The Sunday Rounds, Volume 149
It is finally beginning to look and feel like autumn. The leaves are turning, the temperatures have scaled back from some freakish highs last week (mid 90s) to as low as 65. Yesterday’s daytime high of around 72 or 73 was the perfect soccer weather.
Bottom line: Even though I love Summer, its always kind of nice when the temperature of my coffee is significantly warmer than it is outside.
On to The Rounds…
”Something More Familiar”
I am very pleased to announce that the latest edition of Soundtrack, “Hidden In Plain View”, is done and ready for download. As has become the ‘new thing’, you can download one of two versions:
1. The Single Edition - This is a single MP3 and it clocks in at just under 80 minutes. Download it, burn it to disc, and you’ve got a great little radio show.
2. The Bonus Edition - This is a Zip folder, with the show cut into two MP3s (which you can, of course, burn and it will sound the same as the single version), and with some “bonus” songs; stuff that didn’t make the cut but, at one point or another, was on the show play list or strongly considered.
In case you missed the write-ups on this one, the theme/concept is really simple: Take very familiar bands and artists and display their lesser-known songs. Non-singles, b-sides, non-album tracks, contributions to soundtracks and compilation, etc.
It turned out very cool and if you check it out you’ll hear some great stuff by, among others, The Killers, Joan Jett, Jeff Buckley, Elton John, The Black Crowes, Soul Asylum Pearl Jam, and many, many more. From a purely musical standpoint, I think is one of the best play lists I’ve ever generated.
Have at it and, please, please, pretty please let me know what you think of it. Thanks!
”Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…
I don’t think I fully appreciated my new work schedule (which has given me my weekends back after almost ten years of working odd hours) until yesterday morning when we were getting the monkeys ready for Game #1 of the Fall soccer season. They both got wins and I, in my first foray into refereeing, managed to call a game and not have any parents or players want my head on a platter.
I think the biggest surprise of the day was what a massive leap Gavin made from Spring to Fall, in terms of his focus and willingness to engage in his game. At U8 (8 and under) it is still a lot of bunch ball and swarming but Gavin has always been a little tentative in getting into the fray. But yesterday he really wanted the ball and it was like a light bulb went off: “I’m just as tall as these guys, if not taller… I can run fast, I can dribble…” It reminded me of Bailey at the same age. He “got it” and it showed. He also got to play goal and only gave up one score and there wasn’t much he could have done differently to stop it.
Bailey is in his first year of U12 and, just as I remembered from my own playing days (which was, hi, just about 4 years ago or something), kids take a massive leap in ability from U10 to U12. At this level they actually start to play soccer the way God (or Pele or Beckham) intended. Boys tend to have major growth spurts at 11 and 12 and some of the kids were way bigger than our almost 11 year-old kiddo. But Bailey thinks the game so well and has really good vision on the field… better than I ever did… and he held his own. A kid with very good feet schooled him pretty badly but, beyond that, he played solid. Some of his teammates are just sickly good and it such a joy to watch kids find their ability. At U12 they start to shoot from way out because they have the foot power and can roof it. One kid took a shot from the left side and it pinged right under the bar and in. And it wasn’t an accident!
Bailey also spent a half in goal, which is always fun. He looked kind of tiny but his cool-ass long hair always makes him stand out. He didn’t see a lot of action because his team was so busy kicking butt (they won 5-1) but he stopped everything that came his way.
My refereeing experience was really interesting. Originally I was just supposed to be an assistant ref but we were a person short and I took center ref duties for a U10 Girls game. I probably missed a call or two but there were not catcalls from the parents or the coaches and the players from both teams came and shook my hand after the game, which was cool. A few tripping calls, a hand ball or two, one dangerous play call… and a few explanations of proper throw-ins and what not. It’s amazing how much respect a yellow shirt, black knee socks, and a whistle will get ya!
(And, yes, there will eventually be pictures!)
”Not so fast…”
A little politics this morning… feel free to skip over it accordingly if that isn’t your cup…
I’m starting to think the Democratic Party and their primary voters are going to have a panic attack. So much so that I’m willing to go out on this limb: John Edwards will win the party’s nomination for President.
