"Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something." - Thomas A. Edison
"I have found that people who can successfully resist temptation invariably lead depressingly stunted lives." — C.D. Payne
"So don't weep for me now, my friends, because science insists that I have not died.
Energy just always changes state and I refuse to believe that human consciousness is the sole exception to this universal law."
- Mark Millar
"Do only butterflies die in flames? What about those devoured by the flames within them?" - E.M. Cioran

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Your Story's Full of Holes

Jim Tressell says that the Buckeye 5 have pledged to return to OSU in 2011 and would not have traveled to the Sugar Bowl had they not.
We told them they would have to make the decision on the NFL prior to leaving for the bowl game.  It wouldn’t be fair to not face the consequences down the road.
 From Yahoo's Dr. Saturday on the difference between Cam Newton and the Buckeye 5 -
...there are one of three ways to be declared ineligible re: improper benefits: a) Accept the benefits; b) Ask for benefits with your kid's knowledge, even if you don't receive anything; or c) Ask for benefits, then send your kid to the school you solicited, whether or not anyone received anything or the kid knows anything.
It's possible that the Newtons are the first case the NCAA has ever encountered that managed to slip through all three layers of that net, according to the official ruling: No benefits, no knowledge, kid went somewhere else. (If dad's only askin', well, alright. Just keep him at arm's length so he can't ask anymore, OK?) Depending on how well the ambitious fathers of America are able to cover the money trail, though, it's a good bet it isn't going to be the last, until that loophole is airtight and somebody finds out the hard way. Then, we'll hear some real complaints.
Also of note, Ohio State led the nation in football program spending over a 12 month period ending in mid-2010.  The bill, according to the Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool, was a whopping $31,763,036.

Flick to Click: Biutiful


Now playing.

Pretty Girl 12.30.10 - Ashlee Simpson


I'll take Ashlee over Jessica any day of the week.  All over her.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Are You Ready For Some Football?

After the Eagles and Vikings were snowed out on Sunday (sissies), we have the first Tuesday NFL game since October 1, 1946.  Tune in tonight at 8p on NBC.  Or if you can't find a television, go here.

Cheers.

Two For The Road

The most incredible 2010 HS football plays that you've never seen...


Peyton Hillis' got nothin' on Ashley Lowery.

I don't have enough room to mention all of the Butler(KY) players that touch the ball.

Cheers.

Dipsy Doo Dunkaroo



Kid is in 7th grade. 7th grade! Talk about a man among boys. Adrian Moore. Write it down.

Pretty Girl 12.28.10 - Amber Heard


Go.  Watch.  The Informers.  Preferably in HD.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Well, That Explains Everything

The Buckeyes compliance department - in charge of keeping student athletes well behaved.

I laugh because I must not cry. That is all. That is all.- Abraham Lincoln

Pretty Girl 12.27.10 - Grace Kelly


Literally a princess. So drop dead gorgeous that I'm almost glad that she didn't show more skin. Almost.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Epiphanies

Love (The romantic kind)

We made it up.  It means whatever you want it to.  Just let it make you happy.

Work

Those who choose what to do in the world can be good.  Those who do what the world chooses for them can be great.

Soul

What makes each of us unique is irrational interpretation.  If everyone made only logical decisions then we would all be the same.  What differentiates us is how each individual has some aspect to which he is fundamentally unable to do this for.  I, for instance, have freaky social anxiety.  Shocking, I know.  It does not define me as a person, but, along with my other idiosyncrasies, separates me form the template.  It is not to be judged.  It is to be accepted, respected and cherished.  To err is human.  This fantastic imperfection elevates us to our humanity.  For, as an aggregate, it is our soul.

Merry Sunday.  Today is a gift and tommorow is another.

Cheers.

Flick to Click: Limitless



Everywhere March 18th.

It's Worse Than We Thought

Despite OSU AD Gene Smith's Christmas tweet ("Merry Xmas everyone!! Go back to drinking your eggnog!! Rumors not true."), the future seems quite bleak for our favorite doctor of spin.  This shocks even me.  For shame, Jim.

Leftovers



As Dan Hedaya says, "Mmm, meat."

Pretty Girl 12.26.10 - Diane Kruger


The face that launched a thousand ships.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Tressel Out?

According to Daily Chicago Sports, via "two sources that are very close to recruiting at prominent universities," Jim Tressel is leaving the OSU football program following the Sugar Bowl.  Amazingly I heard this from my octogenarian grandfather.  Note the time, you heard it here first.  More to come as it is available.

