Kablooie Wins...Kablooie Wins

So Kablooie finally got its second win of the year in a 14-13 barnburner. As a result, I can barely walk this morning, but we got the win.

So King's van is da' bomb. We need to christen it with a good name. The van is great because it allows for critical mass in passengers. Last night on the way to Piece from UofC saw the following things:
1) Myself as DJ.(Anyone who has the misfortune of having me DJ in the car knows it is just a way for me to exercise my ADD).
2) A call to Dad to see what bar has the Prince tribute night? The Berlin.(Not my Dad, but Union Crew's dad). (Oh and this was the only thing talked about on the call to San Fran).
3) Talk of a blowjob class at Miss Casual's house. (I though BK was going to drive off the road when "blowjob class" was mentioned. Followed with Miss Causal talking about how she didn't know who came. BK and I of coursed looked at each other like idle school boys and laughed).
4)AY claiming Joe's lady as a member of the houesehold and her looking like she just ate bad fish.

Then when we arrive at Piece, BK's new household (five bedrooms, count them five) is holding a meeting to divy up rooms. (I offered my services as a non-binding arbitrator). It seems BK got his way, shocker, with the master bedroom. Yet, the main argument for BK getting the master bedroom seemed to be he was the least likely to get laid within the next year. It aslo seems as if JF(pornstar) and NaCho are competing in a triathlon in two weeks to see who gets the better room. Pfil thought a better contest would be to put Pornstar and NaCho in a bar and see who pulled the most digits. I of course said NaCho did not have a chance, but Pfil said NaCho could and should be drunk. Well that changes everything.

Really...this is the last Fanboy Post

So two of my favorites are interviewing each other here. A reason not to hate myspace.com.

Fanboy

Depsite EA's claim (while we were using the chat function of gmail, no less) going to the Clerks II showing at 11:20 on Saturday morning by myself is a pretty blatant airing of my fanboy flag. It's ok, I accept and move on. The Wife was at a conference so I had the time and I of course was up. Fun way to see the film with the other soul surfers. (When you can quote Swayze, you quote Swayze). Anyhow the Webster Place theatre was surprisingly full for a Saturday mid-morning. A great deal of solo guys mostly in jeans and black t-shirts, shoulder bags with pins and hip plastic glasses.

Not really my crowd except there we all were collected in a dark room to see the latest installment by Kevin Smith. I like Smith's films. Sure he's not a great cinematographer, mostly slow pans and one camera straight on shots, nothing extraordinary. Of course, Smith admits this in the commentary tracks of his dvd's. If you haven't listened to these, they are a must. (Worth it just for Affleck trash talk, "Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms"). Joel Siegal being grossed out, aside there was only one point where the movie hit my gag reflex. The Smith interview on Opie and Anothy where they call Siegal is pretty damn funny in its own right. (I particularly like how Smith calls everyone, sir).

Rest of the movie was typical Smith film with rauchy/funny dialogue covering up what is a pretty sappy love story about possible unrequited love. Good stuff.

Last night BBQ with the BR's. TBR grilled a whole fish, head included, for M the zookeeper. Nothing like making your lady work for her meal. (Comment of the evening by TBR, "So there may be some little bones in there" said while the fish's eye stares blankly at M). Fun times.

Go Elks

Phil B. is a nice guy. I take back all (ok, come on, most of) the bad things (he still went to Michigan) I ever said about him. He went out of his way to make sure I had a ride home tonight. Kablooey played a better game tonight, but still lost. Lighting did not strike anyone and I made a PBGipper 2000 (as Peggy said) layout catch. Lightning to this day still scares me to death. Looking forward to a cooler weekend. Oh and movies in the park are the best. Bueller is still funny and the chairs the Wife and I bought at Crate and Barrel worked like a charm.

Congrats to BK for the career switch and EA on setting a date, I think, for his wedding.

