Thursday, February 09, 2006
DAMMIT!
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!
This is so damn old and I am so damn tired of it sittng there unfinished. I'm posting this damned thing, and then I'm done with this post. I'm working on newer things.
Song of the day:
-Feel good Inc., Gorillaz
This day in history:
In 1773, the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, was born in Charles City County, Va. It should be noted that he didn't begin his term right at birth.
In 1825, the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes. So...the son of a previous president gets the position, in a battle between he and another underwhelming candidate?
Which is the more appropriate commentary here? "The more things change the more they stay the same"? Or "Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it"?
In 1861, the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens vice president. Also known as traitors, if you're the type to hold a grudge.
In 1870, the U.S. Weather Bureau was established. Thanks to the Weather Bureau, we can all enjoy a beautiful Summer!
A beautiful Summer. (Altice)
In 1942, daylight-saving "War Time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward.
In 1950, in a speech in Wheeling, W.Va., Sen. Joseph McCarthy, R-Wis., charged the State Department was riddled with Communists. Witch-hunt is more like it. On another note, the Green Bay Packers new head coach is a guy named Mike McCarthy. Just saying.
Saying what?
The Packers are evil. I can't put it simpler.
In 1964, The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS.
In 1971, the Apollo 14 spacecraft returned to Earth after man's third landing on the moon.
Apollo Adama, from Battlestar Galactica, played by Jamie Bamber. This photo really doens't have any point beyond throwing you off my track of rampant heterosexuality.
In 1984, Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov died at age 69, less than 15 months after succeeding Leonid Brezhnev; he was succeeded by Konstantin U. Chernenko.
In 2002, Britain's Princess Margaret died in London at age 71.
Today's Birthdays:
Actress Kathryn Grayson is 84.
Television journalist Roger Mudd is 78.
If you're thinking of this guy, you're wrong. And you watch too much Star Trek.
Singer-songwriter Carole King is 64.
Actor Joe Pesci is 63.
He's such a great actor. He makes me laugh! Like a clown, you might say.
Actress Mia Farrow is 61.
Actress Ziyi Zhang ("Memoirs of a Geisha") is 27.
Shakespeare Quote of the day:
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will
rather
The multitudinous seas incarnardine,
Making the green one red.
-Macbeth Act II Sc. II
Word of the day:
pliant \PLY-uhnt\, adjective:
1. Easily bent or flexed; supple; pliable; adaptable.
2. Easily influenced; yielding readily to others.
Super Bowl Thoughts:
So I had thought that I would take the day after the Super Bowl off to write, and write quite a bit! But those in control at work deemed that there wasn't a chance for that to happen on Monday. So here we are, on a Thursday, writing about what happened on Sunday. And most of my thunder is completely stolen. And while my idea isn't exactly original, it's been done. So why do it? Well, this way you get a Super Bowl Diary without having to hear a bunch of Patriots blather.
PRE-GAME
Both teams are introduced, they are introduced as a team, rather than as individuals. When that change first happened, it was the Patriots against the Rams. The Rams signified the oppulent individualism and me-first attitude. It worked well for them, because the components worked so well together, and there was plenty of success to feed everyone's egos.
The Patriots, instead, were introduced as an entire team. The epitome of selflessness and team camraderie was what tehy meant to project, and it came across. Now, teamwork is the new pink. Everyone is introduced as a team, rather than as seperate individuals getting their own moment in the sun. Which isn't a bad thing really; it's actually very refreshing to see them parallel the ideals of sports in general.
What is really interesting is that the Seahawks came out to the strains of a Rolling Stones song that was later sampled to create a song called "Bittersweet Symphony". This is the first of many signs that the Seahawks are doomed today.
Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin performed the national anthem. I'd say it was performed together, but that wouldn't be right. It's the SuperBowl, but I'm not sure I've ever seen either look as badly as they do. Wether it was just the affects of the years, or the distortion of their images of TV, it was one thing. But it shouldn't have affected their singing. They hadn't sounded so badly in my memory. Worse, others thought it was one of the best performances ever.
Peter King wrote in his diary about it himself. "Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Aaron Neville. Second-best anthem of the 22 Super Bowls I've covered, next to Whitney Houston's. Moving, terrific. Did you see Cowher's reaction? I've never seen a coach clap so enthusiastically for an anthem. Not sure if I've ever seen a coach respond to one, period.">
A commercial break brang us pleas from the Pizza Hut corporation to partake of their wares.
