According to Raizin Azian

Mortal lock of the century NFL Bet

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:14:35 -0500

Mortal lock of the century: NE -11 v NYJ and over 47.5

Last week the Jets blew out an inferior opponent. Which in turn gives Rex some false bravado and is back to being Rex.

NYJ are down Revis, have no NFL WRs, and Shonn Greene's performance was an anomolly vs a depleted IND def coming off an emotion high vs GB. Both backup RBs are dinged up.

Belichick had a LONG ass plane ride home to think of all the ways he's going to put up fitty on the Hot Mess that is the NYJ. The Pats and Brady especially were humbled and trash talked by Richard Sherman (what is a Richard Sherman?) in SEA. Hernandez is healthy.

NE's three losses have come against solid NFL defenses: SEA, ARZ, and BAL (at the time). The Jets are not a solid NFL defense and will especially struggle vs NE's new uptempo, "Oregonish" offense.

Prediction: NE 52 NYJ 14
Bet yo kids, bet yo wife

Skol Vikings, Fantasy Football, & NFL Picks

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:16:45 -0500

Skol Vikings

The Vikings have been a pleasant surprise this season. Before the year, I was simply hoping for a decent showing-- 7-9 or 8-8 if everything goes well-- but now all of the close spots that went against us last year are falling our way. (Yes, I'm using the terms 'we' and 'our'. Flame away!)

Things I've learned about the Vikings this season:

1) Christian Ponder is an NFL quarterback (Blaine Gabbert, not so much)

2) Adrian Peterson might be Wolverine with his regenerative powers

3) Leslie Fraizer's "Dungy Like" approach actuallly works

*Knock on Wood* The Vikes are winning in a suistainable fashion: run the ball, play good defense, QB protects the ball and makes the occassional play.

Getting Percy heavily involved in the offense has been a reason for the fast start, but I am a bit worried that he may wear down later in the year. The man's tough as nails (and the migraines went away when Childress did ), but on the other hand he's the same size as me.

Defensively, the "Tampa 2" is actually functioning properly by getting pressure with the front 4. Robison is a beast, Greenway coming into form, and Robinson and Smith look promising in the secondary.

As a Vikings fan you never get your hopes up because they'll just break your heart. But there is reason for optimism up north.

BTW, we could lose all of the rest our games except for the 2 against the Packers and it would be considered a great year!

Fantasy Football

No one likes bad beat stories, so I'll keep it brief: My main team sucks. That is all.

http://postimage.org/image/f73rtpfwn/

NFL Picks

Only two games I liked this weekend. Was able to get CIN-1@CLE and DEN+2@SD.

Happy Friday all!

Fantasyfootballasun

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:24:01 -0500

Had the fantasy draft for my college buddy league on Sunday.

I ran really good and got the 11/12 pick, but at least it's a snake order so I basically get back to back every trip through. Our league is a standard scoring league (PPR is for people who also enjoy the sacrafice bunt in baseball. Chicks dig the long ball), but with 5 pts/QB touchdown instead of the traditional 4. Bit of an experiment, we'll see how it goes.

The usual suspects fly off the board first: Rodgers, the Big 3 RBs, Megatron, Fitz, Brees, CJ.5k, etc.

Now it's up to me: Brady, Cam, Stafford are all there for QB; McFadden, Peterson, Forte, Lynch for RB, and Roddy, Andre Johnson, Jennings, Cruz, Graham, Gronk for WR and TE.

Knew I wanted a QB, none of the RBs or WRs thrilled me for going that high and there is a lot of depth that I could address 2nd time around (end 3rd/start 4th).

So I grabbed Brady and Jimmy Graham for a few reasons.

1) Cam lit the world on fire for first half of last year, cooled off later.

2) Stafford healthy last yr, but will always carry that injury prone label.

3) Brady is going to throw the sh*t out of the ball this year (What? Handoff to Shane Vereen?)

4) Graham>Gronk. Gronk will split some targets with Hernandez, Shanc, and the cast of thousands. Graham is Brees' go to (especially around endzone) and Saints play 7 of last 8 games either indoors or warm climate (Grass/turf basketball time).

