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Saturday, November 6, 2010

JOCKEY FIGHT!!!

Just when you thought Calvin Borel couldn't get more ridiculous....

Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Day We Didn't Kill Star



No worries everyone - Star survived our super fun Grand Canyon hike.
First off we caught the 7am bus to South Kaibab Trail head. But to backtrack in the story just a bit...the food on the rim of the G.C. is terrible, almost indigestible. People come from all over the world to visit the G.C. and they feed them total crap. So despite our encounter with half-raw pizza the evening before, Star recovered enough to give the go-ahead, although it was touch and go for a bit.

The weather was perfect - just a bit chilly for the start. South Kaibab starts out at 7260 ft and drops down to 3870 ft in a hurry (4.6 mi) to Tipoff point- where we turned west on Tonto trail.
Tonto trail rolled along, I was hoping for more bike path, but that's not the case. It crossed two small streams and skirted side canyons. Including one Star & I renamed - One Mis-step And Welcome Into The Canyon Of Death Abyss - not the catchiest, but we were under a bit of stress. The trail we followed wasn't very wide, and as you can see below it came across the face of a shale covered slope that was at the edge of a sheer drop into the canyon. It was easily the scariest part the trip (even scarier than the pizza). In the picture below you can barely see the trail about 30 feet from the edge. yeah, that scary,

We rolled into Indian Gardens and stopped for a lunch of delicious beef sticks, crackers and peanut butter (it's better then you think). Indian Gardens is a popular stop for lunch the the benches were full of all kinds of hikers. The European's were easily identified by their baguettes and chunks of cheese, the Americans by their powerbars.
Then we headed up Bright Angel Trail. Climbed 3800 ft to 6860 ft in 4.9 miles to the top. It was totally easy, except for the hiking part. Actually we ripped it up - got up in 2hrs 45 mi which is pretty good, didn't get passed by many but passed plenty. There's water 3 miles and 1.5 miles from the top, so we stopped to rest and eat a bit at those but otherwise just kept going.
Then we ate doritos.
For those keep score at home - that's 13.8 miles, about 6000 ft of elevation, in just over 7 hours (with a 1/2 hour lunch). Yep, we owned the Grand Canyon. Not really, but it's fun to say. Below are more pics.






Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Rainbow Argyle?

What would that look like? We'll find out next year and how a God can rock it!! Yeah, our favorite Viking out kicked everyone else to the line in the World Champions down in Australia. Now next year when he joins Garmin, he'll be sportin' the argyle in all the colors.
And congrats to our favorite Swiss rider for winning the time trial....4th in a row. He's really fast on a bike. And David Millar won silver, good on 'im!
In other cycling news:
Milram has dropped thier sponsorship, so no more kits with blue cow spots (frowny face).
Alberto Contador has got himself in a mess (heavy sigh).
-Star

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Yep, it's NBA time already

Well, I know it's been awhile. But finally, after a long and terribly scorching summer of being forced to watch the D-backs it's NBA training camp! Yeah! I know. Exciting stuff.
Your Phoenix Suns brought back Grant Hill and Steve Nash and other guys you don't know. Amar'e bolted for the asphalted pastures in New York. Because the Knick are so good and D'Antoni will never make him learn defensive rotations (that's pure speculation, not the defensive rotation part).
Sorry Boo, but Lou bolted for higher paying pastures also. He signed with Golden State where by default he will be the hardest working player. Since they fired Nellie as their "Coach" they might be good. Kidding. Will not be good. But the bench will reek of run less with Nellie gone.
Goran is back! El Dragon attempted to grow a mustache over the summer. But the results were fairly embarrassing, and also represented Slovenia at the FIBA Worlds. Yes, Slovenia has enough athletes to field a team.
Tonight MPSteve has his 30 for 30 documentary on ESPN. Am assuming it will make me bawl like a baby.
And you can read about Kurt Warner's DWTS here.
Good to be back.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

I Heart Tyler and Taylor...

Tyler Farrar won the last stage of the Vuetla a Espana over Cavendish!! Cav ended up winning the green jersey, but not with out some crying.
Taylor Martinez, or T-Magic as we all like to call him, is fast, too. He might be the savior of Husker football.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tyler Farrar is Fast!!!

How fast, you ask? Faster then everyone else in Spain today!! Yeah him!! Tyler passed Cav at the finish.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!

I haven't been this excited for football in a few seasons, but Bo's got me all geared up!

Not sure why, since we are losing the best defensive player in all of college last year, and our offense gives me no reason to believe we will be be any better than the anemic version we saw last year. But blindly optimistic, I am, nonetheless.

I also yearn for the crisp football Saturday weather, too. This sauna where I live is kind of getting on my nerves.

GBR

Adios Big XII

-boo

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

And now for a little soccer fun...

