We admit that we did not watch the entire "town hall" presidential candidate debate. We do deeply care about the future of this great country. This debate, however, did nothing to further our support of either candidate.
From our view here in the Cheap Seats, we pretty much saw all we could stomach in our ten minutes of viewing. If this farcical atrocity swayed anyone's vote one way or the other, said swayee would be better off staying home and making a nice potato soup than venturing out to their polling booth.
Neither candidate looked good in our limited viewing. The only thing that was apparent was their tangible hatred of each other.
In the meantime, the Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander is good. He goes 8 1/3 against the Evil Empire (though depleted as they are, still the Evil Empire, and no, we do not delight in the Derek Jeter injury) to give the Motor City Kitties a commanding three games to none lead in the ALCS.
Also, in some Sun Belt Conference action, the Mean Green of North Texas took out Louisiana-Lafayette (or U-La-La as we prefer) in a very entertaining game. The presidential debate would have been more entertaining had they discussed the relative merits of MACtion vs. WACtion vs. SBCtion.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Jon Acuff, Cee Lo Green and Semantics
We love to play semantics, we really do. So any opportunity to do so, we will take.
Jon Acuff tweeted something along the lines of this earlier (and yes, it is a paraphrase, we could do the whole screencap thing here and post the original tweet, but we're really just not cool like that): "Cee Lo Green said to one of the guys on the Voice that he was equally incomparable with another guy. Incomparable means without equal. #Tricky." If you want other such insights, you can follow @jonacuff.
Sure, it seems reasonable to question such a statement at first glance. But if we dig a little deeper, it makes perfect sense.
Equally incomparable, using Jon's definition, means equally without equal. If I'm without equal and you are without equal, who's to say that either is more without equal than the other. So, therefore, can we not be equally without equal? Equally incomparable?
Semantics can be fun.
Jon Acuff tweeted something along the lines of this earlier (and yes, it is a paraphrase, we could do the whole screencap thing here and post the original tweet, but we're really just not cool like that): "Cee Lo Green said to one of the guys on the Voice that he was equally incomparable with another guy. Incomparable means without equal. #Tricky." If you want other such insights, you can follow @jonacuff.
Sure, it seems reasonable to question such a statement at first glance. But if we dig a little deeper, it makes perfect sense.
Equally incomparable, using Jon's definition, means equally without equal. If I'm without equal and you are without equal, who's to say that either is more without equal than the other. So, therefore, can we not be equally without equal? Equally incomparable?
Semantics can be fun.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Losing Weight, #CFBUniWatch
OK. I admit it.
I'm overweight.
I should lose about 70 pounds. My goal is 50.
There. I've said it. The pounds should start melting away just because I decided to lose weight. No pills, no fads, just gonna do it. Shouldn't it be that easy?
Realistically, it's going to take time. I also think 50 is a realistic goal. It may be at a snail's pace, but it can and will be done.
I'm so far out of shape that the whole process is going to take time. I can't just start running miles per day. I've got to work up to everything. Many years of sedation do not get erased in one morning.
Some may scoff, but I have started by walking 2.5 miles at least three times per week. Watching portion sizes. Baby steps. It's working so far. I've lost 5 pounds. Not much, but a start. No pills, no fads. Just trying to live healthier.
This blog will not become a personal diary on my quest to lose weight. From time to time I may update my progress, but it will be in passing, not as a focus.
And while I'm here: Time for a little College Football Uniform Watch.
Not much going on this Saturday, but West Virginia and the gray helmets. Yep, that was your downfall in losing to Texas Tech. Forget the facts that your offense was anemic and your defense was a sieve. It's all about the unis.
As I write at the moment, South Carolina is on the field against LSU in what can only be categorized as an atrocity. The gray on gray is NOT working. While we don't have a dog in the hunt, we were pulling for SC to take out LSU in Death Valley until they took the field with costumes. Their best defensive player's last name is Clowney. No need to dress the entire team like clowns.
I'm overweight.
I should lose about 70 pounds. My goal is 50.
There. I've said it. The pounds should start melting away just because I decided to lose weight. No pills, no fads, just gonna do it. Shouldn't it be that easy?