Left, Right, Center

And I quote my friend the Burke, "Indigo Girls? Seriously? I can't tell you how shocked I am that you're apparently willingly attending an Indigo Girls concert. Shit, next thing you know, you'll be voting democratic." I should note that I am writing this as I watch the women's US national soccer team play the Swedes. I'd make a comment about the Swedish national team, but it is really too easy. Yes, it's true the Wife and I had date night and attended the Indigo Girls at Ravinia. First, I like the Indigo Girls. I have seen them before in concert and they put on a great show. Second, I love Ravinia. See a show, sit on a blanket, eat food you brought and throw down wine, what's better. (Big props to my boy EA for hooking us up with his picnic backpack, an indispensable piece of Ravinia equipment). Third, say what you want to about those that pursue an alternative lifestyle but the Indigo Girls fan base can only be described as rabid. These three things make for a perfect show. Good band, good vino and good crowd. Comment of the night by the wife, "Wow it is not everyday you see hot lesbians making out."

One thing of note is that Ravinia has changed in the past couple years. It use to be the people with the Radio Flyer liquor wagon were the best provisioned. Now it seems everyone brings small tables, chairs ((Really annoying to me, what the hell is the point of picnicking (I think I made up this word) if you are using chairs and a table) and buffet tables)).

Slight break in the action(Saturday night). This post is now written over two days. The Wife and I went and saw Superman Returns last night. Pretty good. Great summer flick. I am going to limit any further comments so as to not ruin the viewing for other people. For the record, John Williams should score every movie.

Met the Burkes (including some extended Burkes) at Fado's last night. I have not been there in awhile, but let me say that if you are single and looking to mingle great place. Fun time all in all. Now we are nesting in the A/C and watching Season 1 of 24.

Oh, and the title refers to a drinking//gambling game involving dice being played by a group a couple blankets over at Ravinia. Not really sure how it is played. If you know let me know.

Echolocation

Kablooey went Kablooey getting blown up 15-2. Not sure how the other team made it past the point system, but whatever.

Funny story from the weekend. The Wife and I have come up with a system keep track of each other in large crowded areas, such as airports. The trailing person makes a chirp every ten seconds, thus the person in the lead knows the trailer is still back there. Awesome. Although, on further reflection no one else should adopt this, otherwise O'hare would sound like the bird enclosure at the zoo. So don't do it.

Party Like It's 1999

So summer league last night saw team Kablooey(Probably the eighth different spelling of this word) playing against BK's and Tang's(the person, not the drink the astronauts drink) team. We lost, but not without some scoring of our own. The post is in reference to BK and I both getting up for the game because we were playing against one another, much like we did in 1999 (a la Union Crew). Overall, a fantastic time. Two of my best plays of the season and one of the greatest league layout catches by Ezra. (UC econ grad student, nice guy). My plays involved catching on a 6'2" and d'ing a 6'2" guy. Like I said it was like 1999.

Great convo with the ladies of casual ultimate at Piece regarding proper etiquette in popping the question. Right now I seem the go to guy on this, mostly because I am the only one amongst my circle of friends already married and still in the city.

As a public service announcement Ferris Buller's Day Off is playing at Churchill Park on Tuesday, July 18th as a part of the movies in the park program. The Wife, the Monster and myself will be there with our nalgenes full of wine and a blanket in case anyone wants to join us, let me know and we can save ground space.

Tally-Ho Buffalo

In the immortal words of MacArthur, "I have returned." Buffalo was everything I imagined and more. Breakdown of the extended weekend. Sammy P picked me up and we went to his lovely home in Orchard Park(suburb of Buffalo). Plenty of room which ended up being a good thing. Cracked the seal on FIFA World Cup '06 by EA sports and that was all she wrote for most of the evening. (You have to love a guy that would not remove the plastic wrap from a game until both players are there, so there are no arguments over competitive advantage). Made a few pickups at the airport that evening, all in all pretty low key.

Thursday saw myself and another groomsmen "Hollywood" (named because he lives in LA) riding around Buffalo in the Benz while Sammy P ran errands, including the trip to the old school Italian barber shop. Hollywood and I both declined his services enjoying our full head of hairs, unlike anyone else. After this riding around it was only obvious we compare ourselves to Entourage. (I made it clear I was not going to be Turtle, although after last night's episode I am not so sure). Thursday night included a BBQ and some serious Bocce. Sammy P beat a retreat upstairs after repeatedly breaking out with, "Man, I am really drunk." Now that the bachelor left we started with the real bachelor party. The co-best men already had a plan and a DD we just needed a car. So having woken up one of the groomsmen who had passed out in the backyard and gotten him moving we took his car to Tally Ho's. Possibly the greatest name ever for this kind of establishment. Tally Ho's became the rallying cry for the wedding party from then on.