I then snagged Doug Martin, Jordy Nelson, DeSean, and BG-Ellis in the next 4 rounds. Here's how the mess shook out:

Morris Day and the Time (2012 Edition)

QB Tom Brady

WR Jordy Nelson

WR DeSean Jackson

WR Justin Blackmon

QB Tom 'Giselle's Husband' Brady

WR Jordy 'The White Packer Receiver' Nelson

WR DeSean 'Paid' Jackson

WR Justin 'DUIatron' Blackmon

RB Doug 'Schiano's All-Purpose' Martin

RB BenJarvsusdaoidasiodjasddasGreen-Ellis

TE Jimmy 'Benefits more from a Brees than a wind turbine' Graham

K Robbie 'idk anything clever' Gould

D Kansas 'If Eric Berry or Tamba Hali get hurt I'm screwed' City

Bench: WR Denarius '>DHB' Moore, WR Greg 'Dammit, I'm not Mo Massequoi' Little, RB Mikel 'Fully Baked' LeShoure, RB Ryan 'Beanie is Fat' Williams, and RB Rashad 'I'm just happy that MJD likes money' Jennings

I've won this league 3/7 years since 2004 (one year someone forgot to re-register the league... My bad), but this is going to be the most challenging.

Wouldn't be surprised if this lineup averages 140 or 60 points per week. Going to have to watch the waiver wire like a boss and bend some of my competitors over in some trades. If it happens, this championship will be by FAR the sweetest.

I shall drink from "The Jack"** and savor ever sip.

**"The Jack" is a traveling trophy cup bearing the Vikings jersey of one Tarvaris Jackson that goes to the winner of our comglomerate of idiots who play in our league since 2006.

Breaking Bad - The Dark Knight Rises - Who's on 1st?

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:47:41 -0500

The premiere of Breaking Bad did not disappoint. Not going to go into spoilers, but it's clear that Walter starting to feel that he is now the Alpha dog. I'm interested to see how the opening scene will fit in with the overall story arc of the season (and when).

***

'The Dark Knight Rises' opens at midnight tonight.

Contemplated going to the midnight showing with the comic-con type masses, but since it's damn near a 3 hr movie I decided it can wait until Friday night. We already have had tickets for over a month as well (who's the real nerd here!).

Christopher Nolan has hit two home runs so far, pretty excited to see how he wraps up his masterpiece.

***

Starting to explore our new city a bit.

Rochester has this event called "Thursdays on 1st" (appropriatly enough on Thursdays) where they close a downtown avenue and food vendors, bands, and all sorts of goods peddlers show up.

Meeting a few friends for happy hour and then plan on destoying about 5-6 food stands (the gyro one especially).

***

Hoping to get some poker in next week, Been pretty tied up with settling into the new place and various business stuff. Have been hearing that the O8 game has been fantastic this month so I better get up there and grab a slice before the pizza party is done.

Maybe get myself into some more sticky situations for the LmfaO8 series!

Cheers,

***

'The Dark Knight Rises' opens at midnight tonight.

Christopher Nolan has hit two home runs so far, pretty excited to see how he wraps up his masterpiece.

***

Starting to explore our new city a bit.

Rochester has this event called "Thursdays on 1st" (appropriately enough on Thursdays) where they close a downtown avenue and food vendors, bands, and all sorts of goods peddlers show up.

Meeting a few friends for happy hour and then plan on destoying about 5-6 food stands (the gyro one especially).

***

Maybe get myself into some more sticky situations for the LmfaO8 series!

Cheers,

Back from Vegas - Bachelor Party

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:12:14 -0500

Title is a little misleading, the bachelor party was not in Vegas. We're not cliche like everyone else and just do up a bachelor party in Sin City. No, we take our "Last Hurrah as a Single Man" shindigs to a much more awesome local: Des Moines, IA.

Kidding aside, should be a fun weekend. Steakhouse tonight. Golf, go-karts, tailgate, iCubs (stop laughing, dammit) and party bus tomorrow. Will be a good way to send off my buddy Tom who is both a die-hard Cubs and Vikings fan. Makes me wonder what trauma happened in his childhood that led him down this path.

*****

Got back from Vegas earlier in the week.

Apologies on not doing a trip report, but not too much to tell tbh. Played mainly 8/16hk LO8 at the Venetian and the Orleans and lifted a decent amount off the table. And got involved in some muy interesante spots that will be in upcoming O8 vids (still debating if villain's play was genius or insanity).

Met up with the Team Moshman guys. Ate a lot of steak, talked shop, and was taught how to play dice (unsuccessfully). Probably for the best it was a dice fail. Don't want to get a taste and then go all TJ in this mother.

Quick Hits:

Stopped by the Rio a few times, just to remind myself how much I do not like the Rio.

The Aria is the best poker room/broom closet on the strip.

