In news that may only infuriate me, Curt Schilling announced that he will not retire after this year and pitch again in 2008. Once again, another instance that Schilling feels he needs to let everyone in on all of his thoughts and decisions. No matter what is going on, baseball or not, he always seems to chime in, causing all of us to enter a state of confusion.
I have hated Curt Schilling for many years for many reasons. Whether it's his choice of teams or political parties, we share nothing in common. I hated him with the Phillies, with the Diamondbacks, and, by far the most, with the Red Sox. I hate that he has intense hatred of my beloved Yankees, yet an obsession with Yankee legend, Lou Gehrig. He named his son Gehrig, which is fine, but now that kid must suffer with the name "Gehrig Schilling" forever, not to mention being the devil's spawn himslef, but I digress. While I applaud his efforts and raising money in the fight against ALS, are video games really the best way to do that?
Also, to further anger me, he said that after his contract is up, if he doesn't play for the Red Sox, he'll play for another team (Really?), but he will never play for the Yankees. It is as if he is trying to make me have an aneurysm. Why is he telling us this? He makes his disdain for the Bronx Bombers quite clear, so no one would think they were an option. Besides, like we would take him anyway. I cannot think of anyone I would like on my team less than Curt Schilling. Well, maybe one. (I'm looking at you, Bonds.)
Anyway, I just needed to vent. During football season my hatred of Vince Young consumes me, but since, I can see America's pastime on the horizon, the Schilling-abhorrence is rising up.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Of Golden Statuettes
The Oscar nominations were announced today. I am by no means a film buff, but I do enjoy watching movies and have a few favorite actors and actresses that I will defend at all costs. I do watch the Golden Globes and Oscars every year, and just like with my sports teams, I always have favorites. This year's nominations had some surprises, as always. Most notably, the fact that Dreamgirls, which leads all films with eight nods, was snubbed in the Best Picture category.
Even though - if the Globes are any indication - this means that the insufferable Babel will likely take home the prize, I must say that I am happy about this. I don't like the actors in Dreamgirls, if you can even call them that, the premise is not Oscar-worthy, and I certainly do not want to spend two hours listening to people ruining perfectly good songs with their insane, contrived vocalizations.
I understand it is a musical, but when the leading contender for Supporting Actor is a comedian best known for portraying fat families in not one, but two movies, and the apparent Supporting Actress shoo-in is a castoff from American Idol (whom I felt was none too good on that show), that's not saying much for the film or the film industry.
My personal choice for Best Picture is The Departed. Overall, I am not a huge fan of mob movies, but this was one of the best films I've ever seen. I was first intrigued by the cast and went in thinking it would be good because how can a Scorsese film with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg not be brilliant. I was, however, surprised how much I loved it personally and not just because it was so well-crafted. (The only downside, in my own crazy opinion, was that in some of the scenes, a picture of the Red Sox 2004 World Series victory could be seen on the wall. I've tried to forget that moment ever happened. Other than that, it was cinema at its best.) I am disappointed that it received no acting noms other than Wahlberg for Supporting Actor. Leo is thankfully nominated for Blood Diamond, but his performance, really all of the performances, in The Departed are certainly Oscar-worthy.
Since Scorsese won the Globe for Best Director, hopefully he'll end his drought and finally win the Oscar. Then again, he won for another favorite of mine, The Aviator, and then was defeated at the Academy Awards. I sincerely hope Clint Eastwood does not win. I understand he's great, but enough is enough. And, I certainly don't think Letters from Iwo Jima is better than The Departed. I just don't see how a legend like Scorsese walks away empty-handed year after year.
Anyway, I'm quite looking forward to the Academy Awards. Nothing ever goes my way, but hopefully this year will be different.
Even though - if the Globes are any indication - this means that the insufferable Babel will likely take home the prize, I must say that I am happy about this. I don't like the actors in Dreamgirls, if you can even call them that, the premise is not Oscar-worthy, and I certainly do not want to spend two hours listening to people ruining perfectly good songs with their insane, contrived vocalizations.
I understand it is a musical, but when the leading contender for Supporting Actor is a comedian best known for portraying fat families in not one, but two movies, and the apparent Supporting Actress shoo-in is a castoff from American Idol (whom I felt was none too good on that show), that's not saying much for the film or the film industry.