After waking up in a bit of a fog I came downstairs to head out to lunch and check-in to the hotel. Possibly the funniest part of the weekend then occurred. Sammy P had gotten up early to go pick up the priest who was marrying him, a really nice Jesuit named Greg. Greg was a practicing attorney before taking the calling and despite being in his mid-40's, looks 28. Thus, Greg was chilling in the house watching tennis while some of us were hydrating and napping. Enter Hollywood who had come downstairs and wanted to talk about Tally Ho's and despite some gesturing didn't take the hint. Only later were we able to tell him he had just talked about a gentleman's club in graphic detail in front of a priest. Just awesome.

Anyhow, more fun. Picked up Sarah. Went to rehearsal dinner, early night thanks to the night before. Hit the Taste of Buffalo on Saturday before the wedding with Sarah. Then it was nothing, but pictures and ceremonies and what not. Great time at the reception. Dancing with my lady is always fun. Got home the next morning and picked up the Monster from the in-laws. Feeling like guilty parents the Wife and I took her over to the big dog park in Libertyville. (Her happy hunting grounds). She impressed us with her swimming(more like her impression of a walrus) and seemed to forget we had ever left her for the weekend. All in all a great time.

We'll Be Back

To my faithful readers there will be no new posts until Sunday. I am off to, the home of the Chicken Wing, Buffalo for a wedding. I am sure I will have more to report when I am back.

Live Blog of the European Grudge Match OT

The Houseboy has moved to Crimson Tide for his commercial break. SONAR CONN report hostile contact. RELEASE COUNTERMEASURES. Love it.


A new Fabio, Iaquito has come in for OT. The fourth official just checked for jewelry. See the game doesn't change much from Candy league soccer.

Someone's Dad (aka the Italian coach) looks like he just dropped a load in what must be very expensive windpants.

:40-A fabio dribbled into the goalpost and just missed the score.

1:57- Zambrotto(called by his real name because he looks like a bad ass with his shaved head and cold eyes, no ponytails for this guy) hits the top of the crossbar.

The Donker is running like a Tazmanian devil, you gotta love the Donker.

Zambrotto proves his reputation of him by taking the one armed man down. Kehl just dropped a Fabio by kicking a ball into his head. Sweet.

The lil' Kaiser jsut hasn't been playing well. Maybe if he was playing with his original junior side, oh hold on that's right there is no east germany.

Someone's Dad has the horrible affectation of the gold chain bracelet on the right hand. A number of men do this, but it doesn't change the fact it just stupid.

Doogie's friend Vinny DelPiero is warming up on the sideline to come in as a sub.

Juaquita and lil' kaiser just collided. Good to see.

13:33- Yep, it official Doogie's friend came on.

Donker tackle, Donker one man fast break. To no end thanks to Schweinsteiger. Really, with these names this just writes itself.

Stoppage time in first OT Donker makes a great cross, but Podolski couldn't finish.

Round 2-Fight

Looks like both sides are exhausted and going to play for PK's.

Donker wins a corner. Donker is quickly becoming a crowd favorite.

On the Italy counter Fabio-Jaquita just falls down.

One armed man sends it over the crossbar. Doogie's Friend attempted a greatest header to keep it inbounds.

20:29-Neuville in for Klose. O'Brien called him the little engine. Just great commentating.

21:24-Great save by the Fabio keeper.

Just noticed the Bud placard on the field has the Kanki for Bud right next to it. Soccer, truly the worlds game.

25:55- Donker kick, Donker miss.

At this point might as well just start PK's now, but Italy gets the corner kick with two minutes to play.

How appropriate Fabio Grosso just scored. Shots of Rome on fire.

Wow, Doogie's friend just scored the go ahead goal.

