

"I can't recommend highly enough going back and watching old clips of Jose Lopez." -Jeff Sullivan

by joof on May 4, 2011 1:19 PM PDT reply actions  

They spend more than us and stay in the race up until Sept, where they fold and drop out of the running.

Sometimes on the last day, two years in a row!

It warms the cockles of my heart, and I’m going to be sad when they aren’t even in it this year to suffer the crushing blow at the end.

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

by Faux on May 5, 2011 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

They're a huge market, so I don't think they're comparable.

Also, the Mariners don’t have multiple rings and recent giant September collapses. Our National League buddies are the Nationals.

by yuniform on May 5, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

Vidro! Cordero! Burke! Wetteland! Big Unit!

Morse! Langerhans! Plus Nyjer Morgan, Strasburg and Vander Wal are honorary Mariners. The Mariners have a relocation history, if you include the Pilots. Olympic Stadium always seemed like a crappy version of the Kingdome, complete with roof problems. They also had a promising season in 1994 snuffed out by the strike. Plus they first/only made the playoffs in a strike-shortened year.

by yuniform on May 5, 2011 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions  

May is full of great new music!

Fleet Foxes came out with a new album yesterday(?) which after one listen sounds great and has been well reviewed.

Manchester Orchestra started streaming their new album on Monday (warning stupid puzzle required but there are cheats) which I love already. It actually comes out on Tuesday.

Death Cab for Cutie has a new album coming out at the end of the month.

Any albums that are coming out/came out recently that you are looking forward too/like?

by Mariner John on May 4, 2011 2:21 PM PDT reply actions  

This year has had / will have shortly new albums from:

The Mountain Goats, David Bazan, The One AM Radio, Death Cab for Cutie and I swear there’s another one or two I am forgetting.

by Eyebrows on May 4, 2011 2:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

I'm interested to see what they do with this one.

The Stand-Ins sounded for me like what it was, an album of “seconds” from what was originally planned as a double disc. In this one, from what I’ve read, Sheff just decided to run out and make something very confusing and take it to its illogical conclusion. Sounds risky for most bands, particularly a mid-level one like them, but I think if anyone could pull it off, it could be them.

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

by JY on May 4, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

You've got the option to buy the new one in a wooden box with a bound book of lyrics and everything.

They’ve probably already exceeded the Decemberists in terms of acting writerly, for they are serious writers who write for writers. They’re almost making “confusing” a selling point here.

I actually don’t have sky-high expectations of the album, which is probably a good thing. I like some songs that they’ve done, but they’ve released quite a few clunkers as well.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

No, I think I was a bit uncharitable.

That said, if a band has such a thing as an ideal listener, Okkerivil River’s is probably JY. (Not saying the whole box set thing is up your alley, but the rest of their output seems ‘JY’ to me for some reason).

by marc w on May 4, 2011 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions  

I do see where you're coming from though.

I’m not a huge John Berryman fan or anything, but a band that tries to make a hit song based on his suicide is probably going to be up my alley. They’re thinky people writing thinky lyrics. It just happens to usually be Sheff reading up on some porn star or a series of murders and that turns into a song somehow.

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

Came out recently:

Davila 666, Fresh and Only’s (EP), Explosions in the Sky, This Will Destroy You, Vivian Girls

Soon:
Okkervil River, Thee Oh Sees, Reatards (reissues), Shabazz Palaces, probably some more I’m forgetting.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

The Explosions in the Sky record is really good

I haven’t yet heard the new Vivian Girls but I like them pretty well – how is it?

by pdb on May 4, 2011 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not great.

Easily their worst.
I actually think the EITS record is a big step down from their recent ones too, but I enjoy it anyway. I’m not going to let perfect be the enemy of the good here. And it’s better than the This Will Destroy You record, which I wasn’t crazy about on first listen. Maybe it’s a grower.

Davila 666 is so much fun.

by marc w on May 4, 2011 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

I have you to thank for me loving Davila 666

I’m not the biggest EITS fan in the world – they’re more my wife’s fave than mine – but as you say I enjoy the new record.

by pdb on May 4, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

The Aquabats put out a new album this year

I’m good for 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 May 4, 2011 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Happy Birthday Miguel Cairo

Cairo was a Mariner from November 29th, 1995 til December 18th, 1995.

The M’s traded Mike Blower for Cairo and Willis Otanez
then traded Cairo and Bill Risley for Edwin Hurtado and Paul Menhart.

Miguel Cairo. Another Mariner that was never a Mariner. (Until he was in 2008. Thanks a lot Miguel Cairo)

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2011 2:27 PM PDT reply actions  

Anyone running any races in Seattle this summer?