My personal choice for Best Picture is The Departed. Overall, I am not a huge fan of mob movies, but this was one of the best films I've ever seen. I was first intrigued by the cast and went in thinking it would be good because how can a Scorsese film with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg not be brilliant. I was, however, surprised how much I loved it personally and not just because it was so well-crafted. (The only downside, in my own crazy opinion, was that in some of the scenes, a picture of the Red Sox 2004 World Series victory could be seen on the wall. I've tried to forget that moment ever happened. Other than that, it was cinema at its best.) I am disappointed that it received no acting noms other than Wahlberg for Supporting Actor. Leo is thankfully nominated for Blood Diamond, but his performance, really all of the performances, in The Departed are certainly Oscar-worthy.
Since Scorsese won the Globe for Best Director, hopefully he'll end his drought and finally win the Oscar. Then again, he won for another favorite of mine, The Aviator, and then was defeated at the Academy Awards. I sincerely hope Clint Eastwood does not win. I understand he's great, but enough is enough. And, I certainly don't think Letters from Iwo Jima is better than The Departed. I just don't see how a legend like Scorsese walks away empty-handed year after year.
Anyway, I'm quite looking forward to the Academy Awards. Nothing ever goes my way, but hopefully this year will be different.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Monday Afternoon Quarterback
I tried to post a blog once before, but as soon as I was done, it somehow disappeared. I'm apprehensive, but I am trying again. I am watching ESPN right now, as usual, and the news is that Bill Parcells is retiring, and therefore resigning from his post as the Dallas Cowboys coach.
I am not a Cowboys fan, and Parcells has never been my favorite person, but I am quite surprised by this decision. Supposedly, he had been telling those around him that he was returning and planning trips to college Senior Bowls, usually not signs of retirement.
It's hard not to think that Terrell Owens has something to do with this. I don't think it was the deciding factor, but it had to have played a role. Both of their personalities are too strong, so it's not shocking they didn't become the best of friends. Then again, can anyone become the best of anything with T.O.? Why do teams keep giving him chances? Is there any other player in the history of sports that seemingly controls his team because of his narcissism? I say no.
Back to the coaching vacancy that Dallas now faces, I have no clue as to who would want to go to that situation involving Owens. I can't imagine anyone, no matter how much they want to coach, openly welcoming T.O. as a player. I'm hearing Bum's son, Wade Phillips, because he is "a Texas person," whatever that means. Apparently, one only makes a good coach if he's from the team's area. Every year there are so many coaching vacancies, and I just wonder whether there are enough talented coaches to fill these NFL positions. It seems like any semi-talented assistant, coordinator, or college coach is automatically put into consideration.
Even though the situation is less than ideal, the Cowboys still have that "America's Team" aura and mystique. Coaching them is still a dream job, and I don't feel an unknown assistant will be good enough. It's a glamour position, therefore, a big name coach is probably what they're after. But, what do I know?
Not that I want Dallas to improve in any way, but I think an offensive coach would be best to develop Tony Romo into the great quarterback some people seem to think he can become. (I say he's average, at best, but then, I'm a diehard Bledsoe fan, so mine is not the most objective opinion.)
I've had enough of the Tuna talk, so I'll give my opinions on yesterday's Conference Championships. Things did not go my way at all. As I said before, I love Drew Bledsoe and became a Patriots fan when he was there, and I have continued my fandom through today's Brady-Belichick dynasty. And, being from Louisiana, I love the Saints, even though it hasn't always been the best team to root for.
I have more to say about the NFC Championship between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Bears 39, Saints 14. One or two things go differently for the Saints and they're heading to Miami. I will admit that the Bears vastly outplayed them, but the Saints really killed themselves with the turnovers. With Chicago's defense playing as well as it was, New Orleans needed a perfect game to prevail. Despite their poor performance, the Saints have nothing to be ashamed of. Their season was one for the ages, an incredible feat to come from 3-13 last year to the NFC Championship. I live in Baton Rouge, so I feel fairly close to New Orleans, and no city could be more grateful to their team. One of the headlines to the Times-Picayune today was, "Thank You, Boys." Even though this loss stings, the 2006 Saints are forever winners.