Realistically, it's going to take time. I also think 50 is a realistic goal. It may be at a snail's pace, but it can and will be done.
I'm so far out of shape that the whole process is going to take time. I can't just start running miles per day. I've got to work up to everything. Many years of sedation do not get erased in one morning.
Some may scoff, but I have started by walking 2.5 miles at least three times per week. Watching portion sizes. Baby steps. It's working so far. I've lost 5 pounds. Not much, but a start. No pills, no fads. Just trying to live healthier.
This blog will not become a personal diary on my quest to lose weight. From time to time I may update my progress, but it will be in passing, not as a focus.
And while I'm here: Time for a little College Football Uniform Watch.
Not much going on this Saturday, but West Virginia and the gray helmets. Yep, that was your downfall in losing to Texas Tech. Forget the facts that your offense was anemic and your defense was a sieve. It's all about the unis.
As I write at the moment, South Carolina is on the field against LSU in what can only be categorized as an atrocity. The gray on gray is NOT working. While we don't have a dog in the hunt, we were pulling for SC to take out LSU in Death Valley until they took the field with costumes. Their best defensive player's last name is Clowney. No need to dress the entire team like clowns.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Perspective and Balance
Exactly when did being a fan of a particular team go from supporting said team to ripping each and every shortcoming? With the proliferation of sports talk radio, sports talk radio on TV, shows consisting of highly opinionated people loudly making, sometimes fallacious, points, we can see where fans might become confused, ripping their favorite team instead of rooting for their favorite team. Because that's what everybody does - tear people down.
Here in the Cheap Seats, we are unabashed fans of the Texas Rangers. Yes, the end of the season was very disappointing. Even more so considering the high expectations and the fact that they led the A's by 13 games as late as June. And needed to win only one game in the season-ending series in Oakland to clinch the division title. Sure, it sucks to put it mildly. But really, it's just sports. Move on.
LSU lost a college football game today against a ranked Florida team on the road. LSU's offense was inept. As it was last year. For reference see both games against Alabama.
Judging by Tweets and facebook posts, one might conclude that both Texas and LSU went on marauding sprees, killing firstborn children and molesting women immediately after their respective games. They were also the most disgraceful, inept and stupid collection of players to ever be assembled, led by incompetents who should never work in their preferred field again.
Of course it's perfectly right to criticize your favorite team. That's just part of the deal. But to come completely unhinged and emotionally unstable? Maybe an intervention or professional therapy is needed.
Perspective and balance, folks. Just a nice way of saying "Get a life."
Here in the Cheap Seats, we are unabashed fans of the Texas Rangers. Yes, the end of the season was very disappointing. Even more so considering the high expectations and the fact that they led the A's by 13 games as late as June. And needed to win only one game in the season-ending series in Oakland to clinch the division title. Sure, it sucks to put it mildly. But really, it's just sports. Move on.
LSU lost a college football game today against a ranked Florida team on the road. LSU's offense was inept. As it was last year. For reference see both games against Alabama.
Judging by Tweets and facebook posts, one might conclude that both Texas and LSU went on marauding sprees, killing firstborn children and molesting women immediately after their respective games. They were also the most disgraceful, inept and stupid collection of players to ever be assembled, led by incompetents who should never work in their preferred field again.
Of course it's perfectly right to criticize your favorite team. That's just part of the deal. But to come completely unhinged and emotionally unstable? Maybe an intervention or professional therapy is needed.
Perspective and balance, folks. Just a nice way of saying "Get a life."
Texas Rangers, Mike Trout, MVP and Bevo
For the one or two people who read the blog, we apologize for the lack of consistency lately. We're still trying to figure out where this is going.
However, here are some thoughts going into the weekend:
Texas Rangers Baseball
For all those bandwagon fans who are ripping the team, stop it. Yes, it is terribly disappointing how this team collapsed its way into the Wild Card game. Once there, the performance left much to be desired.
But come on, these last three years have been amazing. Back to back World Series appearances. While the final results have been far less than stellar, remember where we came from.
The Mike Trout/Miguel Cabrera Debate for MVP
We have made our thoughts know on this subject. Where would the Angels be without Mike Trout? Exactly where they are now. At home. Watching the playoffs on television.
