by Phyllis
Okay, that sucked.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
More Predictions...Sort Of
by Phyllis
Remember the Spindoctors? They had that lead singer who looked like Shaggy (ask me to do my Shaggy impression sometime) and had a couple of "hits" in the early 90s. You know, "Two Princes" and the one that was just playing on my Pandora station, "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong." What a stupid band. What does this have to do with anything? Nothing at all.
I went 3-2 on my predictions for the first five bowl games. Not bad, but those were not hard games to call, so I probably should have gotten them all. Nice to see that I called the BYU game almost perfectly.
As I sat there at Slave's house watching it, I mentioned how frustrating it was to be a BYU football fan. I know every time I watch them play they will put the ball on the ground repeatedly and probably have a few unsportsmanlike penalties and horribly inopportune times. And their defensive secondary is always exposed. Oh well, I knew what was coming. Maybe I should stop being a fan. But I went there and I guess it is just a part of me now.
I also went to BSU and graduated from there, you know. And this is not a team that disappoints on the football field. They actually have won several games I expected them to lose. So as I have contemplated how to call tonight's game, I realize I believe in them, believe they can get it done--again. So here goes:
BSU vs. TCU in the Poinsettia (How DO you pronounce that, anyway? Geez!) Bowl. I take BSU in a (relatively) low scoring game: 27-23.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Hawaii vs. Notre Dame. Have I ever mentioned how I feel about Notre Dame. It mirrors the way I feel about the NY Yankees. So even if I thought they would win, I would nae pick them. And I think Hawaii will be geeked about this. Hawaii wins, and Notre Dame's bowl streak continues.
Motor City Bowl, Florida Central vs. Michigan Atlantic. Wait, that's not it. Florida Michigan vs. Central Atlantic, right? Who knows, but I'll take whichever team is from Michigan, since they are playing in Detroit.
More later, but I have to figure a subtle way to remind Slave I need him to let me let my boys destroy his downstairs again just so I can watch the BSU game.
Remember the Spindoctors? They had that lead singer who looked like Shaggy (ask me to do my Shaggy impression sometime) and had a couple of "hits" in the early 90s. You know, "Two Princes" and the one that was just playing on my Pandora station, "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong." What a stupid band. What does this have to do with anything? Nothing at all.
I went 3-2 on my predictions for the first five bowl games. Not bad, but those were not hard games to call, so I probably should have gotten them all. Nice to see that I called the BYU game almost perfectly.
As I sat there at Slave's house watching it, I mentioned how frustrating it was to be a BYU football fan. I know every time I watch them play they will put the ball on the ground repeatedly and probably have a few unsportsmanlike penalties and horribly inopportune times. And their defensive secondary is always exposed. Oh well, I knew what was coming. Maybe I should stop being a fan. But I went there and I guess it is just a part of me now.
I also went to BSU and graduated from there, you know. And this is not a team that disappoints on the football field. They actually have won several games I expected them to lose. So as I have contemplated how to call tonight's game, I realize I believe in them, believe they can get it done--again. So here goes:
BSU vs. TCU in the Poinsettia (How DO you pronounce that, anyway? Geez!) Bowl. I take BSU in a (relatively) low scoring game: 27-23.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Hawaii vs. Notre Dame. Have I ever mentioned how I feel about Notre Dame. It mirrors the way I feel about the NY Yankees. So even if I thought they would win, I would nae pick them. And I think Hawaii will be geeked about this. Hawaii wins, and Notre Dame's bowl streak continues.
Motor City Bowl, Florida Central vs. Michigan Atlantic. Wait, that's not it. Florida Michigan vs. Central Atlantic, right? Who knows, but I'll take whichever team is from Michigan, since they are playing in Detroit.
More later, but I have to figure a subtle way to remind Slave I need him to let me let my boys destroy his downstairs again just so I can watch the BSU game.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bowl Predictions #1
by Phyllis
Before I get going on a few bowl game predictions, let me give you one more idea of a Christmas present to get for me. Go here. That's what I'm talking about, and it's the gift that keeps on giving.
