Deadweight
Deadweight
The Cast
Date: 11/01/2019
FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN
BACKGROUND: This started as a long-winded numbered blog. It transformed into an organized long-winded category blog. Now, it is a quick-hitter to ease your pain. I lack time. So, the preparation of the blog actually made me procrastinate from writing the thing. Let’s see who makes the cut. Barely edited as usual unfortunately, so please excuse any mistakes during my stream of consciousness. I feel the need…the need for speed. Let’s turn and burn.
SETTING: This is written mostly on Thursday/ Halloween night, and quickly tailored and released with Friday adds right after work on Friday night.
- EVERGREEN 1: This is the annual part of the year where my optimism shines. I married into a Sooner family. True, the Kansas State loss stings a little more than past years. True, the loss was later than what you want optimally. True, the rest of the Big 12 is weak and barely anyone is ranked. True, the Boomer Sooner Schooner wagon thing falling seemed like foreshadowing. True, there are a few surprise teams on a better track presently. But, there is time, and cards fall where they will fall. Heck, even hours after the game, they were saying Notre Dame was back in the playoff mix, and then they lay an egg at Michigan. Bye, Notre Dame. Nice knowing you. Anyway, it is true that my optimism is a little out of hand sometimes. But, it rings true at some times too. Many of the top teams play each other. Many of the SEC teams will beat each other up. The game was on the road, and a conference road loss is not the worst part of a resume. They HAVE A CHANCE, dammit. I will spend the rest of the next month telling my wife’s family that they are in the mix, and the final announcement WILL be painful to watch. But, you know what? If anyone is on the fence and can swing stats the way their opinion wants them to go? They WANT Jalen Hurts vs. Bama in a playoff game, and as long as the Sooners take care of business and have a few uncanny things happen, they are very much alive. And hopefully, just like the last two years after a loss, I will be right, and the family will be wrong. Having a sunny outlook is so damn hard.
- Football Point 1A: I find it irritating when teams are moved DOWN in the poll when they win. Very irritating. Leave them be until they lose, or until it is later in the season when it matters.
- EVERGREEN 2: The NCAA has ruled that it will allow college players to make money off name and likeness. Some probably rolled their eyes, and viewed this as a compromise on the NCAA’s side. It is not. Combine the new laws coming about pushing college players to be paid, the fact that some of the mad money big time athletes make a school can go to THEM…is huge. Baby steps, as Bill Murray would say. It is not a drop the mic moment, but we should all applaud these slow changes. Remember, differentiating sports and schools will still be tricky. What goes to conferences will be tricky. But, in the end game, we are heading the right direction. Jeremy Bloom texted D-Mac from 104.3 Sports Radio in Denver after the ruling, saying maybe they would allow for his other two years of eligibility. Good point. Bottom line is a lot of athletes could have made a lot of money in the past, and that stinks. But, if more players will now go to college instead of alternative routes to the pros, then we are all winners. Players, teams, conferences, fans, etc. Boom goes the dynamite…just slowly.
- NFL: Dolphins/ Steelers notes: Down early, but turned it around, Mason gets an uncomfortable amount of air under his passes if you ask me, false starts at home are embarrassing, the Johnson OPI challenge was one of the most interesting ones of season (still failed), the Dolphins blitzed on 3rd and 22 and deserved that TD slant pass, the Steelers are now 18-0 at home on MNF in last 18 games, the Steelers have lost 12 straight challenges, and Fitzpatrick has 8 kids born in seven states and been on eight teams, and makes Phillip Rivers almost look normal. Other stuff. Was there a question on whether to start Brees with Bridgewater being 5-0? Brees is a HOF’er, and Bridgewater did his job and made himself a lot of money next year. If about the injury, fine, but if about pulling the hot QB? Whatever. I never noticed the Greg Kittle forearm tattoo of the Heath Ledger Joker, but did during the celebration of National Tight Ends Day. Ex-Steelers CB Ike Taylor admitted to using the helmet headphones to listen to music during games, and that should come from someone like Deion or Revis or Champ, or someone who WAS really good that we would laugh at this story about. Ike was not good. We were about to call Adam Vinatieri old for missing an extra point that would have won the game, but then he goes out in the same game and nails the winning 55 yarder stud fashion. Getting past the fact that Joe Flacco got “injured” right after calling out the Broncos play calling (and Sanders was totally exiled), I admit to having to Google the full past of Brandon Allen. Atlanta. THAT is where Matt Schaub is…hmmm. (skipping my NFL game by game notes largely as it seems like old news) Deshaun Watson is amazing, and there is no argument for the other side of the coin. The Jets and Giants, I believe, just made their first ever trade (Williams) WITH each other. Why the Broncos didn’t pull the trigger on trading Chris Harris is beyond me, but they obviously didn’t get a first, second, or third round offer. Surprising. The Niners beat (barely) the Cardinals, but just a heads up that their remaining schedule is ridiculous. Don’t worry about them going 16-0. Maybe 13-3. Nick Bosa is having a ridiculous rookie season, and to add to that, him and his brother got conference defensive players of the week last week. I really like the Baker Mayfield “home” commercials, but I think he has to kind of get good again to fully enjoy. And probably not storm out of pressers. I think “unanswered points” have to be 14 or more…maybe even 17. There is no “they just scored 10 unanswered points.” That is a FG and TD. The Bengals benched long time starter Andy Dalton literally the day after the trade deadline and that is brutal. I find it really funny that Talib is now in Miami, as that is like sentencing someone to a nice weather, no winning ever place. Everyone seemed to say the NFL trade deadline was boring, but just because a BUNCH of players moved teams BEFORE the final hours, that doesn’t mean it is dead. It is a deadline, not a time window where everything has to happen. It certainly is more active than ten years ago. If you think a talented guy who keeps messing up won’t always have a job, know the Seahawks just picked up Josh Gordon. Finally, Tony Romo is the best on air analyst and it isn’t even close.