Where would the Tigers be without Miguel Cabrera? Probably cozying up on a couch with the Angels. The triple crown is a bonus for Cabrera.
There have been some great arguments made as to why leading a team to the playoffs should not factor into the MVP vote. First and foremost is that Detroit had a worse record than Anaheim/California/Los Angeles. Tough break, Trout. You play in a really good division.
If the award were for best player, most outstanding player, then I'm all over Trout. But most "valuable"? Not so much.
EDSBS: Every Day Should Be Saturday
Now we finally get into the meat of the college football schedule. Less Savannah State, more top 25 vs. top 25.
We are curious to see if Geno Smith and West Virginia will be able to make fajitas out of Bevo and thatTexas defense.
Georgia and South Carolina is also on the radar. Among others.
Don't forget to check out #CFBUniWatch on Twitter every Saturday, where we become fashion police.
However, here are some thoughts going into the weekend:
Texas Rangers Baseball
For all those bandwagon fans who are ripping the team, stop it. Yes, it is terribly disappointing how this team collapsed its way into the Wild Card game. Once there, the performance left much to be desired.
But come on, these last three years have been amazing. Back to back World Series appearances. While the final results have been far less than stellar, remember where we came from.
The Mike Trout/Miguel Cabrera Debate for MVP
We have made our thoughts know on this subject. Where would the Angels be without Mike Trout? Exactly where they are now. At home. Watching the playoffs on television.
Where would the Tigers be without Miguel Cabrera? Probably cozying up on a couch with the Angels. The triple crown is a bonus for Cabrera.
There have been some great arguments made as to why leading a team to the playoffs should not factor into the MVP vote. First and foremost is that Detroit had a worse record than Anaheim/California/Los Angeles. Tough break, Trout. You play in a really good division.
If the award were for best player, most outstanding player, then I'm all over Trout. But most "valuable"? Not so much.
EDSBS: Every Day Should Be Saturday
Now we finally get into the meat of the college football schedule. Less Savannah State, more top 25 vs. top 25.
We are curious to see if Geno Smith and West Virginia will be able to make fajitas out of Bevo and thatTexas defense.
Georgia and South Carolina is also on the radar. Among others.
Don't forget to check out #CFBUniWatch on Twitter every Saturday, where we become fashion police.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
College Football Uniform Watch Week 5
Usually we want to mention winners and losers of the weekly uniform watch. This week only losers. From only one game. Nebraska, Wisconsin and adidas: Shame on you. See for yourself.
While we heard some praising the Nebraska black helmet look, we are not amused. That is not Nebraska. That is not Wisconsin. The Scarlet Letter game.
That is all.
While we heard some praising the Nebraska black helmet look, we are not amused. That is not Nebraska. That is not Wisconsin. The Scarlet Letter game.
That is all.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Enjoy the Texas Rangers Post Season
Our Texas Rangers are on the verge of their third straight playoff appearance. We are just as excited this year as we were two years ago. Or in the late nineties.
Our advice is to never let it get old. Or taken for granted. Ask the fans of the Royals. What would they give for one playoff appearance?
The 2012 is both fun and frustrating. They never give up, except when they do. They can come back from a six run deficit or be totally inept in a 1-0 loss. The pitching can carry for while, the bats can carry for a while. Ian Kinsler can throw the ball into the stands or turn an amazing double play. Josh Hamilton can wave helplessly at breaking balls for weeks or can hit 242 homeruns in a homestand. Derek Holland can be the best pitcher in baseball for a month or can give up 108 runs in a third of an inning.
They lost two fifths of their starting rotation. They have seen the entire lineup slump for an extended period. They have won a total of nine games in a month.
But you know what? Their magic number is three with six games to play. They hold a four game lead over Oakland. They will be in the playoffs.
Enjoy this. It doesn't happen all the time.
Our advice is to never let it get old. Or taken for granted. Ask the fans of the Royals. What would they give for one playoff appearance?
The 2012 is both fun and frustrating. They never give up, except when they do. They can come back from a six run deficit or be totally inept in a 1-0 loss. The pitching can carry for while, the bats can carry for a while. Ian Kinsler can throw the ball into the stands or turn an amazing double play. Josh Hamilton can wave helplessly at breaking balls for weeks or can hit 242 homeruns in a homestand. Derek Holland can be the best pitcher in baseball for a month or can give up 108 runs in a third of an inning.
