Day 17 - How to Win at Fantasy Football

Today I am going to inform you on how to win at fantasy football. My qualifications are as follows: I've played in 11 leagues in my life with typically 1-2 played per NFL season. Looking back through my leagues, I've finished as the top regular season scorer 6 times and the winner of the playoffs 5 times (there is no correlation between the two results as I've been the top regular season scorer and been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the same season 3 times >.<). This past season I was the top regular season scorer but was eliminated in the semi-finals in a matchup which pitted me against the top single game score of the season.

While I realize each league is different with roster setup, scoring, and drafting, the following bits of wisdom will help you score points no matter what your league structure is:

1. Do not translate personal bias into fantasy bias
Just because you have issues with a particular player does not mean that player won't score you tons of fantasy points. If Brett Favre is the best player available (hint: he's not), then I would begrudgingly play him in fantasy football despite my strong feelings about his me me me attention whoring traitorous ways. This year I drafted Adrian Peterson #1 overall despite him playing his college and professional career for two teams that I hate (Oklahoma in college, Minnesota in the NFL). Even with a number of injuries, he's the #2 running back in our league (through week 16). Desean Jackson is a tool (see examples 1 and 2, there are many many more) but when he was dropped by another team in my league during an injured/low production stretch I scooped him up as a healthy Desean Jackson with a healthy Michael Vick throwing to him puts up a ton of fantasy points.

2. Draft advice
a. Do not draft players who share their position with another stud on the their team
Splitting carries for running backs or targets for wide receivers means a lower potential fantasy value. Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, and Maurice Jones-Drew are all "the guy" at running back for their respective teams and pick up the bulk of the running game points. Likewise Dwayne Bowe, Calvin Johnson, and Roddy White are all "the guy" at receiver and as a result had more targets simply by being much better players than the other members of their team. Meanwhile, Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants (both drafted high in most leagues) would both be fantasy studs if they were the feature back of their team. However, the carry split dropped them from stud to decent fantasy option. There are of course exceptions, notably Jamaal Charles (#4 RB) and Thomas Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs, but this is more due to the disproportionate number of running plays called by the Chiefs (no one in the NFL had more called runs).

b. Do not draft players from teams known for resting players late in the season
I learned my lesson many seasons ago. While all teams give their starters some rest once their playoff positioning is locked up, some teams just flat out stop playing their stars. Do not draft Peyton Manning if you want to win in the post-season. If he scores you boatloads of points in the regular season then the Colts will likely have their playoff position locked up before week 17 and he'll ride the bench the rest of the way screwing you over. Meanwhile, the Patriots and Giants have shown a willingness to play their starters through the end of the season (or at least most of the games) and keep the team hot for the postseason. Drafting players from teams like these and teams that will likely still be playing for something through the end of the season will go a long way towards fantasy playoff success.

3. In-season advice
a. Be active with adds/drops
The top four teams in my league in number of add/drops were also the four teams that made the semi-finals.  I had the most add/drops with 29 and finished #1 in total points scored.  The #2 QB (Michael Vick), #3 RB (Peyton Hillis), #2 WR (Brandon Lloyd), and #4 TE (Marcedes Lewis) were all undrafted in most leagues.  It's been well documented that in-season transactions matter much more than the draft as the draft is only based on preseason biases and doesn't reflect matchups and how the player is performing that season.


b. Play the matchup with your defense
Unless you draft a top tier fantasy defense (one that generates turnovers, sacks, and defensive touchdowns), just play the matchup each week for your defense.  The top fantasy defenses this year were the Steelers, Patriots, Packers, and Bears.  If you didn't have one of these four, your best play was to check the matchups every week and add/drop to the best matchup.  The best matchups this year were whichever defense was playing Arizona, Carolina, or a rookie recently signed quarterback (see Houston Texans defense, dead last against the pass, shutting out the Tennessee Titans and their rookie one game QB Rusty Smith).


4. Have fun and talk shit
Fantasy is much more enjoyable when you give each other shit or win beers from betting that you're going to beat your opponent that week.  Gary, I'm looking forward to that cold one.


