16 hours and 25 min. Theme - RAIN!

Well, we left from my building yesterday at 2:55 pm and we walked in the door of Michelle's parents at 8:20 am (7:20 chicago time). Given the mileage of around 1,150 miles, this was a respectable time. I will have more numbers on the trip later but here are some points.

1. Michelle drove a total of 500 miles! She took the first tank and then the 3am to 6:30am shift.
2. I drove from 6:45 pm until 3 am and then the last 60 miles.
3. Within the last 60 miles, we had to pay $6.75 cents worth of tolls around Orlando...yikes!
4. We had five stops, four for gas, one for chick-fil-a breakfast.
5. I started driving 30 miles north of Louisville. It was pouring rain. This was not a mist but pouring rain. This type of rain stayed with me to Nashville and then lightened up. Then at Chattanooga, it was a downpour again all the way through Atlanta until I stopped driving. Hopefully, this helps Georgia's drought! It was even misting in Florida the whole way!
6. The first leg of our trip really started us well. We made Nashville in six hours and 30 minutes.
7. Chicago to Atlanta was nine hours and 45 minutes, not bad considering the rain.
8. The car, I think, averaged around 18-20 miles a gallon.
9. I slept for 2.5 hours and feel fine right now. It is only a matter of time before I crash!

I hope everyone has safe travels for the holidays!

543, free bottle of rum, $100...IN YOUR FACE PLOTH!

Tonight's bowling started off the same. I bowled okay the first game but had timely misses with easy spares and a split in the 10th for a 146.

Now before tonight Ploth and I made a bet. I needed a 510 to win a free pizza from Pete's on Ploth and if I didn't, I was buying. Ploth and Michelle both showed up at the end of my first game, around the 8th frame.

Sidenote: Every team had a prize of a free bottle of rum (Bacardi) compliments of the bowling alley. Rule was as follows: Player who bowls highest above average wins the bottle.

Other sidenote: One of the women at the lanes every now and then asks me to bowl mixed doubles. It is only for the second game. It costs a dollar. When she asks, I play.

I bought a pitcher before warms ups. I wanted a beer or two in me so I didnt think too much about it. Turns out...excellent strategy.

Second game: I start out with a strike. The next frame was a 6 then a one. After every frame I walk to the back and talk with Ploth and Michelle. I lose complete idea of the game.

Now we are in position rounds as a team and we need to win 5 out of 7 to move up. We lost the first game.

I start stringing a few strikes. I did not even pay attention. I was more excited that I won the card game by the 7th frame because I got both jokers and three threes. Oh and that was my second win of the night in as many games!

By the way, it is now going into the 8th frame and I have 6 strikes, 5 in a row. I finally looked down and realized what was going one. I of course then do not strike but spare and then strike in the ninth and spare in the 10th for a 228 and 272 with handicap.

I now only need a 138 to win my bet. The woman I teamed up with for doubles had a 240 with handicap and I have placed myself in great position for that bottle of rum! Oh, and we won the 2nd game and we are up in series going into the last game!

Well, the last game did not go as well. I did mark on a consistent basis and rolled a 169. Good for a 543 and a free bottle of rum! SWEET! I did not win cards though...boo!

Oh, we won the last game by around 20 and moved up a spot. It was perfect way to end the first half of the season.

As for mixed doubles, 512 was good enough for first place!!! 502 was second place. Is anyone else impressed with these numbers? My god! We only won by 10. WTF! Well, my one dollar investment turned into $100 each! SWEET!

Of course, I had a couple of guys ask me why I didn't play singles high handicap and I had a couple of guys tell me we were going to play doubles next half of the season. Looks like this may have cost me more than I think.

To recap, 543>510 = free pizza (YES!), $100 from mixed doubles, 11th placed instead of 12th, and a bottle of rum!

I think Ploth and Michelle did to show up more often. The less I think about it, the better I did!

Fantasy football perfect storm...

I had quite the run in fantasy football. I had a powerhouse team. I was 11-2 in the regular season and was the highest point total for the year. It was an easy ride in the regular season. The playoffs have been going on for now two weeks. I am in the semifinals last week. Well, my team lost point total ever was 89 or 94 I think and I averaged around 120 for the year.

My team had 64 points this week. Yes, 64 points for the WHOLE week. Everyone did poorly. Brady was throwing balls in 40 mph winds...great...this guy has been averaging around 30-40 points a week...he got 4. No Tds...first time this year, a pick...6th of the year. Thanks!