Hear me out…
The party, with the exception of nominating Al Gore, which was a given based on him being the VP, has a recent history of starting out with a consensus or surging candidate but then going with a safer choice.
Look back just four years ago to this point in the election cycle. The talk was all Howard Dean. “Howard Dean is mobilizing the Internet”, “Howard Dean is raising millions”, “Howard Dean is exciting Democratic voters”, “Howard Dean found Waldo!”, “Howard Dean killed Dumbledore!” … Okay, those last two are bullshit but you get the idea…
But the way that our primary system works and the nature of free media gave John Kerry just what he needed. He put all his eggs in one basket and campaigned like a mother in Iowa, won the Caucus, got some help from Dean via the “I Have a Scream Speech” (which will, by the way, never stop being funny no matter how often I hear it), and went on to be the safer consensus candidate.
John Edwards is following a similar playbook. He is putting everything he has into Iowa and he’s leading in the polls of likely Iowa Caucus participants. This is significant because a Caucus is so different than a standard primary. And the endorsements that Edwards has been getting from labor unions could be a major factor in winning. There is also the conventional sense that Edwards style and background resonates in the Midwest; more so than Clinton or Obama.
Anything can happen over the next 13 months and change but the table, at present, is well set for Democrats to win the White House. But, at the same time, this is a party with the history of when push comes to shove, opting for elect able but rarely revolutionary candidates. A nicer person would call them pragmatists; a critic would call them major league pussies.
While electing the first woman or African-American to be President would be historic I can’t really call Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama revolutionaries. But it still would be different, both for the party and the broader population. If Democratic voters panic -- as they have been prone to do - Edwards becomes the safe choice. Despite limited experience, he has appeal and if coupled with the right running mate (Senator Jim Webb, retired General Wesley Clark, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, or New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson) he could conceivably win in November 2008.
Can John Edwards beat Giuliani or Thompson or Romney? Time will tell. He has to win the nomination first. My point is this: Don’t count out the former Senator with the really expensive haircut.
”I remember taking a look at him and saying ‘Anyone who perms his hair has got to go’
The training camps are in full swing and the Ducks and Kings, who will fly to the UK to kick off the season, have already played a pair of pre-season games. The other 28 NHL teams kick off their pre-season tomorrow and the proper season is just two weeks from today! WOW!
This week, as part of my ongoing series previewing the upcoming season, its time to analyze the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
1. The New York Rangers - There is no question that the Blue Shirts pulled off the biggest shocker of the Free Agency frenzy (aka the Silly Season) by signing both Scott Gomez and Chris Drury too long-term contracts. Both are former Rookie of the Year winner, both have won Stanley Cups, and both can score in bunches. Add that to an already formidable offense with veterans Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan and you’ve got a top-heavy squad that will score in bunches. They’d better, because their defense looks a little thin. In fact, if it weren’t for their stud goaltender, Henrick Lundqvist, I wouldn’t pick them to finish at the top of their division. Though the Rangers are already near the 50.3 million salary cap they should have the resources necessary to bring in some defensive help by the trade deadline. Look for goaltending prospect Al Montoya to be dealt for a Top 4 defender before all is said and done.
2. The Pittsburgh Penguins - Season Three of “The Crosby Show” and unlike the sitcom I’m paraphrasing, the support cast is getting better with each new episode. Captain Sidney Crosby, along with the team’s young stars like Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, will benefit tremendously from a full season of veteran presence with the likes of Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Daryl Sydor, and Peter Sykora rounding them out. The re-building of the Pens has been accelerated big time and if I had to pick a dark horse team to emerge from the East, this would be it.
3. Philadelphia Flyers - The Flyers and division rivals the New Jersey Devils will fight for the 3rd spot in the division and, more than likely, one of the final playoff spots. Philadelphia had a dreadful 2007 season but their aggressive off-season acquisitions and emerging young stars should make for a very fast turnaround. Sure, they overpaid (and for years to come on a lengthy contract) for Daniel Briere but he is a vital piece to the puzzle. Stability in goal from Martin Biron and the inclusion of Kimmo Timonen and Jason Smith on the blue line will give their talented forwards the freedom to play an up-tempo game. There are still some holes to fill but, on the whole, the Flyers should make this past season look like an aberration, not a pattern.