The dresses in Vegas somehow got shorter. #ToughEconomicTimes

A lowball glass of Maker's tastes 4x better in Vegas than Minnesota... Because it's 4x the price.

The Venetian floor staff (brushes) are the absolute worst in the business. They treat players getting on wait lists like nuisances, they open games without checking if players on list are still interested or around, and are more pre-occupied with starting that $80 STT Satellite than making competent decisions in cash games. Completely oblivious, un-organized, and un-professional.

Vegas Trip

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:16:09 -0500

I'm going to be able to sneak away to Vegas the last week in June (24-30th).

The Wife basically booked my flight and kicked me out the door. We're in the mist of moving (still) so I feel a bit guilty about taking off to the desert for a week while my in-laws haul all of our furniture around... (Deadpan). But a number of the Team Moshman guys will be out there at that time so it should be a lot of fun, somewhat productive, and a great write off for next year!

I'm considering playing a few of the single table sattys at the Rio since STTs are kinda my thing (allegedly) and the play is pretty soft. But going to cash in the lamers or take a good chop if it gets down to it. Not looking to be locked into an MTT for a few days, although the 1500 PLO8 puntament on the 26th does look tempting.

Mainly going to pull a Randy Moss and play "Straight Cash, Homey". The 8/16 half-kill O8 game has been running pretty steady at Venetian, they've had a 10/20 TORSE going at the Rio lately, and there's always the 15/30 at Bellagio (pimpin' the old nits!).

Going to grind my face off, have a few nice lunches/dinners, tip back a beer or six with the TM guys, and maybe take in a LV51's baseball game or two.

Should be an awesome time and I'll be tweeting during the whole damn thing @AzianPokerz. Shoot me a tweet if you're out there and we'll have a beer (or six)!

Happy Memorial Day: Grindasun. Golden (Shower) Birthday. Golfasun.

Sat, 26 May 2012 09:19:47 -0500

To all my American bretheren out there, I'd like to wish a very happy (and safe) Memorial Day weekend. But during all of the boating, grilling, drinking, and Indy500ing, take a moment to remember those who fought and died so we could celebrate this long weekend with family and friends.

***

I've actually been playing quite a bit of live cash, the 6/12 (kill to 10/20) Omaha-8 game has been running frequently and also limit (yes, I said LIMIT) hold em is always the nuts. Many people look down on the limit games, saying stuff like "you can't protect your hand" or "they always suck out on the river" and blah blah blah. Baloney. I'm in the process of writing a blog/article/rant on why all limit games are superior to big bet games and will be the majority of the games running in 10 years (check back for that next week!).

The 40/80 O8 game was running--Schneids was in the game doin' work but the rest of the lineup looked pretty enticing-- but not I'm quite rolled for that atm... Staking opportunity over here. :D

***

Today the wife's cousin is having a party to celebrate her golden birthday (25). Should be a good time, a few old friends are in Rochester for the weekend and we're going to go make it rain and ensure she has a golden shower of a birthday.

We're also looking for a shoulder bag for me to take to Vegas (June 24-28)... Really wish I was kidding on that part, but I am starting to see the merit in having a small bag (not a purse dammit!) to carry around all your random stuff meadering around the strip (iPad, iPod, iDrops, gum, wallet, flip flops, etc).

Not going fanny pack though, not quite at the age where you just say "f*ck it, I'm doing this" quite yet.

***

Other than that, the rest of the weekend is going to be pretty chill. Lots of sun, golfing, reading, eating various meats prepared over charcoal, and an adult beverage or two. Should be a damn good time!

Again, Happy Memorial Day Weekend and if you're non-American, happy Saturday.

Moving: Sons of Anarchy / Breaking Bad

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:29:17 -0500

We're in the process of moving back to Minnesota and the wife has been with her new job for a couple weeks now. Which means the TV is all mine at night!

I've been catching up with the first four seasons of both Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy, which have been glorious. Season 5 of BB (the final season) premieres in July with 8 episodes and then the last 8 in 2013. Season 5 of Sons debuts on Sept 6th.

With the final season of Breaking Bad, it will be interesting to see if (how) Walt takes on the mantle of kingpin now that Gus is out of the way. Also how his relationship with Jesse is going to come to a head when the shiite hits the fan (Lily of the Valley).

On SOA season 5, I'm looking forward to seeing Jax wear the crown (the whole show seems to be inspired by Hamlet, fwiw) and how Clay is going to fit in now that some of the club wants him dead, but they all NEED him alive (unbeknownst to them). Also Maggie Siff is just a classically gorgeous woman (why she fit in so well on Mad Men).