OK, it was a smut-based commercial, where a mid-teenage boy awaits a pizza, when he apparently slips into semi-conciousness. Maybe he got hit in the head with the back end of a pizza pan, I don't know. Apparently it brings him to a state of teenage awkwardness that all guys go through. He finds himself in some sort of dreamlike state which, when he awakens, is going to be a bitch to explain to the rest of his family as to why his pants don't fit correctly.
The reason for his pants pre"dic"ament? Jessica Simpson walking towards him, offering a slice of her hot dish. (Careful, it's got hot cheese too.)
Were I a 14-15 year old kid again, it'd be a commercial taking advantage of all of the dreams I supposedly had but wouldn't have ever given breath of life to. Ripped from my mind, and played out on the screen, all for the sake of selling more pizzas.
It is with age that I am slowly discovering that there is a time and place for everything. And while as a man of near 30 years old I can appreciate the nuances of seeing a woman in a skimpy outfit carrying a hot pizza with a come-hither stare (meeting all of my baser instincts of food and procreation), it has also occured to me that the mind of a boy on the brink of puberty may not be the greatest place to mine marketing campaigns.
Ok, that's not completely true. If you're a marketing exec with a projected demographic of 15-?? males, it's the perfect place to start. Is it an ethics issue though? Or is it my own intenal perception of Jessica Simpson, and the loss of her innocent appeal (now that she's divorced) from commercials past that prevents me from fully embracing this commercial as harmless fun?
No, I think what it's really about is the apparent age discrepancy between Ms. Simpson and the teen boy she seduces by popping cheese filled nuggets into his mouth. Were it a male sedcing a female of the same differnece in ages, it would be rather disgsting, instead of just the rather awkward nervous giggles that occur in my mind, as I realize...."that coulda been me."
Which will prompt all of you to say..."No, it couldn't."
1st half:
The first half started with both teams looking to get their offense going, and going quickly. This means a passing offense. Seattle got the ball first, and (just as SOMEONE had predicted) they came out throwing, rather than using their offensive line and running back as they had all season long. 3 of their first 4 plays were passes on an out route.
Pittsburgh also wanted to get off to an early aggressive start on offense, but all it led to was 3 and out situations, where they had to punt right away. In fact, Seattle was doing so well by comparison, there was trepidation early taht Seattle just might make it a blow out victory. The only problem was that they seemed to constantly shoot themselves in the foot. Penalties, turnovers, or simple out and out poor execution kept them from advancing the ball. They were moving the ball, but seemed only slightly out of synch. In just needed some tweaking before they would eb able to move at will. Especially since Pittsburgh was doing next to nothing offensively.
The Seahawks went up early by a single field goal, missing some good oppurtunities to score. The Steelers,by comparison, were happy to be able to get a first down. Not because of any sort of special effort on teh Seattle defense, but more because of a lack of execution on Pittsburgh's part. Bottled up for much of the first half, they finally made some progress in the last 5 minutes. Once they got to mid-field, they faced a crucial 3rd and 5. they were showing signs of life, and needed to make a first down if they had any hope of losing faith. On the play, the protection broke down, and Big Ben had to scramble and do an underhanded pitch a la Brett Favre to pick up the first down. The progress was short-lived, because they quickly found themselves in a 3rd and 28 situation. It was then that PItt QB Ben Roethlesburger squiggled out of harms way again, and toe-d the line of scrimmage again, and un-corked a pass to Hines Ward down on the goal line. From there, he ran a QB sneak that may or may not ahve crossed the line.
Seattle then got the ball back, with a few minutes to spare to try to drive for a TD, or some other score that might give them a chance to win. Instead, they butchered the clock like the guy behind the cases at the deli. You want a 1/2 pound of game clock? How 'bout some jerky to go with that?
They can put it on the officials all they want, but the fact is, they showed no cohesion in effort. Things got so confusing, the Steelers defenders got wary of some sort of trick. Not knowing what might be up Seattle's sleeve, they took a time out for no reason whatsoever, other than to prevent something really wrong from happening on the defensive side. They needen't have worried though; I don't think Seattle had anything nefarious cooking. IN fact, I don't think Seattle had any idea what they were doing either. Despite the gift timeout from the Steelers, the Seahawks still couldn't put hte ball in good enough position,a nd ended up missing a field goal to end the first half.
DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!
This is so damn old and I am so damn tired of it sittng there unfinished. I'm posting this damned thing, and then I'm done with this post. I'm working on newer things.
Song of the day:
City's breaking down on a camel's back.