4. The New Jersey Devils - With the exception of the New York Islanders, no team saw a greater exodus of talent than this usually stable franchise. It would appear the salary cap and the heavy handedness of GM Lou Lamoriello has finally caught up with them. That said, the Devils could still surprise but, ultimately, I think a summer of seeing top tier talent leave and being replaced by second or third tier players will make the Devils slide in the standings. Future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur can only do so much and with a less talented support staff I’m looking for New Jersey to miss the playoffs and begin a re-building process.
5. The New York Islanders - The Islanders shocked fans on a couple of levels last season. Virtually no one expected them to be a playoff team but they snuck in, in part with the help of trade deadline acquisition Ryan Smyth. But they gave up a lot for ‘Smitty’ and now have nothing to show for it, as he bolted to Colorado. And so did Tom Poti… and Jason Blake… and Richard Zhednik… and Aaron Asham… do you detect a pattern here? Sure, GM Garth Snow brought in some names and the likes of Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie will help but, in the end, this is a team that is significantly worse off than the last time we saw them. And, quite frankly, they weren’t all that great the last time.
Next week, the division I tend to pay the most attention to: The mighty Northwest!
That’s all I’ve got. I sincerely apologize for all of the above.
Garcon! More coffee!
J
**************************
The Weekly Survey
1. What would you rather be: A referee/umpire or the person inside the mascot costume? Which one do you think has the highest risk of personal injury?
2. What do you think of my assessment and prediction? Could John Edwards sneak in, be the “safe choice”, and win his party’s nomination for President? Or do you think the apparatus is already behind someone else? Share your thoughts, please.
3. This is a little forward thinking for the October edition of Soundtrack: Suggest a “theme” for a future show (or the next show).
4. Hockey player Miroslav Satan [pronounced Shuh-Tan] plays for the New York Islanders. Whether you’re a fan of the game or not, if someone gave you a jersey with the name “Satan” on the back, would you wear it around town?
Thanks for stopping by.
Bottom line: Even though I love Summer, its always kind of nice when the temperature of my coffee is significantly warmer than it is outside.
On to The Rounds…
”Something More Familiar”
I am very pleased to announce that the latest edition of Soundtrack, “Hidden In Plain View”, is done and ready for download. As has become the ‘new thing’, you can download one of two versions:
1. The Single Edition - This is a single MP3 and it clocks in at just under 80 minutes. Download it, burn it to disc, and you’ve got a great little radio show.
2. The Bonus Edition - This is a Zip folder, with the show cut into two MP3s (which you can, of course, burn and it will sound the same as the single version), and with some “bonus” songs; stuff that didn’t make the cut but, at one point or another, was on the show play list or strongly considered.
In case you missed the write-ups on this one, the theme/concept is really simple: Take very familiar bands and artists and display their lesser-known songs. Non-singles, b-sides, non-album tracks, contributions to soundtracks and compilation, etc.
It turned out very cool and if you check it out you’ll hear some great stuff by, among others, The Killers, Joan Jett, Jeff Buckley, Elton John, The Black Crowes, Soul Asylum Pearl Jam, and many, many more. From a purely musical standpoint, I think is one of the best play lists I’ve ever generated.
Have at it and, please, please, pretty please let me know what you think of it. Thanks!
”Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…
I don’t think I fully appreciated my new work schedule (which has given me my weekends back after almost ten years of working odd hours) until yesterday morning when we were getting the monkeys ready for Game #1 of the Fall soccer season. They both got wins and I, in my first foray into refereeing, managed to call a game and not have any parents or players want my head on a platter.
I think the biggest surprise of the day was what a massive leap Gavin made from Spring to Fall, in terms of his focus and willingness to engage in his game. At U8 (8 and under) it is still a lot of bunch ball and swarming but Gavin has always been a little tentative in getting into the fray. But yesterday he really wanted the ball and it was like a light bulb went off: “I’m just as tall as these guys, if not taller… I can run fast, I can dribble…” It reminded me of Bailey at the same age. He “got it” and it showed. He also got to play goal and only gave up one score and there wasn’t much he could have done differently to stop it.