Both highly recommend and can get first 3 seasons of both on Netflix.

DO IT.

-RA

Recreational Players: A Look Back/Forward

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:21:28 -0500

I've been planning to write a blog about the anniversary of Black Friday, but I wanted to let everyone else get their two cents out first as I had a different take on the subject.

Of course there were the articles and blogs about how online, baller pros are still stinging from having their livelihoods ripped out from under them and how they're now ex-expatriates in exotic locations like Canada, Malta, or Mexico so they wouldn't lose their SNE stars. But what about the true back bone of the poker economy? The recreational players?

What about the guy who threw $100 of their paycheck online every other week to play a few tournaments on the weekends to have some fun? He knew that he was terrible-- would never cash out a dime-- but online poker was a great source of entertainment and he even got enough points for a cool FTP or Stars hoodie that he could wear to local ½ game and really strike the fear at the tables. Will this guy be back? We NEED this guy!

Sadly a lot of Tom, Dick, and Harrys like this won't be back once/if/when US online poker is fully regulated (at least not at first). People who are casually involved in any interest and generally casually informed (think about your Great-Aunt watching the Super Bowl), and may see online poker as a “fool me once..” situation. “They stole my money, I'm never putting another red cent on and just play my home game until I die.” Which is a fine stance to take, I personally don't blame them, but I do feel that many will look back on a few rotten apples and assume the whole bushel is rotten.

Full Tilt Poker failed due to rank incompetence in management. Cereus (UB/AP) was exposed as corrupt and also rank incompetence in management. Pokerstars, B.WIN/Party Poker, and 888 are competently and professionally managed corporations (the latter two publicly traded).

What does the casual poker player who's casually informed see? The guys who stole his money.

The future US facing sites like MGM/Caesars, Harrahs, Wynn, and whoever (Zynga? Party? Stars?) are going to have an uphill climb at the beginning to bring back the casual player. They're really going to have to hammer home the point that player funds are safe, segregated, and insured (think FDIC). Also that the games are fair and on the level: no bots, no super users, no shill screen names.

As a proponent of small government, I'm still leery about the DOJ's actions on Black Friday-- thinly masking a money grab behind a facade of morality and protecting citizens from themselves (spare me). But I accept regulation as a necessary evil to keep business dealing and transactions above board (think the stock market without the SEC). But to paraphrase a line from George Washington: Government is like fire. When controlled, it can greatly improve your life: cook your food, heating your home, give you light in the darkness. But when uncontrolled, it can burn your house down with you in it.

Perhaps having the government watching online poker will help bring the much needed recreational players back to the tables in the future. Perhaps deposit methods will be much easier when brick and mortar rooms hop into online. Perhaps withdrawing will be instant without the need of shady, third party processors. Perhaps another poker boom is on the horizon and the games will be as good as they were in 2006.

Perhaps. But for now we can only hope.

You Won The Mega Millions? Bad Beat.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:30:08 -0500

Every situation changes once money is involved.

Good friends can become bitter enemies when a balance is owed between them. Sex goes from good, old fashioned fun to a class C-felony when c-notes are introduced. Poker goes from a carefree larf to a stressful endeavor once those chips become monetized.

Not only does money change everything, but it also amplifies character. If you were an a**hole before you came into immense wealth, chances are you're still going to be an a**hole but with a yacht. Spending more than your earn and destined to go broke? You will still go broke, but the Governor just gave you a long stay of execution.

These are a couple reasons why whenever there is a big lottery jackpot the news outlet like to roll out the horror stories of past “winners”. Hitting the odds equivalent of being struck by lightning (thrice in a day after a one night stand with Minka Kelly sort of odds) and being vaulted into the top 0.00001% of society over night is something 99.99999% of the lottery player pool would be ill-equipped both from a knowledge and mentality approach to handle that amount of wealth properly.

Let's run a fantasy scenario, shall we?

The estimated jackpot of tonight's Mega Million drawing will be around $540 million [Edit: $640million!]. If you take the lump sum ($389 million) after taxes, depending on your state, you'd take home only about $225-$250 mirrion doll-hairs. Basically, you've just had a quarter-billion dollar nuclear warhead dropped on your head.

This is the high point on your PTR graph of life.

First you have to buy a new baller car, brand new and sticker price of course since you can afford it. Then you have to get a new whip for every member of your family and friend/acquaintance/drinking buddy you've ever had in your plebeian life (it would be greedy not too!). Don't forget that baller watch that is made of ALL blood diamonds. The bling just seems brighter with conflict, ya know?

