7800 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT

By The Fillerbuster

The Cast 081218

INTRO/SETTING:

I am sitting around watching about six hours of golf on Pga Championship Sunday.  Most not written DURING the round, but organized during, and written right after.

EVERGREEN:

• Another PGA Championship is history. Another Major season is now done in golf.  Another champion has been crowned.  And, the guy is an ASSASSIN.  Brooks Koepka is a machine.  He wins the toughest test of all of golf this year (US Open)…after also winning it the year before.  He then takes out a STACKED leaderboard of top ten players, and Tiger, and Major winner Adam Scott, without even really flinching in the PGA Championship.  He had a couple moments where he came back to the pack.  But, maybe that was just being nice and polite.  A couple players took what the course was giving everyone today, but he took more.  Brooks is the non-golf golfer.  He can beat up a PACK of country club golfers, bench press more than some NFL players, and my wife tells me that he is easy on the eyes also.  Think about it.  Before spring, he was a flash in the pan.  Now, he is a legend.  He adds the PGA Championship today, so of his FOUR total wins on the PGA Tour, THREE of them are Majors.  That is insane.  I wanted drama today in the final Major.  Brooks doesn’t care about my wants.  He just wins the big ones.
• I wanted to do a note on Tiger. He finished at 14 under and in second.  He posted personal record numbers for a Major in his last three rounds, but let’s remember those rounds also were on a course where OTHERS were doing the same thing.  Yes, I am a Tiger mega-fan and yes, I am impressed by his progress.  But, there are little things I want to note.  One, the fear is gone.  He will have to earn his first Major win in a while next year.  When Brooks is staring you down, the fear factor is out the window, unless you are talking about YOUR fear of Brooks.  Yes, Tiger made some key putts and had some great approaches, especially after missing his first SEVEN fairways.  But, my one note is on the 17^th  Historically when he was owning the tour, par 5’s is when he took advantage of the field.  He was within striking distance going into the 17^th hole this week.  He DID par, but he needed an eagle or birdie to put any pressure on the leaders.  Instead, he finally paid the dear price for a wayward driver all day.  Listen, I am not taking ANYTHING from Brooks as you just read above, but Tiger’s CLOSING is still lacking in tournaments.  He was also briefly in the lead at the British Open and didn’t close the deal.  And that will NOT do.  Brooks needed to hear footsteps.  Instead, he had his competition right in front of him in his group.  That needs to change for Tiger to make the next step.
• This Maryland football situation is very sad, as we lost a way too young to die kid in the process. Coaching has changed.  Motivational tactics have changed.  Technology in saving lives has changed.  Kids have changed.  Everyone gets it.  I just am surprised that a football program that has done nothing over the last years is the one this is happening at.  So, coaching in a sensitive way brought you so much success that now you are ignoring obvious signs of distress?  I think not.  Let all of those coaches go who were at that practice, I say.  In the most trivial sense, no way a kid pushes harder moving forward when coaches are pushing him in the slightly unfair zone after they have lost a LIFE.  Move on from this.  It will be best for everyone.
• I don’t talk politics on this cast, but just a quick note high level. There should be rules about how often the POTUS can be on the ESPN wire.  Frequently, the worlds intersect (9/11 for example).  That is fine.  Sports bring us together in tough times.  And, it was adorable that Obama picked his bracket for March Madness, since we knew he was a hoops player.  But, Trump has crossed the line.
  • ANTHEM: I won’t even get into who is right and who is wrong (although from past blogs you know where I stand (no pun intended)). I am simply saying that Trump has bigger issues to handle than to have time to sit around and tweet about NFL players’ actions during the anthem in preseason games.  It just has no place.  He can make a statement that solidifies his stance on the issue one time, and then move on and let the NFL brass handle it.  One, keep sports at a distance when you are the POTUS and get involved when there are extenuating circumstances or a tragedy.  In the meantime, stay silent.  It is one thing to answer a question when directed.  It is another to proactively offer your opinion on something out of your realm.  Leave it alone.
  • LEBRON: And, on the LeBron issue (chimed in on interview mentioning intelligence of interviewer and implying a lack of intelligence of LeBron), this is WAY beyond you. First, you are attacking the greatest player of our generation.  Second, you are attacking a VERY intelligent and savvy guy overall.  Third, you are attacking someone who does things off the court CONSTANTLY for needy people.  Fourth, you attacked him DURING an interview of one of these things off the court he was doing (opening his school).  Fifth, never mind.  Stay in your lane, Trump.  Or, if you are going to be the LaVar Ball of all Presidents, at least pick on someone besides LeBron.