And just so you know, I will be predicting who will win the game, not who covers the spread or whatever. Straight winners.
Bowl #1: EagleBank Bowl, Wake Forest vs. Navy. By the way, they played during the regular season, so here is your second chance at a yawner. Feel free to take a nap, since you had to set your alarm to get up in time to watch it. Anyway, Wake Forest doesn't turn it over 6 times and wins, probably 31-21. (Who I want to win: I don't care.)
Bowl #2: New Mexico Bowl, Colorado State vs. Fresno State. Another yawner, with 5th place teams from the WAC and MWC against each other. Proof there are too many bowl games. "Congratulations on a crappy season! Come to New Mexico for a bowl game!" Colorado State wins 31-28 (unless they call the game after 17 OTs without a winner), giving tens of people ammunition for their argument that the MWC is better than the WAC. (Who I want to win: CSU.)
Bowl #3: magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl, Memphis vs. South Florida. More proof. Memphis comes to St. Pete to play a Florida team. I don't know how Memphis can possibly win this, but I am picking them anyway. I am certainly not picking the 6th place team from the Big East! How awful do you have to be to place 6th in that league? Anyway, Memphis pulls off the shocker, and congratulates themselves with fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches for turning around a season that started 0-3. (Who I want to win: I don't care.)
Bowl #4: Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl, BYU vs. Arizona. Even before the game starts, we are in for a delicious treat: "The Most-Watched TV Star in the World" will be singing the national anthem. And you know, BYU should just put this game on their released schedule every year. My predictions (yes, I made it plural on purpose)? Arizona 38-28 this year, BYU 35-21 over Cal next year. (Who I want to win: BYU.)
Bowl #5: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Southern Miss vs. Troy. A whole team against one guy? That doesn't seem fair, even if the team is Southern Miss, who sucks. So Troy wins. (Who I want to win: Troy.)
And yes, 4 of these first 5 bowls should not be played, this one included. But believe me, if I had cable, I would be watching them all. As it is, I will have to invite myself somewhere to catch the BYU game. I am secretly hoping to take it in at my buddy Slave's house (no, not that Slave), but he doesn't know it yet. Or that I plan to watch the BSU game there, too.
That's it for the first batch of predictions. I will post again before BSU and TCU kick it off. I need the time until then to decide if I think BSU can pull this off. My brain says no, but I didn't think they would beat Oregon, either.
Before I get going on a few bowl game predictions, let me give you one more idea of a Christmas present to get for me. Go here. That's what I'm talking about, and it's the gift that keeps on giving.
And just so you know, I will be predicting who will win the game, not who covers the spread or whatever. Straight winners.
Bowl #1: EagleBank Bowl, Wake Forest vs. Navy. By the way, they played during the regular season, so here is your second chance at a yawner. Feel free to take a nap, since you had to set your alarm to get up in time to watch it. Anyway, Wake Forest doesn't turn it over 6 times and wins, probably 31-21. (Who I want to win: I don't care.)
Bowl #2: New Mexico Bowl, Colorado State vs. Fresno State. Another yawner, with 5th place teams from the WAC and MWC against each other. Proof there are too many bowl games. "Congratulations on a crappy season! Come to New Mexico for a bowl game!" Colorado State wins 31-28 (unless they call the game after 17 OTs without a winner), giving tens of people ammunition for their argument that the MWC is better than the WAC. (Who I want to win: CSU.)
Bowl #3: magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl, Memphis vs. South Florida. More proof. Memphis comes to St. Pete to play a Florida team. I don't know how Memphis can possibly win this, but I am picking them anyway. I am certainly not picking the 6th place team from the Big East! How awful do you have to be to place 6th in that league? Anyway, Memphis pulls off the shocker, and congratulates themselves with fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches for turning around a season that started 0-3. (Who I want to win: I don't care.)