Next you have to land that new mansion (at full price, since you likely don't have the knowledge to work with and straight up work a realtor at this level) in a gated community surrounded by neighbors who worked their way up to this strata of society by their bootstraps --or at least their parents/grandparents did. There's no way they will feel animosity towards some one who fell into a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS just because their cats' birthdays happened to be the same numbers as some ping pong balls that fell out of a hopper. They will see you as an equal.

Even more friends and family will come out of the woodwork (Oh yeah, 17^th cousin Damian on my great-aunt's side. How could I forget you?!) and suddenly have sob stories on how they just need a little bit to get by, or have this great investment idea but just need funding. Bieber Beepers, squirrel backpacks, Arizona beachfront villas... A sports bar... They all sound like great investment opportunities when you have deep pockets and pitched by those close to you.

A few investments go south (oh, no sh*t?) and you can't stop yourself from buying pointless and frivolous things. The new Fiat you saw in the Super Bowl commercial (with the leggy brunette included ftw), the Washington Generals (they're due!), and every hipster piece of “modern art” that are really just $20k pieces of useless junk (This piece describes the duality of man, but you wouldn't understand).

Then the banks start calling. The loan you took out so that your family of emus could live together on a houseboat is in default. Your financial adviser swindled you out of millions of dollars because he saw you as a rube who luckboxed into a quarter bille-- mostly, due to the fact, you were a rube who luckboxed into a quarter bille. The Generals lose again, the Fiat brunette gets deported, and you have a warehouse full of squirrel backpacks that the blind ones don't even want.

That's it you're bankrupt. GG, money. Your long-lost friends and family have slithered back into the wood work. Minka Kelly no longer returns your calls since your Visa Black Card was declined at The W. The bank has repossessed the mansion, the 8 different colored BMWs you got for every day of the week (rich people have an extra day per week, it's in their contract), and Richie Branson texted you he can't take you into space next Tuesday. He'll be washing his hair.

As you sit back to a nice dinner of Fancy Feast and roasted squirrel backpack in your new refrigerator box home under the bridge where discarded circus prostitutes turn tricks, ask yourself “Why didn't I run better... At life?”

But that's probably (probably?) an exaggeration of what will happen if you happen to bink the jackpot tonight.

If you do hit, take the lump sum and invest it all. Go conservative: TIPS, municipal bonds, I-bonds, blue chips. Hell, buy a quarter-bille worth of CDs! You won't make much, but it sure as heck beats going all MC Hammer/Allen Iverson with your money. Keep your entourage small and upgrade your life a little bit, but don't get too crazy. Get the appetizer sampler when you go to Chilis. If you go any baller than that, you will end up eating cat food under the circus trick bridge.

Book it.

P90x - Tebow - Bounty Gate - Walking Dead - SPARTACUS!!!

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:04:29 -0500

P90x

The Wife and I started P90x last Monday, a week after completing my weight loss goal to 190. I was left to my own devices and put back on 5 in a week :D, but now will be back in the game and on a workout program once again.

I gotta say, that Tony Horton looks like he's early 30 even though he's damn near 50! Funny what clean living and exercise will get you.

Tebow in NYC

With Peyton Manning headed to the Sunshine State (Denver, gorgeous!), it was a matter of time until Tebow was shown the door. There would be no way Peyton would put up with having the shadow of the Tebowmaniacs hanging over his head. So Tebow was shipped off to the Jets for essentially a 4th rd pick.

It will be interesting to see how Tebow meshes in that locker room that was described as "cancerous" and "one of the worst ever" by the end of last year. Also to watch how they plan to use him: a legit QB challenging Sanchez or a hybrid wildcat QB/RB/WR like Brad Smith used to be (Tebow's not near B, Smith level, fwiw).

Either way, Tebow and Antonio Cromartie can have rousing conversations about absitenance and virtue.

Bountygate

When news broke about the bounty program run by the Saints, I was one of the few Vikings fans who DIDN't cry foul and blame the bounties on why the Vikings didn't win it all that year. Mostly because it wasn't borderline illegal hits that doomed the Purple and Gold, but Berrian & Peterson's lack of ball control, Brad Childress, and Manunnumfmafu Tahi.

That being said, I did enjoy that Saints HC Sean Payton will be out for a year, GM Mickey Loomis 8 gmaes, and former DC Gregg Williams out indefinitely (likely perma-ban). There's no place in football for actions like that. Sure, it was happening in every single locker room at some level, but it cannot be tolerated and facilitated by coaching staffs or management.

