So far so good

Up 2-0 in our first round series against the Denver Nuggets and I think my main concern is will the stellar play hold up in Colorado.  Playing in front of fans full of contempt (a special contempt given Kobe's relationship with the state of Colorado) is a different monster than doing it for your faithfuls. 

I think the key will be sustaining the initial energy Denver is inevitably going to bring to the floor the first quarter.  The idea is to not panic.  The idea is to stick to our game, play defense, and limit our mistakes.   I know pretty simple advice but it's tried and true.  JR Smith, the guy off of the Denver bench, looks like he was trying to egg Kobe in last night's game -- maybe as a head game headed back to the mile high city.  Although, I have some words of advice to JR:  When you're coming off the bench (despite being pretty damn effective), do not trash talk the guy that has dropped 40+ on your squad with time still a tick tick ticking.  This person is apparently a bit hot so last thing you need to do is to give him extra incentive, extra motivation to score.  But Kobe handled it well.  He got the ball drove at JR Smith, got the foul, made the bucket, hit the free throw, and left the game for good. 

Word is JR Smith is still talking......And who the hell is this Linas Kleiza?!??!

Technorati tags: Los Angeles lakers, Denver Nuggets, NBA Playoffs, Kobe Bryant, Linas Kleiza, JR Smith

Take the time to Notice

I don't know if I am going through some chemical imbalance the past few days but I have been pretty emotional watching little man this week.  He's so amazing, from him ability to pretend to not here you say no to his finally giving you a kiss after you stopped asking for one an hour ago, everything he does just kind of leaves you in awe. 

We have this game where he runs in circles from the living room, through the french doors and dining room, into the kitchen, through the foyer and back into the living room.  My part is to hide somewhere along his route.  Usually, I'm either in the bathroom, up the stairs a little ways or just badly hidden like a cat with his tail out.  Then I jump out and say hey and if he's surprised he says 'O000hhhhhgobagodoogabal'.  Well, we were doing this the other day and I guess he REALLY wasn't expecting me.  His exact words were scarily close to 'OOOHHHHJESSUS'!  Absolutely hilarious.

Our other game is from the football practices of old.  We stand in place and run and then fall down and pop back up.  What makes it fun for us parentals is that he's saying 'Ooohhhhh' the whole time we run in place.  Then we fall and he bursts into laughter...it's the funniest thing for him to run in place and fall.  Unfortunately, I'm so out of shape that after two or three times of doing this, I need a break.....I'm gonna have to get in better shape.

And, then there's the new game that we don't like.  In this game, which is further proof that boys are daredevils from their first breath, he finds a way onto the coffe table.  A toy, a box, whatever he can climb on to get on the table.  We didn't mind at first because he showed significant caution about 1) what he did on the coffee table which was usually pacing and yelling, and 2) he always got onto his stomach and slid backward to get off the table.  But for the past week, he's decided that he wants to jump off of the table into my arms.  I made the mistake of catching him and laughing once.  Now he thinks it's a game....we gotta break this game

 

Above, Devin and Daddy on the Laptop

What Others Won't Say

Is it me or does the media LOVE Boston sports?  It seems like the slightest winning for any team in the area results in a tidal wave of stories specific to New England.  As a disclaimer, if you read Xpinionated, then you know I am slightly considerably biased against the entire New England area.  But let's say a couple of things about the amazing season the 07-08 Celtics had this year.

Most Improved.  The Celtics accomplished the biggest turnaround ever for an NBA team by increasing their win total by 42 wins.  Great achievement. . . except last year's roster doesn't feature at least nine players on this year's roster.   Only 40% of your previous roster is there.  In my mind, this isn't the true meaning of Most Improved.  In my mind, Most Improved means taking what you had, working on it through practice/experience/playcalling and drastically improving your results.  It does not mean gutting your roster and pulling off some spectacular GM moves.  Personally, I think the recognition for Most Improved should go to teams carrying at least 60% of the previous season's roster.  However, I'm not sure this is an official recognition so there are no rules... 