Bowl #4: Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl, BYU vs. Arizona. Even before the game starts, we are in for a delicious treat: "The Most-Watched TV Star in the World" will be singing the national anthem. And you know, BYU should just put this game on their released schedule every year. My predictions (yes, I made it plural on purpose)? Arizona 38-28 this year, BYU 35-21 over Cal next year. (Who I want to win: BYU.)
Bowl #5: R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Southern Miss vs. Troy. A whole team against one guy? That doesn't seem fair, even if the team is Southern Miss, who sucks. So Troy wins. (Who I want to win: Troy.)
And yes, 4 of these first 5 bowls should not be played, this one included. But believe me, if I had cable, I would be watching them all. As it is, I will have to invite myself somewhere to catch the BYU game. I am secretly hoping to take it in at my buddy Slave's house (no, not that Slave), but he doesn't know it yet. Or that I plan to watch the BSU game there, too.
That's it for the first batch of predictions. I will post again before BSU and TCU kick it off. I need the time until then to decide if I think BSU can pull this off. My brain says no, but I didn't think they would beat Oregon, either.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Big Ten + Two BCS Bowls = Two Bad Bowls
by Phyllis
It isn't that I'm bitter. Honestly. I am bitter a lot, I admit, but not now. Not about this.
I know it makes more sense for a BCS bowl to take Ohio State. More viewers, more traveling fans, more money. And I don't think Boise State wants any part of Texas or Alabama. (They will have all they want with TCU.) So once Utah went undefeated, I knew what would happen. Ohio State to the Fiesta Bowl. Fine. My only problem now is with the matchup. I mean, is there a rational person outside of the state of Ohio that thinks OSU can win this game? They won't. I know it.
I am very sure about this. Just so you know how confident I am, I will list a few things of which I have equal certainty:
1. The sky is blue.
2. Grass is green.
3. Eggplant is inedible in any form.
4. Demi Moore is a horrible actress.
5. A.J. Burnett will flame out in New York. Yes, I will consider his being injured for the duration of his contract flaming out. I don't just mean he will suck. Which he will. Give a lifetime 87-76 pitcher $82 million dollars over five years? Brilliant. Can you say Carl Pavano? (And seriously, is there an easier team to hate than the Yankees? Nearly $250 million in offers to the first two players they tried to sign. I have ZERO respect for any player who signs with them. Would I personally take one million dollars to go pitch for them right now? Yes (and, no, I would not respect myself). But if I were a ten-year major leaguer and could get $12o million from the Yankees and only $60 million from the Royals? I sign with the Royals.)
6. Britney Spears has no soul. She sold it to Satan. We all know what she got in exchange.
So, yeah, Texas will beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. And if you question me, you're glib. You don't know anything about college football. I've studied it. I know.
UT 34, OSU 17.
Stay tuned for predictions for the winner of every bowl this season (even the Motor City Bowl). Who won't be tuning in to that one? One hundred Schrute bucks if you can name a team playing in it without looking it up.
It isn't that I'm bitter. Honestly. I am bitter a lot, I admit, but not now. Not about this.
I know it makes more sense for a BCS bowl to take Ohio State. More viewers, more traveling fans, more money. And I don't think Boise State wants any part of Texas or Alabama. (They will have all they want with TCU.) So once Utah went undefeated, I knew what would happen. Ohio State to the Fiesta Bowl. Fine. My only problem now is with the matchup. I mean, is there a rational person outside of the state of Ohio that thinks OSU can win this game? They won't. I know it.
I am very sure about this. Just so you know how confident I am, I will list a few things of which I have equal certainty:
1. The sky is blue.
2. Grass is green.
3. Eggplant is inedible in any form.
4. Demi Moore is a horrible actress.
5. A.J. Burnett will flame out in New York. Yes, I will consider his being injured for the duration of his contract flaming out. I don't just mean he will suck. Which he will. Give a lifetime 87-76 pitcher $82 million dollars over five years? Brilliant. Can you say Carl Pavano? (And seriously, is there an easier team to hate than the Yankees? Nearly $250 million in offers to the first two players they tried to sign. I have ZERO respect for any player who signs with them. Would I personally take one million dollars to go pitch for them right now? Yes (and, no, I would not respect myself). But if I were a ten-year major leaguer and could get $12o million from the Yankees and only $60 million from the Royals? I sign with the Royals.)
