Mini news roundup!
Spitzer linked to prostitution scandal.
Kinda old news by now, since it was ALL over the wire yesterday. The new development is that he's probably going to resign. How embarrassing. Guys, keep it in your pants. Love your wives. If Spitzer does resign, Lt. Gov. David Peterson would become NY's first black governor and the 4th in US history. Oh, and he's also legally blind. Just throwing that out there.
Obama rejects Hillary's offer of VP.
Touche. "With all due respect. I won twice as many states as Sen. Clinton. I've won more of the popular vote than Sen. Clinton. I have more delegates than Sen. Clinton. So, I don't know how somebody who's in second place is offering vice presidency to the person who's in first place," he said." LOVE the modesty, Barack!
The Vatican lists more 'thou-shalt-not' sins.
Move over lust, greed, and gluttony, there are some new, bad-ass sins in town. The list includes pollution, drugs, and excessive wealth, among others.
Study: 1 in 4 teens has an STD.
That translates into more than 3 million teens having a STD. Girls, keep it in your pants!! This is like a High School Confidential episode gone horribly awry.
Madonna inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Along with John Mellencamp, Philly soul producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, literate songwriter Leonard Cohen, British rockers the Dave Clark Five, and surf instrumentalists the Ventures. Yeah, I don't know the rest of them either.
Britney Spears to guest star on How I Met Your Mother.
I not-so-secretly heart Britney (shut up). I LURVE How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8PM, Mondays). I am super duper excited.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
While you were sleeping...
Why I Hate People: Reason #379
I love a good debate like anyone else. If I am passionate about something, I might even throw in my two cents.
The latest thing that has caught my attention is one of those online commenting wars, particularly one from the NBC website, based off of a recent SNL skit that mocks both Democratic presidential candidates. The skit itself is alright .. but it's the comments that really made me analyze the skit.
Many of the comments express that they feel that SNL is either being super-racist (one going as far as to mention "Blackface comedy") or a means of shoving down their so-called pro-Hilary skit down their viewers throats.
Um .. what?
At first, it was funny to see how tunnel-visioned people could be, only seeing what they want to see. But after reading so many comments in the same manner, it really disheartened me.
People need to lighten up and freaking save the drama for your momma.
Monday, March 10, 2008
[Feature] Fantasy Baseball Draft
I wish I could make some of you understand how fun fantasy drafts are. Drafting is like dressing up for the Oscars. You have to make sure you have the right dress/suit, the shoes must match, accessories are a must, etc... I missed my draft last year and because of an error in the pre-draft ranking I picked Bret Myers in Round 1. That's like having your assistant giving you sweats and a tank top and telling you to walk down the red carpet. Sadly enough I finished last but this year I vowed not to let that happen again.
*Pick number in parentheses
Round 1: Here We Go!
Fantasy draft starts and I have the second pick. The first pick is a no brainer. A-Rod(1) gets taken faster than a $100 bill lying on the sidewalk. This season there are a couple of choices for number 2. Albert Pujols(7) worries me a bit. Although he's still put up monster numbers, he's had nagging injuries the past couple of years. Jose Reyes(6) is also a popular choice but his struggles in the second half of last season were enough to deter me. The real choice was between David Wright(3) or Hanley Ramirez(2). I picked Hanley reasoning that it is harder to find quality at shortstop than at thirdbase. I'm looking forward to seeing .315Avg 30HRs 100+ Run and RBIs and 45SBs. Hanley Ramirez. My black dress.