The Walking Dead

They finally got of the Gee Dee farm on The Walking Dead! Also it was awesome how they snuck a Michonne cameo and shot of The Prison right at the end of the episode to foreshadow Season 3. Whoops, Spoiler alert.

Spartacus

Stuff is about to get real. Nuff said. Glaber and his cohort are going to storm Vesuvius. Spartacus and his men are going to repel down the cliffs using vines to surround and destory the Roman forces. Spoiler you say? Read a book!

Predictions:

Glaber- Dead.

Ashur- Wish dead, but too good of a villain at this point. Might catch on with Caesar & Crassus (more on that below).

Illythia- Alive, Spartacus' possible child too good of a storyline.

Lucretia- Alive. Prob.

Spartacus & Crixus- Alive, obv. Too many historical plot lines for these two left.

Oenomaus, Gannicus, Agron- One of the Three will die this season. Book it.

Awesome note for next season is that they cast Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus. Crassus is ultimately the man who ends the Third Servile War (Pompey steals credit at the end, but that's a fight for another day). Historical sources are mixed on whether Caesar was on Crassus' staff as he chased Spartacus, but tossing a more well known character into the show wouldn't hurt the broader audience appeal. I mean does your cousin Jethro really know who Crassus is?

Weight Loss Challenge - Spartacus - Oscars - Walking Dead S02 is Terribad

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:55:47 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 192 lb

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -22 lb

Slow and steady wins the race I guess. Should easily hit my March 3rd goal of 190. I feel more energized than ever and was looking forward to showing off the new Andy model at the Plunge, but our team won't be jumping. Long story short, a few teammates dropped the ball on fundraising and the team never really got going like last year. So just cut a check for what I raised and said GG. Maybe next year!

-------------------

Speaking of being in shape, Spartacus: Vengeance is probably the best show I've seen in the last few years. Breaking Bad, Modern Family, and the first season of The Walking Dead notwithstanding, there's just something about the over the top violence, sexploitation, and plot twists that make it must watch TV every week. Me being a HUGE Roman history nut also adds to the interest (I wonder who's going to play Crassus?)

The wife and I were wary of Liam McIntyre filling the shoes of the late Andy Whitfield in the title role, but he's done quite well and moved the character along in his own right. Also the fact that the storyline is based in history will make sure that the series don't drag out too long (6 seasons+) and dilute the product. (Think The Office).

-------------------

Oscars. I did not care for The Artist, but apparently everyone and their mother thinks its the bees knees.

I'm a little disappointed that Nick Nolte did not win Best Supporting Actor for his role in Warrior. His performance took another run of the mill fight movie to the next level and his character was like an onion, so many stinky layers but you can't stop smelling the sweet goodness and throw it on a fajita.

-------------------

The Walking Dead. Season 2 suck. 'Nuff said. The wife wants everyone but Glen to die (she apparently has a thing for Asian men) :D.

The storyline is dying a slow, stagnant death on the farm. The characters dispositions are all highly irritating and the viewer is supposed to have a sense of empathy for these survivors of the zombie apocalypse, but you literally want all of them to die (except Rick).

Weight Loss Challenge Week 6

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:27:19 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 197 lb

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -17 lb

Nothing earthshattering. 3 weeks and 7 lbs to go. Pitchers & Catchers report in 7days. :D

Weight Loss Challenge Week 5 & Super Bowl Pick

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:55:29 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 198 lb

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -16 lb

Survived last weekend's debauchery of drinking, bar food, and lack of sleep-- all factors that hinder weight loss-- and still made my -2lb goal.

It's fortunate that I don't get bored eating the same thing on a daily basis.

Typical Day consists of:

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs (3), Plain Oatmeal (1/3c), 1% Milk (1c), 3 cups of Green Tea

AM Snack

Grilled Chicken Breast (2oz)

Lunch

Brown Rice (1c), Chicken Breast (2oz), Peas (2/3c)

PM Snack

Protein Shake (Whey, Milk, Half Banana)

Dinner

Lean Protein, Vegetables, Whole Grain Starches (~500 calories)

The day clocks in at 1900 calories, I piss like a racehorse all day, and I throw a few weights around occasionally.

This weekend will be another eating challenge as it's the Super Bowl, but we're going to keep things light. Grilled Wings and veggie pizza on whole wheat crust (ww flour is > semolina when it comes to texture and rising, imo).