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Exercise Journal
Thursday - Dog Walk: +1
Cumulative Total: +10

Day 16 - Web Find: The Daily Patdown

The Daily Patdown is a relevant daily photo upload website that provides you with "Your Daily Dose of Security Threat".  The website is fairly new (created December 1) and features a photo a day from the new TSA patdowns.  The photos range from toddlers to the elderly to Jolly Old Saint Nick.  Feel free to add it to your time waster websites.

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Exercise Journal
Tuesday - C25K: +1
Wednesday - Circuit Training, Dog Walk: +2
Cumulative Total: +9

Day 15 - Song of the Week: Nightwish - Nemo

Nightwish's Nemo is an excellent song from a fantastic symphonic metal band that you have likely never heard of.  Nemo, in the case of this song, is Latin for "nobody".  The character in the song is lost living a life without purpose or meaning and wanting more.  It's quite depressing and at the same time I find it somewhat moving.



I do really enjoy Nightwish even with the sometimes depression-driven lyrics that their songwriter/keyboardist Tuomas churns out.  I should note that if you go out and look for some of their more recent work, you'll find that Nightwish has a new vocalist.  A few years ago the core members of the band replaced the lead singer, Tarja Turunen, due to conflicts with her personal manager/husband.  I'm not as big of a fan of her replacement, Anette Olzon, but she's gets the job done and from all accounts the band is better for it.

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Exercise Journal
Monday - Circuit Training: +1, Dog Walk: +1
Cumulative Total: +6

Day 14 - HIV cure and Element of the Week: Neodymium

An American male living in Berlin has been cured of HIV according to an article published in the journal Blood.  In 2007, he was given a transplant of stem cells and a bone marrow transplant to treat Leukemia that he had developed as a result of the HIV.  The donor happened to be an individual who is part of the 1% of the population that is naturally HIV resistant due to lacking receptors that the HIV virus normally attacks.  The result of the transplant was that he was cured of both ailments.  The initial concern was that the HIV would return and progress once the cancer treatments had been discontinued.  It has now been over 3 years and doctors are convinced that his HIV is gone for good.

The success hasn't come without limitations.  The patient has been left with neurological conditions that include blindness and memory loss.  Also, the treatments are extremely costly as he basically received full standard cancer treatments and the stem cell treatments.  Finally, it required a donor that represents and extremely small part of the population.

All of the limitations aside, this success certainly asks the question: Shouldn't we push to take this technology as far as it can go?

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Element of the Week: Neodymium

Neodymium is the 60th chemical element and a "rare earth metal".  Contrary to its name, this element is hardly rare.  It is found quite commonly among mineral deposits as neodymium (iii) oxide.  Neodymium is most widely used in magnets as magnets made from this element are the most powerful permanent magnets.  Many electronic devices use neodymium magnets due to the abundance of the material and its effectiveness.

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Exercise Journal
Thursday - C25K: +1
Friday - Nope: -3
Saturday - Food coma: -3 (should be -30 due to all of the food consumption)
Sunday - 30 minute dog walk, 30 minute batting cages: +2
Cumulative Total: +4

Day 13 - Santa Roscoe

Been busy with Christmas stuff, hence the lack of posting.  Just popping in so that Santa Roscoe can wish y'all a Merry Christmas.

(More pictures of Santa Roscoe to come)

Day 12 - Web Find: The Oatmeal

One of my favorite websites is Matthew Inman's The Oatmeal.  He primarily illustrates comics on a variety of topics ranging from "how to use a semicolon" (grammar matters, people) to "what it's like to own an apple product" and "six reason to ride a polar bear to work".  He uses over the top expressions and animations to get his point across and be hilariously awesome.

A personal favorites is this one about Captain Higgins, a parasitic flatworm.  Go check it out, read some of his other comics, and maybe even buy some stuff from his store.

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Exercise Journal
Today - Circuit Training: +1
Cumulative Total: +7

Day 11 - Sports: Quidditch for Muggles

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Exercise Journal
Tuesday - C25K: +1
Cumulative Total: +6

Day 10 - Song of the Week: Paramore cover - My Hero

Sorry for the lack of posting the last few days.  I've been rather busy, felt unmotivated and didn't think it was a good idea to force a post under those conditions.  Hopefully you can forgive me.