Round 2-5: A Queezy Feeling
This is usually where I feel somewhat uncomfortable in the draft and this year was no different. My second round pick was Brandon Phillips(23). Ehh... Hopefully he's good for another 30HR/30SB season. He plays in the bandbox that is the Great American Ballpark that I'm not too worried. My third round pick was a panic move. Aramis Ramirez(26). Within 5 seconds of hitting the draft button I heard my brain saying "WTF, mate!" I could have taken Carlos Lee (27), Manny Ramirez(28), Victor Martinez (29), Jonathan Papelbon(36). I got Aramis in the 5th round last year. I was blinded by the dwindling pool of thirbasemen. Miguel Cabrera(5) and Ryan Braun (17) had also been taken. I should have waited for Garret Atkins(59). My fourth rounder was Carlos Zambrano(47). I'm hoping he can rebound from last year. He finished the second half strong and I'm hoping he can carry that into the rest of this season. Besides as you will see I love taking risks with my starting pitching as you will see soon enough and Carlos Zambrano gives me some security Fifth round, Joe Mauer (50). I'm really happy taking Mauer here. I'm seeing .320avg 90 Runs 20HRs and 90RBIs this season.
Round 6-10: Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulette!
These are my favorite rounds. In the 6th round I got Felix Hernandez(71). Roy Halladay(62), Chris Young(63), and John Smoltz(64) were taken earlier in the round and this year I think Hernandez will have the better season. Not only will he continue to develop but Erik Bedard's( 24) arrival lowers the pressure on Hernandez. Round 7 and I still don't have a first basemen or and outfielder. In the 7th I take Carlos Pena(74). Pena had a monster season last year, hitting 46 HRs. This was a tough choice because I really like San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez(96). If I knew Gonzalez was still going to be available later on I would have waited. I really doubt Pena will repeat his breakout season but I hope he's a late bloomer ala David Ortiz(19) and proves me wrong. Eight round pick was Franisco Liriano (95). Liriano is coming off Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch at all last year but the kid's got electric stuff. He's good enough to be the AL Cy Young if he stays healthy. My 9th and 10th round picks addressed my OF need with Garry Sheffield(98) and Andruw Jones(119). Garry Sheffield will be hitting between Miguel Cabrera(5) and Maglio Ordonez(35) so he can expect to see a lot of fastball down the middle of the plate. Andruw Jones is coming off the worst year of his career but don't expect that to repeat itself. Jones will bring 35HRs and 100+ RBIs to an improved Dodgers lineup.
Round 11-15: Fill In the Blank
These rounds fill some holes in my team. I didn't have a relief pitcher so I drafted Eric Gagne(143) in the 12th round. Gagne was really good in Texas as the closer but was atrocious in Boston as the setup man. I think going to Milwaukee is a good move for Gagne. The Brewers have a good team and he'll have plenty of save opportunities. I'm concerned about Aramis Ramirez's health and Carlos Pena's consistency so I drafted Alex Gordon(167) in the 14th round and James Loney(170) in the 15th round. Alex Gordon is hyped to be the second coming of George Brett. If he is, I've pulled off the coup of the draft. Both Gordon and Loney are young players with only one season of Major League experience. Considering they're both being used primarily as backups I'm willing to take the chance on their talent. My other picks were Matt Cain(122) in the 11th round and Phil Hughes(146) in the 13th round. I had to pick Hughes. 12 rounds had passed and I hadn't picked a Yankee.
Round 16-21: Finally
There's not much to say about these rounds. Everyone begins to roll the dice after conformity dominates the first 15 rounds. My favorite pick is Rich Harden(194) who I seem to pick every year. Folks, Rich Harden is just as good as Johan Santana(4)...if he stays healthy(I say this a lot). I also picked Henry Owens(215) because I believe he will be the closer for the Marlins sooner than later. Michael Cuddyer(191) will start as my third outfielder but hopefully won't continue to be. The rest of the choices are meaningless and will be cut by April 10.
I'm content with my draft but I definitely could have done better. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned, hearts were broken. Mothers. Don't let your sons draft Bret Myers.
Friday, March 7, 2008
What are you doing this weekend?
Forecast
Fri.: 52°F, cloudy/rain in late afternoon
Sat.: 52°F, windy with heavy rain/thunderstorm and flood watch
Sun.: 40°F, windy/partly cloudy
See
Opening This Weekend
The Bank Job (starring Jason Stathum)
10,000 B.C. (starring Steven Strait, Omar Sharif)
College Road Trip (starring Raven-Symone, Martin Lawrence)
Blindsight (limited release)
Events
The 2008 Whitney Biennial: From March 6th through June 1st, the Whitney Museum of American Art will be featuring 81 artists from around the globe. There will be special, interactive events for art-enthusiasts; buy your tickets ahead while you can.