6. Britney Spears has no soul. She sold it to Satan. We all know what she got in exchange.
So, yeah, Texas will beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. And if you question me, you're glib. You don't know anything about college football. I've studied it. I know.
UT 34, OSU 17.
Stay tuned for predictions for the winner of every bowl this season (even the Motor City Bowl). Who won't be tuning in to that one? One hundred Schrute bucks if you can name a team playing in it without looking it up.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
On Being a Peacemaker
By Phyllis
I am a Peacemaker. Seriously. Roger Clyne tells me as much every time I see him.
You may have heard Roger's band, The Refreshments, in the late 1990s. I remember hearing them on the radio. I had just moved to Boise from Texas in September of 1996 with my wife, MLB, and our three-year-old son. There was this "new" radio station in town, said my brother Koozown (and some other people, too), that actually played a few decent tracks. Not the usual crap. And for sure, this station had a different style. (I want to say the station was 100.3 "The X" but I am not sure. It sounds right, though.) I heard a lot of PUSA, Geggy Tah (and what a stupid and unimaginative song "Whoever You Are" was), CAKE, Sneaker Pimps. I also heard "Down Together" and "Banditos" by The Refreshments from time to time.
One night I was driving in my car (a la the aforementioned Geggy Tah) and heard "Down Together" again, and a DJ (who knows, it could have been Gary McCabe?) started babbling in his golden-throated way about The Refreshments' album, Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy, and how it was great from start to finish. I wondered if what he said was true but didn't immediately put his claim to the test.
Anyway, The Refreshments enjoyed a small taste of success circa 1997 (if success can be measured by exposure on MTV and the fact that they wrote and performed the theme to the new animated television series King of the Hill) and then they broke up. Roger and his drummer (P.H.) wasted no time, however, in recruiting a few guitar slingers and forming a new band: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers were (was?) born.
That is enough of a history lesson. The only other thing you need to know is that since they formed they have toured extensively. That is how I have seen nearly ten shows (MLB is pushing 30!). So let me shift the focus of this post and propose something to you: you should see them the next time they are playing in town (I mean Boise). I don't care who you are. And of course I am serious.
I know what you are thinking; I have been there (or close) before. You are thinking how lame it would be to see a band you scarcely know. I understand. But trust me. Do it. Here are a few reasons why:
There will not be a huge crowd there. I have seen RCPM at the Big Easy (I guess it is the Knitting Factory now) several times and even if you don't go early to cement your spot right in front of Roger (like MLB) you will have a great spot for the show. Third or fourth row of standing people. You might even get some sweat cast off onto you.
"The Whole Damn Night" will be there. That's what we call the grey-haired and -bearded chap that comes and chants his name (or at least the one we gave him) periodically throughout the show. They might even play the song in which his name is a lyric. In any case, watching him will be good for a laugh or two. Hopefully, on the night you go he will not be silently belching throughout the show, reminding all within a twenty foot radius that he had hot dogs earlier.
It will be a great show. I have seen Echo and the Bunnymen, Social Distortion, and even Brian Setzer at the Big Easy (and other bands at other places) and RCPM delivers the best show. No lie. I will not say that I like RCPM better than Social D. or EATB (because I don't), but the show they put on is better. And it's not really close.
There is a good chance members of the band will come out after the show. (See if that's the case with whoever your favorite band is. I mean, I went to an Echo and the Bunnymen show once where my brother (not Koozown) got us backstage, and Ian couldn't wait to get away from us. It's okay; I couldn't understand him, anyway.) And even though Roger will have downed several shots during the show, he will be completely lucid and pleasant. He will talk to anyone who wants to (even all the annoying drunk people) and he is humble and down to earth and pleasant. You tell him 'nice show' or something and he will genuinely thank you and ask your name. It's pretty cool and you can't help but admire him (especially if you are female, apparently).
