When did America go full retard?

I am ready to slap someone.

This division between Americans is getting ridiculous – and it is frustrating.

Let’s start off with this ridiculous Tea Party – has there ever been this much outrage over a tax increase? I tried searching over the internet without much luck.

But here was something I found – what the REAL Boston Tea Party was about. Did you know the Boston tea party (what this protest was mirroring) was over taxation without representation? Who knows that, besides everyone who passed 4th grad US History?

So how are these protestors not represented? We have our own elected officials. The ironic part about this is people’s actions, whether they know it or not, directly reflects the feeling they are not represented in government because the head guy isn’t a whitey. Yes I said it – it might not be the reason every person is protesting, but the symbolism of the act is astounding.

America looks ugly; no wonder people hate us. We are so worried about our own personal wellbeing - people forgot to look out for their neighbor.

The most frustrating part of this whole debacle is the people leading this movement. These are obviously people with plenty of free time on their hands (IE Jobless or without much work to do), and I am assuming they aren’t the people making 251k a year that are sweating these tax hikes. Why someone who makes 40k a year is worried about a millionaire getting taxed more fucking baffles me.

And usually I defend them, but I am going to put part of this on the media. I am usually one to defend media, but the bias is insane. Fixed News, or Fox Noise, (I can’t decide which term of Keith Olbermann’s I like better) seems to just try and fan the flames of hatred, getting people to pay attention to things like whether or not Obama’s dog was a “rescued animal”. Who gives a fuck?!?!? There is empty store front everywhere, signs everywhere that the economy is in trouble, and yet the media needs to focus on where the first family got their pooch. Give me a break.

The problem is that media has just become a launching pad for agendas, rather than presenting real news. Maybe if media outlets were more interested in presenting the facts rather than the BS, so many people wouldn’t be so misinformed about our current economic state.

One thing I have learned is that being progressive, as a person, a company, a community, a country, is very important. We can’t always do things the way they were done in the past. In many ways, we are forward thinking. But then I drive by some shit head with a “NObama” sign with the Kool Aid guy on it, and I just shake my head and wonder when they are going to start requiring IQ tests to register to vote.

Earth to these Americans – having a gun, not giving any money to the less fortunate, being racist and holding an American flag in the air does not make you patriotic. If you want to be a true patriot, look to the future and start doing things that are right for the whole, not just looking out for your slice of the pie.

Mess V. Buster Bluth

I just felt like laughing...

This might be his best ever Halloween costume

You be the judge...

Opening day victory gives reason for optimism.

All spring training when people asked me what I thought of the Giants 2009 version, I was very cautious with the rays of hope I saw – which came in young players forcing the hand of management to let them play.

Needless to say, this team is VASTLY improved from where it was a year ago today.

Opening day was a good sample of why it is OK for fans to get excited. While this squad likely won’t be a playoff contender, it is nice to know that the team can score in more than just one inning, or come back from a deficit. Last year, once the other team got up a couple runs, it was usually time to change the channel.

Another positive is the bullpen. Last year the pen failed the team time and time again. This year, the team has totally revamped the pen, with two vets signed to hold down the late innings, and young guys there to fill the gaps between the starters and the late inning guys. Joe Martinez did a wonderful job, since Tim Lincecum was wild and came out early.

And it isn’t just the production on the field. The Giants farm system was recently ranked the 5th best in the majors. There was a time when cracking the top twenty just wasn’t possible. The team has shown a new vigor and ability to develop players. Last year, the team had old hacks starting all over the infield. Yesterday, the team fielded 4 home grown position players – when was the last time that happened? Did Marvin Benard, Rich Aurilia, Ramon E. Martinez and Doug Mirabelli ever start on the same day?

Sure, there are still plenty of needs. The left side of the infield looks like it will have its challenges defensively, Aaron Rowand may not be built to play center in SF, and the hitters aren’t going to score ten runs a game – but it is all steps in the right direction – hopefully they stay the course.

Plus - it can be nothing but a good omen is Sully is throwing out the first pitch...

50 Posts?

Congrats me - you have written a lot of stuff - to read yourself
At least I have one follower!

When did we become slaves to our cell phones?

Ok – I have had it – we need to put down the cell phones.

I know – I am just as bad as most – I like to text, I talk on the phone in the car (screw bluetooth), I check my e-mail and sports scores on the internet – the 09 cell phone is a laptop in your pocket.

But we have become too cell phone centric. Perfect example – I hit the Bank of America cafeteria the other day, and some guy in front of me was getting all the same things – same food, soda machine, checker – but had to do all of it while he had his effing cell phone lodged between his shoulder and his face.

After I paid for my food, I walked to my table and noticed the offender – sitting at a table alone having a quiet lunch.

Word? Since when did we become a society that can’t let a call go unanswered, can’t pick up and say “hey, I’m trying to pick up lunch, let me call you back when my hands aren’t full”?