That's the game. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

Live Blog of the European Grudge Match Second Half

Best Comment of Halftime. Julie Foudy, "the Italians are getting their balls in the seams."(I have nothing to add).

Hordes of Germans in the street and not even a beer hall putsch. (Too soon, but come on you were thinking it, they even had pictures of the reichstag).

Complete disconnect. Commercial for Emanski's back-to-back-to-back AAU baseball champs defensive drill video during the world cup. Really, Fred "Crime Dog" McGriff from the eighties during one of the most important soccer games in the world. You got be kidding me, Landon and DeMarcus don't have a video for soccer fundamentals. You can't tell me those two haven't been in a "coffee house" in Eidenhoven and come up with some whacked out business plan for a soccer video. (I mean how many times did O'Brien tells us those two were best friend during the U.S. games). Something like, no see what you do is run really fast down the side and hope McBride gets you the ball without having to add a titanium brain pan to go along with is tungsten cheek bones.

Second half is underway. Now seems a good time to mention that HD tv is amazing. You can see individual blades of grass.

So the Houseboy mentioned how the Germans have players of different sizes. I equate it to the old 8-bit nintendo hockey where you could pick the skinny-fast, medium, or the big slow. I would always put three big slow and one skinny fast and just knock the crap out of the other guys and cherry pick with speedy. (Shocking, I know).

49:38-Klose almost had a goal and the Italians countered quickly with a good shot except for that whole being offsides thing.

53:16- Italy corner right to Lehman. I have a feeling this is already going to end up being decided by PK's.

All right let's just get it out of the way, who cares that the Germcan coach got imported in American sports psychologist.

Dave O'Brien had another great bon-motte. "Since WWII the Germans have not been about displays of uber-nationalism." Just great. I can't even add anything to that comment. It really just speaks for itself.

59:12- Totti is crying again from someone grazing his face. I'll give that guy an elbow. Balboa has a great pronouciation of these names. Like he goes out of his way to show that he spent a lot of time in Europe, despite having only played in one version or another of the domestic league.

62:02- Podolski missed a great attempt. The Waiter (German Coach) assaults water bottle.

ESPN's score bar just let us know that Kobayashi won Nahan's hot dog eating contest again.

67:00- Podolski trips over his own feet, otherwise he would have a good shot.

69:37- Ninth time the offsides flag has gone up.

The houseboy has a successorie, if it wasn't for his HDTV I would make more of this then just going, "you have a successorie?"

71:30- Mad Dog Gattuso goes down with a cramp.

71:47- Schweinsteinger comes in for Borowski.
73:41- Gilardino in for Toni.

If you can't figure out which team made which substitution you have no business reading this blog.

77:20-An Italian player is down. At this point I am actually getting tired of this being said.

The Italian coach just looks like Someone's Dad.

80:36- Podolski might have just won a kick just outside of the box. Some Fabio (Should have been calling all the Italian players Fabio throughout, damn amateur mistake) tried to climb the ladder.

82:40 Odonnker in for Schneider. Odonnker called the super sub. Kind of like being the HR leader in minor league baseball. (No offense to Crash Davis).

84:39- Lehman just killed a Fabio in the box. Of course Perotta first looked fine and then acted hurt.

Odonnker(The Donker) is a freakishly fast man. Only accented by his red boots.

89:16-The Fabio with the top-knot gets a yellow for the scissor tackle.

The normal three minutes of stoppage time has been added.

Looks like we're going to OT.

The Houseboy keeps ordering a martini everytime the German coach is shown.

The Donker just swung one in, but no one was home on the inside.


YEP, OT it is. Oberon numero 3 coming up.

Live Blog of the European Grudge Match First Half

Coming to you live from the Fortress of Solitude. Watching Italy v. Germany in HD thanks to the Filipino Houseboy (Yes, to all you people too caught up in being PC I call EA the Filipino Houseboy).

Just starting with the preshow. Eric Wynalda, Julie Foudy and Brett Musberger. During commercial breaks you know Wynalda is pestering Julie with questions; "what's it like to be a world champion," or hell to win an international game. The Berger is asking Julie for Mia's number so he can get Dodgers tickets. Interesting dynamic, do you know of any other sport where they bring a woman to do the color commetary/ expert opinion for the men's sport. I mean can you picture Barkley sitting down with Lisa Leslie to talk hoops before the NBA championships. No.