I just can't get enough of the Icelandic Soccer celebrations.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Post Tour

I was going to do a post on all my thoughts of the Tour, blah, blah, blah, then I stumbled on a little more info on the Jens crash, which explains this. And then there was more Jens videos. Oh Jens.
My only regret for this tour, besides not enough Jens, was that I didn't get to mention Lars "here comes the" Boom.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Oh Alberto,

you were suppose to put minutes into Andy on the time trial. Will this now be known as the Unchained Tour?
Ryder did really well, moving up to 7th, but that won't be without some questions as well.
File this under another unusual Dave Z interview. There's a lot in that file.
-Star

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Col du Tourmalet

Andy and Al made the rest of the peloton look like they had tassels at the end of their handle bars and a basket in front. They are so the top 2 riders in this years Tour. And given a chance the sheep could have totally taken them down. Why do the sheep in France look a lot like goats?

Carlos Sastre did a hell of a impression of Jens Voigt today. And I do have to agree with him, the Tour is a bike race, not a bike ride.

Riders that impressed me today (besides the A's):
Sammy Sanchez - I totally thought he was having a heart attack, but he just crashed and had the wind knocked out of him, and then finishes in the 5.
Chris Horner - Jumped all the way into the top 10 in the GC.
Chris is a happy dude. Last year's Tour of California. Just hangin' in the parking lot.

The winner doesn't always have the best salute across the line.
Jens, Jens, Jens, I had to watch this a couple of times. Good stuff.
-Star

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Move on Andy, Al and fans,

the French press said so. Because they want to talk about all their riders winning stages, as they did again today. It's like they feel at home.
Some teams have tension when riders don't see eye to eye, and some teams are AG2R. ** clenched teeth** Don't ...... pissoff .... the .... Irish.
Have I mentioned that Thor is a rock star? He's back in green!!
Ivan Basso's not feeling good. I think he needs a hug.
-Star

Monday, July 19, 2010

Little Thomas Voeckler..

has it been that long since we last saw your odd, painful peddling style up a large mountain in France? I swear it was just yesterday we saw him swerving up a mountain singing to himself.
The big controversy is Alberto Contandor attacking Andy Schleck when he lost his chain. I don't think it constituted booing at the yellow jersey presentation. They are both kind of showoffs. But now Andy have a belly full of anger and he will take his revenge. I prefer my belly full of BLTs, less indigestion.
The pride of Canada is in 10th!!!! Rock on Ryder, just don't get too excited.
I will miss Robbie Hunter, who else is going to find out what riders do on their rest day?
Has anyone else missed George this year?
-Star

Aww... why did you have to do that...

C'mon, Andy, why'd you have to go and cut all your hair off?? You have to get to about 40 sec into this video.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Another rule....

no headbutting. Add that to the no crying and not motors in cycling. I'm sure no punching is also a rule. It's hard to keep up with all of them.
To the stage: Tyler was robbed. He could have given Cav a run for his money if he wouldn't have been slowed by Renshaw and Ali-Jet. Renshaw acctually looked behind him and saw Tyler coming up and pushed him into the barriers. Not cool.
It's acctually kind of nice to have a rider kicked out of the tour for aggressive rideing rather then doping, with I guess is a form of aggressive riding.
And for something completely different, humor.
-Star

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Happy Bastille Day!

Usually the stage is tailor made of a French rider...but they've already won 3 stages and have had the yellow jersey, they can get over it. Instead a Portuguese won.
Cyclists are crazy, some are more crazy then others.
Have I mentioned how awesome Jens Voigt is? On Tuesdays stage Jens burned 6000 calories and when Robbie Ventura asked how he did it...Jens just told his legs to shut up and prayed that they'd listen to him.
Way to pay attention Boo, Tyler Farrar is only 12 minutes out of the lanton rouge.
-Star

Monday, July 12, 2010

In other news...

I thought on rest day we would hear about Mardy winning his tournament. Had to beat Olivier Rochus (5' 6") in the final. Would like to see him play Dr. Ivo (6'10").

Also, Lil, have kind of lost touch with the NBA Free Agency market. From what I hear on ESPN, only like 2 guys have done anything. Some dude formerly (and never to return to) from Cleveland and some other tall guy.

But I want to know what my boy Lou is up to. He's a small fry, (not you Channing, I said fry, not Frye) and they don't get any love.

-boo

Happy Birthday, Big Guy. I know you don't read this, but just in case....

Sunday, July 11, 2010

What's the price of your soul?

