The news out of New Orleans seems to get worse and worse. The city is under water and it seems as if things will get worse before they get better. Morale is very low, looting is ramped, and the clean up will take weeks, if not months. I’m sure 1,000, or even 400, years ago or so, we would just abandon the city and move on to another location. I’m sure though that we will clean up the mess, get rid of all the water, and hopefully build a bigger and better levy for next time, because there will be a next time. I encourage everyone also to look at the pictures on the NYTimes web site, they are extremely humbling. And once again, my thoughts and prayers go out to those in the devastated areas.
The bad news just keeps piling up. This story will probably be, some what understandably, underreported here in the US, but at least 600 have died in Iraq.
Is the economy getting stronger? The figures lead you to believe that it is a bit better, but that would be the wrong assumption. If anything the rich are getting richer. Take these figures, last year the economy added 2.2 million jobs, but 1 million people fell into poverty. I’d hardly say that the economy is getting stronger, if anything it’s not working. (Also, why do we say “the economy added” and things like that? The economy isn’t a thing, it’s a huge mix of different things. The economy can’t actually do anything, no matter what any economist will tell you. The economy is a bunch of things put together... it isn’t a ‘being’ or ‘thing’.)
And a fun story about the newest Brazilian wonder kid, the 21 year old Robinho who now plays for Real Madrid. His first game was one of wonder... depending on what Spanish press you read. And why read about him? Well it might be some fun cocktail party discussion or joking. As I’m sure we are starting to figure out here, VFLOAB is all about cocktail party fodder.
31.8.05
30.8.05
The Iraqi Constitution
I’m back... I think... and not that anyone cares, but here I am, so love it. We’ve got the ’Net in the place now, and situations being situations, I’m here to blog for you... again.
First by thoughts go out to all those in the Gulf and that they may all be safe and things get back to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible. The clean up is going to be a long one and I’m sure often times a sad one.
The Iraqi Constitution was finally finished after three deadlines... and one has to wonder if it is a 'fair' constitution since in many ways it seemed so rushed. It seems as if the three parties, or groups, just can’t all agree on anything. The Sunnis were defiant about everything it seemed and the Shiites seemed inflexible. And the Kurds were not innocent either, is probably just that since they were buddy/buddy with the US, they didn’t get the ‘bad’ quotes in the newspapers. And I’m not sure how this in Iraq will turn out... it’s almost like taking someone from the Titans or Oakland Raiders in a fantasy draft. But if I were to guess, it won’t be good. Even if the Constitution is passed in October, and that’s a big if, the three different groups (the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds) have three completely different agendas that doesn’t include the other two. In addition, there is now more and more fighting between the Sunnis and Shiites, instead of the common enemy being the US, they’re turning against each other, or even within their own group. And if the US does eventually leave, then what? Then do both groups focus all their energy on gaining more power than the other? And were does Iran play in with all this? Who knows... too much remains to be seen. But the odds of Iraq being a democracy in five years seems extremely remote. Not impossible, but remote.
In something sort of international and interesting... Owen signed with Newcastle.
First by thoughts go out to all those in the Gulf and that they may all be safe and things get back to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible. The clean up is going to be a long one and I’m sure often times a sad one.
The Iraqi Constitution was finally finished after three deadlines... and one has to wonder if it is a 'fair' constitution since in many ways it seemed so rushed. It seems as if the three parties, or groups, just can’t all agree on anything. The Sunnis were defiant about everything it seemed and the Shiites seemed inflexible. And the Kurds were not innocent either, is probably just that since they were buddy/buddy with the US, they didn’t get the ‘bad’ quotes in the newspapers. And I’m not sure how this in Iraq will turn out... it’s almost like taking someone from the Titans or Oakland Raiders in a fantasy draft. But if I were to guess, it won’t be good. Even if the Constitution is passed in October, and that’s a big if, the three different groups (the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds) have three completely different agendas that doesn’t include the other two. In addition, there is now more and more fighting between the Sunnis and Shiites, instead of the common enemy being the US, they’re turning against each other, or even within their own group. And if the US does eventually leave, then what? Then do both groups focus all their energy on gaining more power than the other? And were does Iran play in with all this? Who knows... too much remains to be seen. But the odds of Iraq being a democracy in five years seems extremely remote. Not impossible, but remote.