Oh, while the commercials are on, I love the addidas commercials with the two kids getting to choose their dream squads. (The chubby kid stopping on the ball and later celebrating the goal is just good entertainment). The Houseboy just switched to the end of Tora, Tora, Tora. So now we have seen the sinking of the pacific fleet and are getting ready to switch to Italy verse Germany. It is a reagluar axis powers kind of day. The House Boy seems very excited about Damnation Alley being on Encore. Something about a gigantic vehicle. More as this story progresses.

Switched back to the game, well to the uncomfortable panning shots while one of the national anthems is being played. In this case the Italian anthem. We are now hearing the German anthemn. After looking at both teams during the panning shot I have decided to cheer for the Germans. Well, actually I had decided along time ago because I HATE the Italian side. But now looking at both teams closely the Germans pass the drink test. Based on the look of the German players I would sit in a bar and get a drink with, while I would just want to punch one of the Italian playes in the mouth.

Germany is in White the Italians in blue. Both playing for a shot to win their nations fourth world cup.

Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa are announcing which is awful. No one, but Adrian Healey and Tommy Smythe should be allowed to call big games on english speaking channels. Balboa will probably mention the officiating in the US v. Italy game at least 127 times and about his experience sucking it up on the US National team 223 times.

Six minutes gone and no excitement so far. I have always liked the soccer convention of kicking the ball out of bounds when an opposing player is down and then the other team giving the opposition a goal kick once the injured player is back up.

Surprising, a screenshot of Michael Ballack, but Balbo didn't call him the Little Kaiser.

Sloppy play by Lahm, really just too easy. I am trying to restrain myself from making the obligatory joke (or twelve) about the Italian team look. So let's just say I did and it was particularly witty.

O'Brien just let us know that one of the Italian players admitted not knowing the Italian national athemn when seen on tv not singing. Balboa's excuse for the player is that he is not really italian because he was born somewhere else. Oh that's a lot a better thanks for that Marcelo.

15:30- Great save by Lehman.

The Houseboy commented about the Italian jersey numbers being done in gold, yet another reason to hate them. Shocker and Italian just fell down, cried and got a penalty. This should come as no suprise, but I also hate diving. I don't think you should be carded, but instead the opposing player should be allowed to kick the diver in the shins as hard as he wants.

20:52-Podolski attempted a volley. Swing batter, Swing!

O'Brien just made the stupidest comment ever. "Apparently, the German born, Pope Benedict is having a hard time of it in the most exclusive address in Italy." Let's not even get into more sublime levels of stupidity in this statement, but go directly to the obvious. The Pope doesn't have an Italian address, because the Pope lives in the Vatican City a separate and independent state. I am not expecting O'Brien to be an expert in international affairs or geography, but he could of at least read the Da Vinci code, right?

27:18 an Italian player just got leveled, but still no cards.

Germans playing pretty well, but need to be a little quicker ont he counter.

We're getting some commentary about the matching fixing at Juventus with no real substance. When I really want to hear why Klensman, and the rest of the German coaches always seemed to be dressed like they are tourist heading up to the parthenon or a waiter at Rocco's.

35:16-Schneider couldn't get to it.

Just noticed one of the Italian players has a topknot. Sweet.

37:05-Ballack just swept the leg .

The Houseboy just made an excellent point, "How hard is it to put the ball on the spot the ref points to for a penalty kick."

Lahm, I am looking for a one armed man. Surgery on the elbow tendons will do that, yet he takes throw ins.

39:24- We have our first booking. Borowski made a tackle straight from behind. Obviously a foul, but the Italian player fell wiht a delayed reaction.

Almost halftime and I just opened my first beer. (I'm trying to cut back). Bell's Oberon. (Best summer beer).

Only one minute stoppage time, not the normal three minutes.

Looks like we're going to the locker room nil-nil.

More to come for the Second Half.

Viva La George Hincapie

George porte le maillot jaune après avoir monte 1. I am a big George fan, so bonne chance.