I haven't found the right price for mine, yet. But the price of Lance Armstong's is 7 Tours de France, fame and fortune. Last year the Devil just chuckled at Lance and gave him a taste, and today the Devil just got sick of him asking.
Andy Schleck got to show off his guns in victory salute today.
So what's up with Alberto? I don't know for sure, but I always have an opinion. I don't think he quite had the legs, they said it was slightly flat right at the finish and that's not AC's strong suit. As well as AC covered a lot of moves in the last few k's that Andy Schleck did not have to. I do know that AC does not want the yellow jersey yet, even though his team looked very impressive in the mountains today. Andy does have a strong team that could defend a yellow jersey, but Cadel doesn't have the team to defend it, especially for 2 weeks.
Why Dave Z has been minutes behind the peloton on every stage.
Folks on the side of final mountain: a knight, a fan waving a German flag while wearing American flag hot pants (had to check replay on my DVR for that one), a dinosaur, lots of other drunk Europeans.
-Star

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ali-Jet won again

Was a boring stage and I wasn't going to post, but then found this video of Dave Z, and that led me to a bunch of behind the Argyle scenes by Robbie Hunter (my favorite South African cyclist).
Enjoy.
-Star

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Thor is the God of Thunder

And when you go and piss him off and neutralize a stage he could win, he'll just go out and win the next stage. I don't think Cav has a prayer trying to get the green jersey from Thor. Cav's a bit of a pansy.
Ryder is a rockstar.
The cobbles broke one of the Schlecks. And Jens is not happy about that.
Garmin-Transitions would like a do-over on this Tour. After today, so would Lance.
Chris Horner likes to talk, but isn't that good at predictions.
-Star

Monday, July 5, 2010

Bloody Hell...

More crashes, one really bad one, left some in tears, others pissed and sent some to the hospital. We were left with 1 rider actually racing to the finish and everyone else protesting.
Just wait until they reach the pave tomorrow.
-Star

Sunday, July 4, 2010

There was a crash caused by a dog,

then in the last 3 k there was another crash around a corner, then another crash, and another crash. I think I'm getting road rash just writing about it.
Ali-Jet won the stage, but that isn't the story.

-Star

Saturday, July 3, 2010

SPARTICUS!

Fabian Cancellarra put his stamp on the Tour prologue, soundly beating the field. Fab's quote at the finish "After the race, they scanned my bike, and I said to them 'You better scan me, because I am the motor.'"
Surprises:
Tyler Farrar - that he did so well.
Bradley Wiggins - that he did so poorly.
Dave Zabriskie - lost 40 sec in less then 9 k.
And the really big losers where these boys.

In other sports news, congrats to Serena Williams for taking it to that poor little Russian girl. And a "what the what?" to Brazil and Argentina. Now they're going to take it out on some rain forest and plant some soybeans.

-Star

Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's coming....

With le Tour just days away everyone is narrowing down their list of riders to watch. Requirements to make those lists probably aren't the same as mine. I doubt dimples, eyes and nice grills are taken into much account by them.
In no particular order the rider, nationality, team and what not:
Gregory Rast - Swiss - RadioShack. Look at the jawline. You'll see him in the front during the flat stages if RadioShack is in yellow.
Yaroslav Popovich - Ukranian - RadioShack. He just puts a smile on my face. When the road turns up he'll be helping the big shots his team, but after awhile he'll drop back.
Ivan Basso - Italian - Liquigas. He actually is really good, winning the Giro in May, but that's not how he made the list. Watch for him near the podium.
Gerald Ciolek - German - Milram. His nickname is Mr. Adorable and these kind of names aren't just given out willy-nilly. He's a sprinter, so he'll be around at the end of flat stages.
George Hincapie - American - BMC. He's Cap't America, the only super power he doesn't have is the ability to avoid crashes...dang, that's the only one he really needs. Look for him to ride in the front for kilometer after kilometer after kilometer.
Thor Hushovd - Norway - Cervelo. He's the God of Thunder. He'll be battling the other spinters on the flat stages, or making crazy breakaways on mountain stages to win the green jersey.
Fabian Cancellara - Swiss - Saxo Bank. He's Fabulous, really that's his name, he usually just goes by his middle name, Fabian. I can guarantee he'll be in the front over the pave in stage 3, and will win the time trials.
Tyler Farrar - American - Garmin-Transitions. Get over the freckles and red hair. When he crosses the line ahead of Cavendish in a sprint everyone smiles.
Mick Rogers - Australian - Columbia. He's cute and Australian...need I say more. He could make a run at the podium.

On a sad note: my boy Chechu Rubiera will not be in the peloton at le Tour and I'm not sure how I'm going to tell my eyes that this.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOCK!!!!
-Star

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Strange days...

The obscure sports gods are going crazy.

First, in the final CWS game at Rosenblatt, the Gamecocks win an extra inning doozy with a walk-off single. Even at 2-1, the game seemed to go on forever. But the 'Blatt isn't done, you can still see the ORoyals and the new UFL Nighthawks (starring Ahman Green!)

Then Wimbledon went nuts today. The Williams sisters were the first to go, followed in close order by the Bryan Bros. In the big shocker, Tomas Berdych, my new favorite Czech, took down Rogerer. Shocking, but pretty cool.

That was for you, Natalie!!!

-boo

Monday, June 28, 2010

I am just a puppet

The obscure sports gods have spoken, by eliminating the US from the World Cup, taking down Andy Roddick at Wimbledon, they want us to use these 5 days to get ready for the best event of the obscure sports calender: le Tour de France.
Now, I won't bombard you with information, but to get your schedule ready for the first 3 weeks in July please follow the guide provided on which days you will have to call in sick. I've already cleared my calender.
One of the integral characters of le Tour that will not be far from the spotlight will be Mark Cavendish. Due to this crash he caused less then 2 weeks ago, Tom Boonen and Heinrich Haussler are out of le Tour. Sprinters beware, Cav will take you out, literally.
-Star

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Big day. Big day.