- COLLEGE FOOTBALL (skipping every game breakdown): SMU barely won, but it was still a road conference game. Ohio State is really, really good. Penn State might also be really, really good. I admit to never seeing that K-State-OU upset EVER coming, in a million years. Auburn lost to LSU, but freshman QB Bo Nix is going to be a Heisman contender next year, with all of this big game experience he is getting and not doing bad in. I LOVE the four-finger thing Joe Burrow does at the end of the third quarter and the whole crowd does it too (indicating they are in the fourth quarter and almost to another win). That is catchy and cool. Alabama has played the worst winning percentage teams than anyone else in the top ten. Fact. Go figure that Harbaugh would beat Notre Dame and somehow keep his job for another year. Who would have thought that on Nov 1, BAYLOR would be the only undefeated Big 12 football team? UVA lost to Louisville, and now I can focus on their basketball team. Clear out November 9th, people. All undefeated teams play: PSU vs. Minn, and LSU vs. Bama. As far as this weekend? UGA will beat UF, but close. Miami-FSU used to mean something and now is pointless. Utah will beat Washington at their crib. SMU-Memphis is GameDay, and I think Memphis stops this train in a close one. Oregon will beat USC to continue their very odd path to the playoff, but I will be all over USC in an upset to help my wife’s Sooners’ chances.
- COLLEGE BASKETBALL: I know they play in a pedestrian conference, but the over/under for Gonzaga in wins this year is 27.5. Someone should take the under. They are losing Rui Hachimuri and Brandon Clarke, both NBA players. Sure, they retool well, but I am barely buying them as a contender. Congrats to the Oregon women, who are preseason #1 for the first time ever. So, we have a first time in both men’s and women’s basketball, and combine that with a wide open NBA field, and we have a fun hoops year planned. I found this a good read on the men’s side of things. https://www.si.com/college/2019/10/29/ncaa-basketball-predictions-final-four
- NBA: Continuing story in the NBA could be this headline: Kyrie scores 50, and loses. So, DeAndre Ayton not only was paid to attend college but also decided to cheat in the NBA? Sure. Suspended 25 games. Steph Curry went down with a broken hand, and teams were already having a field day on the Warriors. This entire year will be pay back every single night for their little run destroying everyone. For the record, as we go through this NBA season, Luka Doncic is my favorite player in the league, and therefore I will be rooting for the Mavs a lot and noting Luka frequently. Russell Westbrook passed Magic for second most triple doubles of all time. If you don’t know who #1 is, you live in a cave. Speaking of Magic, wonder who is the next Magic, MJ, LeBron, etc.? Read this. https://www.si.com/high-school/2019/10/29/emoni-bates-nba-draft-prospect-kevin-durant LeBron’s teams have a history of starting out slow. Don’t worry about his guys. Davis just went for 40-20, hurt, in THREE quarters. The Wizards might get another lottery pick next year, but at least they are part of history. They set the record for most points in a losing effort, in a game that had the most points ever (317) decided by a point. Embiid and Towns were suspended for their “fight,” and they continued the legacy and mystery of how NBA players just can’t fight correctly. The Cavs extended their GM, because he is doing such a good job. And, finally, the best read every single Friday, if you like hoops, is this. Always the highlight of my Friday morning. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27969493/ten-nba-things-like-including-karl-anthony-towns-superstar-push
- MLB: Things I noticed or noted about the World Series
- Every single game outside of Game 1 was a three or more run blowout. Weird.