As for who's going to win Sunday, everyone under the sun is picking the Giants (+3) and I don't blame them. They are hot, Eli and his recievers are playingn out of their skull, and their D-line can get after people, Gronk is hurt, and Pat's secondary is garbage.

But I just can't pick against Belichick and Tom "effin" Brady when they have two weeks to prepare and eveyone is calling them the underdog (even though they're favored, which is odd).

Brady gets pissed, Vince Wilfork plays the game of his life, and the Patriots win 38-33.

Sorry Buck :D

Weight Loss Challenge Week 4

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:41:57 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 200

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -14

Only dropped one lb this week, but we're still ahead of the curve. Need to averge -2lbs per week over the last 5 weeks to hit our goal.

Going to be a bit trying this weekend as the wife and I are headed to the Cities to hang out with some old college friends. Bar grub and more than a few liquid calories aren't going to help the cause, but that just means I'll have to hit it harder next week!

Weight Loss Challenge Week 3 & Conference Championship Picks

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:02:00 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 201

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -13

I had to pour out a little liquor for my homie, carbs, as they have basically died in my life down to 20% of my caloric intake (1900 daily). Plus the carbs I do eat now aren't even the fun ones like grenadine, pizza crust, or french fried potaters (mm-hmm)-- but are all "whole" or full of fiber. But can't complain, get to eat as much chicken breast as I want (with low-sodium buffalo sauce) and it is nice to look in the mirror shirt less and not vomit in my mouth.

11 more pounds to go in 6 weeks. Get some!

Also I was dying for a beer, so the Wife got me some Budweiser Select 55... Pretty sure you'd have to drink a case of the stuff to get a buzz, so I subsidized with some model air plane glue. 'Nuff Said.

Divisional Playoff Picks

(8-2 overall on Blog picks)

NYG (+2.5) @ SF

It's going to be an old school, smash mouth type game and weather is supposed to be a factor this weekend (rain). But I do think it will come down to the wire and I trust Eli a lot more than Alex Smith (last weekend not withstanding).

Giants win outright 28-24.

NE (-7) v BAL

Many people reference the Divisional Playoff game 2 years ago where Baltimore when up to Foxboro and stomped the Patriots. But that was a completely different Pats team (No Gronkowski, Hernandez, or Welker-injured).

I think Brady and Belichick are too good and will be well prepared for the Ravens and win decicively 31-17.

Bring in the Super Bowl XLII rematch! Would be an amazing game now that Eli has come into his own this season.

Weight Loss Challenge Week 2 & Divisional Playoff Picks

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:52:48 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

Current Weight: 204

Starting: 214 (Jan 1)

Goal: 190 (March 3)

Net: -10

Feel great and have more energy than I've had in a long time. Sticking to a diet of lean protein, long burning carbs, and vegetables (which I've always liked, even as a kid oddly enough) at 1900 calories per day. The first week there were some hunger pains as my body was adjusting from not having garbage (delicious, delicious garbage) daily, but this week there's been nothing of the sort.

The wife and I watched "Warrior" last night and I'm contemplating joining the local MMA gym to train and get punched/kicked in the face. I hear that burns serious calories.

Divisional Playoff Picks

(5-1 on Blog picks)

HOU (+7.5) @ BAL

There might be 400 yds rushing between these two. It's going to be an ugly, low scoring game and the Ravens win, but not by more than a TD.

SF (+3.5) v NO

Home dog. Frank Gore will keep the # of Brees possessions low and SF defense will bend, but not break against NO. 49ers win outright.

NYG (+7.5) @ GB

GB wins, but this will be a fight. Cruz, Nicks, Manningham all healthy and will help Eli keep this game tight. I picked GB, but wouldn't be shocked if Giants take it down.

DEN (+13.5) @ NE

Denver got worked last time these two met, but mental mistakes put Denver in a hole that snowballed (muffed punt at half killed them mentally). Denver keeps this close and 13.5 is a lot of points to give even an offensively challenged team.

Weight Loss Challenge & Wild Card Picks

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:45:45 -0600

Weight Loss Challenge

I'm not a believer in New Years Resolutions, most of them end up scrapped by the middle of January, but it is a convenient start date. That's why I embarked on my newest weight loss challenge this week.

I've always carried a little extra weight-- some say fat, I say muscle-- and have generally fluctuated between 180 and 220 for all of my adult life. Working out at various degrees of intensity all of my life, I'm no noob when it comes to the gym... But I'm also no noob when it comes to Pizza Hut. :D

So the Challenge is to go from 214 that I weighed on New Year's Day to 190 by March 3rd with weigh-ins every Friday. Why March 3rd? Because for the 2nd year in a row, my friends and I are participating in the Coulee Region Polar Plunge and I think the Team's theme this year is Mankinis.... So, yeah.