One of my favorite Foo Fighters songs is "My Hero" (probably partially due to a career highlight video of Vince Young, My Hero starts at 3:51).  I discovered through some tweets of Hayley's that Paramore has done a cover of it.  One of the things that makes Paramore so great is that they can take a work from another band, cover it, and have it come out equal to or better than the original.  In this case, I find their rendition of "My Hero" equal to that of the original by Foo Fighters which given my fandom of the original is saying a lot.




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Exercise Journal
Friday - Circuit Training: +1
Saturday - Dog Walk: +1
Sunday - C25K and Dog Walk: +2
Monday - Fail: -3
Cumulative Total: +5

Day 9 - Bowl Game Predictions

I don't claim to have divine knowledge so use caution when gambling with my picks.  I'll be uploading them into ESPN's College Bowl Mania so I can update you on my inevitable accuracy.

Tostitos BCS National Championship Game, Jan. 10, #1 Auburn (13-0) vs. #2 Oregon (12-0)
Oregon's #1 "blur" offense (49.3 points per game) vs. Auburn's #6 offense (42.7 ppg) led by the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Cam Newton.  Both do their damage on the ground with powerful rushing attacks although both teams that have passing games that must be respected, especially that of Newton.  In years past you'd hear all of the SEC supporters citing SEC speed as to why Auburn would win this game.  For that reason and the fact that Heisman trophy winners have made a habit of losing to runners-up for the award, I'm picking the faster team *Oregon* to win this game.
Prediction: Oregon

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Jan. 9, #15 Nevada (12-1) vs. Boston College (7-5)
Nevada's potent rushing offense matches up against a Boston College team that struggled to score points all year (ranked 109 out of 120 schools).  While the Eagles ranked #1 against the run, I'm taking *Nevada* as I don't think BC can score enough points to stay competitive.
Prediction: Nevada

BBVA Compass Bowl, Jan. 8, Kentucky (6-6) vs. Pittsburgh (7-5)
Pittsburgh struggled in a very weak Big East and their coach was fired at the end of the season as a result.  Never pick a team with a lame duck coach to win a game.  I'm taking *Kentucky*.
Prediction: Kentucky

AT&T Cotton Bowl, Jan. 7, #11 LSU (10-2) vs. #17 Texas A&M (9-3)
Both of LSU's losses came on the road at BCS bound competition (Auburn and Arkansas).  They have the 9th ranked defense and their coach knows how to play close games.  A&M's offense has been less prolific but less turnover prone since changing to Tannehill at QB.  I like *LSU's* defense to limit the Aggies production in a close fought game.
Prediction: LSU

GODADDY.com Bowl, Jan. 6, Miami (OH) (9-4) vs. Mid Tennessee (6-6)
Despite not having their starting QB or head coach for the bowl game, *Miami (OH)* has too much talent for the Blue Raiders which required a late season surge to go from 3-6 to bowl eligible.
Prediction: Miami (OH)

Allstate Sugar Bowl, Jan. 4, #6 Ohio State (11-1) vs. #8 Arkansas (10-2)
Ohio State plays much better defense than the Razorbacks and had their only loss at a very good Wisconsin team.  Both teams have offenses that can score.  I'm going to begrudgingly take *Ohio State*.
Prediction: Ohio State

Discover Orange Bowl, Jan. 3, #4 Stanford (11-1) vs. #13 Virginia Tech (11-2)
Stanford lost one game this year at Oregon.  Virginia Tech lost to a very good Boise State team and then inexplicably fell to James Madison.  *Stanford* ranks 8th in offense, 11th in defense and has one of the most intelligent and gifted players in Andrew Luck.
Prediction: Stanford

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 1, #7 Oklahoma (11-2) vs. Connecticut (8-4)
I hate to pick *Oklahoma* but Connecticut is overmatched and is only in the game by winning the awful Big East.
Prediction: Oklahoma

Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio, Jan. 1, #3 TCU (12-0) vs. #5 Wisconsin (11-1)
By the stats this looks like a close matchup.  They're tied for 4th in offense at 43.3 ppg.  TCU is #1 on defense while 29th.  However, I'm taking *Wisconsin* by two scores for a number of reasons.
1. The Badgers have Tackle Gabe Carimi, winner of the Outland trophy for the nation's best interior lineman, and Guard John Moffitt as first team All-Americans.  Wisconsin has throughout the season called rushing plays that are simply follow Carimi and Moffitt as they bully defenders out of the way.
2. J.J. Watt, defensive end.  He was a TE at Central Michigan until 2009 when he transferred to Wisconsin and converted to Defensive End.  He's the 2010 recipient of the Lott Defensive IMPACT award.  In 12 games he had 59 tacklers, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, an interception, and a number of blocked field goals and extra points.  He will alter this game at some point.
3. Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin QB, is the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner as the nation's top senior QB.  He rarely makes mistakes and is accurate with his throws.  He has a go-to receiver in Lance Kendricks who is likely bound for NFL success and is a matchup nightmare.  These two will make TCU pay if they load up to stop Wisconsin's three headed monster of a running game in John Clay, James White, and Montee Ball, all who rushed for over 800 yards and multiple TDs.
4. Andy Dalton will choke, it's his norm for bowl games.  In 3 bowl games he has 1 TD pass and 5 INTs against 69 TDs and 25 INTs in all other games.  I like Andy Dalton a lot; I just don't like him in bowl games.
Prediction: Wisconsin

Note #1: If TCU takes advantage of their home team status and wears these uniforms then I'll take Wisconsin by 1 point instead of 2 scores.
Note #2: I do like TCU and this pick is not meant to disrespect them.  I think they deserve to play for a national championship and would in my proposed playoff system.  However, I think they're playing an elite Wisconsin team that is peaking at the right time and would probably be ranked ahead of either Auburn or Oregon if they hadn't played one off game on the road against a very good Michigan State team.

Progressive Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, #21 Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Michigan (7-5)
Mississippi State went 8-4 in the toughest division in all of football (Arkansas, Auburn, Alabama, LSU were their losses).  Michigan can't play defense.  It cost them game after game this year.
Prediction: Mississippi State

Outback Bowl, Jan. 1, Penn State (7-5) vs. Florida (7-5)
Game with a coach who keeps quitting in Florida's Urban Meyer who is retiring at the age of 46 against a coach who will never quit in Penn State's 83 year old Joe Paterno.  It should be noted that if JoePa had retired at age 46 he would have retired in 1972.  I'm picking a young *Penn State* team against an underachieving Florida team with a lame duck head coach.
Prediction: Penn State

Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1, #9 Michigan State (11-1) vs. #16 Alabama (9-3)
*Alabama* is a better team than their record indicates.  And they are too well coached to not win this game in which they are the more talented team.
Prediction: Alabama

Ticketcity Bowl, Jan. 1, Texas Tech (7-5) vs. Northwestern (7-5)
Northwestern hasn't won a bowl game since 1949.  That fate doesn't with their starting QB out injured.  *Texas Tech* extends their misery.
Prediction: Texas Tech

Chick-fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31, #20 South Carolina (9-4) vs. #23 Florida State (9-4)
Two good defensive teams that lost their respective conference championship games.  I'm going to take SEC over ACC and pick *South Carolina*.
Prediction: South Carolina

AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31, #25 UCF (10-3) vs. Georgia (6-6)
Georgia lost a stretch of games early to start 1-4 with their #1 talent on the sideline in AJ Green.  With him back in the lineup they went 5-2 the rest of the way.
Prediction: Georgia

Hyundai Sun Bowl, Dec. 31, Miami (FL) (7-5) vs. Notre Dame (7-5)
Notre Dame has way too many injuries on offense to hang with an underachieving Miami team.  I'm taking *Miami* but neither team is particularly good.
Prediction: Miami

Meineke Car Care Bowl, Dec. 31, Clemson (6-6) vs. South Florida (7-5)
South Florida is only bowl eligible by scraping out a number of close wins in a very weak Big East (including 2 OT victories).  Even though *Clemson* is 6-6 I've got to take them in this pillowfight.
Prediction: Clemson

Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30, #18 Nebraska (10-3) vs. Washington (6-6)
Rematch of a 56-21 beatdown by *Nebraska* at Washington.  Nothing has changed to convince me that Washington is close to keeping this game competitive.
Prediction: Nebraska

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Dec. 30, Tennessee (6-6) vs. North Carolina (7-5)
Irony game - these two were scheduled to play each of the next two years but Tennessee bought out the contract for the games in order to make their schedule easier while they rebuild their program.  The football gods took note and are spiting the Volunteers with what will be a loss to *North Carolina*.
Prediction: North Carolina