Oh wait, the Bengals are playing the SF. Should be some easy pickings...they do nothing with their passing game...thanks TJ and CJ...you are awesome! Reggie Wayne...did nothing...Willie Parker...do you know what endzone is? Oh wait the best is Westbrook...lets break a run for a touchdown at the end of the game and tackle YOURSELF at the 1 yard line...thanks!

I lose by 11...I now fight for third place. I have made over $100 on the year so I can not complain too much...there is always next year!

Weekends are bad!

So, I did a little experiment this week to really gauge how bad my weekends have been weight-wise. Granted, I really dont care these days about my weight more about my measurements. I have been lifting on a consistent basis for about 6 months now and have put on a good amount of muscle. Hell, my deadlift went from 150 to 300 lbs in those 6 months...i think i am getting stronger. My waist line is still 36" even.

So on Tuesday, after working out in the morning, I weighed in at 227. On Friday, I weighed in at 223. I lost 4 pounds. That is crazy considering I ate 20 wings for lunch yesterday and did not workout in the morning (I did last night).

I am going on a cruise February 3. I think my goal weight is around 215. I am going to continue to put my weight up on the blog until then(ala CFunk).

Caution: Falling Ice

This is sign I read on my way to work. I find this sign to be ridiculous. How is this sign supposed to help me. Am I not supposed to walk next to high rises? I would not be able to get to work then. This sign is similar to the signs you see driving in the mountains, 'Caution: Falling rock'. Really? You think! Rock moves on the side of the mountain. You know of this hazard when you choose to take the drive up there. I dont think you need a sounds. What am I supposed to do if rock does start falling? You can swerve the car over the mountain side.

My point is the signs have no use. Why not put a sign outside once the weather is below freezing that says 'Caution: It's cold.'

Too much rust - 447 - Team Sweep!

Yeah. That's right. When I bowl 'blind', I help my team more. My blind score beat me two out of three games. I had a 139, 158, 150. Just a pathetic night all around.

What was missing more than anything was my spare ball. I picked up just the 10 pin on the 6-10 twice and I picked up just the 7 pin on the 4-7 once. That is ridiculous.

Oh well. The team swept. That is all that matters. Next week I am bowling over 510. I guarantee it!

UK fans

I am not sure if I can emphasize this enough. UK fans are the most passionate fans I have been around. It is just amazing. When I went to the soccer game over in London, it was the most intense surroundings I have ever been around. It was not even close. I have been to big games on big stages but the soccer game took it.

Now, close to 20,000 UK fans made the trip to Vegas for the fight. Around 10,000 UK fans got tickets to fight and it sounded like they were 95% of the people there. They were chanting and singing the entire time. A few times you could barely hear the announcers. It was incredible. The only other fight I have heard fans like that was the Ali/Foreman fight in Africa.

Even when Hatton got knocked out and the fight was over, the fans would not stop! They were going absolutely crazy the entire time. It was hard not to root for Hatton. Mayweather may have put on a clinic in the ring but those fans put a clinic in cheering in the stands. We all should take notes.

The weekend

So, my wife posted a few blogs explaining the weekend. I will not dare do they same but I will highlight a few things.

1. I was excited that Squire and Smiller both went to the Loyola. Neither had been before and both enjoyed it.
2. I just felt good to be back watching LU games. I had been way too long.
3. Whenever anyone wins the 50/50, the next day is always rough and with each year, it gets worse. I was not in the best condition on Friday.
4. The PwC party was good but I did not like the location. Steph's pre and post parties were better!
5. Saturday morning came way to early! Jackson's game was decent and Jeremy beat the crap out of me! It was a whirlwind morning and all I wanted to do was nap!
6. I heart naps.
7. Saturday night's LU game was one of those great moments in gambling history. LU was favored by 4.5. They were losing by 4 with 12 seconds to go. They tied the game and won by 5 in overtime...covering.
8. The game saturday night was one of the most exciting LU games I have been to in a few years. I was very glad my dad and Jackson came in to watch.
9. I am glad we decided to get the fight between Hatton and Mayweather. It was good.
10. Sunday, decorating cookies was fun. Eating the icing and cookie dough was even more fun!

LU Outlook

Now that I have been to two LU games (one good and one bad), I have a better feel for the team.

This Rambler team is going to miss Blake more than anyone is willing to admit. I hate to also mention Majak and his amazing all around game. Despite losing two very talented seniors, they will have an okay season.