Bailey is in his first year of U12 and, just as I remembered from my own playing days (which was, hi, just about 4 years ago or something), kids take a massive leap in ability from U10 to U12. At this level they actually start to play soccer the way God (or Pele or Beckham) intended. Boys tend to have major growth spurts at 11 and 12 and some of the kids were way bigger than our almost 11 year-old kiddo. But Bailey thinks the game so well and has really good vision on the field… better than I ever did… and he held his own. A kid with very good feet schooled him pretty badly but, beyond that, he played solid. Some of his teammates are just sickly good and it such a joy to watch kids find their ability. At U12 they start to shoot from way out because they have the foot power and can roof it. One kid took a shot from the left side and it pinged right under the bar and in. And it wasn’t an accident!
Bailey also spent a half in goal, which is always fun. He looked kind of tiny but his cool-ass long hair always makes him stand out. He didn’t see a lot of action because his team was so busy kicking butt (they won 5-1) but he stopped everything that came his way.
My refereeing experience was really interesting. Originally I was just supposed to be an assistant ref but we were a person short and I took center ref duties for a U10 Girls game. I probably missed a call or two but there were not catcalls from the parents or the coaches and the players from both teams came and shook my hand after the game, which was cool. A few tripping calls, a hand ball or two, one dangerous play call… and a few explanations of proper throw-ins and what not. It’s amazing how much respect a yellow shirt, black knee socks, and a whistle will get ya!
(And, yes, there will eventually be pictures!)
”Not so fast…”
A little politics this morning… feel free to skip over it accordingly if that isn’t your cup…
I’m starting to think the Democratic Party and their primary voters are going to have a panic attack. So much so that I’m willing to go out on this limb: John Edwards will win the party’s nomination for President.
Hear me out…
The party, with the exception of nominating Al Gore, which was a given based on him being the VP, has a recent history of starting out with a consensus or surging candidate but then going with a safer choice.
Look back just four years ago to this point in the election cycle. The talk was all Howard Dean. “Howard Dean is mobilizing the Internet”, “Howard Dean is raising millions”, “Howard Dean is exciting Democratic voters”, “Howard Dean found Waldo!”, “Howard Dean killed Dumbledore!” … Okay, those last two are bullshit but you get the idea…
But the way that our primary system works and the nature of free media gave John Kerry just what he needed. He put all his eggs in one basket and campaigned like a mother in Iowa, won the Caucus, got some help from Dean via the “I Have a Scream Speech” (which will, by the way, never stop being funny no matter how often I hear it), and went on to be the safer consensus candidate.
John Edwards is following a similar playbook. He is putting everything he has into Iowa and he’s leading in the polls of likely Iowa Caucus participants. This is significant because a Caucus is so different than a standard primary. And the endorsements that Edwards has been getting from labor unions could be a major factor in winning. There is also the conventional sense that Edwards style and background resonates in the Midwest; more so than Clinton or Obama.
Anything can happen over the next 13 months and change but the table, at present, is well set for Democrats to win the White House. But, at the same time, this is a party with the history of when push comes to shove, opting for elect able but rarely revolutionary candidates. A nicer person would call them pragmatists; a critic would call them major league pussies.
While electing the first woman or African-American to be President would be historic I can’t really call Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama revolutionaries. But it still would be different, both for the party and the broader population. If Democratic voters panic -- as they have been prone to do - Edwards becomes the safe choice. Despite limited experience, he has appeal and if coupled with the right running mate (Senator Jim Webb, retired General Wesley Clark, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, or New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson) he could conceivably win in November 2008.
Can John Edwards beat Giuliani or Thompson or Romney? Time will tell. He has to win the nomination first. My point is this: Don’t count out the former Senator with the really expensive haircut.
