Interests:Hmmmmmm, probably the same stuff as my areas of expertise! Expertise:Journalism (broadcast and print), Teaching, movies, technology, sports, comic books, and girls. Ok, so I don't know anything about girls. So what. Occupation:Other Industry:Education/Research
There sure are a lot of differences between New York and Indianapolis, aren’t there?In the spirit of the upcoming AFC title game between the Colts and That Team from New York, I’ve compiled a list to make us all a little more culturally aware.
–Gerry Appel
New YorkIndianapolis
Population:8,363,710Including Muncie?
Mode of transportation:Taxi cab 1998 Ford Explorer
Chief export:MusicalsCorn
Link to Baltimore Colts:Super Bowl IIIMayflower
Network television snow:CSI: New YorkParks and Recreation
Food staple:$15 deli sandwich$2 slice of sugar pie
Signature sports moment:Blowing 2004 ALCS2007 AFC title comeback
A guy is driving around Dublin when he sees a sign in front of a house:"Talking Dog For Sale ." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador sitting there.
"You talk?" he asks. "Yes," the Labrador replies. "So, what's the story?"
The Labrador looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the Prime Minister about my gift. In no time at all, they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a load of puppies, and now I'm just retired."
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
"Ten bucks," the man says."Ten bucks? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him for so little?"
I know, I never update anymore. Which leads me to a question--I read in the New York Times Online, that Google estimates most blogs are read by one person. How many readers do I have out there?
I've been meaning to update this page for a while, but just haven't found the time/motivation. And now my motivation is Elizabeth slashing my tires if I don't write something. And this is even going to be sports related--aren't you happy, Hawkeye? And don't worry, I'll give all y'all my thoughts on Superman Returns sooner or later.
So...USA Basketball...what to say. Hmmm. How about...
DID I NOT SAY WE NEEDED A THREE POINT SHOOTER?! CUTTING ADAM MORRISON WAS A MISTAKE! DID I NOT SAY WE NEEDED A GOOD CLAMP-DOWN DEFENDER? CUTTING BRUCE BOWEN? MISTAKE! I SAID AFTER THE GERMANY GAME THAT IF WE DON'T START SHOOTING BETTER, WE WILL NOT BEAT GREECE, AND WE DIDN'T!
Thank the deity of your choice I didn't actually see the game. I thought it was the second game of the doubleheader, so I got up out of bed and realized it was Argentina playing Spain. As I was watching that, eventually the announcer Jim Durham said, "and in a HUGE upset..."
Somehow I had the feeling Jim wasn't referring to last night's Jaguars preseason game.
Granted, our overall team is infinitely better than the last two USA squads, and if we win the Bronze tomorrow, we still will have lost only once, a feat not claimed by the last two USA teams. But...this team wasn't assembled simply to do better, or to win the bronze. This team was created as the "USA Basketball Revenge Squad" in an attempt to beat out everyone and win the gold. We're the freaking United Basketball States, and we can't win the gold in a sport we created? The only reason these other countries have gotten so good at beating us is: one, we still don't play fundamental ball like we used to (although, this year's team showed improvement) and two, all those years of USA coaches going overseas to teach clinics has caught up with us. Those countries remember our teachings, and now they are using our basketball knowledge against us.
What's next? Team USA will have to play in the Tournament of Americas in 2007 to earn an Olympic birth. I have no doubt this will happen, because the Tournament of Americas has a weak pool compared to the World Basketball Championships. Losing to Greece is not the end of the world for USA Basketball, but it is very disappointing. It's now time to retool this team, and to try again next year.
