Erik Bedard Is Really Good

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 4:15 PM PST in Regular News Comment 180 comments

I wish we could all just stop talking about this and move on. But we can't. And neither can Ken Rosenthal.

The Mariners' quest to land Orioles lefty Erik Bedard is on hold -- and possibly off -- due to the involvement of O's owner Peter Angelos, according to major-league sources.

The reasons for Angelos' hesitation are unclear. However, Angelos' first choice is to sign Bedard to a contract extension, according to one source. The owner was under the impression that Bedard was unwilling to consider such a deal, the source says, but recently learned that the pitcher would entertain an offer if the Orioles were willing to extend him at least five years.

We've been talking about Erik Bedard since the beginning of December.

This is so stupid.

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Comments

Just fucking be over

One way or another, so I can either be really angry or really relieved ONCE and then move on with my life.

I can't deal with having another night last the last one.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You should seek help.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Jan 28, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yesterday I had the sobering realisation

That the rest of my life merely serves to fill in the gaps between times I'm thinking about baseball.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know what to think anymore

I really want to be done with this. These two days have fried my brain.

by PShwa on Jan 28, 2008 4:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I hate Angelos

This isn't fair to the Mariners. If this deal is going to be done we need adequate time to find a right fielder. If I were Bavasi I'd tell the O's they have 24 hours and then they can go fuck themselves.

This is how you make enemies.

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 4:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who looks more terrifying?

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 4:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

At least Glass looks humanoid

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It has to be Creepy Old Guy #1

He looks like a seal lying on its back.

by Aaron on Jan 28, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

that thing on the left

looks like a melting wax figure

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 28, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

/Jabba the Hutt

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Shouldn't rich people be able

to afford whiter dentures?

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Jan 28, 2008 4:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt he cares.

He's obviously not getting by on his looks.

by Aaron on Jan 28, 2008 4:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bring me Solo and the Wookiee.

by Shawk on Jan 28, 2008 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Et tu taku bu Jabb now

by Fett42 on Jan 28, 2008 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this should be a new web site

like the exact opposite of the "kitten wars" website. Scary old men wars.com or something

by mark s on Jan 28, 2008 8:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just give us the damn player(s).

Wussie O's.

Detect-O-Vision

Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Jan 28, 2008 4:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I for one fear what happens after this is all over

If we get Bedard, each time he wins we will get swamped with comments on how we were all wrong.

If AJ stays, each time he fails to get a clutch RBI we will be told how yet another prospect is failing.

I fear something ugly has only yet begun and it dims my joy for pitchers and catchers reporting.

by Sec 108 on Jan 28, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If I've learned anything living close to Anaheim

it's that you should never let stupid people ruin something you enjoy.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 4:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid people are amusing

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're right, Graham!

You are amusing!

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Jan 28, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude...

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Jan 28, 2008 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just a joke.

I'm sorry.

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Jan 28, 2008 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

:P

Good try. Have a beer for me.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They're so cute when they're young

and then they grow up to be broken, jaded cynics who only find joy in the shortcomings of others.

Or is that just me?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 28, 2008 5:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good advice and I do try to live that way

But to quote a line from Harvey Danger.

"All around the world I see that only stupid people are breeding. The cretins cloning and feeding."

by Sec 108 on Jan 28, 2008 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I've got two trip to anaheim

planned in march

and i COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!!!!

the scary thing, im actually serious

by seattlebruin on Jan 28, 2008 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Really? Excited to go to Anaheim?

You didn't drink the Kool-Aid, did you?

by ningwers on Jan 28, 2008 5:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

=) yup

mmmmm kool-aid!

bruins in anaheim (probably) for rounds 1 & 2, and then im going to Ms at angels for the first series down there

by seattlebruin on Jan 28, 2008 8:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Those are both acceptable reasons

Maybe you can talk Jeff into driving up for that series in March (you lucky bastards... I miss LA)

by ningwers on Jan 28, 2008 8:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

On the other hand

If we get Bedard, then every time Jones hits a HR or earns a webgem, or when we don't reach the playoffs, we can think about how wrong DOV is about baseball.

Oh wait.

Yesterday's Pants

by Katal LM on Jan 28, 2008 7:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fuck Baltimore.