Already a week of eating better, cutting down take-out food, morning weights/cardio workouts, EFAs, green tea, and I'm feeling good and down to 209 (yes, mostly water weight, but let me have a win). Have a ton more energy, sleeping better, and actually look forward to showing off that 2-pack at Polar Plunge.

Wild Card Picks

*2-0 so far on Blog Picks (Baylor, Rutgers)

HOU (-3) v CIN - Dome closed, Texans D will get to Dalton.

DET (+10.5) v NO - Saints will win, but 10.5 is a lot of points to give.

NYG (-3) v ATL - Giants pash rush will get to Ryan.

DEN (+8) v PIT - Steelers will win, but will be low scoring & ugly. Especially if Denver can get some heat on injured Roethisberger.

Random Bowl Picks

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:35:18 -0600

Hey guys,

Couple random Bowl Picks that I like in the next few days.

December 29th

Baylor -9.5 vs Washington – Alamo Bowl – San Antonio, TX

Take Baylor.

In what's likely going to be Heisman winner RG3's final college game, I expect him to put on a show.

This is his last game to improve his draft stock (no underclassmen at all-star games) and could vault himself to the top of the draft boards with a strong performance, especially now that Barkley decided to stay at USC.

Washington's pass defense is near the bottom statistics wise in the county (283.8 ypg, 116 out of 120 FBS). Pair that with Baylor WR Kendall Wright's possibility to sneak into the first round if he puts up a strong performance and I feel comfortable that Baylor will win, even laying the points.

This is also Baylor's first bowl game in 20 years, and should have the bulk of the Alamo Dome crowd behind them. Even though Waco is on the other side of the state than San Antonio, it's a hell of a lot shorter travel than Seattle and Washington 's fans are neither national nor travel well.

Also RG3 and those receivers on turf... Think about it.

December 30th

Rutgers -1.5 vs Iowa State – Pinstripe Bowl – Bronx, NY

I like Rutgers.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has built a strong program in New Jersey (6^th bowl appearance in 7 years), and will get to play a defacto home game Friday Afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Although the cavernous home of the Bronx Bombers won't make for an overwhelming home field advantage, the majority of the crowd will be sporting the Scarlet as the bridge and tunnel crowd make their way to The City.

Rutgers WR, and potential First round pick, Mohamed Sanu should have a field day against an Iowa State defense that's marginal even by Big 12 standards.

Iowa State did play a brutal schedule and came away with 6-wins (including ending the National Championship dreams of Oklahoma State-- right after the tragic plane crash that killed members of OK State's women's basketball program, but that's a tangent for a different day), but they will be starting a Freshman QB, dual-threat Jared Barnett, who has been erratic down the stretch and in his first bowl game.

The 5 1/2 Rules of Christmas/Holiday Lights

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:43:38 -0600

It's that time of year again.

The time when the snow falls and moms and dads throw the kids in the car to look at how the neighbors are wasting massive amounts of electricity on little LED bulbs.

Now I for one like Christmas lights-- despite persistent night terrors of being a child propped up on an icy roof trying to prop up Rudolph-- but there are certain rules (more like guidelines) that should/must be observed while stringing 'em up.

1. If you turn your lights on before Thanksgiving night, you will be shot.

One holiday at a time here people, come on. By all means you can hang your lights up before Thanksgiving-- hell, leave them up all year like some classy peeps do-- but if plug meets outlet before Turkey day has passed, you will have lighting privileges revoked indefinitely.

2. You can go mono-chrome, but only so much.

Going one solid color if a good idea, nothing tilts me more than when people go color and solid mash-ups (and don't get me started on different hue'd strings). But if you go all one color, less is more.

3. If you go Clark Grisvold, you're doing it wrong.

'Nuff said.

4. People who combine strings of flashing, running, and/or solid lights will be deported.

If the number one cause of death for stray cats in your neighborhood is epileptic seizures, you're probably not doing it right.

5. KISS – Keep it simple, stupid.

Simple, tasteful, and understated is the way to go IMO. It will be much more +EV on your electricity bill and reputation in the neighborhood (you'll be known simply as 'Creepy Todd', instead of 'Creepy Todd with the crazy Christmas lights').

5 ½ . Effort

If you're gonna do it, do it right, or don't do it at all.

Follow these 5 ½ easy rules and have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!