Man.

I'm lucky I got anything done at work.....

I heart Landon. I hate that it is winter in SA. Keeping their shirts on, dang it.

Poor John Isner. Un-freaking-believable. He looks completely exhausted. And justifiably so.

-boo

Friday, June 18, 2010

Everybody does the CWS Top 10 list....

…how about 5 or 6 things to avoid when visiting Omaha, and maybe what to do instead…

#1 Zesto’s – Yes, it is decent ice cream and they ALWAYS mention it on TV, but the wait is ridiculous and it is just plain ol’ soft serve. Instead, try Ted & Wally’s down in the Old Market. Homemade, with some crazy flavors. (Pabst Blue Ribbon Ice Cream!!) The wait can also be long, but at least it is inside, with AC.

#2. Pauli’s – Completely overrated. Pay $5 cover to stand in a parking lot and use Porta-Johns. I don’t even think the ESPN crew goes there anymore. The Crescent Moon on 36th and Farnam has many microbrews on tap and can lay claim as one of Warren Buffett’s favorite bars. He had both A-Rod and LeBron there for lunch. (Not at the same time, however.)

#3. Old Market restaurants – Most of the locals know to stay away during this weekend, but there is still a huge wait for most of the places down there. However, if you must, make sure you try the local, non-chain places. Upstream, Stokes, M’s Pub. Omaha Prime if you want to spend some $$$. But reasonable compared to Scottsdale!

#4. Henry Doorly Zoo – Don’t be ridiculous. It is a great zoo, most of the time. But everybody and their brother will try to go this week. No parking and wall-to-wall strollers. Couldn’t pay me enough.

#5. Tailgating at Rosenblatt – They have made it much harder this year, what with the border security fence and all. Just drink at one of the many beer gardens, there is even one with AC!

#6 Beach balls at the game. AARRRGGG!!!!! **fists shaken at General Admissions sections** C'mon people. These college games are slow enough as it is. No stoppage of play, please!!! If you are going to do that, make sure it is between innings, and put them away before the first pitch. (Damn kids, get off my lawn!!!) If you are well-behaved, maybe the free Twizzler dude in left field GA will share with you. And leave those vuvuzelas at home. That is a trend we DO NOT need to bring to the US.


File this under “several birds, one stone”… Rent a bike from Greenstreet Cycles, which is right across the street from the new stadium, ride it past the Qwest Center and over the Bob Kerrey bridge, (not much to see in Iowa – return quickly) and then have a good lunch at Goodnight Pizza when you return it. (get a workout, see new stadium, tour downtown, see bridge, eat… check, check, check and check)

-boo

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Bye Bye 'Blatt

Or at least the College World Series at Rosenblatt. Here are a few things I'll miss about the ol' biddy:
- Zesto's, such delicious ice cream, with a beer garden in the back.
- The Church Bar, it's a bar in an old church across the street from the front gate....will never be duplicated. OK - which do you like better, the ice cream parlor beer garden, or the bar in a church?!?!?
- No cup holders - who needs 'em? Of course, they don't serve beer, so who really does need 'em.
- Sitting next to strangers and it's 95 degrees with a heat index of 105, clear blue sky, no breeze and it's only the second inning. nasty plastic seats, sweat dripping from behind your knees. Yuck.
- Sitting down in your seat and banging your knees against the back of the seat in front of you.
- Still no cup holders - the less you drink, the less bathroom breaks. Well, I'm getting a little parched, but I hate those long lines.....
- Either paying $20 to park in some guys front yard a couple blocks from the ball park, or finding a FREE spot on the street and it's within a few miles of the ball park. You will need the long walk to sober up after the Church bar.
- Compact concourses. Hot and air-less, as well.
- Bathrooms that were built with the park, in 1940.
- And last but not least no cup holders - I think I might pass out now from dehydration. I'm taking some Jesus water for the long walk back to the car....

-Star
-boo

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Greatest Show on Dirt!!

Every year I struggle to pick a team to cheer for during the CWS, because that is what we are supposed to do up here in Omaha. With the exception of 91(Creighton) and 01, 02 and 05 (Nebraska), we just don't have anybody local to cheer for. So we pick a team, buy the cheesy shirt and sit in the hot GA bleachers to cheer on some kids that are actually trying to win.
That being said, I have to admit something upfront. There is only one team that I have been a fan of for as long as I can remember. The Husker football team. There. It is out there, my prejudice is exposed for the world to see.

So I view the CWS entrants through my football-shaped red-hued glasses. Therefore; here are my rankings.