They lost two fifths of their starting rotation. They have seen the entire lineup slump for an extended period. They have won a total of nine games in a month.
But you know what? Their magic number is three with six games to play. They hold a four game lead over Oakland. They will be in the playoffs.
Enjoy this. It doesn't happen all the time.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Great Replacement Ref Controversy of 2012
There are many people outraged by the ending of the Monday Night Football game between Seattle and Green Bay. Rightly so. The end of the game was a debacle of epic proportions. the people opining are passionate about the NFL. Good for them.
However, much hot air, bandwidth, air time and ink will be wasted this week. Why? Because this changes nothing.
The owners have decided what they are going to offer the referees. End of story. They are dug in.
This lockout ends one of two ways: The regular refs cave or someone gets killed because of the replacements' incompetence. We've written that here before and still believe it to be true.
Meanwhile, the league and network executives are laughing all the way to the bank. NFL telecasts have now become "must see tv" just to find out what ludicrous thing will happen. While the ESPN talking heads have to decry this situation, the ad execs have to be loving it. This latest situation will rule the airwaves for the next week.
Here in the Cheap Seats we are popping popcorn and sitting back to watch the fireworks. Most fun we've had in a while. We know the replacements are terrible and in over their heads, but much like a train wreck, we cannot turn away. That makes us part of the problem, but we're OK with that.
However, much hot air, bandwidth, air time and ink will be wasted this week. Why? Because this changes nothing.
The owners have decided what they are going to offer the referees. End of story. They are dug in.
This lockout ends one of two ways: The regular refs cave or someone gets killed because of the replacements' incompetence. We've written that here before and still believe it to be true.
Meanwhile, the league and network executives are laughing all the way to the bank. NFL telecasts have now become "must see tv" just to find out what ludicrous thing will happen. While the ESPN talking heads have to decry this situation, the ad execs have to be loving it. This latest situation will rule the airwaves for the next week.
Here in the Cheap Seats we are popping popcorn and sitting back to watch the fireworks. Most fun we've had in a while. We know the replacements are terrible and in over their heads, but much like a train wreck, we cannot turn away. That makes us part of the problem, but we're OK with that.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Winners and Losers in the College Football Uniform Watch
Here in the Cheap Seats, we sometimes yell at kids to get off our lawn. Sometimes we get a little cranky. We are not fans of most of the "alternate" uniforms spotted in the college football landscape these days. We will try to have a synopsis here every week, but for those that need more real time info, check out Twitter hashtag #CFBUniWatch on Saturdays. And sometimes Thursdays and Fridays.
Winners
This part of the entry is usually going to be very short - see above.
Oregon - We never now what to expect from the Ducks week-to-week. This week they went fairly traditional (for Oregon) and it worked.
Rutgers - I don't think their's is an alternate uni, but the sleek silver and scarlet look they now sport on the road (haven't seen them at home yet) is very attractive.
Virginia Tech - The camo look they had going on with the all white unis was a definite upgrade from the atrocious Maroon and Orange combo that is their usual look. Any combination of that is bad.
Losers
Missouri - If this drab gray and mustard combo is what the SEC move has wrought, they have lost even before they step on the field.
West Virginia - See Missouri above, only substitute Big 12 for SEC.
Arkansas - Now, they have much bigger problems than fashion, but still. For us mostly it was the white helmets with the faint Razorback outline. This is Woo Pig Soooie. Red headgear with the distinctive hog outline, please.
Utah - We thought we were watching Cincinnati. No disrespect to the Bearcats, but the Utes are supposed to feature red.
Winners
This part of the entry is usually going to be very short - see above.
Oregon - We never now what to expect from the Ducks week-to-week. This week they went fairly traditional (for Oregon) and it worked.
Rutgers - I don't think their's is an alternate uni, but the sleek silver and scarlet look they now sport on the road (haven't seen them at home yet) is very attractive.
Virginia Tech - The camo look they had going on with the all white unis was a definite upgrade from the atrocious Maroon and Orange combo that is their usual look. Any combination of that is bad.