So when they come around again, pick a few Refreshments or RCPM songs and get to know them (MLB or I can suggest any number that are sure to be played at the next show). It will make the show even better for you. You won't be standing back there thinking everyone is lame for bouncing up and down and throwing their hands in the air. You will be doing it yourself.
I am a Peacemaker. Seriously. Roger Clyne tells me as much every time I see him.
You may have heard Roger's band, The Refreshments, in the late 1990s. I remember hearing them on the radio. I had just moved to Boise from Texas in September of 1996 with my wife, MLB, and our three-year-old son. There was this "new" radio station in town, said my brother Koozown (and some other people, too), that actually played a few decent tracks. Not the usual crap. And for sure, this station had a different style. (I want to say the station was 100.3 "The X" but I am not sure. It sounds right, though.) I heard a lot of PUSA, Geggy Tah (and what a stupid and unimaginative song "Whoever You Are" was), CAKE, Sneaker Pimps. I also heard "Down Together" and "Banditos" by The Refreshments from time to time.
One night I was driving in my car (a la the aforementioned Geggy Tah) and heard "Down Together" again, and a DJ (who knows, it could have been Gary McCabe?) started babbling in his golden-throated way about The Refreshments' album, Fizzy Fuzzy Big & Buzzy, and how it was great from start to finish. I wondered if what he said was true but didn't immediately put his claim to the test.
Anyway, The Refreshments enjoyed a small taste of success circa 1997 (if success can be measured by exposure on MTV and the fact that they wrote and performed the theme to the new animated television series King of the Hill) and then they broke up. Roger and his drummer (P.H.) wasted no time, however, in recruiting a few guitar slingers and forming a new band: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers were (was?) born.
That is enough of a history lesson. The only other thing you need to know is that since they formed they have toured extensively. That is how I have seen nearly ten shows (MLB is pushing 30!). So let me shift the focus of this post and propose something to you: you should see them the next time they are playing in town (I mean Boise). I don't care who you are. And of course I am serious.
I know what you are thinking; I have been there (or close) before. You are thinking how lame it would be to see a band you scarcely know. I understand. But trust me. Do it. Here are a few reasons why:
There will not be a huge crowd there. I have seen RCPM at the Big Easy (I guess it is the Knitting Factory now) several times and even if you don't go early to cement your spot right in front of Roger (like MLB) you will have a great spot for the show. Third or fourth row of standing people. You might even get some sweat cast off onto you.
"The Whole Damn Night" will be there. That's what we call the grey-haired and -bearded chap that comes and chants his name (or at least the one we gave him) periodically throughout the show. They might even play the song in which his name is a lyric. In any case, watching him will be good for a laugh or two. Hopefully, on the night you go he will not be silently belching throughout the show, reminding all within a twenty foot radius that he had hot dogs earlier.
It will be a great show. I have seen Echo and the Bunnymen, Social Distortion, and even Brian Setzer at the Big Easy (and other bands at other places) and RCPM delivers the best show. No lie. I will not say that I like RCPM better than Social D. or EATB (because I don't), but the show they put on is better. And it's not really close.
There is a good chance members of the band will come out after the show. (See if that's the case with whoever your favorite band is. I mean, I went to an Echo and the Bunnymen show once where my brother (not Koozown) got us backstage, and Ian couldn't wait to get away from us. It's okay; I couldn't understand him, anyway.) And even though Roger will have downed several shots during the show, he will be completely lucid and pleasant. He will talk to anyone who wants to (even all the annoying drunk people) and he is humble and down to earth and pleasant. You tell him 'nice show' or something and he will genuinely thank you and ask your name. It's pretty cool and you can't help but admire him (especially if you are female, apparently).
So when they come around again, pick a few Refreshments or RCPM songs and get to know them (MLB or I can suggest any number that are sure to be played at the next show). It will make the show even better for you. You won't be standing back there thinking everyone is lame for bouncing up and down and throwing their hands in the air. You will be doing it yourself.
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