I know there are a few runners around. I’m looking for a 10k in the next month, and I’m seriously contemplating running the Rock’n’Roll 1/2 at the end of June. The line up looks kinda lame though.

by Drew_D on May 4, 2011 2:27 PM PDT reply actions  

This might be the worst thing ever

3 hours of NyanCat

(DO NOT WATCH AT WORK WITHOUT HEADPHONES)

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

by bluemax on May 5, 2011 11:05 AM PDT reply actions  

He did this last April too.

More support for the idea that he’ll come around eventually, because between the handedness, the bat control, and the speed, it shouldn’t be that low.

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes, though he makes too much weak contact.

I’m not saying the .236 BABIP is deserved, but he’s not exactly spraying line drives all over the place.

by marc w on May 5, 2011 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

55%, which is what he did in West Tenn last year.

He was a .300-.310 BABIP guy last season.

On the road he’s hitting (now Im going off of memory) .314/.420/.500 or something. Something much better. Something that would suggest he’s not had a horrible season all-around.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 5, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Reverse it, actually. That's his home line.

In away games, he’s got an OPS of around .500. It’s all SSS theatre, so it’s pretty much meaningless.

The lefty/righty thing was an issue last year as well, incidentally.

by marc w on May 5, 2011 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

D'oh.

Yeah, its a smaller sample size of a small sample size, which is what I try to show people when they say “Ackley sucks”

The response from me is “Okay, let me tweak that for you. Now how much does he suck?”

If Ackley turns into a 3 win second baseman, that’s a WIN for the Mariners. People can’t expect top prospects to all be Chase Utley. Sometimes top prospects are deserving of their status, if they’re just above average.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 5, 2011 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

Someone in the wrap this week was saying that he was swinging at a lot of bad pitches.

What’s your first-person perspective on that?

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Nope, or rather, I'd have to know what they meant by that.

You don’t walk this much by swinging at bad pitches. I’ve said before that he simply refuses to make outs on pitches out of the zone, and that’s been true since he first debuted.

If by “bad pitches” they mean something like “pitcher’s pitches” or something suitably scout-sounding, yeah, I think I agree. Let’s say there’s a 2-1 count, or 2-0 or something like that. Ackley looks fastball, but gets a change up or something that could sink to the bottom of the zone – Ackley can adjust and make contact with that pitch. Ackley should not make contact with that pitch.

When Peguero’s (or Liddi, or anyone) ahead in the count, he kills. When Ackley’s ahead in the count, he’s not bad, nice OBP, not much pop. Huge difference.

by marc w on May 5, 2011 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Rene Rivera is back in the major leagues!

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 3:44 PM PDT reply actions  

With who?

"When I bust I swing exactly like my homeboy"

by Thingray on May 5, 2011 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

the Twins!

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

by JY on May 5, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

User Tools

By reading a game thread of your own volition you agree to accept all liability for any and all damage done to your delicate sensibilities.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small
Starlin Castro's fit with Seattle

by styks 3 days ago

28 comments

Kawasaki80_small
Lists! So many lists!

by J0SER 3 days ago

6 comments | 1 recs

M_s_hat_copy_small
OT -- May 22nd In Memoriam

by seattle_since_81 4 days ago

246 comments | 2 recs

Ichiro_small
Why do managers and media members hate walks?

by Smegmalicious 8 days ago

21 comments

Wbc_029_small
Friday Morning Music Thread

by Jeff Sullivan 8 days ago

49 comments

Small
Dustin Ackley BP swing vs game swing

by grante2 9 days ago

7 comments

Beastquakerwallpaper_small
More on the Struggles of Smoak

by Ben Knibbe 10 days ago

5 comments | 1 recs

Randy2_for_sbn_small
Albert Pujols 2012: Three Retrospectives

by fiftyone 11 days ago

3 comments | 1 recs

Small
On Batting Orders

by riverdog 12 days ago

23 comments

Niehaus_small
More on Dustin Ackley and the strikezone

by JLC 14 days ago

6 comments | 12 recs

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Recent Posts

Yahoo_full_count

In Association With

Baseball Nation Recent Stories

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a MLB interleague baseball game. Lee took the loss as the Red Sox defeated the Phillies 5-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The Good And Winless

Third baseman Chone Figgins of the Seattle Mariners misplays this grounder by Jeff Mathis of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Safeco Field on in Seattle, Washington. Figgins was charged with an error on the play. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Chone Figgins: M's Won't Play Him, Won't Dump Him

Clearwater FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth (2) before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Pirates DFA One-Season Wonder Nate McLouth

More from Baseball Nation >

Sexy People

Wbc_029_small Jeff Sullivan

Small Matthew

Claw_small JY