- The Astros couldn’t keep selfish Bryce Harper, and somehow his sadness somewhere watching the Series probably made a lot of people pretty happy.
- Mattress Mack out of Houston not only lost his initial multi-million dollar bet on the Astros, but lost his additional amount he put down after the first series. Total tally of losses/ mattress money (lol) for him was $13 million.
- At least the whole back and forth World Series took the microscope off the fired Assistant GM and his rude Osuna comments.
- Not one team won a home game…at all.
- I didn’t get enough Trump jokes for the game he attended.
- Max Scherzer left Game 7 down technically, but it was still a poor man’s version of Curt Schilling years ago…pitching hurt. Just lacking the bloody sock.
- The series seemed to have swung back fully to the Astros, and then that Turner-base path thing happened. Karma is a _____.
- If you missed Game 7, you missed the first time ever that two Cy Young winners faced each other in a Game 7 of the World Series.
- So, most people don’t know that the Astros and Nationals share the same exact clubhouse for spring training, so the very happy, very sad dynamic will continue in March. That will be PAINFUL for the Astros. At least Vegas is still propping the Astros odd-wise for 2020.
- Strasburg won the MVP deservedly, and what a nice comeback for a kid who was being put down for injury problems or underachieving during his early years.
- Yeah. I am sure that was Soto’s first beer.
- The Gerrit Cole situation was just weird. Why didn’t he pitch at a turning point in the game? Was it because he was saving himself for money? Probably not, but weird that he says thank you to fans and team the DAY after the loss. Let the paint dry, man.
- Finally, congrats to the Nats (hey, that rhymes). They weren’t the best team, but had the pitchers to hold people down run-wise, and then had a little destiny and timely hitting to avoid being eliminated against the best pitchers in the game like 4 or 5 times during the playoffs. Amazing run, and meant to be. I hear they have already messed up the trophy in Capitals style.
- MISCELLANEOUS: Tiger Woods just won a foreign tournament that no one outside of golf fans knew about. Tree. Forest. Sound. Leicester won 9-0 to set a new English league record, and that is the equivalent (in Jim Rome terms) of winning 126-0 in American football (Jim equates each soccer goal to two touchdowns in our football). I watched a special on Fred Cox and his invention of the Nerf football, and had no idea it stood for Non Expanding Recreational Football. Christian Pulisic continued his best American soccer player trend by scoring a hat trick, and he was so not used to doing this, that he almost forgot to take the traditional match ball.
- THIS AND THAT: Are suits and sneakers officially a “thing?” I was at a trade show and then a conference, and there were PLENTY of people dressed in that attire. I am excited and terrified about this Eddie Murphy comeback. The guy simply STOPPED being funny. It is a mystery of comedy like how Rick Ankiel was a mystery of pitching in baseball. He lost it. Hoping for the best, expecting the worst. I JUST got my wife hooked on Rosenberg bagels (a northeast thing) and they apparently are going out of business? That is horrible. Is SNL cutting cost when they have a host who is also the musical guest (Chance the Rapper most recently)? Weekend Update is still my favorite part of the show, aside from when the dumb Trump kid makes his appearance. SNL skits in general are weak these days, if you ask me. Linds and I have a very hard time NOT getting hooked on Forrest Gump when it is on any channel. This Colorado water plan that is paid for by casinos is brilliant. Good water, and those bad casinos are paying. Not sure what channel this Mandalorian show is on I see previews of, but I am not seeking it out. Not that big of Star Wars fan. I told someone the other day, when asked my level, I don’t know the names of the planets. Korn and Breaking Benjamin are touring in 2020, and you can count me IN. I missed the Roast of Halloween at Comedy Works this year, but will be catching the Roast of Christmas and you should too. Everyone roasting Jesus is edgy and fun. And the comedians usually get drunk, so 1-2 of them are totally out of whack. On The Voice, I think I am totally rooting for either Jake or Katie. Rock, country, soul…all covered. I have a question about this Domino’s insurance thing. By the time they mess up your order, aren’t you going to eat it anyway, be pissed, but not hungry anymore for that insurance replacement? I can’t speak for everyone, and I love Aaron Rodgers and Patrick MaHomes, but I think those State Farm commercials should be put out to pasture. If you feel like you accomplished a lot today, know that a man just got done doing all 14 peaks in the world…in 189 days. If you are feeling lucky today, know that a surfer jumped on a shark from his surfboard and came away with minor lacerations. If you are feeling like stealing something today, know that someone had more energy than you, and stole a ONE TON BOULDER from an Arizona park. If you are feeling too happy in this world today, don’t read the news about a Chicago 7 year-old getting shot while trick or treating. If you are wondering about QA and workflow, then wonder how “Sundae Bloody Sundae” made it out of the McDonald’s marketing meeting. If you think you have a funny looking nose, know that a prisoner went to the doctor because his nose was out of joint, but it was full of joint, as it still contained the hardened version of marijuana he had smuggled in 18 years before. If you think that people aren’t trying to recreate Snakes On A Plane, then know two people this week tried to smuggle in two actual live eels on a plane. Finally, sad to see this whole Deadspin editor/writer problem. Best site in the world is getting dismantled.