#1 TCU - The Horned Frogs. They are newbies, which is always thrilling, The crowd will be behind them. Not to mention, they knocked out the Evil Empire (Texas) to get here. Feel good story of the year. Easy pick for the top. Not sweating the FB team. Their mascot looks so cute and cuddly.
#2 ASU - The opposite of TCU- the Sun Devils are regular visitors to Omaha. Never-the-less, they are a likable bunch. Ex-coach Pat Murphy generated a lot of good will, with him gone, not sure who the "go-to"quote maker will be. Also, their FB team has done nothing to bother me lately. Like win. They may melt in the humidity.
#3 South Carolina - They used to make it up to Omaha all the time, but haven't been here in a few years. They are a big favorite of the teenage boy fan group due to their mascot. For some reason, they like the Gamecock... They are harmless, and their FB team is struggling, even with the old ball coach. They rose above the others, simply because I like seeing Spurrier lose.

After this it gets a little murkier. The splits are much smaller in the remaining placings, with some being nearly imperceptible. I have two separate groupings, with one more disliked than the other.

#4-#5 - Oklahoma and UCLA - I know I should cheer for OU since they are in the same conference, and their shortstop is named Bushyhead, but since the ties have been severed, (and with a VERY sharp knife!) I don't feel the loyalty. However, I will place them above UCLA on the basis of their stripy old school socks. UCLA drops down due to the baby blue color scheme. The FB coaches alone could have placed this category. Got to respect Stoops, a class act, and we beat OU this year. (YEA!!) UCLA is coached by the guitar-playing, sweatervest-wearing "Skippy Neuheisel. Not a fan. At all. Oklahoma? You mean the University of Texas - Norman, I feel sorry for the spineless. And does UCLA plan on playing in flip flops and boardshorts?
#6-#8 - Clemson, FSU and Florida - OK, I don't like any of these guys. Clemson beat NU for their first (and only) National Championship way back in 81. I have yet to forgive them. They seem to think they are way better than they really are. Florida State beat NU for their first NC back in 93. At least they beat Miami in the Super Regional so we only have to deal with 2 FL teams. Which leads me to Florida. Why do I hate them, you ask? We kicked them up and down the field for our last NC back in 97, but I still don't like them. And you can't make me.

Enjoy the series, pick a team and cheer hard!!! (or at least drink a few.)
-boo
-Star

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Ouchie,

for those that watch races for the crashes.
There have been a few abandons, the worst was a broken hip.
-Star

New Conference Name

How about BIGger than TEN. Gives them room to grow.
As for the new name of the old Big Twelve - How about 'I don't give a sh*t'?

And a Happy Tuesday to You

I <3> the World Cup.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Zack Grienke wins..

for the second time this season!!
Yes, I know it's the middle of June, so does he.

-Star

Friday, June 11, 2010

Murray gets beat by a Fish

In the Queen's Club Scot Andy Murray got beat by little ol' American Mardy Fish. Mardy said "it's getting dark" the ump agreed, which made Andy bloody pissed. So they all come back the next and and Mardy won in the 3rd game tie break. And Andy cried over his tea and scones.

-Star

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

World Cup & Steve Nash, a marriage made in heaven

Ready for the World Cup? Si!!!
Here's a link to convince you. (leave proper amount of time for appreciation, absorbent towel for slobber) The Steve Nash tie in (cause there always is one) he's covering the WC for CBS. Watch for video postings - I'll be sure to post them.
Here's another thing that's funny - I don't agree with her Steve Nash congratulatory pats, but she's a girl I could drink with. We should have her as a guest columnist.
-Lilli

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Happy Birthday Lilly!!!

As I watch Rafa play "Calvin", here's hoping you have a great birthday, and you don't cook down there in Phoenix!

-boo

Monday, May 31, 2010

A big Thank You to....

the Magic, the Suns, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, and the Bryan Brothers for freeing up my evenings and my DVR. Now maybe I'll get something done around this house.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Roland Garros, anyone?

...or as they refer to in when speaking of American men's results... Roland Gross. Can any of the current American men make it out of the second round? Andy is the best chance and he is hopeless on clay. Sam Querry was seeded, but got knocked out by Tommy Robredo. (ed. note - don't know what I was thinking, Robby Ginepri beat him. Must have gotten distracted by Tommy...)

For the French, however, nothing is more interesting than Venus' outfits. Frankly, just because you can wear lingerie to work, doesn't mean you should. No less than 7 questions in her press conference were in reference to fashion. After the Australian Open outfit, this should have not raised eyebrows.

For those of you expecting a detailed and comprehensive breakdown of the tennis being played in Paris, sorry.