Pretty Girl 12.25.10 - Michelle Mongahan

Merry Christmas from Michelle and me.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Let's Get Our Tide Rollin'



O-H...

Ho. Ho. Ho.

Huh-huh, she said balls.

Flick to Click: Red State



Coming in March from Kevin Smith.

Stocking Stuffers

Babe Ruth at 53, riddled with cancer, at Yankee Stadium for the last time in 1948.


Theoretically that ball could have sat on the rim indefinitely.

Yahoo in placing the Tribe 28th in it's MLB Power Rankings

Choo learns he must serve two years of hard, lonely duty on the front lines of a hopeless, never-ending battle; on the bright side, he received a South Korean military waiver.


Move over Chris Barron.


I agree with the man, "Are you kidding me?"

Yuletide cheer and junk.

Cheers.

Distended Colon

I still refuse to believe this, but the following was reported on STO's website.

... [Bartolo] Colon is trying to make a comeback.  He is currently pitching out in the Dominican Winter League and in six starts there is 2-1 with a 1.76 ERA, and in 35.1 innings has allowed 33 hits, six walks, and has 27 strikeouts.  According to league sources he looks motivated and is in much better shape after losing close to 40 pounds.  His fastball is at 90-94 MPH and showing good movement, and he is getting lots of groundballs and showing good strikeout ability.


It should be noted that the Indians "looking" at Colon hardly means a signing is imminent.  They as well as every other team scout every player at every level all year long.  They like other teams have a scouting presence in the offseason winter leagues and are looking for potential fits for their club.  Obviously they will scout certain players more heavily than others, but just because the Indians are reportedly scouting a guy don't mistake that as there being "interest" in a guy.

All that having been said, even if Colon impresses the Indians or another team enough to sign him, expect it to only be to a minor league deal.
In case you missed the memo, the Tribe signed Austin Kearns (again) to a 1-yr, $1.3mil contract, the only major league money they have spent this off-season.  As one associate described the situation, "He's a shit player on a shit team.  This is a shit signing."  At least Justin Germano was DFAed to make room on the 40-man.  Also, the Indians inked former A's OF Travis Buck to minor league deal.  Buck is 14 months older than Matt LaPorta and his career MLB OPS is 60 points higher.  Still, he was non-tendered by Oakland.  And that is exactly how much of a do or die season this is for Matty. 

Pretty Girl 12.24.10 - Sammi Giancola

Y'like Jersey Shore?  Cheesecake of Sammi and the Season 3 trailer.


Thursday, December 23, 2010

Hypocrisy At It's Worst

The NCAA has handed down a major decision which clarifies their intractable stance on scholarship athletes receiving benefits from those outside the university.   All players must use a middle man and deny their involvement.  Five Buckeyes must sit out the 1st 5 games of the 2011 season "for selling awards, gifts and university apparel and receiving improper benefits in 2009."  Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor and Solomon Thomas must also repay the full dollar amount accrued from their malfeasance.  The breakdown is as follows --


• Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring.
 • Herron must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discounted services worth $150.
 • Posey must repay $1,250 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and receiving discounted services worth $50.
 • Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring, a 2009 Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 Gold Pants, a gift from the university.
 • Solomon must repay $1,505 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring for $1,000, his 2008 Gold Pants for $350 and receiving discounted services worth $155.
 • Jordan Whiting must sit out the first game next year and pay $150 to a charity for the value of services that were discounted because of his status as a student-athlete.


Fortunately for those of us that cheer on the Scarlet and Gray, all 6 players remain eligible for the Sugar Bowl because, according to the NCAA, "the student-athletes did not receive adequate rules education during the time period the violations occurred."

Learn from Cam Newton, kids.  Call your uncle, solicit him to sell your gold pants and then deny all knowledge when questioned by the authorities.  No punishment will be levied.  The NCAA has made this crystal clear.

Likely now that Pryor jumps, as opposed to playing half a season.  Perhaps Posey & Herron as well.

Tweet your way out of this one, TP.

Sheesh.

Subverting Capitalism

OSU AD Gene Smith will hold a press conference today to address rumors that several Buckeye football players, including QB Terrelle Pryor, traded autographs for tattoos.  Pryor's response tweet -

I paid for my tattoos. GoBucks

That means others did not?  Either way where did TP get the coin for all this ink?