- THE FILLERBUSTER: We held our annual work conference at the Gaylord in Denver, and although the place was VERY nice and the view of the mountains was immaculate, I still think they could have blown some money on a big hill in the middle of everything and made the place NOT in the middle of nowhere by the airport. I have learned that tree trimming companies charge mad money, and that even though my initial quote requests went by cool names, Artistic Tree Care sounds too artsy but actually provided the best price (along with being #1 on Yelp). Barracuda’s in Cap Hill is closing sadly, and if you want one of the divest atmospheres that oddly delivers some really good food, check it out in the next week. I highly recommend, if you like animals, going to Broken Shovel Farm. I had no idea it even existed outside of Denver, and it is stocked with pet-able animals such as llamas, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, ponies, horses, etc. Oh, and puppies you can adopt. Our Stranger Things costumes were a hit, although we were the only two people in our downtown group dressed up. I love Denver, as the snow came, and a day later, the snow is mostly gone. I met Avery’s friend, who plays Disc golf, and I name dropped the only guy I personally know in the sport, and Skyler’s reaction signified that my friend wasn’t pulling my leg all those years…apparently David Poniatowski is a Colorado “legend” at the sport. Lindsey has been telling me we have to go to Truffle Table on a Wednesday for about 8 months. We finally went. If you like cheese, it is the place for you. I am excited about Motet on Saturday night (the default band of choice among most of our friends) and you should have gotten tickets. Closest thing to a 2000’s Earth Wind and Fire (that is somehow cool still) that you will hear. I like to do Movember, and my wife hates every single part of it. I have decided to start it out, and decide on November 11th as to whether I should nix it for my next work trip, or keep on rolling with the stache. We threw on our Stranger Things costume one more time on actual Halloween, but that was to get a $4 burrito at Chipotle. Linds put the cat costumes on (below), and they were inverted in acceptance, as the cool one ran and hid in her peacock outfit, and the skittish one sat on the couch with us in his bat wings. I put away my PC on Halloween and actively watched Hocus Pocus, one of Lindsey’s favorite Halloween movies. Finally, we live in a house, and had candy ready, but got ONE trick or treater total. But, it was a cute kid with parent dressed in a tiger costume who was excited, so I guess we should be happy we got to give ONE piece of candy.
- TWEET OF THE WEEK
(note: no official “pics from my Pixel,” but some Halloween pics below, if you care)
ALTERNATE CATEGORIES NOT MAKING CUT
- THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK (because the best song this week IS the best song ever…for now):
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE
- TRAVEL
- THIS WEEK’S LIST
- MY NUMBERS
- GONE FISHING (the riddle for money):
- PICS BY MY PIXEL (pictures from my phone):
- LIFEGUARD ENTRY
- NHL
The theme? Deadweight. The Day of the Dead in Mexico goes until November 2. My favorite workout song presently is Deadweight by I Prevail. And, I continue to try and clear the deadweight off this blog while still giving myself enough content and variables to enjoy writing it. Look at my “throw it in the pond” list. It is huge. I used to comment on ALL of those things way back when.
Oh, the song? Here you go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrB14M5PPa8
And our weekly reminder of the greatest sequel ever made coming out next summer… Top Gun 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSqVVswa420
TRUTH OF THE WEEK: Cream cheese should be added to everything, on everything, in all settings.
That’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed. Remember two things. First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf. Second, if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker. Will I blog again? That is a CLOWN question, bro. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, let’s get the flock out of here.