They just have to go 'cause they don't know when
So all you fill the streets it's appealing to see
You wont get out the county, 'cos you're bad and free
You've got a new horizon It's ephemeral style.
A melancholy town where we never smile.
And all I wanna hear is the message beep.
My dreams, they've got to kiss, because I dont get sleep, no..
Windmill, Windmill for the land.
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is sinking, falling down
Love forever love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?
-Feel good Inc., Gorillaz
This day in history:
In 1773, the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, was born in Charles City County, Va. It should be noted that he didn't begin his term right at birth.
In 1825, the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams president after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes. So...the son of a previous president gets the position, in a battle between he and another underwhelming candidate?
Which is the more appropriate commentary here? "The more things change the more they stay the same"? Or "Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it"?
In 1861, the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens vice president. Also known as traitors, if you're the type to hold a grudge.
In 1870, the U.S. Weather Bureau was established. Thanks to the Weather Bureau, we can all enjoy a beautiful Summer!
A beautiful Summer. (Altice)
In 1942, daylight-saving "War Time" went into effect in the United States, with clocks turned one hour forward.
In 1950, in a speech in Wheeling, W.Va., Sen. Joseph McCarthy, R-Wis., charged the State Department was riddled with Communists. Witch-hunt is more like it. On another note, the Green Bay Packers new head coach is a guy named Mike McCarthy. Just saying.
Saying what?
The Packers are evil. I can't put it simpler.
In 1964, The Beatles made their first live American television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS.
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you
I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you
All my loving, I will send to you
In 1971, the Apollo 14 spacecraft returned to Earth after man's third landing on the moon.
Apollo Adama, from Battlestar Galactica, played by Jamie Bamber. This photo really doens't have any point beyond throwing you off my track of rampant heterosexuality.
In 1984, Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov died at age 69, less than 15 months after succeeding Leonid Brezhnev; he was succeeded by Konstantin U. Chernenko.
In 2002, Britain's Princess Margaret died in London at age 71.
Today's Birthdays:
Actress Kathryn Grayson is 84.
Television journalist Roger Mudd is 78.
If you're thinking of this guy, you're wrong. And you watch too much Star Trek.
Singer-songwriter Carole King is 64.
Tonight with words unspoken
You'll say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?
I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Actor Joe Pesci is 63.
He's such a great actor. He makes me laugh! Like a clown, you might say.
Actress Mia Farrow is 61.
Actress Ziyi Zhang ("Memoirs of a Geisha") is 27.
Shakespeare Quote of the day:
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will
rather
The multitudinous seas incarnardine,
Making the green one red.
-Macbeth Act II Sc. II
Word of the day:
pliant \PLY-uhnt\, adjective:
1. Easily bent or flexed; supple; pliable; adaptable.
2. Easily influenced; yielding readily to others.
Super Bowl Thoughts:
So I had thought that I would take the day after the Super Bowl off to write, and write quite a bit! But those in control at work deemed that there wasn't a chance for that to happen on Monday. So here we are, on a Thursday, writing about what happened on Sunday. And most of my thunder is completely stolen. And while my idea isn't exactly original, it's been done. So why do it? Well, this way you get a Super Bowl Diary without having to hear a bunch of Patriots blather.
PRE-GAME
Both teams are introduced, they are introduced as a team, rather than as individuals. When that change first happened, it was the Patriots against the Rams. The Rams signified the oppulent individualism and me-first attitude. It worked well for them, because the components worked so well together, and there was plenty of success to feed everyone's egos.
The Patriots, instead, were introduced as an entire team. The epitome of selflessness and team camraderie was what tehy meant to project, and it came across. Now, teamwork is the new pink. Everyone is introduced as a team, rather than as seperate individuals getting their own moment in the sun. Which isn't a bad thing really; it's actually very refreshing to see them parallel the ideals of sports in general.
What is really interesting is that the Seahawks came out to the strains of a Rolling Stones song that was later sampled to create a song called "Bittersweet Symphony". This is the first of many signs that the Seahawks are doomed today.
Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin performed the national anthem. I'd say it was performed together, but that wouldn't be right. It's the SuperBowl, but I'm not sure I've ever seen either look as badly as they do. Wether it was just the affects of the years, or the distortion of their images of TV, it was one thing. But it shouldn't have affected their singing. They hadn't sounded so badly in my memory. Worse, others thought it was one of the best performances ever.
Peter King wrote in his diary about it himself. "Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Aaron Neville. Second-best anthem of the 22 Super Bowls I've covered, next to Whitney Houston's. Moving, terrific. Did you see Cowher's reaction? I've never seen a coach clap so enthusiastically for an anthem. Not sure if I've ever seen a coach respond to one, period.">
A commercial break brang us pleas from the Pizza Hut corporation to partake of their wares.