In a nutshell, Rafa and Darth Federer will battle in the men's final, with maybe one Williams girl in the women's final. But on clay, I would expect Justine to make it and play one of the "ugly Russian girls". (direct quote from the Dirtman!)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Cycling run down

The stage today in the Giro d'Italia was a mountain time trial, 13 K's long, 1 K of climbing, with parts over 20%, and other parts were dirt. It wasn't even wide enough for cars, so the directors and mechanics had to ride motorcycles. Who comes up with crazy s*&t like this? Italians!! But one of their crazier ideas is to start the 2012 Giro in D.C., which I am totally ok with. Bring on the crazy ideas, believe me, I've got a judgement gun that can blow huge holes into any bad ideas.
Anyhoo the stage was won by Stefano Garzelli, Cadel put some time into Ivan Basso, Carlos Sastre and Vino. But with 4 mountian top stages left in the Giro, it's far from over.
The Tour of CA finale was on Sunday, which was won by Mick Rogers (which I've met, ahem...sorry, stalked before), second was crazy Dave Zabriskie, third was little Levi Leipheimer. And my favorite Canadian cyclist won the last stage! Ok, he's the only Canadian cyclist I know of. I wonder if he knows Steve Nash? The Argyle Armada was the winning team, as well.
What's the difference between Italy and California?
-Star

It's Hockey Night in the NBA

According to Coach Gentry.


My favorite part of this sequence - Grant's face.
Grant: "Oh, man Steve, your nose is totally...
Steve: "Eh, I got it."
Grant: "You're a freak, you know that?"

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Yesterday was a really good sports day...

...for me at least. It would have been great except that the Royals lost in extra innings, stinkin' Orioles.
It all started in Italy, thanks to Tyler Farrar taking his second stage in the Giro. Garmin so dominated that his leadout Julian "Kiwi Guy" Dean ended up getting 3rd. And looks who's pretty in pink. And look who's just pretty.
Today, on the other hand, was fruit basket upset. Long story short: a huge break got a bunch of time and was never caught. The contenders that had lost a bunch of time earlier (Wiggins and Sastre) are now back in it with Vino, Cadel and Ivan. Seriously? These guys are professionals?
Second, the Tour of California had a pivotal stage that was won by Dave Zabriskie in a break ahead of Levi Leipheimer (3 time winner on TOC) and Mick Rogers (a cutie pie). Oh the joy on Dave's face. And oh, the joy on my face to see Chechu again. Steven Cozza is musta-tastic again!!
Today's stage was won by Chicchi over Cav, that's unusual.
I would have posted all this last night, except I was watching the Huskers take the bats to Creighton (sorry Jock, they're even too obscure for you).

Monday, May 17, 2010

WCF drinking game!!!

Fluctuating between feeling very pukey and strangely confident? Yes, it is Game 1 of the WCF tonight, where sus Soles attempt to do the impossible and ignore Phil Jackson and his mental jiujitsu, but it's hard because he's a giant and sits in a giant court side chair.
Do yourself a favor and turn on the game just to see Stevie's multi-color face/eye spotlighted in the ridiculous lighting of the Staples center. Then go back to the Royals, DWTS, or whatever fills your evening-making up songs about Nugget?, Organizing your 684 photos of vacation beer? :)
So, how's this gonna go? Well, I can make a case for a 7 game series, but my homer-iffic take is Suns in 5.5. I think they show tremendous depth of rib, look great on the move...oh wait, um. I think they are strong of mind and heart. Will play loose, but with an edge. Trust each other, the game plan and the coaching staff. (In Alvin We Trust) Okay, I guess I don't know how it'll go, but here's a couple things to count on (drinking game!!)
1. Kobe will make angry hamster overbite face at his own fist. (most likely to happen in 4th quarter)
2. Kobe will make "you guys are terrible face" at own teammates (most likely Sasha, who will deserve it)
3. Kobe will make "I'm just turning around like this" motion with elbows, aiming at Grant's head & throat (x 2,397 times per game)
4. Pau will make "Si, you know my hair is fantastic" hair toss. Steve will counter with "eh, but see the silkiness & manageability of my locks" disdainful toss back. Touché.
5. Pau will have Dirk-esque awkward flail towards basket for the and 1.
6. Amar'e will get pissed. Steve will get pissed. Channing will get pissed. Grant? he'll be so above that. Lou? just go ahead and try it. Abraham Lopez? Don't try it, I think he's wound pretty tight right now.
7. Ron Ron will walk that fine line between Lord of the Flies and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. (its only a fine line for him)

Friday, May 14, 2010

YEA, I'm back!


This is how big a beer is in Germany. Flex drank a lot of them.
And here is your update on obscure sports watched on Eurosport with German commentary:
1. The guy with the blond fauxhalk made a stunning comeback in snooker. I think he won.

2. Two teams played handball.
3. Munich won their soccer championship. Happy!

4. Some other people played cricket and I have no idea how that game works.

5. The USA is doing rather poorly in a hockey tournament. Got beat by Finland. Really, America?

6. LOTS of hype for the World Cup.
Oddly enough, I only got to see a little bit of the prologue of the Giro. Pretty hard to believe....

Jock

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Jock's back!!!

Flex and Jock are back from across the pond... and they didn't even hit the ash cloud.

Can't wait to hear all about drinking and fun-stomping!!!