WEEK-FISH:

• I had a feeling Antonio Callaway would end up as a possession receiver at the next level. And glad he added guns to the mix too.
• I want to retire early if possible. Meanwhile, Bill Snyder just got a FIVE year contract with Kansas State.  He is 78 years old.
• Come on. Come clean.  You kind of smiled when hearing that Lance Armstrong was injured in…a bike accident.
• So, Muschamp and Herman are getting involved in this Buckeyes fiasco too? Stay away, guys.  You don’t want any part of this one.  Kind of sad that this whole situation will damper what is one of the most talented Ohio State football teams in a while.  I hope the kids still get their time to shine.  Without distractions, I have them in the title game.  With distractions, not so sure.
• Justin Verlander says that Kate Upton saved his career. That is believable.  I am buying that Kate Upton could turn around someone’s life.
• If you ARE in the minority that things the Rockets helped themselves by picking up Carmelo Anthony, watch the interview with him laughing deliriously when asked about possibly coming off the bench for them.
• So, I am pretty sure that Kellen Winslow, Jr. will NOT be following in his father’s footsteps in upper NFL management and ultimate respect from everyone in the football world and beyond.
• Please keep in mind, people, these NFL preseason games going on are simply very organized, TV covered practices. Please don’t talk about them as games.
• I think it is adorable that Conor McGregor is fighting in a match once again where both contenders are pretty much assholes and we will hate both of them more by the end of the media circus.
• Calipari traditionally sneaks in late on recruiting, so no real surprise they snagged another top 15 recruit, Kahlil Whitney.
• I think I have been to Buffalo Wild Wings like three times in my life. Given the recent developments on their wish for sports betting, looks like I need to Google where the closest location is.
• The Red Sox could lose every single game from here out and still be above .500 for the year.
• We all know the Mets are weird anyway, but get this. Jacob deGrom is 6-7 on the year.  Bad year, right?  Dude has a 1.77 ERA, 183 strikeouts, and a .96 WHIP.  That is insane how they don’t show up when he is on the mound.
• I was reading a list of best college football players the other day. I believe Clemson’s entire defensive line is on that list.
• So, Kawhi CAN talk. He said thank you to San Antonio.  Now, we just need the explanation for pretty much the last year and everything can be square.
• The PGA Tour sent the winnings of a tournament to the wrong Tommy Fleetwood. Funny story, but I have lots of questions on security, bank account numbers, etc.
• Stan Mikita was one of the best ever. We will miss you in and out of hockey, Stan.
• Thank you, Terrell Owens, for pulling the tryout for a CFL team stunt right after we kind of wanted to believe you were just doing your HOF speech offsite and that was IT. What an idiot.  Talented, all time talent of course, but still an idiot.  I just wish he could do ONE thing by the book in his life.
• Tell your friends odd facts. Braves Ronald Acuna is the first player this year to rob a home run and hit a home run…in the same inning.
• Brian France probably should have been busted for a DUI in a southern state to avoid media coverage. I assume a place that appreciates turning left repetitively might have let you off the hook.
• Now, Tom Brady can pay the electric bill. The Pats have built in another $5 million in incentives for the Golden Child.  Tom wants the knife (reach for that reference)…
• It is like UNC football is on a clock timer. Just when we started to forget about their odd wrongdoings from the past years, they get busted selling issued sneakers.  Thanks for reappearing, UNC.  It like you are on a quota of wrongdoings.  Oh, and you are ALSO a team that has sucked in recent years.  You are cheating and STILL sucking.
• UNC hoops is naming their court after Roy Williams. So, if I am 90 years old and some other legendary coach is cruising them to titles, I assume we are down to the baskets at each end and maybe a student section of the arena to be still be open for naming stuff.
• Brian Bowen, one of the items in the whole Louisville breakdown, just signed to play in Australia. We will see him at some point in the NBA.  Probably just needed to get away to regroup after the fiasco.
• On the Louisville mention, Rick Pitino’s horse, who recently won, is REALLY named…Party Dancer? That is epic.    Friends.  Too many jokes.  Did he name it that BEFORE the whole fiasco?  Or did he name it that AFTER the fiasco, hopefully out of sarcasm.
• I love Hulk Hogan, but I think him going to Bucs camp and having any contact with already off the beaten path Jameis Winston is a bad idea.
• I am so glad Gilbert Arenas, probably starved for media attention, clarified, years later, that the problem in the card game was trash talking and not money necessarily. Thanks, buddy.  I can now sleep soundly at night.
• Jalen Hurts complains first in Bama camp. Not this will hurt him in the competition anyway, but Nick Saban is doing such a masterful balancing act in this situation.  By not announcing anyone the winner in the competition, no one transfers and they are better off for it.
• I don’t know about you, but I never thought I would see the day when the Mariners were NINETEEN games over .500 and King Felix is being demoted to the bullpen. You just assumed HE was the reason they would be in that situation.
• I think I get really confused on which league is which in club soccer. Premier is the one starting now?  I just saw some power rankings for it.
• Coaches get into trouble, and people get hurt. I still can’t believe that this latest tragedy started with someone knocking on a car window thinking that the car was their Uber ride.
• My wife is all OU and doesn’t have an NFL team she stands behind. Lately, I get the feeling that she is pretty close to being a Browns fan, with Baker Mayfield making waves over there.  Not great for a Steelers household.  At least, we can watch two NFL games together a year, I guess.
• And why NOT, Dez Bryant. You and Josh Gordon will get along like two peas in a pod if you ask me.  Go to a mall.  Wear your pants low.  Get high.  Have a blast.
• And apparently Landry Jones (also ex-OU product) is looking sharp these days, making the Steelers probably decide between Dobbs and Rudolph as a cut. Tough choice if you ask me.  I like Rudolph personally, but Dobbs has always been in favor of the Steelers brass thus far.
• In the last 22 years, only Florida has won FOUR straight Power 5 titles. OU has won three in a row presently.
• When talking about how good Clemson will be this year, let’s also not forget about schedule strength. Not ONE of the teams on their 2018 schedule ended up in the top 25 last year.
• Remember the name Demetris Robertson. Quietly this month, he was granted a waiver to play this year for the Bulldogs.  He will be a stud for Fromm.
• A man had a plan and succeeded for a while. He snuck on the Steelers practice field and finally got recognized as NOT being recognized.  Bold concept and plan.  Why again did he choose a jersey number (43) that hasn’t been given out?  Just wanted to showcase his love for his favorite player while doing this?  Not really WANTING to succeed?  Wouldn’t it have made more sense to use some random jersey number rather than a legend’s if you are doing this operation full tilt?
• Check this out for a scary schedule. Auburn has to go TO Bama AND Georgia…in the same month.
• When thinking about Penn State’s success, keep in mind they outscored their opponents 160-23 last year in that first frame.
• I agree with Mays. Get Bonds in the HOF.  Listen, here is the deal.  Let’s keep in mind that he didn’t BECOME a HOF player because of PED’s.  He already WAS one, and then just became a more powerful player.  He is an idiot, but, in the end, he changed the game as a skinny guy too.
• I know it is the times we live in, but the Penn State football stadium Twitter threat about mass murder is just downright scary on all levels.
• T. just had to be quiet and play a solid season with the Nuggets before bolting for a ring. Then, he goes out and bashes Cleveland…the city.  So, not only are you burning bridges as an undersized guard, but you are making sure cities of people hate you too.  Not too smart.
• We are all sorry you feel “lost,” Stan Van Gundy.