In something sort of international and interesting... Owen signed with Newcastle.
28.8.05
My Fantasy Draft
Okay, I’m ripping off the Sports Guy and going to do a running diary of my fantasy draft. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to do it, but we’ll give it a shot. Here it is.
12:35pm -- I’m reporting LIVE from my Draft Central here on the wonderful campus of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC! Here at Draft Central we’re armed with a Diet Pepsi, some peanut butter crackers, a granola bar, some Skittles, Obama’s “Dreams from My Father”, my i-Pod and a lot of pages of fantasy football stuff. The Draft starts in 55 minutes, and I’ve got some last second ranks to take care of… and I have no clue where I’m drafting. Anxiety at it’s finest!
12:39 – Just ran the draft test, and everything worked out… yay.
12:40 – Instead of thinking about the Draft I’m going to read about the CHICAGO WHITE SOX, winners of five of their last six. Of course ESPN.com is too busy right now for me to read the article. I hope this isn’t some sort of omen… when is ESPN.com ever too busy?
12:47 – After printing off some more lists and fantasy crap, I think I’m ready and decided to eat the granola bar and check my e-mail. I may have to put the i-Pod on soon because these two kids behind me, probably sophomores, are talking about PDAs and the theory of structure. I really wish I had the Internet at my place right now.
12:53 – Not that this is shocking or anyone will be even interested, but the Kansas City Royals are officially out of the AL Central race. They can still win the Wild Card.
1:02 – The kids behind me just said they want to take some classes at Georgetown. Time to put on the i-Pod.
1:05 – The posted the draft order and I’ve got the 7th pick, the pick I was saying would be one of my top two choices (the 7th and 4th pick). Things are looking up already!
1:06 – The girlfriend just called, I politely told her I could talk and hung up. I think she understood.
1:09 – Let’s quickly go over the ten teams in our league:
1) Scrappers is picking first and I have no clue who he is.
2) Wong Fong Dong is drafting second, he’s a law student at GW I think.
3) Mr. Milque Toast, is a guy from Wilmington, DE and is at CUA law school right now a friend of my friend Denis.
4) Dr. Greg Cynaumon is Jim, the Comish of the league and Denis’ older brother
5) BDiddyPiddy is Jim’s friend from Notre Dame and also has the worst name in the league.
6) The Beday Effects is Mike who’s Polish last name means Christ of Poland. Friend of mine and Denis
7) Dan Cortese’s Rod… that’s me
8) The Paul McGuires I think he went to ND
9) Darren Pang’s Crease is my buddy Denis
10) Balls Deep is a law student at GW and owner of best name in our league.
1:19 – 11 minutes till the draft starts and I’m trying to figure out the Sox magic number, I think it’s 22. Though I’m thinking that someone like McGahee, James, Deuce, Jamal Lewis, Moss, or Culpepper will be there for me at 7 and 14.
1:23 Bathroom break!
1:25 – Okay, I’m ready… five minutes and I hate to say this, but Jimi Hendrix was underrated. Really, I don’t think people realize how good he was.
1:30 – The Draft starts, Manning goes 1, Tomlinson 2, and then Moss three! What a shock! Moss went too high probably.
1:31 – Alexander goes 4, and then Culpepper goes 5, I’m looking at McGahee right now.
1:32 – The Edge goes 6, and I’m looking at McGahee, I’m going to use all the time on the clock at this point…
1:34 – I take McGahee and am very happy. Culpepper going off the board though stinks and I have no clue what to do with the 14th pick… Deuce goes 8, and Priest goes 9th… I don’t see Jamal Lewis falling to me, but Cory Dillon did just go 10th. Damn it, Lewis went 11th.
1:36 – Okay, now it’s looking like Ahman Green or guys like Rudi Johnson at 14, McNabb goes 12th and Julis Jones goes 13th… I’m looking at Green or Marvin Harrison at this point…
1:38 – I can’t go with Dominck Davis, so I take Ahman Green figuring I can get an okay WR in the 3rd round. I don’t like the pick. Right now I’m thinking Chad Johnson or Reggie Wayne in the 3rd round… we’ll see.
1:43 – So a bunch of wide receivers go off the board and my decision is between Joe Horn, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson. David Carr throwing to Johnson scares me, I figure Wayne is this close to being the stud muffin of stud muffins… but I take Joe Horn. He gets the job done. And I’ll pick in a second, where I’ll go Trent Green if he’s there.