For disturbing my sleeping pattern by not closing this deal out.

And to think, I could have chosen to support the Yankees or Red Sox...

by EnglishMariner on Jan 28, 2008 4:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It really is stupid.

I blame the Mariners for making us all gun shy with the lame moves they've made the last several years. Whatever happens, I won't have any confidence in them until the entire front office is gone or they win the World Series (in spite of themselves), whichever happens first. Meanwhile, I need to think about something---anything---else....

by Alex Johnson on Jan 28, 2008 4:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

HUR. RY. UP.

by ThundaPC on Jan 28, 2008 4:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

CLAP! CLAP!

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Jan 28, 2008 6:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of that stupid song.

"Everybody clap your hands! Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap, Clap."

The Yankees made it famous and now every sports arena uses it. I hate the Yankees and people who follow after them.

by Wilder83 on Jan 28, 2008 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaayo

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Jan 28, 2008 6:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dong dong dong dong,

...dong dong dong dong!

(That's the stupid-ass Yankee "clock striking the hour" song played after homeruns.)

by zknower on Jan 28, 2008 7:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey now.

This isn't a porn site.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Jan 29, 2008 7:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did someone say Wang?

by jtopps on Jan 29, 2008 7:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's pronounced Thomson.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 8:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you mean Thompson

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Jan 30, 2008 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Relax guys.

Either we get an Ace in Bedard but we sadly lose Jones and GS52 or we don't get Bedard and keep them. No matter what, it's just a game and not necessarily something to cry or throw a temper tantrum over.

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Jan 28, 2008 4:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

JOS

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 5:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm. What?

"Kruger! My son tells me, your company shtinks!"-Frank Costanza.

by Coach Owens on Jan 28, 2008 5:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

shorthand

John Olerud Sucks

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 28, 2008 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Once you hit puberty, you'll understand

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When I watched Chris Pronger hoist the Cup

from the upper deck, I bawled my eyes out like a little bitch.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm very glad I wasn't anywhere near Anaheim

for that.

Ugh.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It sucked. It truly truly sucked.

Jeff, why the fuck did we stick around long enough to watch Pronger raise the Cup again?

by ningwers on Jan 28, 2008 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It was the Cup.

We had to.

It absolutely sucked, but we had to.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 5:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know the feeling

when I traveled half way around the world to watch Arsenal win the first FA Cup final in Cardiff, nobody told Michael Goddamn Owen that I was there and his two goals won the Cup for Liverpool. I stayed for the whole medal ceremony, because who knows if I'm ever going to see that in person again?

So yeah, it sucked, but you did the right thing.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 28, 2008 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You were at that game?

Wow ... that was such a fucking awesome game. Well, unless you were an Arsenal fan.

And to think, I could have chosen to support the Yankees or Red Sox...

by EnglishMariner on Jan 28, 2008 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, I was

and, six years later, I have to admit that yeah, it was awesome. But sitting ten rows up from where Thierry Henry missed two sitters in about 5 seconds, it didn't seem so at the time.

Still, probably the greatest sporting day out I've ever had. Unforgettable all the way around.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 28, 2008 6:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Life hasn't been fair to us

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I know :(

I'm still impressed that you restricted your rage to the free towels (even if that bitch in front of us for Game 1 deserved to eat a fist sandwich).

by ningwers on Jan 28, 2008 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I still have one of those torn towels

it's part of my Sens altar.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 28, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I hit puberty.

But I still don't know what the hell you guys are talking about. Humor me?

by The Alaskan on Jan 28, 2008 5:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The Coach Owens saga is a long one

It all started when a small child named Will got banished from USS Mariner into the booze-fueled wasteland of Lookout Landing.

I'll let someone else continue the tale (not you, Coach).

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ya know

I think our no tolerance attitude has made him a better person. If somebody joined now, they'd wonder why we keep giving him so much crap.

by Edgar for Pres on Jan 28, 2008 5:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And to Will's credit

He's gotten much better

by ningwers on Jan 28, 2008 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I think he's even less annoying then I am now. Good for him.

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ah USS Mariner

How I miss those days

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

USSM has evil, power-hungry moderators

You don't want to go near it!