THIS AND THAT: 

• I still like the Rocket Mortgage commercials where they explain the slang or business terminology.
• I think the Keke-In Your Feelings thing is cool and all, but I find the dance rather confusing in comparison to past simple pop culture dances (yes, I briefly Googled it). Don’t look for any social media posts by The Fillerbuster attempting this fad.
• I live closer to the original Park Burger than Park and Co. now. Not sure if it is the location or a change in my preferences, but I don’t find the burger rankable as much anymore.  The one in Uptown was on my list.  Or, maybe they just are on a downslide.
• I laugh along with Patrick Warburton during his National commercials. Perfect drive.  I see what you did there, Patrick.
• There is really a show called God Friended Me that jumped through all of the hoops and competition to be in prime time?
• In the same philosophy, they actually ok’d a new Magnum PI? Reason #1067 that we are officially out of ideas.  And shouldn’t the new show also have an older guy with a mustache?  I mean, that would be funny just in the previews.  I don’t need a more hip, cool version of it.
• I truly don’t understand people who love golf and go golf DURING a Major Championship. Sick, sick people.  If that is your sport, make some time and RELAX on the couch.  Your faulty swing can wait another day.  I like to shoot hoops before March Madness or play 9 before a Major, but not DURING the actual event.
• When there is a big break between seasons, sometimes you just need a reminder. When Linds was asleep Friday night, I caught a Game of Thrones episode, and it just happened to be Beyond The Wall…can’t wait.  Ice dragons…
• I wasn’t self-taught, and I haven’t delivered pizza before, but other than that, this has the backwards hat and Beethoven’s Rocket Sonata, which was my signature competition piece when I was a teenager. Very tough to play full speed like this.  https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/videos/teen-pizza-delivery-driver-surprises-family-incredible-piano-performance
• Thursdays are becoming my favorite work day since when I come home, Seinfeld, which has been phased out in Colorado somewhat during the 5-6pm range, is on for two hours.
• After Disney and Lakeside, I am all amusement park’d out. Except, for Waterworld.  Labor Day weekend.  In the same week, a lunar eclipse/meteor shower occurred.  I turned down pizza AND an amusement park.  You needed 3D glasses to see it and believe it.
• Not only do I still like the Humana commercial where the old guy runs in loveable patterns for his wife, but I think I would do something similar for Linds…if I didn’t hate running so much or figuring out technology.
• I really hate running. I plan on running for one segment in my life…when I bust out a triathlon next year.
• I still don’t understand how Willis Case is such a decent golf course but yet doesn’t have a driving range. I need somewhere close to go hit.
• I am not a big fan of Phil Mickelson, but kind of dug his dancing commercial, although I have never heard of the company in my life.
• Some man at the gym told me after my swim that my tattoo looked like the Walmart symbol and then went ahead (at 530 in the morning) and explained the history of various symbols in life, not realizing I am an educated UVA grad who was just listening politely but not talking to further the conversation. Anyway, I assume if you think that all circular symbols in life look like the Walmart symbol rather than write off a circle as a popular geometrical symbol, than I guess, sure, my tattoo looks like the Walmart symbol to your stupid eyes.  Thanks for the Egyptian lesson.  I can now go forward with life.
• And when I say educated, we all still have our moments where we are suddenly grounded. My Uber driver this weekend knew SIX languages.    I am a failure.
• Thanks, mom. Since our visit with you, Linds and I are kind of hooked on mini Dove bars.
• Our Air BNB is now live and had our first two guests.   First guests up in their years.  We share a themostat which we control.  Conversation early last week:
  • “Mark, the air is blowing down here.
  • “I can adjust it. What would you like it at?
  • “78 degrees would be perfect for the week.”
  • “Will do.”
  • 78 degrees? I know Linds and I might be on the bottom tier of room temperatures in life for preference, but 78?????  Who does that?  Do people like sweating in their house more than forking over a few dollars for electricity bills?  I like paying for feeling cool all the time.  I don’t mind.  Talk about a long week.  They are gone as of today.  Back to 67…all the time.
• Linds got a class action settlement. It was from Touch Tunes.  The next time we are in a bar and they have a Touch Tunes jukebox, we have a free song.  It doesn’t get any bigger than that.  Monster settlement.
