R.I.P. Bob Feller

Bob Feller died yesterday.
He was "The Heater from Van Meter."
"Bullet Bob"
"Rapid Robert"
He was a Hall of Fame pitcher for 18 years with the Cleveland Indians.  4 of those years were interrupted by his service in the Navy during WWII.
Bob Feller is the only pitcher to have ever pitch a no-hitter on opening day.  It was one of three no-hitters during his career.  And while his career ended with only 266 wins and 2,581 strikeouts, many speculate that without his military participation he would have won over 300 games and had over 3,000 strikeouts.  Sporting News once referred to his as 'the greatest pitcher of his time."
And I once met him way back in middle school.  I still have the baseball I had sign; along with Jerry Koosman.

Video: Scrambled Eggs

I always thought Yesterday was a great Beatles song, but who knew that the original lyrics were even better than the final product.

December 7th

I spent some time today reading at www.PearlHarbor.org.  Today is the 68th anniversary of Japan's surprise attach on the U.S. Naval base on Pearl Harbor Hawaii.  There are some incredible eye witness accounts on the website.  

Only one who was there can fully appreciate what took place. As a Pearl Harbor Survivor who was at ground zero on "battleship row," the morning of December 7, 1941, I feel, "if you didn't go through it, there's no words that can adequately describe it; if you were there, then no words are necessary."

John H. McGoran

Here are some great photos from http://www.pdnphotooftheday.com/2010/12/7564

The last photo is Edith Shain, holding the iconic WWII photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt.  The photo is a young sailer kissing Edith in her nurse's uniform in Times Square on August 14, 1945. 

Venn Diagram: Meaning of a Story/Poem

I struggled with English classes in high school.  I also struggled with writing classes (which you probably guessed if you read my last few blog posts).  But I could never understand why the teacher would ask me what the author was trying to say.  How was I supposed to know those random poets and obscure short story authors were trying to say?  I always felt that those teachers were just making stuff up.

Video: Breakdancing

'Cause I'm known for my rhythm and grace I've practicing my dance moves lately.  Specifically I've been using this video to help me with my pop n' lock:

Photo: Bugged Out

This photo just makes simply make me happy.

Video: SMS

Okay, so this video has been out for a little while now, but I wanted to mention a couple things.
1.  The video was recently highlighted by Yahoo (here).
2.  Watch the piano in the background.  It's playing along to the music.

Video: Celtics Fan Get Into Timeout Music

I Suppose...

I suppose if I am going to be murdered someday I should have a killer soundtrack (pardon the pun) playing as I depart life.  If anyone finds this album on CD, please let me know.

Here are the songs on the album:

1.  Music To Be Murdered By - Jeff Alexander

2.  I'll Never Smile Again - Jeff Alexander

3.  I Don't Stand A Ghost of a Chance With You - Jeff Alexander

4.  After You've Gone - Jeff Alexander

5.  Alfred Hitchcock TV Theme - Jeff Alexander

6.  Suspicion - Jeff Alexander

7.  Body and Soul - Jeff Alexander

8.  Lover Come Back To Me - Jeff Alexander

9.  I'll Walk Alone - Jeff Alexander

10.  The Hour of Parting - Jeff Alexander

11.  Look For A Star - Muir Mathieson

12.  Thunderer - Muir Mathieson

13.  Russian Dance - Muir Mathieson

14.  Waltz - Muir Mathieson

15.  Stillness - Muir Mathieson

16.  Circus Mystery - Muir Mathieson

17.  Circus of Horrors - Muir Mathieson

18.  Look For A Star - Muir Mathieson

19.  Circus Nocturne - Muir Mathieson

20.  The Kill - Muir Mathieson

Video: Thriller Lights

This is both ridiculous and awesome at the same time.  And I'm not talking about the fact that this guy has three garages and a car port to the side of the house.

Also This Is Halloween by Marilyn Manson, Haunted Mansion from the Disney movie & Monster Mash.

"We're going to the 'ship! We're going to the 'ship!"

"So we go to the 'ship right?"

Video: Election Cheat Sheet

Having trouble keeping up with all the daily twist and turns of this year's election drama?  Here's a recap:

An Irrational Fear

This is incredible stupid.
It's not a secret to most people who know me that I love baseball.  And of those who know of my love of baseball, most know that I root for those Lone Star State teams; the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers.
But like I've said before (somewhere at sometime - maybe on this blog) I think it's wrong to like both the Rangers and Astros.  You shouldn't like two teams from the relative same location.  For instance you can't be a Yankee and a Met fan.  And you can't be a Cubs and a White Sox fan.  And you can't be Royals and Cardinals fan.  And you can't...oh, I think you get it.  
So I think you see my dilemma.  I'm breaking the moral sports law that I often call others out on.  I'm a hypocrite.  
Here's how it happened.  The earliest little league team I can remember being a part of was the Cardinals; we had those iconic uniforms with the two red birds on the baseball bat.  I still have an affection for those uniforms.  
But my first baseball game was at the 8th wonder of the world, the Astrodome, to see the Houston Astros play the Los Angeles Dodgers.  If my memory serves me right Mike Scott out dueled Fernando Valenzuela, thanks to the home run by Jose Cru-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-z!  It was awesome.  Also my dad paid to have the scoreboard say happy birthday to me and my brothers.  
During the 80s Nolan Ryan was a dominate pitcher for the Astros and I was always a pitcher in little league.  At some point I began to idolize Ryan and tried to pitch just like him.  I emulated his high kick and well placed fastball.   I tried to always stare down my opposing batter.  
But in 1989 Nolan explored free agency and landed up the road from Houston in the Dallas area to pitch for the Texas Rangers.  Well of course I could not not root for him and his team.  So I became a fan of the Rangers in addition to the Astros.  Hence the beginning of my dilemma.
So to solve this problem I made a personal commitment: I would continue to cheer for both teams until one actually won the World Series.  In case you don't know, neither team has ever won the World Series.  And until recently when the Astros lost the White Sox in four games neither team had never even been to the World Series.  