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It'll be a year

here in a couple months since I was last allowed to comment. I miss those days.

You are an evil power-hungry moderator, are you not?

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So I guess I'm curious

You guys have some strange wordpress plugin that allows me to register and login BUT NO COMMENT BOX SHOWS UP. It's crazy

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's called being banned

But it's not really my place to comment on things like this, so I shan't

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

roger that

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I miss watching you

summarize traffic in Bumfuck, ID and tell DMZ which roads he should have driven in Phoenix...

by eponymous coward on Jan 28, 2008 8:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

But I guess they wanted to go in a more intelligent direction.

I think I pretty much pissed off DMZ though when he's talking about how he missed the feed and all I could ask is what he was doing on the Piestewa Freeway. I maintain that that route made little sense from where he was coming from, but I do feel bad about the timing of the remarks

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 8:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have never been a fan of ussm

Just never really liked it there, i like the atmoshpere of this place quite a bit more.

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 28, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just enjoyed pushing Derek's buttons and

watching others push Derek's buttons.

Once Dave started taking more control over commenting/moderation I began to dislike it because thread discussion got way too boring.

I don't even mind on-topic conversation, but it just seems like everything is so boxed in now the only way your comment can get approved is by cleverly summarizing the point of the post.

I understand that they are huge and this is probably necessary, but I'd rather they just turn comments off at this point.

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

kthx

And to think, I could have chosen to support the Yankees or Red Sox...

by EnglishMariner on Jan 28, 2008 5:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Incidentally, this is total bullshit

I approve a tonne of comments a day that I violently disagree with, because otherwise what the hell is the point?

And I know the rest of us do too.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I check USSM

everyday because their writers are good/great. I don't check more than daily (or every few days) cause I don't really give a rat's ass about the comments. (I often just search through the comments for stuff by Dave or DMZ)

I don't want to offend Jeff but if he was the only reason I came here then I'd only check it once a day probably. I think the comments/community is far superior. Graham and everybody else, keep being assholes to people that annoy us. Hopefully that will be enough to keep out the PI hordes pounding at the gates.

by Edgar for Pres on Jan 28, 2008 5:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I love it

My penchant for being a total dick when people annoy me has turned me into some sort of blogo-gatekeeper.

by Graham on Jan 28, 2008 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

I still check USSM everyday to see whats up, the writing is great as is the analysis.

I came here once I saw how great the community is, and that means MUCH more to me. The community makes the place what it is. The writing here is amazing, and the way everything is so playful(too non-hetero?) here is great.

It's like sitting at a bar with friends.

by PShwa on Jan 28, 2008 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I only check out

ussm when someone from here says theres a good article there to check out. yesterday was the first time i went there since an article about clements batspeed

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 28, 2008 5:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They're analysis is great.

But few people respond to your comment unless it's dead wrong, so there is often no point in commenting. Also, I wrote this long, long response to a post about Felix's struggles and Dave yelled at me :(.

Baka.

by CapSea on Jan 28, 2008 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He yelled at me

When I made a mistake in regards to Mark Lowe's injury.

He comes off a little arrogant now that USSM has gotten bigger. Great analysis but no personality.

DMZ was nice to me, though.

I love this site infinitely more. Unless Jeffrey gets too big headed for us. Hopefully by using 'Jeffrey', any arrogance he gains is shot.

by Slica on Jan 28, 2008 10:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

10 to 1 on "not."

Baka.

by CapSea on Jan 29, 2008 12:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate the name "Jeffrey"

note to self: ban Slica

note to self: justify banning by pointing out Sabres fanitude

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 29, 2008 1:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats a shame

because with all of my teams sucking this year, I was planning on rooting for Ottawa or Vancouver in the playoffs.

Detroit it is.

by Slica on Jan 29, 2008 1:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What About Jeffy?

It could be like the Family Circus, with Coach Owens playing the part of "Not Me."

by JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo on Jan 29, 2008 4:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That'd be awesome

because we'd get at least one article a week mapping out Jeff's roundabout routes to work and the wacky adventures he had on his way.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 7:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

(quickly hides Sabres gear)

by jtopps on Jan 29, 2008 7:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's okay.