New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30, Syracuse (7-5) vs. Kansas State (7-5)
At the New York Yankee stadium, this is a virtual home game for *Syracuse*.  Will take the Orange with home-field support.
Prediction: Syracuse

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 30, SMU (7-6) vs. Army (6-6)
SMU's pass-happy offense against Army's triple option rushing game.  Despite being the Armed Forces bowl this game is actually hosted at the home field of *SMU*.  Much like above, I'm taking the home team.
Prediction: SMU

Valero Alamo Bowl, Dec. 29, #14 Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5)
*Oklahoma State* deserved a far better bowl (I'm looking at you Cotton Bowl) and have to be disappointed to be here.  Even with the letdown, they are waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too talented to lose this game.
Prediction: Oklahoma State

Texas Bowl, Dec. 29, Baylor (7-5) vs. Illinois (6-6)
Another near home game for *Baylor* and again I'm picking the home game.
Prediction: Baylor

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman, Dec. 29, Maryland (8-4) vs. East Carolina (6-6)
*Maryland* didn't lose any games to inferior competition all season and there's no reason to predict an upset here.
Prediction: Maryland

Insight Bowl, Dec. 28, #12 Missouri (10-2) vs Iowa (7-5)
*Missouri* finished hot while Iowa finished a disappointing season cold.  That will carry over into the bowl game as the Tigers win.
Prediction: Missouri

Champs Sports Bowl, Dec. 28, #22 West Virginia (9-3) vs. NC State (8-4)
Failing to win the weakest BCS conference and having a lame duck head coach (Bill Stewart will coach through the end of his contract and his replacement has already been hired to start in 2012) does not bode well for my projection of you.  *NC State* beats an unmotivated West Virginia.
Prediction: NC State

AdvoCaro V100 Independence Bowl, Dec. 27, Georgia Tech (6-6) vs. Air Force (8-4)
The top two rushing attacks in the country who both utilize the triple option will go head to head.  There may not be a pass thrown all game.  I'm going to show the Mountain West conference some love and pick *Air Force*.
Prediction: Air Force

Little Caesars Bowl, Dec. 26, Toledo (8-4) vs. Florida International (6-6)
Both teams have been largely unsuccessful in seasons past and I admittedly know next to nothing about either.  Coin toss says *Florida International*.
Prediction: Florida International

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Dec. 24, #24 Hawaii (10-3) vs Tulsa (9-3)
Offenses #9 and #10 in the country against two defenseless defenses.  Home game for *Hawaii*.  I wonder who I'm picking...
Prediction: Hawaii

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Dec. 23, San Diego State (8-4) vs. Navy (9-3)
San Diego State will load up to stop the triple option rushing of Navy.  They also played TCU right to the end at TCU which I have to give them props for.  Finally, *San Diego State* is playing their bowl game in San Diego.  Hmmmmmmmmmm...
Prediction: San Diego State

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, Dec. 22, #10 Boise State (11-1) vs. #19 Utah (10-2)
As good as I think Utah is and as big of a letdown as it has to be for *Boise State* to fall to this game, there is no way that I can pick against the Broncos.  Boise State's one loss came against an excellent Nevada team at Nevada that they should have won but two missed short field goals possibly cost them the national championship game.  They are an elite team and will win this game, big.
Prediction: Boise State

Beef 'o' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg, Dec. 21, Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4)
With a name like this, I have to pick the beefiest team.  In this matchup, that can only lead to me picking *Louisville* and their beefy defense led by new head coach Charlie Strong.
Prediction: Louisville

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Dec. 18, Troy (7-5) vs. Ohio (8-4)
Coin toss: *Troy*
Prediction: Troy

uDrove Humanitarian Bowl, Dec. 18, Fresno State (8-4) vs. Northern Illinois (10-3)
Instinct tells me to pick *Fresno State* due to their knack for winning big games.  And Northern Illinois doesn't have a head coach due to theirs bolting to coach Minnesota.  No coach = no bowl win.
Prediction: Fresno State

New Mexico Bowl, Dec. 18, UTEP (6-6) vs. Brigham Young (6-6)
Charity game for two teams that get to play in a big game because everyone gets a participation medal in school these days.  Seriously, these teams are equal part loser and winner and they are rewarded with a cash payout nationally televised postseason game.  I'm picking *BYU* with the better finish to the season to win the game, but I'm picking every fan not from these universities as a loser for having postseason matchups like this.
Prediction: BYU

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If you made it to the end of my 2,148 words on bowl projections, congrats and thank you!  Comments and criticisms are definitely welcome on any of my picks as I welcome discussion of football.