OK, it was a smut-based commercial, where a mid-teenage boy awaits a pizza, when he apparently slips into semi-conciousness. Maybe he got hit in the head with the back end of a pizza pan, I don't know. Apparently it brings him to a state of teenage awkwardness that all guys go through. He finds himself in some sort of dreamlike state which, when he awakens, is going to be a bitch to explain to the rest of his family as to why his pants don't fit correctly.
The reason for his pants pre"dic"ament? Jessica Simpson walking towards him, offering a slice of her hot dish. (Careful, it's got hot cheese too.)
Were I a 14-15 year old kid again, it'd be a commercial taking advantage of all of the dreams I supposedly had but wouldn't have ever given breath of life to. Ripped from my mind, and played out on the screen, all for the sake of selling more pizzas.
It is with age that I am slowly discovering that there is a time and place for everything. And while as a man of near 30 years old I can appreciate the nuances of seeing a woman in a skimpy outfit carrying a hot pizza with a come-hither stare (meeting all of my baser instincts of food and procreation), it has also occured to me that the mind of a boy on the brink of puberty may not be the greatest place to mine marketing campaigns.
Ok, that's not completely true. If you're a marketing exec with a projected demographic of 15-?? males, it's the perfect place to start. Is it an ethics issue though? Or is it my own intenal perception of Jessica Simpson, and the loss of her innocent appeal (now that she's divorced) from commercials past that prevents me from fully embracing this commercial as harmless fun?
No, I think what it's really about is the apparent age discrepancy between Ms. Simpson and the teen boy she seduces by popping cheese filled nuggets into his mouth. Were it a male sedcing a female of the same differnece in ages, it would be rather disgsting, instead of just the rather awkward nervous giggles that occur in my mind, as I realize...."that coulda been me."
Which will prompt all of you to say..."No, it couldn't."
1st half:
The first half started with both teams looking to get their offense going, and going quickly. This means a passing offense. Seattle got the ball first, and (just as SOMEONE had predicted) they came out throwing, rather than using their offensive line and running back as they had all season long. 3 of their first 4 plays were passes on an out route.
Pittsburgh also wanted to get off to an early aggressive start on offense, but all it led to was 3 and out situations, where they had to punt right away. In fact, Seattle was doing so well by comparison, there was trepidation early taht Seattle just might make it a blow out victory. The only problem was that they seemed to constantly shoot themselves in the foot. Penalties, turnovers, or simple out and out poor execution kept them from advancing the ball. They were moving the ball, but seemed only slightly out of synch. In just needed some tweaking before they would eb able to move at will. Especially since Pittsburgh was doing next to nothing offensively.
The Seahawks went up early by a single field goal, missing some good oppurtunities to score. The Steelers,by comparison, were happy to be able to get a first down. Not because of any sort of special effort on teh Seattle defense, but more because of a lack of execution on Pittsburgh's part. Bottled up for much of the first half, they finally made some progress in the last 5 minutes. Once they got to mid-field, they faced a crucial 3rd and 5. they were showing signs of life, and needed to make a first down if they had any hope of losing faith. On the play, the protection broke down, and Big Ben had to scramble and do an underhanded pitch a la Brett Favre to pick up the first down. The progress was short-lived, because they quickly found themselves in a 3rd and 28 situation. It was then that PItt QB Ben Roethlesburger squiggled out of harms way again, and toe-d the line of scrimmage again, and un-corked a pass to Hines Ward down on the goal line. From there, he ran a QB sneak that may or may not ahve crossed the line.
Seattle then got the ball back, with a few minutes to spare to try to drive for a TD, or some other score that might give them a chance to win. Instead, they butchered the clock like the guy behind the cases at the deli. You want a 1/2 pound of game clock? How 'bout some jerky to go with that?
They can put it on the officials all they want, but the fact is, they showed no cohesion in effort. Things got so confusing, the Steelers defenders got wary of some sort of trick. Not knowing what might be up Seattle's sleeve, they took a time out for no reason whatsoever, other than to prevent something really wrong from happening on the defensive side. They needen't have worried though; I don't think Seattle had anything nefarious cooking. IN fact, I don't think Seattle had any idea what they were doing either. Despite the gift timeout from the Steelers, the Seahawks still couldn't put hte ball in good enough position,a nd ended up missing a field goal to end the first half.