Now that I know it's an inside joke, and I'm not missing something every godfearing American should know, we can just move on. This thread is rapidly devolving into random reminiscing, anyway.

Thanks for trying.

by The Alaskan on Jan 28, 2008 5:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Could this be a ploy to pressure the Orioles

by Bavasi? Leaking this kind of information makes the Orioles look bad. If they don't pull the trigger now, other teams will be hesitant to try dealing with them in the future... not that Angelos hasn't already done that already.

by Wilder83 on Jan 28, 2008 5:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Did I say already, already?

by Wilder83 on Jan 28, 2008 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You forget

No one wants to deal with them anyway, because they suck.

And to think, I could have chosen to support the Yankees or Red Sox...

by EnglishMariner on Jan 28, 2008 5:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really getting tired of this.

Angelos needs to stop being a pussyfooting pantywaist, and needs to grow a pair and make a decision.

God, why not just name yourself the fucking GM if you care so much?

by JLC on Jan 28, 2008 5:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

i care abotut the Ms a lot

can i name myself their GM?

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 9:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i fail at spelling

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So I'm guessing everyone's seen this

but apparently Jones is still in Venezuela, sitting tight (via Roto). This is just hilarious.

Why is Angelos such a delicate little tulip? So what if it fucking leaked. I mean, everyone's been talking about this for months. Its not fucking news to anyone who gives two tugs of a dead dog's dick about baseball. Who is he trying to surprise here? What a horse's ass.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 28, 2008 5:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

"two tugs of a dead dogs dick"

well, that was new.

by PShwa on Jan 28, 2008 5:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

actually, no

I plagiarized it from transmetropolitan. Its full of gems like that one.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 28, 2008 5:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...

Angelos ~= Argyros...

Ill Ligitamus Non Carberendum

by PositivePaul on Jan 28, 2008 6:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I just saw Bavasi at the supermarket

and realized after I left I should've had a cashier page Adam Jones to the front of the store.

by Eyebrows on Jan 28, 2008 6:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That would make my day

er, week. Year.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 28, 2008 7:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

McPhail

has to feel like a freaking tool over all of this. It's clear he had the deal he wanted and felt like Angelos would go for it too, and now he's being made a fool...

"back in the day, Reggie Jackson would have called that a 'tits high' pitch" - Dave Henderson
the log

by OlyOle on Jan 28, 2008 9:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I feel bad for him

It would be horrible to be Baltimore's General Manager.

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 28, 2008 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The O's are such a fucking clownshoes organization

As a DC native I've been watching the O's FO for years now. This is par for the course for Angelos. It's a beautiful thing now that I'm a Nats fan.

by esoteric on Jan 28, 2008 10:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not like this is the first time.

Angelos has pulled this stunt before. If I were the MacPhail I'd be wondering why I even bother.

*Visiting Angels fan* Never give up, never surrender!

by TheOptimist on Jan 29, 2008 6:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do these guys work two hours a day?

How could this not be over yet?

by BaltimoreMarinersFan on Jan 29, 2008 6:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

One thing I've learned

while working for corporate america is that suits at all levels of hierarchy like to talk. A lot. About what they want to do. But they don't like to do anything. They just want to talk about it. They want to 'get it right' but really, they hold meetings and talk about their jobs because they're not especially good at anything else.

And every now and then, they get around to doing something, and then they talk for hours and days afterward patting themselves on the back for doing it.

This is how it goes.

by Gomez on Jan 29, 2008 8:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget the planning

It goes from talking about what they want to do, to planning how they do it. Which results in lots of pretty Microsoft Project charts and Visio flowcharts, but again, no actual work.

Then there's lunch. Sandwiches, usually.

Then, there's status meetings. About how much planning has been done, and how much planning is yet to be done.

Repeat, ad infinitum, until your brain dies.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 8:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hey hey

Pretty Powerpoint Presentations and (fuck there are no synonyms for "pretty" that start with a V) Visio flowcharts are real work!!

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 9:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That'd be "vibrant Visio flowcharts"

and, as someone who produces copious amounts of both, I can say no, they're really not. PowerPoint has done more to ruin the American workplace than any single technological tool I can think of - it's taught an entire generation of workers to look for nothing more than three bullet-pointed ways to solve increasingly complex problems, and it cuts off any serious analysis, because, to the average executive, hey the answer's right there in the bullet point, right?