-boo

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Just couldn't escape without some blood


From Steve Nash's twitter today: "A 3 year old at the park just asked me why I have a bandaid on my face. Me: I bumped into someone's elbow. Kid: what was his name? Me: Tim"

Dragic goes Nova (music by Violent Femmes) courtesy Hardwood Paroxysm

Monthly unrelated Lady Gaga cover (not it's not Johnny)


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Giro - Stage 2

Today's stage was a crash-tasterphy, except if you're Tyler Ferrer, then it was crash-tastic! He won it all in a stage that was flat with no wind, if only those stinkin' Dutch wouldn't have put up all that road furniture, not as many riders would have hit the deck.
Bradley Wiggins is out of the Maglia Rosa after crashing twice and Cadel Evans is in it.
The main goal of the Argyle Armada (Garmin-Transitions) is to get the Maglia Rosa at some point in the next week. Their best chance is stage 4, the Team Time Trial. They currently have 2 riders within 4 seconds of the lead.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Happy Giro!!

Yes, today is the opening day of the first Grand Tour of the year, the Giro d'Italia!! Only it wasn't in Italy, it was in Amsterdam, that's close to Italy right?
Bradley Wiggins won the stage with a moster ride that barely beat a new American rider on the BMC Team, Brent Bookwalter. I've never heard of him either.
The top rider in argyle was David Millar in 7th, 6 sec back. Gustav Larsson ended up in 8th, 7 sec back, remeber him? He's tall!
Vino was somewhere in the top 10, just to make sure we don't forget about him. Another rider that we'll never forget was there too, to make our eyes happy.

One stage down, 65 more to go!

That just happened...again

Wow. Goran Dragic just gave hope to pasty left handers throughout Slovenia. Beno who? Goran Dog, who appears to be twelveteen (but just turned 24 on Thursday) came in for Steve with 2 mins left in the 3rd and proceeded to dismantle the Spurs, I guess "the Spurs own our soul" doesn't translate. I think Coach Gentry was satisfied that Goran evolved into "serviceable back-up point guard" but somehow during halftime he got switched to "cold-blooded killer who can't miss" and proceeded to go 10-13, 4-4 from 3, in the last 13:05 of the game. Dragic was reading the Spurs so well he probably knows what Duncan is gonna have for dinner tonight.
Anyway, am filled with wary giddiness. Go Los Suns!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Yes, that just happened

Okay, I'm in disbelief that your Suns are up 2-0 on the Spurs, but I'm Duncan Faced about how they managed to win game 2. The Spurs shoot like the Suns and your Suns rebounded and hustled like the Spurs, so I guess that makes up down, Gracie the good dog and Friday's drink of choice plain tonic with lime. What the?
Planet Orange as a whole, and me as an individual, have some serious scars from past Spurs-inflicted heartbreak and this beating them is confusing, like Bill Simmons' writes about the Sun's crowd:"When the wrong call or break goes against them, 40 years of torture quickly bubble to the surface and every defense mechanism kicks in. It's tangible. You can feel it. They totally believe in this team ... only they totally don't. If that makes sense."
Tonight your Suns try to steal a game in San Antonio. The half glass full of gin & tonic says "awesome, win one in San An and it's all over but the crying", the half empty g&t glass says "the Spurs are setting you up for epic heartbreak and devastation, and you won't be surprised at all when this happens." This article explains it better.
PS. Oh Noes! the same Witch Doctor that shrunk Channing's head has gotten to George Hill! Now you'll never find a headband that fits.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Los Suns

Well, game 1 was a pleasant surprise. Floppy haired Steve Nash looked 200 times better than game 6 in Portland, he cut through the Spurs defense like a hot knife through Chunky Monkey, ended up scoring 17 in the first quarter. Timmah was shocked, SHOCKED!
Los Suns held off two runs by the Spurs, I think Coach Gentry gave these guys a spine infusion. Instead of holding hands and singing around the campfire, Los Suns stepped up on defense and executed on offense. Manu was shocked, SHOCKED!
Game 2 tonight, we shall see what the Spurs come out with. My guess? The Wall Street Journal, Bud heavy and a Lee Greenwood CD.

Monday, May 3, 2010

In Nash we trust

Ugh. Tonight your Suns open round two against the Spurs (cue ominous music, sick feeling in pit of stomach, irrational hatred of Eva Longoria-a bedazzled Spurs shirt? really? How very Texas of you, yes, that's an insult). The Spurs have knocked the Suns out of of the playoffs 16 times in the last 10 years, and in the most bizarre/heart breaking ways possible - Nash's bleeding nose, Horry's hip check, Timmah's 3 pointer. Let me put this in way, its like getting beat by Barry Switzer coaching the Yankee's from USSR (circa 1980).
Piling on the broken heart is that the style of basketball the Spurs play hurts my eyes, and makes me bored/angry/bored/frustrated, it just makes Len angry, very angry...so tonight I'll watch from the treadmill and let him kill zombies on the wii.
So where does the smart money go? I don't know. I think the Sun's have a pretty good chance, but a lot of that hinges on holding home court. Or maybe Manu & Pepe Le Pu will forget to pack their papers and Sheriff Idiot will throw them out...Oh Arizona *head desk* only you could make the Nebraska legislature look less crazy.