”I remember taking a look at him and saying ‘Anyone who perms his hair has got to go’
The training camps are in full swing and the Ducks and Kings, who will fly to the UK to kick off the season, have already played a pair of pre-season games. The other 28 NHL teams kick off their pre-season tomorrow and the proper season is just two weeks from today! WOW!
This week, as part of my ongoing series previewing the upcoming season, its time to analyze the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
1. The New York Rangers - There is no question that the Blue Shirts pulled off the biggest shocker of the Free Agency frenzy (aka the Silly Season) by signing both Scott Gomez and Chris Drury too long-term contracts. Both are former Rookie of the Year winner, both have won Stanley Cups, and both can score in bunches. Add that to an already formidable offense with veterans Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan and you’ve got a top-heavy squad that will score in bunches. They’d better, because their defense looks a little thin. In fact, if it weren’t for their stud goaltender, Henrick Lundqvist, I wouldn’t pick them to finish at the top of their division. Though the Rangers are already near the 50.3 million salary cap they should have the resources necessary to bring in some defensive help by the trade deadline. Look for goaltending prospect Al Montoya to be dealt for a Top 4 defender before all is said and done.
2. The Pittsburgh Penguins - Season Three of “The Crosby Show” and unlike the sitcom I’m paraphrasing, the support cast is getting better with each new episode. Captain Sidney Crosby, along with the team’s young stars like Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, will benefit tremendously from a full season of veteran presence with the likes of Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Daryl Sydor, and Peter Sykora rounding them out. The re-building of the Pens has been accelerated big time and if I had to pick a dark horse team to emerge from the East, this would be it.
3. Philadelphia Flyers - The Flyers and division rivals the New Jersey Devils will fight for the 3rd spot in the division and, more than likely, one of the final playoff spots. Philadelphia had a dreadful 2007 season but their aggressive off-season acquisitions and emerging young stars should make for a very fast turnaround. Sure, they overpaid (and for years to come on a lengthy contract) for Daniel Briere but he is a vital piece to the puzzle. Stability in goal from Martin Biron and the inclusion of Kimmo Timonen and Jason Smith on the blue line will give their talented forwards the freedom to play an up-tempo game. There are still some holes to fill but, on the whole, the Flyers should make this past season look like an aberration, not a pattern.
4. The New Jersey Devils - With the exception of the New York Islanders, no team saw a greater exodus of talent than this usually stable franchise. It would appear the salary cap and the heavy handedness of GM Lou Lamoriello has finally caught up with them. That said, the Devils could still surprise but, ultimately, I think a summer of seeing top tier talent leave and being replaced by second or third tier players will make the Devils slide in the standings. Future Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur can only do so much and with a less talented support staff I’m looking for New Jersey to miss the playoffs and begin a re-building process.
5. The New York Islanders - The Islanders shocked fans on a couple of levels last season. Virtually no one expected them to be a playoff team but they snuck in, in part with the help of trade deadline acquisition Ryan Smyth. But they gave up a lot for ‘Smitty’ and now have nothing to show for it, as he bolted to Colorado. And so did Tom Poti… and Jason Blake… and Richard Zhednik… and Aaron Asham… do you detect a pattern here? Sure, GM Garth Snow brought in some names and the likes of Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie will help but, in the end, this is a team that is significantly worse off than the last time we saw them. And, quite frankly, they weren’t all that great the last time.
Next week, the division I tend to pay the most attention to: The mighty Northwest!
That’s all I’ve got. I sincerely apologize for all of the above.
Garcon! More coffee!
J
**************************
The Weekly Survey
1. What would you rather be: A referee/umpire or the person inside the mascot costume? Which one do you think has the highest risk of personal injury?
2. What do you think of my assessment and prediction? Could John Edwards sneak in, be the “safe choice”, and win his party’s nomination for President? Or do you think the apparatus is already behind someone else? Share your thoughts, please.
3. This is a little forward thinking for the October edition of Soundtrack: Suggest a “theme” for a future show (or the next show).
4. Hockey player Miroslav Satan [pronounced Shuh-Tan] plays for the New York Islanders. Whether you’re a fan of the game or not, if someone gave you a jersey with the name “Satan” on the back, would you wear it around town?
Thanks for stopping by.