Visio has its place, definitely, but PowerPoint should be banned from every workplace.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 9:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

EXCELLENT

vibrant.... how did i miss that one!?!?!

yes, powerpoint has caused some serious laziness among execs, but it also has its strong points as well. honestly, i can't imagine trying to summarize a report w/o it (although to be fair, im young enough that i've had powerpoint as a tool for my entire report making life)

and visio rocks. when i get bored, i spend my time creating awesome flowcharts for no reason at all.

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 9:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess, as a project/program manager,

I'm just tired of seeing a lot of hard, complex analysis work by a lot of the teams I've led be completely reduced to three little executive summary points, and subsequently misunderstood or dismissed as "this looks simple", so that some clueless suit can approve a budget for what we're doing that's either 25% too short timewise or too small dollar-wise, without ever fully understanding it.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 9:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Powerpoint has compelled not just executives, but instructors and students to cram their data into vague bulletpoints so they can show slides that, usually, say little to nothing and add nothing to their presentation.

It's affected the academic world too, as a lot of instructors use Powerpoint with their lectures.

by Gomez on Jan 29, 2008 10:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

actually,

i found the most helpful lectures were the ones that included powerpoint slides.

of course it didnt take the place of good old fashioned note taking, but as an engineer, i found it really helpful when professors could put quickly summarize equations and ideas in visual form without having to laboriously write them on the board. to be honest, i actually felt like the slides were more work for the instructors, because they ofter were transposing their notes into digital form to make it easier for us lowly undergrads to understand

i think its not so much the tool itself as the laziness it encourages when a guy simply reads his bullet points off a slide rather than goes into detail about the ideas being presented

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 10:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's true

the laziness is a huge part of my problem with PowerPoint. And NASA had the same problem, apparently.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yikes

the scary thing is, that whole point makes perfect sense.

still, i would argue that the problem lies with the people making the presentations rather than the tool itself

by seattlebruin on Jan 29, 2008 10:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

PowerPoint should be banned.

Keynote is 100x better.

by Wilder83 on Jan 29, 2008 10:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's why...

...they're corporate suits and not business owners (making the real money)(and taking the real risks).

by rtang on Jan 29, 2008 9:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The scary thing is

you talk to most corporate suits and they're convinced they're the ones taking the risks. Which is laughable.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 9:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hrm.

We're talking Armstrong and Lincoln, right?

by rtang on Jan 29, 2008 9:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, just my bosses

and not just the current ones. I'm having a very anti-Corporate America day today.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 29, 2008 9:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They should have

a major holiday thats anti-corp day

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 29, 2008 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They do.

It's called Labor Day...

Ill Ligitamus Non Carberendum

by PositivePaul on Jan 29, 2008 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well if your

trying to get technical and all... then maybe the name should change to something else

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jan 29, 2008 10:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No-labor day.

AKA Executive day.

Baka.

by CapSea on Jan 29, 2008 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Jones has hip spasms

by JLC on Jan 29, 2008 11:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Adam Jones' hip spasms

result in Brent Lillibridge staying put, this entire exercise was a waste of time. ARE YOU LISTENING ANGELOS? LILLIBRIDGE'S FUTURE IS AT STAKE HERE!

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 8:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Did Angelos want the M's to throw in a kidney, too

by Shawk on Jan 29, 2008 7:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

First-born, actually.

Two kidneys in that.

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

by JY on Jan 29, 2008 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you offering?

Angelos needs it for the replacement body he's building, to replace this one when it finally melts into a pile of goo. As the picture above shows, the process is moving at an alarming rate.

by The Alaskan on Jan 29, 2008 10:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This needs to end

or I'm going to commit something.

by PShwa on Jan 29, 2008 7:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Like a B and E

ya know, breaking and entering

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Jan 29, 2008 8:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was either

A) Talking about Dane Cook because you hate him

B) Talking to ME about him because I DONT hate him.

either way.

