ENEMY OF THE STATE

By The Fillerbuster

The Cast 122818

SETTING:

This is written in evening groupings post-Christmas (sorry for not getting a Christmas blog out-ran out of time) and pre-Austin trip for New Years.  The theme will explain itself.  I feel the need…the need for speed.

Let’s turn and burn.

EVERGREEN (topics that don’t fade away):

BELL

• The Ridley fumble this week and the Conner fumble weeks ago made me think about Le’Veon Bell again unfortunately. I truly hope Le’Veon Bell fails and I am not proud of that.  I do.  I have thought about it.  And I try to think I am not alone.  But, I know it is partially because I am a bitter Steelers fan.  I get that.  But, what did he accomplish really?  He made a stand.  That is true.  He stood up for long term NFL contracts, a football player’s health, and not letting a team dictate a player’s future.  But, the way he did it is perplexing.  He confused us by not talking so we had to figure out what he was doing.  He was caught on jet ski’s and basketball courts in his team’s city.  He did it in a stealth way and basically turned down $14 million while trying to make more long-term money.  He also let his teammates down who were counting on him for the year.  So now what?  He has A) lost a valuable year of a RB’s life B) has not proven on the field what he has accomplished in any workouts C) shown disloyalty to his present team and D) not really communicated through the whole thing about his intentions.  So, now a team has to say optimistically he is younger than his age, and pay him, trusting his shiftiness, hesitation magic, receiving skills, and football intelligence is all still there just like before.  I try not to root against players.  I hope everyone does well.  But, I am coming clean when I am saying, in this case, that is not true.

HARBAUGH

• Jim Harbaugh is funny, outspoken sometimes, and too cool for school. He is great and somewhat refreshing, while being irritating and brash to others.  He rejuvenated the Michigan program, got their recruiting back on track, and was on pace for this year’s playoff before the rivalry booted them off the path.  But now what?  The media feeds us the rumors.  Will he go to the NFL?  Would he go anywhere else in college football?  But IF Jim Harbaugh ever thinks about leaving, he will always be the guy who never beat Ohio State.  Bottom line.  I don’t think personally there is any way he leaves any time soon, and if he did, it would utterly confuse me.  Why?  He went to school there.  He is #3 in highest paid coaches nationally and the two guys ahead of him have multiple championships and the guy right behind him has one.  He already has gotten a taste of the NFL, and still went back to college when he probably would have had other NFL choices.  Basically, I am saying two things.  The media needs to relax.  Just because there seem to be limited available coaching prospects, I don’t need to hear about dinners, phone calls, meetings, suspicions, etc.  This guy is in a good spot, and has lost four straight to his bitter rival in maybe the most highly regarded rivalry in sports.  He is not going anywhere with the kids he has coming in.  It is bad enough that Urban Meyer is exiting stage left so Jim can never get the TOTAL monkey off his back, but he needs to right this ship next season.  And, he will most likely.

LEBRON

• We have been lucky, folks. And so have a lot of teams over the years.  Yes, LeBron has kept his body in the best shape possible.  Yes, he is stronger than his peers.  Yes, he plays smart.  But, overall, LeBron has avoided any big injuries, and we have been the lucky ones to enjoy this feat.  Think about how many athletes are out there where we just wanted to know “what if.”  Think about the Tracy McGrady’s, the Bo Jackson’s, the David Wright’s.  Think about what we missed with those guys.  Well, when I was watching the Warriors-Lakers game on Christmas Night, and something popped in LeBron’s body, it made me think about this.  You can love LeBron.  You can hate LeBron.  But, know this.  Having the playoffs without LeBron would just be weird.  We don’t want that weird.  Hope that LeBron heals up without complications.  Hope that he doesn’t beat YOUR team.  Hope simply that basketball fans don’t miss too much time with the greatest of our generation and hope that getting hurt is not the end of the road with him.

