Saturday, November 22, 2008

Church vs. State

It's November, and news reports say some folks in Utah - including Mormons - are openly complaining about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its influence in the state and/or nation. This can only mean one thing: it's time for "The Holy War," the nickname given to the BYU-Utah rivalry football game, pitting a church school against a state school.
This is the time when the reddest city in the Union, politically, turns blue, and the school up north supports its troops wearing red and white.
In addition to being the biggest annual sporting event in Utah, this year's game has added some national interest. With a potential BCS bowl game and a conference championship on the line, the #7 and #14 teams in the BCS will go at it today, sporting a record of a combined 21 wins and one loss.

Sorry, no predictions on this one.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Unusual combinations- Brat Tail: a maple bar and bratwurst

No, I'm not making this up. At BYU football games, you can get something called a brat tail (that's brat, as in bratwurst - not a spoiled, whiny person), which is one of the stadium's extra long maple bars, or "Cougar Tails," sliced down the middle and used as a hot dug bun for a 1/3-pound bratwurst.
A Brat Tail. That's what it's called and it really must have some of the most interesting combinations of flavors you'd never want to try. On second thought, maybe it's no more strange than those peanut butter-and-pickle sandwiches I ate as a kid (no joke!).

MORE LINKS

Check out what this food critic has to say about the Brat Tail on video.
Photo, video, and further description of the Brat Tail experience can be found here.
Amazingly, Average Joe's Sports Blog calls the Brat Tail "excellent."
Another Brat Tail article

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Why it's good to be a Spurs fan: Reason No. 4-They're good guys

Every year ESPN publishes results from some survey called "ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings List" which ranks all the big-league teams in American sports (yes, that includes the NHL) according to what they do to satisfy their fans. The composite score comes from a load of categories including the affordability of attending games, winning, fan relations, and so on.

For 2008, the Spurs were number one in the NBA and number two out of all 122 "major" professional teams (again that included the NHL, but not MLS). San Antonio is the only team to rank in the top three for all six years of the survey's history.

Spurs players ranked second (behind the NFL's Patriots) in a category determined by on-field effort and off-field likability, which shows their commitment to community. The team ranked first in fan relations for "ease of access to players, coaches & management." Ownership ranked first for "honesty; loyalty to players and city," and the coach was third for strong on-field leadership.

The survey "aims to quantify the unique relationship between fans and their favorite teams by determining which MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises establish and maintain the most overall reward for their fans," according to a press release on the Spurs Web site. Individual categories factored into the survey are Bang for the Buck (how much the team wins for the amount of money pouring in from fans), Fan Relations, Ownership, Affordability, Stadium Experience, Players, Coaches and Title track (recent championships or those expected in the near future).

So despite the team's ironic identity change from "soft" to "dirty" - which took place in only slightly more time than it took Robert Horry to hip-check Steve Nash - there is plenty of evidence to suggest the players and management are good guys. Bruce Bowen - probably the team's most questionable on-court character based on (possible) cheap shots taken at other players - gets involved with kids in the San Antonio community with his Bruce N Buddy's fitness program. Many other Spurs are similarly involved in good works, but I'll spare you the details.

Lets just say you won't see Spurs players giving interviews like this one from Mike Tyson ...

Sure the Spurs have had some characters like Dennis Rodman and Stephen Jackson, but most of their issues took place while they played for a different team.

So yeah, the Spurs have character. They'll even help a former teammate up when he gets knocked down on his keister.
Stephen Jackson writhes in pain while former teammates Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan offer him an ice pack. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Frank Caliendo

I've been planning on posting some Frank Caliendo video for a while. The man is a master at impersonating politicians, athletes, broadcasters and celebrities. He does President Bush, President Clinton, Al Pacino, Charles Barkley, Bill Walton and Robin Williams. But I'd have to say his signature character is John Madden.



(Click here for a clip of the real John Madden talking. Note the similarities?)

Here is a crazy mix of impressions from an appearance on WGN.

And more on David Letterman as he goes presidential.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

In light of the election of a new president...

...let's take a humorous look at the president whose time in office is in its final months.



For me, posting this video is an appreciation of humor, not a put-down on the prez. Besides, as my uncle said, the video has stuff for people who hate Bush and for people who love him.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Wyclef for President?

This one is interesting.



Election time is coming. Who you gonna vote for?

2008-09 NBA Individual Award guesses

MVP - LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Watch out for: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant
Last year, Kobe won it as the game's unofficial "best player to never win an MVP." If that form holds true this year, LeBron is the man. Team success will be necessary for whomever wins MVP.

Rookie of the Year - Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Watch out for: O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden, Kevin Love, Rudy Fernandez, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose.
The award will probably go to whoever puts up the nicest stats, although they may be on a bad-to-mediocre team.

Defensive Player of the Year - Ron Artest, Houston Rockets
Watch out for: Kevin Garnett
One of the best defensive players in the league, Artest is now on one of the best defensive teams. Will he avoid suspension and help Houston finish near the top of the league?

Sixth Man of the Year - Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers
Watch out for: Leandro Barbosa, Andrei Kirilenko
Manu's injury helps open this race up, as we'll see if new 6th men Odom and AK-47 stay in their positions for the entire season. Barbosa has a shot at his second win in three seasons.

Most Improved Player - Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons
Watch out for: Thaddeus Young, J.R. Smith, Ronnie Brewer
A product of Eastern Washington University, Stuckey broke out in the playoffs last season, showing poise under pressure as a rookie. Brewer was my pick last year, and I might as well put him on the list again, right?
Coach of the Year - Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets
Watch out for: Nate McMillan, Byron Scott, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra, Maurice Cheeks
If Yao, McGrady and crew stay healthy - a big "if" - the Rockets should win a lot of games. Team improvement and total wins are the big factors. Jerry Sloan, consistently one of the best coaches in the NBA, could become a sentimental favorite.