The AFC Championship Game was really an instant classic, (Don Banks agrees) as it seems games between the Patriots and Colts usually are. On an ironic side note, the score, 38-34, was the same as when the two met in the 2003 AFC Championship Game, although with a different winner. My sister is a huge Colts and Peyton Manning fan, so a part of me is happy for her. I was so upset about the outcome (especially since I begged Tom Brady not to end this game with an interception, and not two minutes later, he did), but I watched the postgame press conferences on ESPN, and it's really tough not to like Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. I'm happy for them, and hopefully Peyton gets the ring that's always eluded him.
My final thought on the upcoming Super Bowl: Did anyone ever think that Rex Grossman would be quarterbacking a team to the big game?
I am not a Cowboys fan, and Parcells has never been my favorite person, but I am quite surprised by this decision. Supposedly, he had been telling those around him that he was returning and planning trips to college Senior Bowls, usually not signs of retirement.
It's hard not to think that Terrell Owens has something to do with this. I don't think it was the deciding factor, but it had to have played a role. Both of their personalities are too strong, so it's not shocking they didn't become the best of friends. Then again, can anyone become the best of anything with T.O.? Why do teams keep giving him chances? Is there any other player in the history of sports that seemingly controls his team because of his narcissism? I say no.
Back to the coaching vacancy that Dallas now faces, I have no clue as to who would want to go to that situation involving Owens. I can't imagine anyone, no matter how much they want to coach, openly welcoming T.O. as a player. I'm hearing Bum's son, Wade Phillips, because he is "a Texas person," whatever that means. Apparently, one only makes a good coach if he's from the team's area. Every year there are so many coaching vacancies, and I just wonder whether there are enough talented coaches to fill these NFL positions. It seems like any semi-talented assistant, coordinator, or college coach is automatically put into consideration.
Even though the situation is less than ideal, the Cowboys still have that "America's Team" aura and mystique. Coaching them is still a dream job, and I don't feel an unknown assistant will be good enough. It's a glamour position, therefore, a big name coach is probably what they're after. But, what do I know?
Not that I want Dallas to improve in any way, but I think an offensive coach would be best to develop Tony Romo into the great quarterback some people seem to think he can become. (I say he's average, at best, but then, I'm a diehard Bledsoe fan, so mine is not the most objective opinion.)
I've had enough of the Tuna talk, so I'll give my opinions on yesterday's Conference Championships. Things did not go my way at all. As I said before, I love Drew Bledsoe and became a Patriots fan when he was there, and I have continued my fandom through today's Brady-Belichick dynasty. And, being from Louisiana, I love the Saints, even though it hasn't always been the best team to root for.
I have more to say about the NFC Championship between the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. Bears 39, Saints 14. One or two things go differently for the Saints and they're heading to Miami. I will admit that the Bears vastly outplayed them, but the Saints really killed themselves with the turnovers. With Chicago's defense playing as well as it was, New Orleans needed a perfect game to prevail. Despite their poor performance, the Saints have nothing to be ashamed of. Their season was one for the ages, an incredible feat to come from 3-13 last year to the NFC Championship. I live in Baton Rouge, so I feel fairly close to New Orleans, and no city could be more grateful to their team. One of the headlines to the Times-Picayune today was, "Thank You, Boys." Even though this loss stings, the 2006 Saints are forever winners.
The AFC Championship Game was really an instant classic, (Don Banks agrees) as it seems games between the Patriots and Colts usually are. On an ironic side note, the score, 38-34, was the same as when the two met in the 2003 AFC Championship Game, although with a different winner. My sister is a huge Colts and Peyton Manning fan, so a part of me is happy for her. I was so upset about the outcome (especially since I begged Tom Brady not to end this game with an interception, and not two minutes later, he did), but I watched the postgame press conferences on ESPN, and it's really tough not to like Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. I'm happy for them, and hopefully Peyton gets the ring that's always eluded him.
My final thought on the upcoming Super Bowl: Did anyone ever think that Rex Grossman would be quarterbacking a team to the big game?
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