Sunday, May 2, 2010

"I'm so sorry...

until someone else pisses me off." That's not a direct quote from Mark Cavendish, but it could have been.
-star

***first May post!!!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Don't try this with Kobe...

At about 1:30 into this video, check out Jared Dudley mocking Steve's voodoo warm-up freakishness.
Don't your worry your pretty little heads more Suns to come.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Monday, April 26, 2010

VINO...the cyclist, not the drink (updated twice)

Love him or hate him (and sometimes both at the same time) he's back. This last Sunday Alexandre "Vino" Vinokourov won the last Classic of the season, Liege - Bastogne - Liege. Much to the chagrin to some fans at the finish, and the media afterwards. But Vino's not going to put up with that, and will definitely add interest to the rest of the season (rubbing hands together).
On a note that makes my eyes sad, Karsten Kroon is having facial reconstruction surgery today. I know it's not a name I throw around a lot here, but believe me it should be. He did the whole "face catch me" with 70 km left in Fleche Wallone and turned into a bloody mess (open with caution). I prefer the precrash photos.

UPDATE: Karsten's surgery went well, with little to no scarring. It's a good day.
MORE UPDATE: The Mark Cavendish vs. Andre Greipel saga is still going. I guess someone will have a new team next year.

EVEN MORE UPDATE: Mark Cavendish is going to make this season interesting. This salute in Britain is same as flipping the bird in the U.S.
-star

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

CALM DOWN!!!

Okay, couldn't write about playoff game 1 for the Suns, was too busy breathing into that paper bag. Luckily, your Suns won game 2...disaster avoided, world is righted- or at least slightly better.
Game 2: Grant Hill was BOOM! DEFENSE on Andre Miller, which caused him to pull a Sastre (major tour edition). In the battle of made-up names at power forward Amar'e was one apostrophe better then LaMarcus. And CanJez was CanJez with a trick shot on top and 16 to 1 assist to turnover ratio...delicious.
As far as the rest of playoffs:
Forget about the east till round two.
Kobe's V Ok City: crazy Artest is in Kevin Durant's head, sorry Kevin that's gotta be uncomfortable. Kobe is gonna get tired of dragging the dead weight that is his team to the second round, I mean Pau helps but have you seen his thighs? He's no Curt.
Denver V. Utah: well, Utah isn't gonna quit and you can't make Jerry Sloan be amused. Denver is the Tommy V of the Western conference, yellow jersey to autobus...it can all happen.
Spurs V Mavs: Fingers crossed that the entire state of Texas secedes. Fingers crossed! Really, I'd wish that even if they weren't playing.


Sunday, April 18, 2010

It's playoff time baby!

First off I'd like to Thank the Orlando Magic for beating the Cleveland Lebron's in last year's Eastern Conference finals, the resulting panic, cold sweat & inferiority complex made them take Shaq off our hands. Then somehow your Suns nabbed the 3rd seed in the western conference, now I know how quickly time has flown since Halloween, but here we are. A quick season recap (in case you weren't paying attention)
Your Suns start out blazing hot, 14-3, what the? Come plummeting down to earth, break through the crust, finishing the middle part of the season with a 12-18 record. Then they wake up, Coach Gentry starting playing the lesser twin/angry Abraham Lincoln at center and they finish a stellar 28-7. They play together, kick ass on offense and sometimes play defense. Kind of incomprehensible, it's a bit like watching Bradly Wiggins...he's climbing? climbing!...surely he'll....what the? Even though you just saw it with your own eyes, you may not believe it.
Channing Frye, that guy that was gonna fill in the Shaq? Who never got off the bench in Portland? Well, turns out he's pretty good at shooting threes, ending up with 172 for the season. The Channing ride is exciting, with lots of highs, followed by dizzing falls caused by poor rebounding & mediocre defense.
Amare - ok, I've watched this guy for 6 seasons. And finally, finally! He's playing up to his natural ability, since the All-Star break he's powned the entire NBA. Even created a brand new word "Tolivered" - like "you just got Tolivered" which means humiliated to such a high degree that you may wish to be invisible. Yes, that Toliver who played at Creighton...he's famous!
The rest. So one of the main problems with Coach Pornstache was his failure to play more than 7 players, which resulted in a tired Steve Nash and a sad me. Coach Gentry now has a bench! very exciting! and they are not terrible, sometimes they are awesome!
Grant Hill, don't mess with him. He really needs a playoff series win to avoid comparisons to McGrady.
Steve Nash despite being written off, again, managed to play at an all star level. Shot 50% (from the field) 40% (from 3) 90% (from the line) for the fourth time in his career...no one has done that, no one, not even armpit. And he gives a lot of high fives too.
Anyway, am gonna try to not deluge you with NBA stuff, but it will be unavoidable, unless you avoid it.