I share all that to share this:
Here is my current irrational fear.  Last night the Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win their very first post season series ever.  And I think they have, at least, a chance to beat the Yankees to win the American League Championship.  If they could somehow win that series and then somehow overcome the Phillies (because let's be honest, there is no way the Giants beat the Phillies) then I would have to drop the Rangers from my list of teams to root for.  
But I love cheering for both teams.  I am nervous that I won't be able to anymore.  


Like I said; this is stupid.

Smell Like A Monster

That Grover is brilliant.

Playoffs!

I believe I made the prediction before the season started that the Texas Rangers would make the playoffs this year.  But if I was honest I wasn't sure I entirely believed that; I made the prediction more out of faith and hope than head knowledge.  If I had were to have picked a team based on what my head was telling me and not my heart I thought the Rangers were going to have a good season, but fall short because the Angels or Mariners just had better seasons.
But that just never happened.  In fact Texas lead most of the season, despite some injuries and stretches of "not their best baseball". Around the All-Star game it really did look like Rangers were going to coast into the post season.  However, I have been saying that, while in full support of my team and a belief that anything can happen, more than likely the Rangers were not a World Series team.
Some days I just have trouble getting my head and heart to agree.  But I'll be rooting along with all my heart tomorrow night as the Rangers open up their series against Tampa Bay.  I will say that I don't think we have seen the Rangers playing their best baseball in the past few months, as they weren't really pressured in their division.  I'm hoping they come into the playoffs rested and full of energy.
I will also admit that this being Bobby Cox's final year in Atlanta I am rooting for them as well (but not if they face Rangers in the WS).
Here are my MLB Play-off Predictions:

Wild Card Round
Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays = Rays (in four)
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins = Yankees (in five)
Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies = Phillies (in four)
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves = Braves (in four)

League Championship Series
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees = Rays (in six)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves = Phillies (in seven)

World Series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays = Phillies (in six)

Video: Fallon & Timberlake Rap History

If I was asked which late night show I think is the best I would quickly answer "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon". Here's an example of why I think so:

Video: CIY 2010 - Behind the Scenes

Those friends over at CIY (Christ In Youth) pulled off a great Move Conference this past summer, which included several amazing videos and worship visuals.  Here is a quick peak (5:43) into the production of those elements.

NFL 2010 Picks: Week 2

Buffalo @ Green Bay = Packers
Baltimore @ Cincinnati = Ravens
Tampa Bay @ Carolina = Panthers
Kansas City @ Cleveland = Chiefs
Pittsburgh @ Tennessee = Titans
Chicago @ Dallas = Cowboys
Arizona @ Atlanta = Falcons
Philadelphia @ Detroit = Eagles
Miami @ Minnesota = Vikings
Seattle @ Denver = Broncos
St. Louis @ Oakland = Raiders
Houston @ Washington = Texans
New England @ New York Jets = Patriots
Jacksonville @ San Diego = Chargers
New York Giants @ Indianapolis = Colts
New Orleans @ San Francisco = Saints

Last Week's Record: 8-8
2010 Weekly Record: 8-8

Video: Time Lapse - Meadowland Transformation

Just in case you didn't know; The Jets and Giants share a stadium known as the Meadowlands.  This season they are in a newer Meadowlands stadium, right next to the old Meadowlands.  Actually I think the new stadium is referred to as New Meadowlands.
I share that because this video is a time lapse recording of the past weekend when both teams played home games. Enjoy.

New Meadowlands Stadium Change Over Time-Lapse from Ken Friberg and Daniel Life on Vimeo.

NFL 2010 Picks: Week 1

It's that time again!  Time for you to endure my weekly blog posts of bad NFL picks.  (I hope no one uses my picks as research for your Vegas bets - if you're using my picks for gambling research, please get help!, you have a problem).
Minnesota @ New Orleans = Saints
Cleveland @ Tampa Bay = Buccaneers
Miami @ Buffalo = Dolphins
Cincinnati @ New England = Patriots
Indianapolis @ Houston = Colts
Denver @ Jacksonville = Broncos
Atlanta @ Pittsburgh = Falcons
Oakland @ Tennessee = Titans
Carolina @ New York Giants = Giants
Detroit @ Chicago = Chicago
Arizona @ St Louis = Rams
Green Bay @ Philadelphia = Packers
San Francisco @ Seattle = 49ers
Dallas @ Washington = Cowboys
Baltimore @ New York Jets = Jets
San Diego @ Kansas City = Chargers