If anyone can find a pic of his back that would rock.

To Rock A Rhyme That's Right On Time...



... It's Tricky! Tricky! Tricky! Tricky!

Pretty Reckless - Just Tonight

Taylor's hot even when she's not stripping.  I think that I actually like this band.  Just Tonight is the 3rd single off of Light Me Up, official release date 12.27.



Cheers

Flick to Click: Hanna



Everywhere 04.08.11

Also, go see Black Swan, but everyone is telling you that.

Pretty Girl 12.23.10 - Alison Lohman


I also love 26 that can play 16.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Cavs Suck


The plummeting red line indicates their 8-and-21 record following a 14 point loss to the Hawks.

Even More Proof That Facebook Giftcards Are the Perfect Christmas Gifts

Click Me For More




Click image for more

Click image for more

Pretty Girl 12.22.10 - Zooey Deschanel


I've heard her described as "every guy's dream girl."  I can only say that she's mine.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Pretty Girl 12.21.10 - Miriam McDonald


Another fine Canadian import and, arguably, Degrassi's hottest alum.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Pretty Girl 12.20.10 - Louise Griffiths


You know, she's on that commercial with Jaime Pressley. The one all about guys washing their balls? And she has an accent.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Trick Plays and HaHas





Wake Up!

I've been a bit lazy lately, but, holy schnikes, the Royals have traded Zack Greinke to... the Brewers?  Wow, was that unexpected.  KC gets SS Alcides Escobar, CF Lorenzo Cain, and righties Jeremy Jeffress & Jake Odorizzi.  Milwaukee also snags SS Yuniesky Betancourt.  A rotation of Greinke, Shaun Marcum and Yovani Gallardo sound pretty good to me.

Also, the frickin' Cavs won!  Ten games losing streak over!  It took overtime but the wine and gold sneeked past the Knicks 109-102.  The win came on the shoulders of the team's "stars," Mo Williams (23pts, 14asts, 5rbs), Anderson Varejao (14pts, 17rbs, 3blks) and Antawn Jamison (21pts, 9rbs).  Perhaps most impressive was the Cavaliers ability to contain Amar'e Stoudemire, who finished 8-of-19 from the floor and turned the ball over 8 times.  Defense was key for Cavaliers team that held an opponent under 100 points in regulation for only the 2nd time this month.  Let's put this nonsense behind us, build on 2 respectable losses and a quality win and make a true effort not to be the laughing stock of the league.

Also from the Association, the Magic have been a-dealin'.  Orlando shipped Rashard Lewis to the Wizards for Gilbert Arenas.  In a separate transaction, Vince Carter, Mickael Pietrus and Marcin Gortat and a 2011 1st round pick head to Phoenix in exchange for Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark.  That's nearly a complete overhaul for Magic who have surrounded Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson with an all-new supporting cast in an attempt to keep up with Miami, to whom they have now fallen 3.5 games behind.  There are a host of moving pieces here and Orlando's ability to fold in the acquisitions quickly will certainly determine how successful the trades become.

Speaking of laughing stocks, I am depressed by and disgusted with my Ohio Bobcats.  The football team was annihilated 48-21 by Troy in the New Orleans Bowl.  The 'Cats were down 38-7 at the half and never truly showed up.  The hoops squad lost as well... in quadruple overtime.  St. Bonaventure walked away with 112-107 victory.  Ohio point guard D.J. Cooper scored 43 points and added 13 assists, 8 boards and 8 steals.  Unbelievably, Cooper did this by shooting 17-of-41 from the floor, the most attempts by an NCAA player in 15 years.

On the wrong end of the tally for the first time this season, the Cleveland State Vikings fell to West Virginia 74-63.  CSU showed up and had the game tied at 55 deep into the 2nd half, but could not overcome the Mountaineers depth of talent.  Nice try, boys.

The Buckeyes basketballers did win 79-57 over the South Carolina 'Cocks.  Jared Sullinger - 30 points & 19 rebounds.

Not sure what story is here, but former Indians closer Kerry Wood signed a 1-yr, $1.5 contract with the Cubbies despite the fact that the Yankees were willing to giver him $10mil over 2 years.

In case you missed it, Bill Hall to the Astros and Orlando Hudson to San Diego.

Time for a breath.  Cheers.

Pretty Girl 12.19.10 - Elisha Cuthbert


Why couldn't she live next door to me?

Saturday, December 18, 2010