1:45 – Green goes right after me, so now I’m thinking Brady or another WR like Reggie Wayne or Nate Burleson… but Brady scares me. It’s too high.
1:47 – Brady is looking like he’ll fall in my lap; Reggie Wayne went off the board, so there goes that temptation. Hines Ward goes off the board, so the WR I’m looking at are Andre Johnson, it’s really really tempting… but I’m going with the Super Bowl winner.
1:52 - I took Brady a little early, but I wanted him and I couldn’t take a chance that he wouldn’t be around again when I picked. Now I can pick up a garbage WR or RB.
1:55 – LaMont Jordan may be around in round five and it will be hard to pass him up. And he falls to me. I have no clue if he’ll be any good, but I’ve got him now. Now a WR or TE with the next pick… I’m think Vick’s favorite target… but he goes off the board.
2:01 – I’m ditching the TE idea and hoping the guy from the Vikes falls in round 7. So it’s a WR… who though? Roy Williams was good until he got hurt. But then again he plays for the Lions.
2:04 – I take Larry Fitzgerald and probably way too high again. Not good, but then again he could have just a huge year even though he’s the number two receiver with the Cards. I don’t dislike the pick, but it was probably too high. I may have been able to get him. But his upside is better than most on the board.
2:05 – Okay this is getting hard to do, so I’m stopping, though I’ll list the rest of my picks.
2:58 – The Draft is over and I feel good about it. My team looks like this:
QB – Brady and Hasselbeck
RB - McGahee, Green, L. Jordan, Thomas Jones, and Lee Suggs
WR – Horn, Lelie, Fitzgerald, and Marcus Robinson
TE – Dallas Clark and Bubba Franks
K – Josh Brown
DEF – New England
Jones and Suggs are starting backs on bad teams. I’m not in love with my wide outs, but I love the depth I’ve got at TE and QB. Kickers are kickers and the New England D isn’t going to hurt me. Let the season begin.
12:35pm -- I’m reporting LIVE from my Draft Central here on the wonderful campus of the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC! Here at Draft Central we’re armed with a Diet Pepsi, some peanut butter crackers, a granola bar, some Skittles, Obama’s “Dreams from My Father”, my i-Pod and a lot of pages of fantasy football stuff. The Draft starts in 55 minutes, and I’ve got some last second ranks to take care of… and I have no clue where I’m drafting. Anxiety at it’s finest!
12:39 – Just ran the draft test, and everything worked out… yay.
12:40 – Instead of thinking about the Draft I’m going to read about the CHICAGO WHITE SOX, winners of five of their last six. Of course ESPN.com is too busy right now for me to read the article. I hope this isn’t some sort of omen… when is ESPN.com ever too busy?
12:47 – After printing off some more lists and fantasy crap, I think I’m ready and decided to eat the granola bar and check my e-mail. I may have to put the i-Pod on soon because these two kids behind me, probably sophomores, are talking about PDAs and the theory of structure. I really wish I had the Internet at my place right now.
12:53 – Not that this is shocking or anyone will be even interested, but the Kansas City Royals are officially out of the AL Central race. They can still win the Wild Card.
1:02 – The kids behind me just said they want to take some classes at Georgetown. Time to put on the i-Pod.
1:05 – The posted the draft order and I’ve got the 7th pick, the pick I was saying would be one of my top two choices (the 7th and 4th pick). Things are looking up already!
1:06 – The girlfriend just called, I politely told her I could talk and hung up. I think she understood.
1:09 – Let’s quickly go over the ten teams in our league:
1) Scrappers is picking first and I have no clue who he is.
2) Wong Fong Dong is drafting second, he’s a law student at GW I think.
3) Mr. Milque Toast, is a guy from Wilmington, DE and is at CUA law school right now a friend of my friend Denis.
4) Dr. Greg Cynaumon is Jim, the Comish of the league and Denis’ older brother
5) BDiddyPiddy is Jim’s friend from Notre Dame and also has the worst name in the league.
6) The Beday Effects is Mike who’s Polish last name means Christ of Poland. Friend of mine and Denis
7) Dan Cortese’s Rod… that’s me
8) The Paul McGuires I think he went to ND
9) Darren Pang’s Crease is my buddy Denis
10) Balls Deep is a law student at GW and owner of best name in our league.
1:19 – 11 minutes till the draft starts and I’m trying to figure out the Sox magic number, I think it’s 22. Though I’m thinking that someone like McGahee, James, Deuce, Jamal Lewis, Moss, or Culpepper will be there for me at 7 and 14.
1:23 Bathroom break!
1:25 – Okay, I’m ready… five minutes and I hate to say this, but Jimi Hendrix was underrated. Really, I don’t think people realize how good he was.
1:30 – The Draft starts, Manning goes 1, Tomlinson 2, and then Moss three! What a shock! Moss went too high probably.
1:31 – Alexander goes 4, and then Culpepper goes 5, I’m looking at McGahee right now.
1:32 – The Edge goes 6, and I’m looking at McGahee, I’m going to use all the time on the clock at this point…
1:34 – I take McGahee and am very happy. Culpepper going off the board though stinks and I have no clue what to do with the 14th pick… Deuce goes 8, and Priest goes 9th… I don’t see Jamal Lewis falling to me, but Cory Dillon did just go 10th. Damn it, Lewis went 11th.
1:36 – Okay, now it’s looking like Ahman Green or guys like Rudi Johnson at 14, McNabb goes 12th and Julis Jones goes 13th… I’m looking at Green or Marvin Harrison at this point…
1:38 – I can’t go with Dominck Davis, so I take Ahman Green figuring I can get an okay WR in the 3rd round. I don’t like the pick. Right now I’m thinking Chad Johnson or Reggie Wayne in the 3rd round… we’ll see.
1:43 – So a bunch of wide receivers go off the board and my decision is between Joe Horn, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson. David Carr throwing to Johnson scares me, I figure Wayne is this close to being the stud muffin of stud muffins… but I take Joe Horn. He gets the job done. And I’ll pick in a second, where I’ll go Trent Green if he’s there.
1:45 – Green goes right after me, so now I’m thinking Brady or another WR like Reggie Wayne or Nate Burleson… but Brady scares me. It’s too high.
1:47 – Brady is looking like he’ll fall in my lap; Reggie Wayne went off the board, so there goes that temptation. Hines Ward goes off the board, so the WR I’m looking at are Andre Johnson, it’s really really tempting… but I’m going with the Super Bowl winner.
1:52 - I took Brady a little early, but I wanted him and I couldn’t take a chance that he wouldn’t be around again when I picked. Now I can pick up a garbage WR or RB.
1:55 – LaMont Jordan may be around in round five and it will be hard to pass him up. And he falls to me. I have no clue if he’ll be any good, but I’ve got him now. Now a WR or TE with the next pick… I’m think Vick’s favorite target… but he goes off the board.
2:01 – I’m ditching the TE idea and hoping the guy from the Vikes falls in round 7. So it’s a WR… who though? Roy Williams was good until he got hurt. But then again he plays for the Lions.
2:04 – I take Larry Fitzgerald and probably way too high again. Not good, but then again he could have just a huge year even though he’s the number two receiver with the Cards. I don’t dislike the pick, but it was probably too high. I may have been able to get him. But his upside is better than most on the board.
2:05 – Okay this is getting hard to do, so I’m stopping, though I’ll list the rest of my picks.
2:58 – The Draft is over and I feel good about it. My team looks like this:
QB – Brady and Hasselbeck
RB - McGahee, Green, L. Jordan, Thomas Jones, and Lee Suggs
WR – Horn, Lelie, Fitzgerald, and Marcus Robinson
TE – Dallas Clark and Bubba Franks
K – Josh Brown
DEF – New England
Jones and Suggs are starting backs on bad teams. I’m not in love with my wide outs, but I love the depth I’ve got at TE and QB. Kickers are kickers and the New England D isn’t going to hurt me. Let the season begin.
19.8.05
A letter to Red Sox fans
Since I'm now in DC the number of Red Sox hats and fans seen around town has increased. And to be hontest, I'm sick of them and their fans. I wish they'd just go away... but they won't. They're the Cub fans of the AL and are trying very hard to get to the point where people will root for the Yankees over them. So here is a little Letter to Red Sox Nation:
Dear Red Sox fans,
I'm shocked that you guys aren't completely and totally phased by the fact that Red Sox fans have become the Cubs fans of the American League... only if the Cubs ever won. It's like combining every Yankee, Cub, Notre Dame and Cowboy fan into one super annoying fan and the result was the 2005 RedSox fan. I mean it's just brutal, did T.O. hijack the fan base orsomething? Pretty much everyone was on your side, but now, honestly, it's getting to the point where I wouldn't mind seeing the Yankees go19-143. Something should be done and quickly. There is still time to save Red Sox Nation... and a great start would be to get rid of 'Nation', stop selling Red Sox hats to 20 something white males, stop ripping off Ricky Henderson and "Ricky be Ricky" and realize that everyone hates the Yankees as much as you do. I can deal with a fanbase celebrating victory. I can't deal with 'frat boy wearing an intentually worn and faded BoSox hat talking about how great the 'you don't understand what we go though' Red Sox are, how great Boston is, and I just became a Red Sox fan 53 weeks ago! fans and saying things on a 100 degree day in Chicago like "If we were in Boston it would be so muchhotter."' Don't turn the country against you. For the love of God, I never want to root against the Yankees and never have to question it.
Dear Red Sox fans,
I'm shocked that you guys aren't completely and totally phased by the fact that Red Sox fans have become the Cubs fans of the American League... only if the Cubs ever won. It's like combining every Yankee, Cub, Notre Dame and Cowboy fan into one super annoying fan and the result was the 2005 RedSox fan. I mean it's just brutal, did T.O. hijack the fan base orsomething? Pretty much everyone was on your side, but now, honestly, it's getting to the point where I wouldn't mind seeing the Yankees go19-143. Something should be done and quickly. There is still time to save Red Sox Nation... and a great start would be to get rid of 'Nation', stop selling Red Sox hats to 20 something white males, stop ripping off Ricky Henderson and "Ricky be Ricky" and realize that everyone hates the Yankees as much as you do. I can deal with a fanbase celebrating victory. I can't deal with 'frat boy wearing an intentually worn and faded BoSox hat talking about how great the 'you don't understand what we go though' Red Sox are, how great Boston is, and I just became a Red Sox fan 53 weeks ago! fans and saying things on a 100 degree day in Chicago like "If we were in Boston it would be so muchhotter."' Don't turn the country against you. For the love of God, I never want to root against the Yankees and never have to question it.
8.8.05
Reason and Thoughts
Yeah it's been a while and I'm not sure anyone even checks this site more than every fourth day or something, but anyway there is a reason why it's been a while.
1) I quit my job and therefore have found other things to do than blog (that doesn't mean I've stopped thinking or reading, just stopped blogging).
2) I'm moving to Washington, DC tomorrow and therefore probably won't have another post until the weekend at the soonest. But I'll be thinking and stuff like that... yeah.
Anyway just a few random thoughts to remember:
1) The White Sox are going to the playoffs, that's a fact. I don't want them to face the A's. I want to see the Yanks in round one. I also think the Sox match up well with the Red Sox. I'm a bit scared of the L.A. A of A.
2) The Red Sox and Red Sox Nation needs to stop existing as soon as possible. So annoying, get over yourselves, you're being a joke. It's getting to the point where I may be rooting for the Yankees over the Red Sox. Who would have thought that nine months ago?
3) Aug in DC is probably the worst month... it's really hot, nothing is going on, and Redskins talk starts up.
4) Go White Sox!
Okay that's really all for now... check back in a week.
-- Bobby Otter
1) I quit my job and therefore have found other things to do than blog (that doesn't mean I've stopped thinking or reading, just stopped blogging).
2) I'm moving to Washington, DC tomorrow and therefore probably won't have another post until the weekend at the soonest. But I'll be thinking and stuff like that... yeah.
Anyway just a few random thoughts to remember:
1) The White Sox are going to the playoffs, that's a fact. I don't want them to face the A's. I want to see the Yanks in round one. I also think the Sox match up well with the Red Sox. I'm a bit scared of the L.A. A of A.
2) The Red Sox and Red Sox Nation needs to stop existing as soon as possible. So annoying, get over yourselves, you're being a joke. It's getting to the point where I may be rooting for the Yankees over the Red Sox. Who would have thought that nine months ago?
3) Aug in DC is probably the worst month... it's really hot, nothing is going on, and Redskins talk starts up.
4) Go White Sox!
Okay that's really all for now... check back in a week.
-- Bobby Otter
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