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
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
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
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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
Sunday, December 12, 2010
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
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!
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!
Friday, December 10, 2010
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...
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:
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...
Thursday, December 9, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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
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