The simple answer is Miss Manners would take a chainsaw to our generation – we have absolutely no common courtesy when it comes to cell phone usage in public. Its not just our gen – Barack is addicted to his blackberry!

Well I am putting my foot down – putting it down to loud personal conversation havers on BART, to people who just stop walking in front of you so they can read/send a text, ro just any sort of general rudeness when it comes to cell phones.

And next time I get a call, I’ll try taking my yelling ass outside rather than force my convo upon everyone… it’s a sickness people – one we need to fix!

It was nice while it lasted

And to think last night I was planing how we could take a red eye and call in sick to work if Saint Mary's made the NIT finals in New York.

Last night the Gaels suffered a gut wrenching loss on the road to San Diego State, losing out on a trip to the semi-finals for the NIT.

While this was far from the dream season, Ray Ratto had a nice blog post on the reality of SMC hoops following last night’s defeat.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ratto/detail?blogid=64&entry_id=37517

If the team’s off season goes the way this season did, Patty Mills, will leave, Carlin Hughes, Diamon Simpson, and Yusef Smith will graduate, and the starting five could include names like Mickey McConnel, Wayne Hunter, Omar Samhan , Clint Steindl, and Ben Allen.

After this season, where his team won 25 games and couldn’t beat out a Pac 10 team, Randy Bennett and his Aussie connect might be on their way to a school that actually cares about their basketball program.

Case in point: Gonzaga took what Mark Few was accomplishing, built the program, built a new stadium, and now they are a perennial powerhouse.

What did Saint Mary’s do? They got a new logo and put up a fresh coat of paint on the terribly outdated McKeon Pavilion. I think Bennett might have left by now had he not assembled such a good team these past few years.

Watching Mills miss that key free throw down the stretch last night, the first thing that came to my mind was how many games I’ve been to McKeon as a student and never once sat behind the basket – because there aren’t any seats there. We have a high school gym, and I don’t blame Coach K or Roy Williams or some other big school from not scheduling us – they have nothing to gain from it.

So congrats SMC- you were given a golden opportunity to turn this athletic program into something other than a joke – and instead, you pocketed the profits and just waited for the day Bennett decides he can’t take anymore. It could be coming sooner than most hoped – before we even won a NCAA tournament GAME.

At least we get one more year of the best big man in the WCC!

What was that THUD sound?

That was the 49ers 2009 off season.

Sure, everything started out ok – Singletary was named the head coach, the team had rebounded from a horrific start to get to 7-9, and there was a general positive vibe surrounding 4949 Centennial blvd.

Then the front office started making decisions. Like hiring a guy who, in two years from now, will officially be less qualified than me to run the franchise (I’ll see your MBA and raise you a teaspoon of football knowledge, Jed!)

First was the OC disaster – its almost as if they were determined to find someone another team would NEVER in a million years hire away, unless the 49ers were #1 in offense for 4 straight years. Jimmy Raye, come on down.

Then the free agency period hit. The past few years this has been a great day for 9ers fans, reeling in Nate Clements and Justin Smith, among others.

This year? Not so much…

Let’s look at my idea off season vs. the one they’ve had thus far:

Needs: Pass rusher, FS, QB, back up RB, RT, FB

Now it sure seems like the team headed my advice as to the current roster. Mark Roman was told to bounce, as was Jonas Jennings, Bryant Johnson, J.T. O'Sullivan, and DeShaun Foster. Alex Smith and Takeo Spikes were brought back.

But their new teammates? A lot left to be desired: Damon Huard, Moran Norris, Micheal Spurlock, Demetric Evans, and Brandon Jones. And they are in fierce negotiations with an oft injured Marvel Smith. Aren’t they cutting Jennings because of injury issues?

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/03/49ers-talks-with-marvel-smith-heat-up.html

Excuse me if I’m not running out to buy season tickets.

The 49ers went into the off season correctly identifying team needs, but I think they really failed when it came to addressing them.

Granted, my off season was impossible – the two biggest players I wanted were franchised, the right tackle I suggested signed to a large contract a few days before the start of free agency.

They lost Ronald Fields and replace him with Evans – was there something wrong with bay area native Igor Olshansky, who is 26, a six year veteran in a successful 3-4 defense, with ties to coordinator Greg Manusky. A leak has come out that some of the assistant coaches are upset they weren’t consulted about these players, because they feel the front office put an emphasis on the wrong players.

Don’t even get me started on them being short on defensive backs, yet we felt the need to cut Keith Lewis, who has been the team’s best special teams player and one of the better safeties on the roster. I still contend he bring just as much to the table, if not more, than Michael Lewis, at a fraction of the price.

Nancy Gay had a nice break down of the team’s current situation:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/25/SPG916M2R1.DTL

I like that Singletary seems to be conditioning the players. There are a lot of times it seems other teams forced their will on the 49ers – I think Singletary is taking necessary steps to make sure that doesn’t happen in any more 4th quarters.