Best Regular Season Record.  With 66 wins, the Celts also had the most wins in the league.  Impressive indeed.  60+ wins in this league is always an accomplishment.  Taking a look at who the Celtics get to play night in and night out, it seems to me that playing in the Eastern Conference had much to do with their success.  In fact, based on Hollinger's Statistics on ESPN.com, Boston has the lowest strength of schedule in their league.  San Antonio has the highest.  Does anyone think any of the top four seeds could not have accomplished the same feat against the Eastern Conference?  And yes, Boston had a great record against the West, but I doubt they would have the same kind of success if it was a day in day out kind of thing instead of just a road trip to get hyped for.

With all that said, it sure is nice to have Boston around to hate....even if it's only for a couple of years....

Technorati tags: Boston Celtics, NBA, Most Improved, Best NBA Record

Daddy and Devin Day - The Post-Game

Well, Daddy and Devin day didn't go exactly as I planned.  I had fun with lil man and I know he was happy to be out of the house as much as he was on Saturday.  But I'm disappointed that I didn't pull the day off as planned.  Next time, I will need to plan better....

We left the house around noon and headed up to Triple Play.  Triple Play is a new sports bar where some friends of mine work.  My plan was to hit this place (been open all of one night), see my friends, and then hit up Hooters for dinner before the game later on.  Devin was a hit of course with waitresses wanting to hold him but him playing hard to get. 

We left there around 1:30 I guess and had to do some errands at Costco and Kroger.  By the time we finished the errands, it was 3:30, Devin was head down, neck stretched sleep in the backseat and I knew we weren't going to make it down to the car show.  So Devin slept from 3:30 to 5:30 finally giving us (though Mrs Xpinionated wasn't there to enjoy it) the two hour nap he routinely takes at daycare.

I decided to wake him up at 5:30 which didn't take much more than me walking into the room.  At this point, Hooters too was out of the question if we were going to get to the Force game on time.  So I decided it would be easier to get to the game way early, get some food, feed Devin before folks started crowding us and get settled.  And that worked.....until Devin decided he was going to spit on the guy next to us....every time the guy spoke.  The man was a good sport and laughed it off as I tried to cover lil man's mouth.  But at halftime, after letting Devin run loose a little bit, I thought it was time to bring Devin and Daddy day to an end.....

With all that said, I still got lil man four cheerleader chicks!!! 

Technorati tags: Georgia Force, Daddy Day, Cheerleaders

See other pics here

Nice...must be nice

The survey showed that households with discretionary income of more than $1.35 million now view real estate as a bargain.

Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons and Atlanta it seems, has put his mansion on the block for $10.9 million.  Blah blah blah.  The gem of the article above is the 'discretionary income of more than $1.35 million' statement.  How many people does then encapsulate?  Seriously, 135,000,000 pennies of discretionary income?  Hell, in these times, what is this discretionary income of which they remark?  If I have discretionary income now, it's only because I forgot to pay a bill. 

Technorati tags: Arthur Blank, Discretionary Income

Daddy and Devin Day

Daddy and Devin Day is upon us!  Saturday, April 19, 2008.  Mrs. Xpinionated will be scrapbooking and girl talking her Saturday with friends.  It's the jump off.  Daddy and Devin will be touring the Metro Atlanta area getting into all sorts of mischief.

The day will start after Devin's afternoon nap.  We will head downtown to the car show at the World Congress Center.  Take in some automobiles and hope for some hot car models with a soft spot for handsome babies so daddy can take pictures to show off to his folks.  After that, we'll head back out to the 'burbs.  Depending on the time, we may just go chill at the mall or we may go get an early dinner at either Hooters or Triple Play (or whatever the name of the new bar some friends of mine are working at).  I'm leaning toward Triple Play since that will give some folks to see Devin that haven't seen him in a while.  But then there is the appeal of Hooters...ah time will tell.  After that, we may stop at home to re-up on some supplies.  Then it is off to watch the Georgia Force game. 

Ok, I admit it.  Perhaps it's really just Daddy day and he's taking the baby!  But Devin will have fun!!!  I mean it!!!!!

Numero Uno

1st in the Western Conference.  It feels right.  This is what the Lakers organization is about.  This is where we are supposed to be.  Now to finish the deal. 

It looks like we'll be facing Dallas or Denver in the first round.  We went 6-1 against those teams combined going 3-0 over Denver and 3-1 over Dallas (though all games seem to be a battle at the end). 