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Exercise Journal
Today - 30 minutes C25K: +1
Cumulative Total: +4

Day 8 - Wednesday Web Find: WTF has Obama done so far?

Nifty little website that shows you something that Obama has accomplished.  Click the button, get a new accomplishment.  Everything listed has a link documenting the feat and it's continually updated.  
http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

So click through it and see for yourself what the fuck Obama has done so far.

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Exercise Journal
Today - Circuit Training: +1
Cumulative Total: +3

Day 7 - Why I Love Boston Sports

I love Boston sports teams.  I wasn't born there (that's Wisconsin) and I've never lived there (central Texas for most of my life).  My passion starts from my dad's side of the family hailing from the New England area.  But each of the teams there has done something to win me over.

New England Patriots
Arguably the best run and best coached organization in all of sports.  They traded their superstar WR Randy Moss (6'4") and only got better.  In fact, to show how great of a decision it was to get rid of him, consider that the 3 teams that he's played for this season are a combined 4-9 with him playing and 17-9 without him.  Instead they run with 2 receivers listed at 5'9" (the NFL average is 6'1") in Deion Branch and Wes Welker and another little guy in Danny Woodhead as their receiver out of the backfield at an intimidating 5'7".  They make for some hilarious moments because they're so little and cute.  This trio plus their pair of dominate rookie tight ends (Gronkowski and Hernandez) behind arguably the offensive line in football make for a potent offense that not even mother nature can stop.  See 33 points put up by halftime in a Chicago blizzard.

Why are they so successful?  The organization drafts and recruits smart, versatile players instead of pure talent and they've shown season after season that this model works.  Linebacker Mike Vrabel has 10 receptions in his career for 10 touchdowns (note: linebacker).  Woodhead has had success rushing, receiving and staying in the backfield to block for Brady.  Rookie corner Devin McCourty wasn't the highest rated corner available but the Patriots front office drafted him in the first round because they liked his intelligence and ability to help in run support.  He's only had 6 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 14 passes defended.  But the number one reason for the Patriots success is coach Bill Belichick.  He revamps his entire gameplan on an opponent by opponent basis which no other team in the NFL does.  Most teams carry over the same basic model from week to week with tweaks.  For the Patriots, it's a new strategy from week to week to exploit the matchups in a given game.  And no one does this better than Belichick.  And he's able to do this because he has a smart team.  And I really like smart teams.  I may just have a man-crush on Belichick and his hoodie and his hoodie.

Boston Celtics
The ultimate team in a game of superstars.  All of the players put the goals of the team first on every play of every game.  On the defensive end, it's all about working collectively to shut down teams.  No team plays better help defensive than the Celtics.  All of the players work within the system and gameplan.  If they're playing Lebron, they let him get his and shut everyone else down (see Celtics-Cavs 2010 NBA semis and Celtics-Heat matchups from this year).  If it's Orlando, they put their big defender (Shaq or Perkins) on Howard and everyone else closes out the 3-point line taking the Magic out of their offensive gameplan.  If it's the Lakers they clog the paint, let Kobe get his, and shut down everyone else.  But the one recurring element is that all of the players, including those coming off the bench, stay within the scheme.

On the offensive end, they have a number of players who could be a top scorer on most of the teams in the league.  However, no one is concerned with their individual numbers, they all look to help each other get the best shot.  And they celebrate each others successes.  It's a beautiful thing to watch.  Especially Rondo.  Between his assists and steals.  And they're even better with Shaq.  This Celtics team is really good.  And probably would have won the title last season had Perkins not been injured early in game 6 with the Celtics up 3-2 in the series.

Boston Red Sox
I hate the New York Yankees.  They buy championships in a sport with basically no salary cap.  Boston is the hero counter to the Yankee villain.  And they have Fenway park.  With a Green Monster.  And I've been there!