KICKERS

• After witnessing another attempt or two at onsite kicks over the last two weeks, it brings up one of my pet peeves. WHY aren’t kickers better at onside kicks?  I get the ball shape and randomness.  I grasp the concept of the unknown.  I am not talking about what happens after that first bounce.  I am talking about the ones who don’t have a chance the MOMENT they leave the kicker’s foot.  I am talking about every kicker trying something unique for THEM because they suddenly have the secret.  I am talking about guys who can practice that…or their regular kicks.  I don’t understand it.  It should LOOK like they know what they are doing when the ball is contacted by their foot.  After that, I get that there are unknowns beyond practice.  Also, while I am on the subject, WHY aren’t there more kickers who also punt?  I know, I know.  I don’t want to insult punters either.  They have their own craft.  But, you are telling me we have a pitcher in MLB baseball who can throw with either arm, but not one kicker can also punt with the SAME FOOT?  It would save the club some cash.  It doesn’t sounds impossible to me.  It sounds like some guys just need to apply themselves a little more.  If you are going to be the biggest wuss on the field, then at least be the BEST one, and have more talents.  Make me feel like there is a freaking chance on an onside kick.

MOVIES

• I am scared for the future of movies. I am scared for movie stars, movie scripts, but especially movie sets.  I worked on a movie as a set dresser (Virus).  The guy who got me that job had his own job of finding locations for movie scenes.  The director would describe what he wanted, and my buddy had to go out and find a place that would work.  For example, he found the field where Bruce Willis shoots up that guy in The Jackyl.  Very nice field he found.  Anyway, I am concerned with what will happen to this magical selection process.  I am worried that 10 years from now, you won’t be able to go visit the Game Of Thrones dragon lair because everything was computer generated.  I am worried that movies will be shot in a high-tech arena.  I am worried that the touch of a director might be lost.  I hope I am wrong, but remember when 300 came out and us guys wondered about the crazy graphics in the fight scenes and the girls wondered if all of those guys actually had six-packs?  And that was a long time ago.  So, movies, advance in whatever helps you out, but I still want to feel the heat of the desert in Creed 2 and the cold of the winter in The Revenant.  Don’t change TOO much.

WEEK-FISH (current topics of interest in sports):