• For a work anniversary present, I decided to class myself up for my lady. Dance class.  The instructor oddly didn’t ask me about any future dance aspirations after our first class.    I thought I was phenomenal.
• I heard a rumor that ACDC was getting back together. I am impressed they are still alive, let alone getting together to record tunes that are forced down my throat with the same three chords.
• I do like ACDC to a point-not dissing them. They created a sound and it became classic.  Just saying they had their 15 minutes already according to Andy Warhol.
• Not sure how I am pulling it off, but STILL no use of a microwave at my new home over the last 2-3 months. For someone who LIVED on that device for most of my life, quite impressive.
• Ballers is back.   Catch up on a fun, well done TV series if you haven’t already.  Plus, the cameos are priceless.
• Please let me know when the press release is for Starbucks when releasing that crypto currency will be accepted at their stores. I can’t wait to hear them try and explain the system to people.
• I think the Ludacris story about buying the woman’s groceries is cool as hell. But, that isn’t what I can’t get my head around.  What the HELL is Ludacris doing taking care of his OWN grocery shopping?  And is he a Safeway or Soopers member to get the additional savings?
• I guess he is in a more Publix part of the country.
• As I sit here and watch the PGA Championship, the ball tracking and putt line technology is just so cool you don’t know what to do with it.
• I had my night of bluegrass last Saturday as Yonder and Infamous Stringdusters played Red Rocks. Three things.  First, lately I seem to be getting an overload of Pony covers, as not only did Infamous Stringdusters do it, but I heard it again at Live At 5 on Friday night at Tavern by ANOTHER band.  Second, Red Rocks just never gets old (pics later on).  Third, my highlight was Yonder busting out a LONG cover of Dead’s Fire On The Mountain, one of my Dead favorites.
• I think Live at 5 can be cool, but also confusing. They invite an upcoming band to bring all of their gear to a rooftop and perform for like 25 minutes.
• My teeth are fine after another dentist visit. I continue to go to faraway Littleton to get this done.  Plus, I go to McDonald’s right after as it is across street.  I find the dentist-patient relationship the most interesting of all doctors since one person can’t talk back.  I would totally say controversial things ALL the time just to jack up the mentality of the person in the chair who couldn’t talk back.
• Although Orange is the New Black would not be one of MY choices as a show to watch, I will say that for a compromise show with the wife where I do computer stuff while it is on, it isn’t horrible, and I find myself looking up to see what is going on. Plus, constant chance of girl on girl…
• Not like Sharp Objects. She started it, and I am slightly hooked on this damn thing.
• My car shop is right by a Denver rec center. Favorite workout in the last couple of months.  Get there at opening, shoot hoops, gym workout, box, and swim…all in the same place.  20^th Street in downtown Denver.
• I got caught up doing some things last Sunday while having the TV on in the background. Man, My Wish on ESPN really makes me think I have done nothing in life.
• Spontaneity is a GOOD thing, people. Linds and I woke up Saturday and decided watching the meteor shower in clear skies was our mission.  We spent an hour doing research on yelp, Denver getaways, light pollution maps, and all kinds of other stuff, and then just packed some stuff and jumped in the car (love not having kids).  We ended up getting a cabin at Archer Poudre River Resort, had a cabin on the river, and literally laid in the grass of a clearing, watching 50-75 meteors stream through the sky from midnight to about 230am.  Awesome stuff.
• And, we would go back to that place. Two hours away, lots of games on grounds, and they have a premium cabin that sleeps about 8 we will snag next with some friends.  I would recommend it as a getaway.
• The meteors won out over the Motet in Canon City, Floozies in Winter Park, and JoJo at the new Englewood amphitheater.
• Technology is cool and all, but you know how things you have purchased or looked at pop up on your computer here and there? Ever since I bought Linds a jumpsuit last week, I get women’s dresses all over my PC screen.
• We stopped at some festival in Fort Collins on the way up. First, Blondie was apparently the headliner later that night.  Second, people were paying TEN dollars to see if they could hang on a bar for 100 seconds to win $100 (I admit that I was in line before finding out it was $10 to enter).  Ah, ego… Third, Austin’s in Fort Collins might have just made my burger list with their bison burger.  Fourth, I am a socks guy as people know, and I now finally own mac and cheese socks.    MAC AND CHEESE socks.  Mac on one, cheese on the other.  Greatest food ever besides pizza.