As coach says, this team is scrappy. Yes, their offense is missing the weapons and yes, we will stuggle against big teams but this team plays extremely hard on defense. They never quit and always continue to attack. They do not have much of a chance against Butler but everyone else in the division they can hang with. No game will be a blowout but they probably wont win too many.

HOWEVER, there is an offensive player that is able to play starting January 1. This could change everything. This team is fun to root for because the effort is always there.

Lets hope I am wrong! GO LU!

LU...and Andruw Jones...I am excited!

I am going to my first Rambler game of the season tonight. After the game, I will post my thoughts on the rest of the season. I have been so much traveling that I have already missed three home games. I am just excited to be going up to campus for the game.

Andruw Jones signed a two year contract with the Dodgers! That is awesome! He is a declining star so the two years is ideal. I have argued with a fellow braves fan for years now that Andruw Jones is overrated these days when it comes to defense. Andruw Jones is still a good player and the Dodgers need a CF. Juan Pierre...worst contract by far that Ned Colletti has done since coming over. Now that we have Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre is no longer our centerfielder. YESSSSSSSSS! I say cut him (even though he is entitles to $36m over the next four years...crying, I am crying).

If the Dodgers even think of moving Juan Pierre to left, I am will go CRAZY! Left field is an easy defensive position. That is why a big bat usually plays LF. Pierre did not have enough bat to play CF. They can not put him there. I will lose my mind. Let Andre Ethier play LF. AHHHHHHHHH!

Its a good day. LU basketball tonight and the Dodgers moving in the right direction.

Jack & Coke: Back to Back Champions!

Its true! J&C may have lost thier first game but we won the next two games to successfully defend our championships. It was a good game of Euchre but in the end, we got the victory. I enjoyed playing against a good opponent who played quickly.

There is not too much to say on the subject. We were winning the first game 6-2 and I think ended up losing 10-6. Ploth successfully pulled off loners in both games two and three. I will say this. Not shockingly, Matt (one of the bar owners and person who pays out the winner) was not there. This is the second time we have won and we have not received a single payout. Each year there is a $40 buy in by each team. This season there was, I think, 15 teams and last season there was 7. We did receive a very cheese trophy. The plaque on it says 2007 Fall Euchre Champion but the top of the trophy says "Outstanding Poker Player". I kid you not.




I find that what is harder than winning the league is actually get paid out!

I want to say congrats to my partner, Ploth!

Albany in Review

So, last weekend I had the opportunity to visit Sean and Ali in Albany. Sean was nice enough to pick me up in Middletown and away we went. On our drive back to Albany, NY provided some really nice views. I had no idea how beautiful of a state NY is once you get out of that overrated, over populated city. Friday, after getting a quick tour of their home, we headed out for a late lunch that did not stop. We went to a bar and grill and then hit up a bar that had a pool table. Without saying, Friday flew by. I really dont have too many details.

On Saturday, when I woke up, Albany was covered in snow...uh oh. Sean and Ali better get used to that. Ali had to work but Sean and I had plans to head to Cooperstown, NY. It is only an hour away. I was especially exicted because this would complete my tour of hall of fames for all the american sports (baseball, football, basketball and bowling). I like to call them the big four. Cooperstown is in the middle of no where and I mean no where! Again, the drive really felt like I was in Colorado. That is how hilly it was. And Cooperstown had the feel of Golden, CO, a very small city that has a single road of downtown. The baseball hall of fame was amazing. The final room we went in had all the plaques with everyone inducted. It was by far the coolest room. That place is loaded with memorabilia. You really need to go to that place a few times to soak it all in. Sean and I were in there for a few hours.

When we got back, Ali was off of work! YEAH! She had a friend come over and we played some Euchre and had a few drinks. We then headed to a bar for the night. That next morning I flew home.

Albany was a blast. Sean and Ali have a nice house. They have a lot of work ahead of them on it but it has a lot of potential. Turn that attic into party room! It will rock!

Now, I completely choked when it came to using the world's largest bathroom...i did not use it...i froze. Sean and Ali were great hosts and I loved hanging with them.

Defending the championship!

Jack and Coke is defending it's championship tonight. If they win, it will be back to back championships and there is talk of retiring on top.

On a sidenote, my review of Albany will be coming hopefully tonight. My eyes were opened to upstate NY and Cooperstown!

I am pumped for tonight. I am even missing bowling to take care of this. Bowling is in the regular season...this is the FINALS BABY!

Wish us luck!