NFL

• You know we are in a bad situation when they are interviewing Ray Rice about YOUR situation. Onward and upward, Kareem.
• I admit to being really intrigued and interested in the mathematics of Eric Reid getting drug tested six times in eleven weeks.
• Tom Brady has made his 14^th Pro Bowl, and coincidently announced he plans on playing past 2019. Most of the AFC is saying “Ugg” right now.  See what I did there?
• The Broncos had insult added to injury by having the up feeling of Phillip Lindsay making the Pro Bowl as an undrafted rookie (first one to do that ever actually offensively) and then the very down feeling of that same rookie being injured for a very long time. The one thing about giving a long rehab to a kid who has had to prove himself every step of the way is that you know he will just take this as another challenge.  Still not sure Lindsay should have been playing at all though and I would be mad if a Broncos fan…
• Odd fact. The Broncos are the first NFL team to have a rookie with 10 plus sacks and 1,000 plus yards rushing on the same team in the same season.
• The Broncos will be reminded of running back depth every time they see C.J. Anderson light it up for the Rams in the playoffs.
• What is odd about this whole VJ will be fired by the Broncos thing is that it is not exactly the wins-losses dictating it. It is the standard template pressers that all is good and practices were great, questionable decisions during games, and the fact that he seemingly is unaware of all of that.
• Some girls like dinner and a movie, and some like to be in drunken couple fights and arrested with Montae Nicholson.
• I consider reading NFL mock drafts a hobby (I actually consider reading ALL sports mock drafts a hobby).
• Taken singularly, and I don’t think you have to defend him with the “mad genius” idea. But taken together and man, it gets tough.  I LOVE Jon Gruden.  But you take trading Mack, trading Cooper, and signing Nathan Peterman, and I am looking for Flux Capacitors while looking for football logic.  I hope he is smarter than the rest of us.  Or, maybe he is writing off 2019 totally, and just wants young, fresh talent for Vegas time.  Maybe since they don’t even have a home next year, he is just taking the year off…
• Well, aside from the fact that he loves ketchup and even puts ketchup on his mac and cheese (noted and WILL try soon-I already like tomatoes in my mac and cheese so this can’t be that different), Patrick Mahomes is now the Hunt’s ketchup spokesman for the NFL. I assume we won’t have any problems with this since the obvious namesake has kind of taken himself out of the running.
• When discussing with people whether Josh Gordon will get another shot with a team, I laugh and say that if he can’t stay clean on a team almost guaranteed to be at least in the AFC Championship every year and who assigned him a security detail, WHO will he clean up for?
• Chris Long is a UVA guy who is a great player and brilliant off the field also. You read serious stories about his giving up paychecks, you read about how he puts his hat in the ring on the whole kneeling/anthem item, and then you read about how he is making Nick Foles locker room shrines.
• No one in the NFC wants to see Nick Foles or the Eagles right now. True, the Texans have been winning some close games during their streak, so a letdown was bound to happen, but Philly just TOOK that game from them.
• I suppose Saturday NFL football gets us prepped for the first couple of weeks of the playoffs, but it still always surprises me somewhat on Saturday afternoon.
• I think it took me until last Wednesday to finally admit the Chargers are really good, and then they went out and didn’t defend their “home” field and laid an egg against the Ravens. So, I am back to square one again.  I wasn’t even mad about it fully until Sunday evening obviously.
• Stephen Smith should exit stage left on takes for the NFL playoff games. Between Hunter Henry and Josh Gordon, his lack of knowledge shows WAY too much.  I am never the guy who will tell a guy to stick to a sport, but you are getting paid to do the research, so either do it, or don’t talk.  Not all of you can be like Jim Nantz and announce two opposite sports like golf and football so flawlessly.
• We are only about 8 months from the Bengals being, for the 10^th year in a row, a dark horse contender in the AFC. How they become a doormat midseason every year is beyond me.
• The Giants blew their last game, but, as always, somehow beat the spread.
• I was at a comedy show for the exciting Chiefs-Seahawks game, but I had the Seahawks, and it was nice to see another team temper Mahomes slightly. Again, you have to TAKE it from that kid to beat him though, and that is very respectable.
• Remember the Legion of Whom jokes? Remember the preseason .500 predictions?  In case we all thought that Russell Wilson had used up his magic or that Pete Carroll couldn’t coach anymore, we are set straight after their “overachieving” year.
• Sometimes you fault the NFL schedulers. Sometimes you don’t see it coming.  In the MNF Broncos-Raiders scheduling, I support the schedulers and definitely fault the teams.
• Tony Romo is a fantastic analyst, I feel like I learn things every single game he does, and he sees 2-3 things per game NO ONE sees.
• Christian McCaffrey set the catch record for RB’s, and anyone who questioned his next level capabilities should have a serious heart to heart with themselves.
• I feel like the NFC East is the weirdest division to decide each year because no one really acts like they WANT it (at least for the last 10 years or so). The Cowboys clinched, but they have had enough subpar performances this year where we all say “really?”
• The Panthers are still trying their best to become the first team ever to start off 6-2 and end up with 10 losses. Looking STRONG to do that right now…
• Some players you feel bad about getting injuries and concussions. Vontaze Burfict is on his 7^th concussion as of this week.  I find it hard to feel really bad for him.  What a thug.
• The Steelers-Saints. Ugghhh (spelled the right way).  A) I am not sure why you put in a newer RB on a key running play who had a history of fumbling in New England. B) Fumbles happen to good guys and fumbling guys.  The JuJu fumble happened to a young kid who will learn. C) The Steelers had NO runs in the third quarter.  Not sure how that sets up future plays no matter if they were coming back or not.  D) Fake punts are clever when timed right.  Not sure if “timed right” is what I would describe being in your own territory, up by less than a TD, and the best QB in the history of the game stat wise on the other sideline. E) Again, CLOSING.  They gave Tom Brady a chance last year with the home field on the line.  They gave Tom Brady a chance to tie last week when they had two drives to close him out.  They fought their way back against the Saints and had several chances to close THEM out.  They deserve whatever happens bad in the final week.  They didn’t close. F) I won’t complain about the phantom PI call against Haden.  The call happened WAY early in the game, and they came back.  No excuses (although it surely didn’t help).  G) I have come full circle in my household.  I loved Baker because I married into a Sooner family.  Baker gets drafted by my team’s rival and it pained me to watch her cheer for him.  I now NEED Baker to give ONE more statement win to the world to get my team in the playoffs.  How did we get here?
• I don’t have the answer, but maybe we should just totally nix the PLAYING of the Pro Bowl, and just have competitions and accolades in prime time. It has gone way past a joke and now into ridiculousness.