I have never really been the kind of fan to prefer to meet one team over another.  By so saying, it indicates a fear of the less preferred team.  I do not like fear.  I like to think, nay, I know we can beat any team in the league in a seven game series.  Perhaps I'm blinded by the Purple and Gold, but if so let me remain in that manner. 

My main concerns going into these playoffs:

1. Consistency:  Save for last night's undressing of the Kings (which five years ago would have been a victory to be relished), the Lakers have shown a tendency in the second half of the season of building big leads and losing big leads by crunch time in the fourth quarter.  That cannot continue. 
2. Health:  Both Kobe and Fish are playing through injuries with Luke Walton and Pau coming off recent injuries.  Though we are a deep team, we must be weary of the injury situation.  Add to that no timeline for the return of Baby Boy Bynum or Trevor Ariza, and our health concerns are not minor.
3. Lastly, assuming Baby Boy Bynum comes back, jelling and working him into the offense during the playoffs could be a tricky scenario.  Combining that with not knowing how the young man will react or play (aggressiveness still there?) after his first major injury poses some logistical questions for the Lake Show

In any case, getting out of the first round is a must, plain and simple.  The 48 - 17 finish means nothing if we get goosed in the first round.  The Pau Gasol acquisition means nothing.  And the number one seed means nothing.  Perhaps a regular season conference crown is big for the Hornets, or Rockets.  But to teams like the Lakers or Spurs (yes a measure of respect is being granted here), conference championships are but a sidenote to the title.

Technorati tags: Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum, NBA Playoffs, Trevor Ariza, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers

APRIL 16, 2008

Virginia Tech -- We remember.

He's still a rapper?

The 39-year-old rap performer was arrested Thursday night at the couple's Wellington home in South Florida. Police said his wife called 911, saying he had kicked and hit her during an argument over buying a bedroom set. She later told deputies he had only pushed her.

Again, as seen in some other posts I've made (of which I'm too lazy to find) about the media's tendency to ensure rap is associated with as much negativity as possible, Vanilla Ice who has one successful rap song (which in actual hip hop circles is still debatable -- like calling the Super Bowl shuffle rap) is identified as a rap performer in a story about domestic abuse.  It's sad really.  Vanilla Ice, 18 years removed from a successful rap song and attempts at everything under the sun from heavy metal and acting to reality star(used oh so loosely) and current bull riding contestant on some celebrity (again used oh so loosely) CMT affair, is still considered a rapper. IT would be different if he at least had a current album that someone outside of his immediate family purchased but his current moneymaker is bull-riding on CMT.  So REALLY, the story should say 'The 39-year-old bullrider. .  . .'.  Alas, that will not happen.  Since Brokeback Mountain', cowboys have been really sensitive about their image....

Technorati tags: Vanilla Ice, Rapper, CMT, Bullriding

Digital Irony

A study of World of Warcraft players aged 12 - 83 has found that after some violent gaming, the players were actually more relaxed or tired than aggressive. 

"There were actually higher levels of relaxation before and after playing the game as opposed to experiencing anger but this did very much depend on personality type," said Jane Barnett, who headed the Middlesex study. Translation: If you're an aggressive jackass before you play a video game, you'll still be one after; and video games don't magically turn peaceful people into violent offenders.

Hopefully, more studies like this one will make it to the mainstream media so every violent outburst doesn't fall at the feet of gaming.   I dare wager that the same could be proven of music and other forms of media.  Though, these forms of media do effect us, the foundation for violence toward others is built on something more than an album, video game, or shoot 'em up movie. 

Technorati tags: Gaming Study, Violent Games

Steve Nash - Hypocrite

"If it stopped the way it is, I think Chris Paul has been outstanding and his team has been the top of the charts," said two-time MVP Steve Nash.
"It's the team, your impact on your team and what you do overall. Let's face it, he has been unbelievable. His scoring, his assisting, he's a leader in steals. He shoots a good percentage. He put his team on his back in the fourth quarter. That's what it's about. He doesn't have the players around him that Kobe has."

Funny that Steve Nash should say this considering he won the award twice with superb talent around him.  A bit of the pot calling the kettle black ain't it...or should I say eh?

That's My Baby's Daddy .. . . and granddaddy

An Australian couple has come forward admitting their incestuous relationship including the birth of two children, one of which died on congenital heart problems.  The other child is now nine months old. 