Luckily, if the team signs Smith to play RT, they have set themselves up to stay away from drafting for need, and will be able to take the best player available at ten. Much like when the team drafted Patrick Willis, they have one of those draft picks where a potential impact player should drop to them. Sexy players I could MAYBE see falling to the team at ten I’d be more than happy to look at: Michael Crabtree, B.J. Raji, Jeremy Maclin, Everette Brown, Michael Oher, Malcolm Jenkins, Rey Maualuga – we shall see which direction the team goes. I think Raji and Crabtree are no brainers if they fall, the rest all have small kinks in the armor but would be interesting to take at ten.

Let’s just hope the team drafts a little better than it attacked this off season – or else Singletary might just end up another Mike Nolan – all talk, no walk.

P.S. Matt Barrows still is having a torrid bro-mance with Percy Harvin, and I can’t blame him – I think the Wildcat is the offense the Flacons needed to run with Mike Vick, and it will just become more popular – is it the new West Coast offense? I doubt I’d go that far, but I don’t think this is just a fad that will be disappearing soon – teams are looking for Wildcat players, ala Pat White.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/020970.html

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin ABOUT!

Now this was the Gaels team that was supposed to be tourney bound.

SMC held off Stephan Curry and Davidson for an 80-68 victory.

On the way home, I remarked that it seemed like one of Wayne Hunter's best games at Saint Mary's. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/24/SPU416LTIM.DTL

The game story is here:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/23/SP4E16LHR4.DTL

It was exciting seeing ole SMC like that - the house was packed and rocking, with most seats filled an hour before tip off. Driving around looking for parking, it was a refreshing site to see people BBQing and tailgating for a Saint Mary's event.

If they ever do get around to building a new gym, they better put a huge parking structure right next to it.

Its a shame - these were the Gaels that were supposed to be playing in the big tournament. A big helping of Patty Mills, and him making all the other players just a little bit better. If they were playing as well as they are playing in the NIT, they would have been dancing.

Oh Well - I'd be pretty happy with an NIT banner - and hopefully a trophy.

P.S. Someone in my office just pointed out – if the Gaels got Arizona’s seed, we would have played Utah and Cleveland State - just the type of seeding that could have had us in the Sweet 16 – damn.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/threedotblog/detail?entry_id=37384

SMC GAELS - CRACKED RED FACES

After learning SMC was destined for the NIT, Omar Sahman said he was “heartbroken.”

What did he expect?

I knew this team was finished when Patty Mills went down. I remember, sitting at McCovey’s, watching his wrist go limp when attempting a simple warm up shot. When I saw that, I knew it was over. I even stopped paying attention to anything college basketball because I was so distraught.

And the galloping Gaels did not disappoint. They lost 3 of their next 4, sliding from a possible top-25 team to no chance of winning the WCC, something that looked very possible with Mills draining threes in that first half against Gonzaga.

Sure, they rebounded from the slow start without Mills, beating Utah State at home, and getting to the WCC tournament finals. But they stumbled to those finals, and were undressed on national TV by Gonzaga. Once that happened, all it took was a couple crazy teams winning their conference tournaments and Saint Mary’s bubble was burst.

But Omar is heartbroken. You know what – I would have kept the team out of the tournament just because of YOU:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/St-Mary-s-receives-technical-for-dunking-in-pre?urn=ncaab,147054

Some people are making a case for Saint Mary’s, as seen on yahoo: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/I-see-one-team-with-a-legitimate-reason-to-compl?urn=ncaab,148119

But Saint Mary’s is just this year's “I can’t believe they didn’t make it" team. But other than some sub-.500 teams winning their conference tournaments, I can’t look at say, a Maryland, and say we deserved to go ahead of them.

Enjoy the NIT – as much as I hope they win it, this will always be the reminder of the college basketball season that wasn’t. Had Mills never gotten hurt, they don’t lose road games to Portland and Santa Clara, and taking at least one game from Gonzaga if not two, they enter selection Sunday ranked, possibly getting a 5 seed with a sweet 16 appearance within grasp. Nevermore, nevermore.

I think this photo taken of Mario during selection Sunday wraps up Gael fan’s emotions for this disappointing season:

Final Spring thoughts

Well, its good to be home. I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow, but that's another story.

I've got the GMAT this week, so I wont have any other time to post.

But from my observations of the Giants first few spring training games:

Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa look ready to take the 1b and 3b jobs. If both turn into solid hitters and reliable fielders, it could be the key to the Giants 2009 season.

Kevin Frandsen looks ready to take the 2b job, but Burress isn't far behind. I think Franny edges out Burress, with Burress going to AAA to start and continue to develop.

I think the team views Velez as more of an outfielder, and he seems to have the arm to play out there.

The pitching looks strong, perhaps stronger than last year.