TWEET OF THE WEEK:

THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER AT LEAST FOR THIS WEEK:

Still all over these two songs:

Medicated-Sevendust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLKp7bG–os

Who We Are-Nothing More:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2JboYSFq8o

With this one on their heels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn3Ct2_L4OA

LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE:

CLOSING:

The theme?  Well, I am from Jersey, so Bon Jovi kind of came with the territory with me being a teenager in the 80’s.  And I just threw a couple of zero’s on the 78 degree temperature our tenant requested for the Air BNB.  And, this album was one of their best.  Some great tracks on it that never hit mainstream.

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed.  Will I blog again?  That is a CLOWN question, bro.

PICS:

• My mom is a Broncos fan. My dad is an Eagles fan.  Not sure whether the company was out of the other colors or whether she just wanted a reminder of her youngest son’s colors, but here is the new ride.
• My mom continues to master the Hoola Hoop at her age. She is quite proficient at this thing.  She READS while doing it.
• I am very good at horseshoes. The cabin resort in the middle of nowhere had horseshoes onsite.  I would take this scenery any day while playing the great game.
• This is just waiting in LINE for Yonder.   Red Rocks is just…the best.
• The river where our cabin was at Archer.
• No pics of the meteor shower, as cameras just don’t capture that aspect. I will say this.  If you want to see the closest thing to the Milky Way view with plain eyes, I would recommend the small town of Bellvue, CO.

And, in case you care about what I threw back in the pond, here you go…