(Ok, so I don't have a lot to say because I don't watch baseball.  But I do despise the Yankees.  And when I do pretend to care about baseball I root for the Red Sox.  But it's so hard to care about a sport where teams can buy championships.  Get a real salary cap baseball)

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So...this is what happens when it gets late and I'm talking about sports.  I ramble.

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Exercise Journal
Today - 30 minute dog walk: +1
Cumulative Total: +2

Day 6 - Song of the Week: Moby - Extreme Ways

I really like Moby.  Yet somehow I hadn't listened to any of his work in quite awhile.  Then I recently watched the Bourne trilogy.  Its theme song is "Extreme Ways", a work of his.  And thus I give you my song of the week:



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Exercise Journal
Today: No workout due to company party tonight. Simply not enough hours in the day. -3
Cumulative Total: +1

Day 5 - Element of the Week: Rhodium

I don't have a science post for this week other than my Element of the Week.  To make up for it I'll demonstrate what a dork I nerd I am by telling you how I came up with which chemical element will be each week.  There are 118 classified chemical elements.  I used a random sequence generator to generate a list from 1 to 118 and I'll go down this list of resulting values in order for the entries.

For week 1, the first number is 45 which corresponds to the chemical element Rhodium, a transition metal.  Rhodium is rare and therefore quite valuable.  It's current price is $72660 per kilogram (courtesy of Kitco's Rhodium Price Charts).  Its natural source is from mining ore, particularly platinum ore.

Rhodium is predominantly used as one of the elements in catalytic converters in cars to reduce harmful NOx gas emissions.  NOx gases are one of the leading contributors to smog and acid rain.  The exhaust gas is passed over the rhodium catalyst which converts the NOx gases into harmless nitrogen and oxygen.  No rhodium is consumed in the process, it serves as a catalyst in the reaction lower the activation energy for the reaction to occur.  The reaction looks like this:
2 NOx --(Rh catalyst)-> x O2 + N2, where x is the number of Oxygen atoms in the NOx gas (either 1 or 2).
The other major use for Rhodium is in jewelery.  Rhodium is rather inert (unlikely to react) and has a white shine so it is used as plating to give material such as white gold a brighter shine than it would normally have had.

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Exercise Journal Update:
Saturday - 30 minute dog walk, +1
Sunday - 30 minute C25K, +1
Cumulative Total, +4

Day 4 - Elite Beat Agents

Elite Beat Agents is a music video game for the Nintendo DS that I've found to be more enjoyable than other games in the genre (e.g. Guitar Hero).  The concept is that a group of Agents are out to help those in need and the player taps, drags and spins rhythms which inspires the characters to overcome their crisis (and scores points!!).  The Agents assist by dancing and cheering along with the characters success, or stumbling when the player make mistakes.

At the beginning of each level, a backstory is provided comic book style.  Most of the stories take a comedy approach but the writers do throw in a tearjerker here and there.  The writings is simple, entertaining and provides excellent filler between the gameplay.  Here's a sample of a level from one of the masters of the game:


Elite Beat Agents is available at some Wal-Marts (one of the very rare times I'll recommend a trip there) for $10.  Check online before you go as not all of them carry it.  If you haven't checked out this title and own a DS, it's a must own in my opinion.

Post is a day late due to being extremely busy.  But it's up!

Day 3 - Exercise Journal & 3 Things Friday

I'm adding an exercise journal component to the blog.  It'll be a quick blip at the end of each entry.  The idea for how I'm going to implement it came from an event that my friend Ashley ran back in September.  For each completed half hour of exercise, I will earn 1 point up to a maximum of 3 points earned in a day.  On days with no exercise, I lose 3 points.  What are the points used for you ask?  Absolutely nothing, it's just a way to keep track of how slacker or winner I am.

For today:
30 minute Circuit Training
30 minute Dog Walk
2 points earned today, 2 points earned for the month

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3 Things Friday:

This is an idea for my week in review that I'm borrowing from my friend AJ's Blog (Her blog is really awesome, you *need* to check it out.  No really, your life will be better for having done so).  The gist is that I summarize my week in 3 things: a good thing, a bad thing, the best thing.

So for this week:
The Good:
For the first time in 3 weeks, my congestion is gone and I can breath again.  Yay for being able to do a necessary body function again!