 

The 61 year old father/grandfather has been having relations with his 39 year old daughter since they fell in love back in 2000 after 30 years of separation.

A judge has ordered that they stop doing the nasty and also given them a fine for their 'behavior'. 

Oddly enough, I don't even have a funny joke for this.   It's kind of disgusting, well not kind of, it is disgusting.  On the other hand, it's been eight years since they started so they may 'love' each other but I still think there is a huge psychological research project here just waiting for the undertaking. 

Technorati tags: Australian Incest

Down the wire

It's coming down to the wire in one of the greatest playoff races in recent NBA history.  The Lake Show has locked up it's 55th (out of 60 years) playoff appearance and now focuses on getting a better seed.  Right now, the teams I don't want to play in the playoffs are Golden State, New Orleans, and to a lesser degree Houston.  I'm not talking matchups here.  I'm talking bad feelings.  I just don't feel good running into those teams until we are on all cylinders. 

With Gasol back in the lineup, it looks like we are starting to play to our capabilities rather than to the level of competition.

I fear Kobe may once again be shunned in the MVP race if the Hornets lock up the one seed.  It truly is a shame that the best player in the league has never one the award.

I must give Lamar Odom his proper props for Friday night's game.  I've ridden him quite hard for a few years so when he has a night like he did against the Mavs, it's only right I at least mention it.  Keep it up Lamar, love the way you play when you're relaxed in the third option role.

Who would have thought we were in for a 50+ win season when this roller-coaster began?

Technorati tags: Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol

Stephen King on Video Games

Stephen King recently wrote an article at EW.com concerning his take on violence and video games spurred by a Massachusetts' bill that would ban violent games from being sold to anyone under 18. 

What really makes me insane is how eager politicians are to use the pop culture — not just videogames but TV, movies, even Harry Potter — as a whipping boy. It's easy for them, even sort of fun, because the pop-cult always hollers nice and loud. Also, it allows legislators to ignore the elephants in the living room. Elephant One is the ever-deepening divide between the haves and have-nots in this country, a situation guys like Fiddy and Snoop have been indirectly rapping about for years. Elephant Two is America's almost pathological love of guns. It was too easy for critics to claim — falsely, it turned out — that Cho Seung-Hui (the Virginia Tech killer) was a fan of Counter-Strike; I just wish to God that legislators were as eager to point out that this nutball had no problem obtaining a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Cho used it in a rampage that resulted in the murder of 32 people. If he'd been stuck with nothing but a plastic videogame gun, he wouldn't even have been able to kill himself.

Technorati tags: Video Game Violence, Stephen King, HB 1423

Amazing

This fatherhood thing truly is amazing.  I can't see how any man would not want to be around his child.  I can't see how any man wouldn't do anything for his child.  My son can bring me out of a funk with a simple smile or shout, both of which are just as likely to occur at any random moment. 

This morning he introduced a new game showing his mischievous side.  When I'm in the closet searching for another extraordinary Xpinionated outfit, lil Man will either come in there with me or close the door.  He used to close the door and just wait outside.  This morning though he closed the door and all I heard was the pitter patter of little feet off to do something they inevitably weren't supposed to be doing.  So I turn the handle to let myself out and those some pitter patters come back in a blaze.  He peeks around the door, smiles, and shuts it.  And again, pitter patter.  Back and forth we go, shut and run, run and smile and shut.  Until finally, he opens the door and I throw a shirt of his head making him giggle but also giving me time to get out of the closet (the Logo channel would be so proud!).  Things like this can make any ordinary day something a bit more special. 

For the last three nights, he has decided he is ready for bed.  He lets us know by grabbing one of our fingers to take us on a journey.  We say, 'Devin do you want to go up up?'  Meaning are you ready for bed and he leads us to the stairs.  Now this isn't to say that he doesn't still fight the sleepies but the fact that between 8 and 9, he knows it's getting close to counting sheep time.  He probably thinks since he has more freedom upstairs since we let him rummage in a couple more rooms than we do downstairs, that if he can just get to the cusp of freedom things will be just as he likes them:  just out of sight of us but not so far that he doesn't know where we are.  But we think, if we can just get him to sleep........we usually win......for now.