...yes, a B and E.

by PShwa on Jan 29, 2008 8:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just in general

I saw the diary but was too lazy to read all the comments.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Jan 29, 2008 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this is

bedarded

by Mark on Jan 29, 2008 10:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

n/s

First

Baka.

by CapSea on Jan 30, 2008 12:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorta...

Now THIS is bedarded...

Ill Ligitamus Non Carberendum

by PositivePaul on Jan 30, 2008 12:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That is the coolest thing ever

I laughed for about 10 minutes when I saw that

Washington Highways

by I'm NOT Corco on Jan 30, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding.

I'm still laughing, myself...

Ill Ligitamus Non Carberendum

by PositivePaul on Jan 30, 2008 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't we just substitute Morrow for Jones?

If the Orioles are worried about Jones' health, why not just switch? They'll still be getting a better deal than the Twins did.

What do I look like, a guy who's not lazy?

by Rollo Tomasi on Jan 30, 2008 9:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

orioles want a CF

This sucks. I obviously want Adam Jones, but Sunday saw me engaging the rationalization process and now I really really want Erik Bedard too. But now I'm also really scared Bavasi is going to crack and offer up Clement or Triunfel in order to close the deal while still including the "damaged" Jones.

Dammit Angelos, this is all your fault.

by Matthew on Jan 30, 2008 10:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Last LL Post for 2 years

i hope we keep Jones, or get Bedard. I'll be back in 2 friends!

by marinerschas2 on Jan 30, 2008 9:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Take care!

by ningwers on Jan 30, 2008 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

need.... more...

bedard rumors...
Its so cold....

seriously, this shit has me compulsively checking roto every 10 minutes. I've gotten nothing done at work. I hate everyone. Can we just make Jones into a star pitcher and have it be over? Fuuuck.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 30, 2008 12:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I heard that Erik Bedard has a bad knee

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i heard that erik bedard is left handed

by seattlebruin on Jan 30, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

don't be a rightist

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

im sorry

im a rightist, and im not going to apologize for it.

by seattlebruin on Jan 30, 2008 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I heard he'll be flipped to ATL for Linnbridge

...wait, I'm doing it wrong.

by ThundaPC on Jan 30, 2008 3:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn right you are

It's Lillibridge.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 3:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

its pronounced

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 30, 2008 4:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, heres something

"We've been startled by enough false alarms when it comes to trades, but people I've spoken with over the last 24 hours sound more encouraged about Erik Bedard going to the Mariners. I still believe it's going to happen."

-Roch Kabutkokokickalicky, Baltimore Sun

by Slica on Jan 30, 2008 1:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Hey!

I havent been banned for reminding Jeff he was named after the Toys R Us Giraffe.

Sweet fancy moses. :)

by Slica on Jan 30, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's Geoffrey, stupid

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 30, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Denial.

I wish something would happen already.

We've been sunk to conversations about a Toys R Us giraffe.

I now hate January as much as December.

by Slica on Jan 30, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing that hasn't been said

infinity billion times. Oh, wait...

What do I look like, a guy who's not lazy?

by Rollo Tomasi on Jan 30, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Its gotten sad hasnt it?

Like the closing of Woolworth's.

by Slica on Jan 30, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Doomsday clock: incredibly stupid

and tendentious.

LL: NOT incredibly stupid. Tendentious? Yeah, maybe. But not stupid.

by marc w on Jan 30, 2008 2:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't going to change it

I just like the idea. But Richie is perfect.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jan 30, 2008 2:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Things are about to get a bit toasty

by Robert on Jan 30, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

Didnt the ancient Mayans say we were all going to die around December 21, 2012?

by Slica on Jan 30, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds like The Day of the Triunfel Trade

To me

by Graham on Jan 30, 2008 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

it's the date that the Bedard deal is scheduled to complete.

By the way, did you hear that Bedard's got elbow problems?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Keep it under your hat

but I just heard from my source that Bavasi's agreed to trade Jones and Tui to the Seahawks for Shaun Alexander.

by Matthew on Jan 30, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

HOLY CRAP THAT'S BIG

Does Rotoworld know yet? Man, that's a HUGE trade, especially because MY source heard that the M's will then flip Shaun Alexander to the Lakers for the disgruntled Kobe Bryant.

I'm heading over to Rotoworld RIGHT NOW.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 30, 2008 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs