Saturday, July 28, 2007

Googling Yourself: An Exercise In 21st Century Narcissism

Because, as Terrell Owens would say, “I love me some me” I googled my name this evening. I do this regularly, but this is the first time I’ve noticed any meaningful changes in the results. Here’s what I found:

- Another Adam Samons has popped up in the first page of results for the first time. Apparently this Adam Samons has an Xbox, because the link is to his Xbox Live online gaming statistics. I hope he keeps playing and improving his stats, do our name proud Adam, or else I’ll have to buy an Xbox and challenge you to a game of Madden 08 for the right to use our name in online gaming.

- The link to the NLSA newsletter that I contributed to has remained remarkably high in the google rankings for my name.

- My mixed martial arts and wrestling interview recaps for Between the Ropes continue to increase the overall number of returns for my name.

- My brain bowl stats are getting a little scattered in the mix. So, to make me feel better about this I’m going to do some reminiscing on my time on Valencia’s team. Here goes:

The 2003 NAQT Sectionals : This was probably my favorite tournament ever. The long lost Jason Thorpe, James Baker, Angelina, and myself combined to win the tournament, insuring that at least one team from Valencia would get to go to Nationals at UCLA (thanks to the strong performance by our other team whom we beat in the finals of this tournament 2 teams got to go to UCLA). Why is it my favorite? I averaged roughly 20 points a game. That was usually what I did on a good day, however, that wasn’t any normal day. I had James Baker on my team and he averaged 120 points per game. So, even with Baker scoring like a maniac I was able to maintain a respectable average. I’m frusturated that for some reason this seems to be the lowest ranked result of all my stats.

My stats from the 2003 Nationals at UCLA: I wound up with a 14 point average, had a great time, and rode a mechanical bull at Saddle Ranch the night before the tournament started. I’m content with that.

Fall 2002 ACF at UF : 18 point average, and a good time in Gainesville. Annoyingly, my stats from the 2003 tournament show up on top of these. The 2003 tournament was my worst statistical outing ever, but at least my team won, beating FSU in the finals.

Lastly, the page chronicling our 2003 year: There are a couple of inaccuracies (1. I was the second highest scorer at Dalton by average, 2. I was not involved in a swimming race at a hotel in L.A., in reality I was watching Syracuse win the NCAA Basketball Tournament) but this is a good read for some good old fashion community college nostalgia.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

UM Is On The Way Back, So Of Course I'm Going To Take Some Credit

I really liked UM's hiring of Randy Shannon when I first heard it. Now, I love it.

Back on December 31, 2005 I noted how the UM football program had lost its way. You might remember that I suggested 4 simple steps to start getting the program back on track. Today I learned that Shannon has taken action and partially fulfilled step #2. That's right folks, my favorite rapper/1st Amendment and copyright law pioneer, Luther Campbell is back in the fold.

Here's the news from the Miami Herald:
"Rapper Luther Campbell says he appreciates how Randy Shannon has welcomed him back to the UM family. 'Randy called the first recruiting day and said, `Luke, I want you to come down here.' And I said, 'You sure?' He said, 'Yeah.' Whatever I can do to help him out, I'm here for.''

Campbell runs an Optimist club in Liberty City, and some of those players could end up Canes. Shannon invited him to bring 8,000 kids to the Georgia Tech game.

Campbell, aware UM had tried to distance itself from him, said, ''I understand they were trying to clean up their image, but I wasn't part of the problem. All I ever did was tell Jerome Brown, Melvin Bratton, Darrell Fullington to go in the right direction.'' But Campbell won't ask for a sideline pass: ``It's too hot.''

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

If This Were True I Would Vote For 4 More Years Of George W.

George W and I have had our ups and downs. I like that he's the first president to try and privatize social security, but beyond that we haven't agreed in quite a while. He took a proposed surplus from Clinton and instead of addressing the national debt, the Social Security problem, or the even bigger future funding problems with Medicare-Medicaid he gave us tax cuts. Don't get me wrong, I love tax cuts, but it's not wise to cut taxes when the nation has so many future financial obligations that it won't be able to cover. And don't even get me started on his foreign policy.

So, could anything save my opinion of George W? Yes, if this story were somehow true: Bush Proposes Sending Transformers™ to Iraq

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Nostalgia

Most of you know that I have boycotted all ESPN "sport news" programing (Sportscenter, Around the Horn, etc.) for a little over three years now. I do watch live or taped sporting event though, which means most of ESPN Classic's programs are Kosher. So, I just turned on ESPN Classic and was treated to a great blast from the past, American Gladiators. I used to watch this show every weekend because it came on right before wrestling on Saturday mornings.

However, something weird has happened. As soon as the episode I'm watching right now started I vividly remembered its original broadcast. I don't just mean I'm remembering stuff as the show goes along, I remember the entire program and it's not even over yet. So, I looked up some info on this episode and apparently I am perfectly recalling a program that first aired in January of 1992 (I know the page says it first aired on a Wednesday, but it was syndicated, hence it was airing on Saturday in Orlando).

So, why is it that my mind retains such a detailed knowledge of an American Gladiators episode from 15 years ago? I don't know, I just wish I could find a way to harness this kind of mind power on a more regular basis.

Monday, July 16, 2007

A Prediction

The toxicology reports on Benoit will be coming out tomorrow, so I've got a (pretty obvious) prediction. Should the reports come back and show no steroids in Benoit's system the media will let this story die a quiet death over the next week. I doubt that the reports will come back clean, but if somehow they do the media will have lost their easy answer to this story and no longer have the attractive "STEROIDS" headline to lead with on this story.

If, as I expect, the reports do come back showing roids in Benoit's system expect this story to stay around even longer. Also, expect to see a lot of specials on the dark side of the wrestling industry, I hear CNN is producing one already.

No matter what way the reports come back I hope that the increased scrutiny on wrestling continues.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Apparently Merriam Webster Smells What the Rock is Cook'n

The Rock's impact on our society and the English language can no longer be denied. I say that because the word Smackdown, a phrase he coined, has been added to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

To me this is like the fact that Rocky won the best picture Oscar in 1976, it's a total argument ender when people try to belittle the Rock's cultural contributions.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Due To Popular Demand...Pictures!

Here's the ridiculousness that I'm living in, truly, I don't want to leave.
Here's what I see on my right when I'm sitting on the couch in the living room:

Here's a better view from that window:

This is the view of the street below. The Irish Pub that Rocky Jr. hangs out at in the movie is at the top center of the picture. It's where the sidewalk becomes brick:

Another view of the skyline, this time you can see some of the street also:
And here's what I see then I sit on the couch and look to the left:
The only really notable thing from this window that can't be seen in the other is a church next door. Right now the sun is in the way, so check back for an update with a picture of the church. For photos from outside my apartment you can click here for my webshots album with 25 pictures and guest appearances by Jonathan, Rocky Balboa, and the House of Cheese.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Not Liking What I'm Seeing From POTUS

I could rant a little, but instead I'll just say I'm not thrilled with George W's latest decision. But on the bright side, he does look sharp in a fighter pilot outfit.