 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

• I really wish they would stop talking about college football playoff expansion until AFTER the present playoffs were done.
• Well, I guess if you can’t extend in your reach in recruiting, you might as well get multiple players from one source. Florida got THREE Lakeland players last week…all top 150 recruits.
• Many teams made statements. Many teams stole players from Bama.  But, in the end, Bama still had the best class.  Saban has created a MACHINE there.
• Georgia continued to be the second pony in the show, as they have been on the field the last two years too (whatever, people…we all know that UGA is one of the top four teams, but the system is what it is). #2 recruiting class for the Bulldogs.
• I read through the Virginia football recruits. Holding steady with the past 10-15 years, we got LOTS of three-star recruits and lost every four and five-star one in-state to other colleges.
• I know sports and college football, and admit it was new news to me that this year was the FIRST year that Oregon had the best CONFERENCE recruiting class.   I thought one of Chip Kelly’s classes would have been tops over USC and folks.
• Want a Kyler Murray effect? A highly recruited “athlete” switched from Oregon to OU.
• There are too many teams and too many players to have one player change the balance of power, but know this. Where Justin Fields ends up (leaving UGA) WILL make that team legitimately better fast.
• Meaningless bowl games are interesting on many levels. Some are interesting matchups between schools that rarely face each other.  For example, I thought Ohio might beat San Diego State, but no way in a million years did I think they would POUND them.
• The Memphis-Wake game had an exciting ending. But, there is no way Memphis should have allowed them to go down the field that late in the game that easily.
• Well, in case you were curious, no matter how many game reminders I got during the season, I was CONVINCED that Houston was good right up until the final game against Army. And not only did they lose to Army, but they got smoked by them, and not initially just by the triple option.  I vote Houston as the most confusing team of the year and will never trust the info again when it says they are a sleeper.
• AND somehow, the Houston offensive coordinator is leaving for greener grass…FSU. Wait, that is the NEW FSU, so maybe not greener.  Just better recruiting classes.
• LSU just locked up the #16 overall recruit (CB). Pair that recruit with their present roster, and I would not be excited to pass against them in the near future.
• Justin Herbert will return to the Ducks. He must love his coach and college life, and trust his health.  He would have gone off the board first or second this year for QB’s.  Surprising, but I am always a fan of kids staying in school for the duration.
• Mother Nature got it WRONG. She cancelled a likely-to-be fun bowl game between Boise and BC, but allowed TCU and Cal to still play THEIR game.  Their game had NINE interceptions between the teams and was miserable.
• So, I guess the whole “send off Paul Johnson with a win” concept was not only a failure, but they got DESTROYED by a very subpar Minnesota team.
• You want halftime adjustments by a team? Duke was down 27-21 before winning 56-27.
• PREDICTIONS:
• You can say you want new blood, old villains, and new matchups. That is great.  But, the math really doesn’t support it.  The bad news is that Clemson might suspend Dexter Lawrence.  The good news is that Clemson has TWO other top 15 picks from that same freaking D-line on the field.  Their front seven is too much for Notre Dame.  Clemson is deeper.  Clemson is a more complete team.  Clemson wins 30-13.
• I really want to say that OU will win. And, I think they have the offense to put up some points on Bama’s nasty defense.  But, I think the X-factor is that OU A) has a weak defense and B) has a weak defense that has to prepare for TWO QB’s possibly who are TOTALLY different (you know Saban is going to use Hurts a little after the UGA game).  I think OU hangs for a while, but then the defense gets them in a mild hole they can’t get out of.  Too much to ask for from Kyler Murray.  Bama wins 41-31.
• Bama is trying their best to help out OU. They suspended three players, meaning they are down to like 40 All-Americans.
• But, do I think there is HOPE?   They CAN win, and I will be rooting for them about as hard as I will be rooting for Baker Mayfield.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