The Bad:

Today I was moving a cart loaded with glassware when the wheel snapped off, tipping the cart, and shattering *a lot* of scientific glassware.  It wasn't my fault, but the whole incident left me rather perturbed for several hours.

I also have a video from when it happened.  Watching the situation play out borders on America's Funniest Home Videos territory.  I wouldn't have thought that in the first few hours tho.

The Best:
I finally launched my blog!!  Sure took long enough...

Day 2 - College football needs a playoff

Thursday Football

The BCS and bowl systems are broken, this much is clear to most fans and journalists.  Teams like Connecticut (8-4) and Virginia Tech (11-2) are awarded big money BCS bowl games simply for winning the weak ACC and Big East.  Meanwhile, Michigan State (from a very competitive Big Ten) and Boise State (lost a game they should have won twice to a very good Nevada team) are left out.  Despite the glaring problems, I don't see the BCS going away.  The traditionalists and greedy of the college football world are waaaaaaaay too attached to the status quo.

That being said, I'd like to see an 8-team playoff.  It would certainly be more entertaining and competitive than what exists now.  The system I'm proposing (and has been proposed by others) would keep the BCS rankings and take the top 8 teams, regardless of conference affiliation or championship, seeding them in a 3 round playoff.  Use the current 4 BCS bowl games and two others, probably the Cotton and Capital One Bowl (formerly Citrus Bowl), to host the quarter and semi-finals.

This season would look like this:
1. Auburn vs. 8. Arkansas - Capital One Bowl in Orlando, FL
A rematch of a SEC West shootout from earlier in the year that Auburn won at home.  This time it would be played on a neutral field

2. Oregon vs. 7. Oklahoma - Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TX
Randomly selected the Cotton Bowl for this game giving Oklahoma a pseudo-home game.  Great matchup of Oregon's blur offense against Oklahoma's defense

3. TCU vs. 6. Ohio State - Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, AZ
Opportunity for TCU to give a big suck it to Ohio State's president and his uninformed comments.  I would love to see this game and I'd love it even more after TCU whooped one of the traditional (and often overrated) powers.

4. Stanford vs. 5. Wisconsin - Orange Bowl in Miami, FL
Two big power teams that play smashmouth football.  Also, the best 2 1-loss teams.  A fantastic matchup.

The best part of this scenario is that there are 3 more games to be played after this.  Actually, even better is that there is no dispute as to the national champion.  As for the rest of the bowl games, leave them in place.  Let all of the other teams outside of the top 8 play a postseason prize game.

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In NFL news, I was particularly pleased by the result of this past Monday Night Football matchup between the Patriots and Jets.  My gut reaction was to predict a close win for the Patriots, mostly due to their home field dominance.  However, I changed my mind when the vest (Rex Ryan) started his boasting and defined his Jets as a team designed to beat the Patriots.  The Patriots weren't going to win close anymore, they were going to win by at least 20.  There was no way the hoodie (Bill Belichick) was going to do anything less with that kind of bulletin board material.  I wasn't even half right as the Patriots pummeled the Jets 45-3.  BB didn't hold back even late in the game as the Pats put up 2 more TDs in the 4th quarter.  Ryan looked confused, stunned, dazed and a million more adjectives contrary to his usual cocky self.  It was a work of beauty.

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Next week I'll look at all of the bowl matchups including predictions for each game.  I'll probably enrage my TCU friends in the process.  SPOILER ALERT: I'm picking Wisconsin in the Rose.

Day 1 - Procrastination pwns me

Wednesday Web Find

I've been trying to get this blog going since May.  I've kept putting it off due to some excuse or another.  I can't find a layout that I like.  I need to figure out what all of these settings are before I publish.  Yada yada.

About a month ago, Felicia Day (who is totally awesome and you should be following her on twitter) tweeted a link to this article about procrastination.  The article nails why I've had the blog for over 6 months without ever actually making a post.  In fact, if you look at the first entry in the blog you'll notice that it's post date was October 6th.  This was the result of procrastination.  I started the entry a couple of months ago and kept finding excuses to delay finishing it.  Apparently, blogger kept the original post creation date as the post date.

Anyway, read the article and think about it.  If nothing else, you'll get to watch children squirm during the marshmallow test.  It's likely still be in the process of sinking in for me, but now whenever I push something off that future me can deal with I at least now have a pang of guilt and *might* actually take action as present me