All-You-Can-Eat Dimsum Brunch: Mandarin Court (located at 61 Mott Street, NYC) will be having a $30 all-you-can-eat dimsum feast (which includes tax, tip, Chinese tea, and a beverage) on Sunday, March 9th from 1PM.
This weekend doesn't seem to be a thrilling one, in the case of weekend events - hopefully our readers have some exciting plans of their own! Oh, and if you're in the mood for some frozen yogurt, check out Yogurt Lovers in Closter, NJ.
I Want to Have Mark Zuckerberg's Babies.
Why is this guy smiling? Because he has enough money to kill you and get away with it.
Forbes has recently done the math and has estimated that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is worth about 1.5 Billion dollars.
That site you obsessively check twice a day has made this 23-year-old college dropout the 785th richest person in the world.
Meanwhile, I'm also 23, but instead of being a billionaire, I am driving 1992 Toyota Celica.
How very sad.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
News Alert: Use Your Gift Cards!
Wow .. for all those people who either love getting gift cards as gifts or like to give them as gifts:
As more retailers file for bankruptcy or go out of business, more than $75 million in gift cards are at risk of becoming worthless pieces of plastic this year...The Sharper Image announced late last month that it was suspending the acceptance of gift cards, at least temporarily. It urged shoppers to check the company Web site later this month for an update. That is typical of businesses that reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which treats gift cards as a loan to the company, not as cash. (CNN.com)---
I guess I'm calling out sick tomorrow to use up all these freaking gift cards before they become worthless!
Shecky's Girls Night Out
Considered to be THE event that every female must go to, Shecky's Girls Night Out was a bit of a disappointment for me. The event itself was a bit lame; imagine a sea of 30+ year olds fighting over vintage dresses, sparkly jewelry, and a chance to flirt with the [only male] sales rep from a botox booth. Sprinkled throughout were bars with free drinks ... but it would literally cost you an arm and a leg to fight through the line of women who were already sloshing away on their third or fourth drink. As I trucked along through the 3 floors of clothes, jewelry, beauty products, and occassional eye-catching free chocolate samples and Nintendo DS lounge (how random is that?), I wondered if all of Shecky's events were like this or if I was just at the wrong event on the wrong night. And would the coveted Shecky's goodie bag be all its worth?
Since it was my very first Shecky's event, I guess I shouldn't be too quick to judge. The event boasts of shopping from local vendors, with sales from anywhere 20% - 70% off .. but it doesn't mean things are exactly affordable. Friends who have gone to past Shecky's events have raved about how much of a good time they had, or what cool samples and gifts they got in their goodie bags. A co-worker recommended that I go on the very last day of the event, but obviously, those tickets sold out like hotcakes. Left with no choice but to go on a Tuesday night, I now realize why those Friday tickets were gone in a second. Lesson learned.
The idea of getting a goodie bag was awesome (though the contents inside this particular night's bag wasn't too great). Here's a look inside my bag:
-Redken traveling tote / electric wax 11 (medium control)
-Rusk Being Sexy Hairspray
-Salon Selectives apple-shaped hair pins / hair freshner
-Colgate MaxFresh Spearmint burst toothpaste
-Glytone Body lipo-lift serum
-Einstein Lip Therapy hydrating lip cream / cooling lip relief
-Shavemate Diva
-Hawaiian Tropic Island Glow daily moisturizer
-Couvrance compact foundation cream
-o.b. pro comfort tampons
-Ahava mineral foot cream
-Eboost orange-flavored daily health booster
-Epil-Step neutralizing afterwash
-Platinum music pass
Unfortunately, this Shecky's goodie bag didn't even have any sort of media (they usually give out some sort of book/literature) or even underwear :(
All in all, I guess I would go to another Shecky's event before passing my final judgment against it. The site is already selling tickets for the summer Shecky's Girls Night Out with a "new" tote for the goodie bag. Perhaps that might be a winner..?