Don’t forget daylight savings time. Enjoy your week.
| THROW IT BACK IN THE POND |
| mahomes throwing |
| Cubs hiring David ross |
| harbaugh denies NFL interest |
| umpire Drake tweet |
| Alex Morgan pregnant |
| Butler misses heat opener personal reasons |
| yanks hicks surgery |
| shaq takes shot at espn studios |
| uswnt hires andonovski |
| new niagara coach resigns suddenly |
| diaz out of ufc 244 drug test |
| ol glenn-bengals rift |
| couture doing better after heart attack |
| mahomes out Sunday |
| oseleme doubtful no surgery |
| scandrick Jenkins |
| red Sox pick bloom |
| espn drops new mexico bowl because not real |
| Gordon to be released |
| bucs activate Pierre paul |
| Maia chokes out askren |
| horse dies santa anita |
| jets release osemele |
| diaz still to fight after drug test fail |
| rams still interested in trading, including talib |
| texans might trade hopkins? |
| hong kong protest before rockets game |
| kearse jailed dwi |
| Cali fires |
| LeBron evacuates |
| Adidas buying John wall out |
| baghdadi raid |
| pats re-sign cody kessler |
| hoodie says he might coach into 70’s |
| arians says refs aren’t accountable |
| mlnb bans women who flashed cole |
| yanks dismiss pitching coach |
| pirates fire gm |
| russ beats okc, no friends when i hoop |
| steelers connor injury |
| chargers fire whisenhunt |
| pat forde joining si.com to cover college sports |
| cerrone wants mcgregor to sign on |
| rockets ban fan who attacked pels coach |
| cali fires get worse |
| trent williams ends holdout |
| new york considering tackle ban for youngsters |
| scherzer cleared to pitch game 7 if needed |
Sounders reach mls final
Bregman apologizes for carrying bat to first base on hr
Jets adams says gm went behind his back
Trae young sprains ankle
Kd mcnabb rift social media
Women first time Saudi arabia wwe
Arena football about to go under
Nowitzki gets his own road
Embiid-towns ejected for fighting
Knicks bullock loses sister shooting
Michigan qb recruit forced to retire-heart issue
Trent Williams fails physical
Cromartie says he was released because of kneeling
Auburn backup qb Gatewood enters transfer portal
Bama fsu book home and home
KD says Draymond big reason he left
Flacco no surgery-out 4-6 weeks
Royals name matheny manager
Yanks opt out Encarnacion
New Sandusky claim abuse
Josh Gordon released by pats
Jets bell, gase clear air
Simmons role in fight
Msu’s bachie ineligible after failed drug test
| google home buy |
| Westworld feast |
| forward |
| little Maury food shack |
| night at drew and gini’s |
| balistreri winery-didn’t know Denver had a winery |
| When linds is away next week, watching the sinner show |
| fantasy basketball is harder in upkeep, a pain |
| nick brooke, costume night downtown |
| bills |
| Linds wedding dress shopping Kristin bride |
| finally going on fb to accept friends |
| never gone on fb from phone |
| nothing better than ordering pizza, watching football |
| sicilian pizza is the best |
| i really need to stop doing over unders |
| shining two |
| ordering taco bell-ruined dinner |
| Monday power hour sucks |
| wasn’t starting players in fantasy |
| squirrel likes linds pumpkin, not mine |
Picking mail holder-linds-she nixed mine and chose one that matched the house-I shouldn’t have been involved
| turkey day later this year |
| DD CO, water plan paid for by casinos |
| phils get girardi as manager |
| padres hire tingler |
Josh Hamilton charged with striking child
OL Williams cancer scare
| Nationals white house monday |
| NFL might suspend rb Collins |
| nuggets blown out |
| mlb free agent list out |
| ufc 244 |
| Georgia southern beats app state |
| over unders |
| Baylor wvu |
| mcgregor says returning to ring jan18 |
| hate when people get to work early and BS and make noise when I am working |
| Fletcher Cox scares burglar with shotgun |
| Gordon ir pats done |
| pats trade de bennett to cowboys |
| skins lose 19-9 |
| skins change qb again |
| ap sixth now Viking fans cheer |
| fan tries to wear out brady jersey from pats hof |
| talk of brady “leaving?” |
| philly bills |
| bears kicker blows it late again |
| packers cheifs |
| 49ers panthers |
| pats-browns |
| packers chiefs |
| JJ watt injury |
| nfl trade deadline |
Green wants long term contract or let me go
| usc cu Friday |
David johnson injured, out
| mac jones first start bama |
| oregon washington state |
| minn, smu still undefeated |
| oklahoma state over iowa state |
| tech block fg |
| lsu new #1 |
boomer sooner wagon foreshadowing
marvin Harrison jr commits to buckeyes
| lebron home struggles-fire |
James conner is doubtful
Beltran next mets manager
Flacco goes on IR officially
49ers lb alexander out for season
Osu wr Wallace done for year
Steelers fined for big ben injury silence