Losers
Missouri - If this drab gray and mustard combo is what the SEC move has wrought, they have lost even before they step on the field.
West Virginia - See Missouri above, only substitute Big 12 for SEC.
Arkansas - Now, they have much bigger problems than fashion, but still. For us mostly it was the white helmets with the faint Razorback outline. This is Woo Pig Soooie. Red headgear with the distinctive hog outline, please.
Utah - We thought we were watching Cincinnati. No disrespect to the Bearcats, but the Utes are supposed to feature red.
Open Letter to Rangers Fans
Dear Fans of the Texas Rangers,
Here in the Cheap Seats, we appreciate the overwhelming support of our Rangers by everyone involved, whether you have been a fan for 40 years or 40 minutes.
We have been here for most of the 40 years. We were here when Tom Grieve (TAG) was a player. We were here for three managers in two days. We remember Ferguson Jenkins, Toby Harrah, Buddy Bell, Bump Wills, Jim Sundberg, Jeff Burroughs, Mike Hargrove, Gaylord Perry, Mickey Rivers, Odibe McDowell, Steve Buechele, Gabe Kapler, Charlie Hough, etc., etc.
We suffered through managers such as Frank Lucchesi, Billy Hunter, Pat Corales, Darrell Johnson, Doug Rader, Bobby Valentine, Toby Harrah, Kevin Kennedy and Jerry Narron. We have seen "names" such as Ted Williams, Whitey Herzog, Billy Martin and Don Zimmer come and go. We have seen two pretty good managers in Johnny Oates and Buck Showalter come through.
We have seen owners such as Tom Hicks, George Bush, Brad Corbett, and Eddie Chiles.
Right now we have an ownership group headed by Nolan Ryan. Jon Daniels as general manager and Ron Washington as the field manager. This group has taken the Rangers to back-to-back world series. In the 37 years of franchise history before this trifecta, our Rangers had won exactly one playoff game.
Don't become Red Sox Nation or the Evil Empire. Realize that this is special. Realize that we could be fans of the Astros, or the Royals, or the Rockies, or the Pirates, or........well, you get the picture.
If the manager decides to call for a bunt in the eighth inning of a game in which the offense has been inept and it fails, it is not the end of the world. We will take the last two years with the "worst manager in baseball" over the previous 37 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Just a little perspective.
Sincerely,
Long time Rangers fans in the Cheap Seats
Here in the Cheap Seats, we appreciate the overwhelming support of our Rangers by everyone involved, whether you have been a fan for 40 years or 40 minutes.
We have been here for most of the 40 years. We were here when Tom Grieve (TAG) was a player. We were here for three managers in two days. We remember Ferguson Jenkins, Toby Harrah, Buddy Bell, Bump Wills, Jim Sundberg, Jeff Burroughs, Mike Hargrove, Gaylord Perry, Mickey Rivers, Odibe McDowell, Steve Buechele, Gabe Kapler, Charlie Hough, etc., etc.
We suffered through managers such as Frank Lucchesi, Billy Hunter, Pat Corales, Darrell Johnson, Doug Rader, Bobby Valentine, Toby Harrah, Kevin Kennedy and Jerry Narron. We have seen "names" such as Ted Williams, Whitey Herzog, Billy Martin and Don Zimmer come and go. We have seen two pretty good managers in Johnny Oates and Buck Showalter come through.
We have seen owners such as Tom Hicks, George Bush, Brad Corbett, and Eddie Chiles.
Right now we have an ownership group headed by Nolan Ryan. Jon Daniels as general manager and Ron Washington as the field manager. This group has taken the Rangers to back-to-back world series. In the 37 years of franchise history before this trifecta, our Rangers had won exactly one playoff game.
Don't become Red Sox Nation or the Evil Empire. Realize that this is special. Realize that we could be fans of the Astros, or the Royals, or the Rockies, or the Pirates, or........well, you get the picture.
If the manager decides to call for a bunt in the eighth inning of a game in which the offense has been inept and it fails, it is not the end of the world. We will take the last two years with the "worst manager in baseball" over the previous 37 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Just a little perspective.
Sincerely,
Long time Rangers fans in the Cheap Seats
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