• All is back to normal in the holidays college hoops universe. The most talented team is back at the top of the rankings.  Dammit, Duke.
• I LOVE that Anfernee is already talking a little smack to guys like Barnes even though Hardaway’s years won’t really start until next year.
• Well, Kevin Ollie might not have had the coaching career he wanted in his head, but if he wins his racial discrimination suit against UCONN, then finances won’t be a problem for life.
• So, I thought that Buffalo might give Syracuse a run, but didn’t think they would win. Definitely didn’t think they would smoke them.  And DEFINITELY MORE didn’t think they would do it at the Dome.
• And Buffalo did end up losing to Marquette, but let’s not down Buffalo in our public opinion when we discuss that game. Yes, they were up on Marquette, but when one player scores FORTY points in a HALF in any game in college, odds are you are going to lose.
• I feel like I will go from college years to senior citizen and Coach K, Roy Williams, and Jim Boeheim will not only still be coaching, but still look exactly the same. UNC just upped Roy Williams EIGHT years.
• I love when ACC Hoops steps up against a team from another conference thinking their time is now. The NC State win over Auburn might have been before the calendar turned over, but was a great win.
• When I was watching the UVA-South Carolina game, I again realized how draining it must be to watch a UVA game if A) not a long time basketball player or B) not a UVA alum. They just simply beat people down without excitement.
• I didn’t have action on the game, but saw the score and heard what transpired in the last 10 seconds. Duquesne blew the 5.5 point spread and the over under with bad defense, a foul, and a technical foul.  I can’t imagine to be a person with action on that game.
• Texas Tech didn’t beat Duke. But, I watched that whole game.  They showed me enough in it to feel like A) Duke is indeed beatable in March and B) Tech is for real with a star or two on that team and a defense to back them up.
• Quade Green, the ex-five star transferring from UK, chose Washington as his next location instead of Cuse (where he was down to previously). Well, I guess if Markelle Fultz gets drafted #1 without a jump shot, he certainly will get playing time and has a shot at a higher draft slot also.
• They destroy Gonzaga at home. They get smoked by Kentucky on a neutral floor.  I don’t care how tough their schedule has been the last 6-7 games.  I truly can’t figure out UNC to save my life.  They will probably be a little more careful with the ball around Hagans next time though.
• Remember when Nova-UCONN would be a televised BIG time event?
• Murray State lost to Auburn. But, I watched that entire second half, and the FIGHT that Murray State showed when down 10 plus with a little over a minute left had me being a big time supporter for that team.
• Before you say “KU lost to ASU??? What,” ASU is coached by Bobby Hurley and that team will make more noise rather than less as his years as coach progress.  Love that guy, and that is saying something since he is a Duke guy.  So, I basically love him the most underneath of my most hated college players…whatever that means.  I need a flow chart to show you.
• I had a joke about the Towson player dunking on the wrong end, but forgot it at writing time.

NBA

• We went to the Nuggets-Mavs game last week, and Lindsey had some deal where we were front row for warm-ups. So, basically, we sat in the seats that Von Miller sat in for the game…just an hour before.  We will take it.  Dirk seems surreal up close, but I was waiting on Luka Doncic, since I have become a big fan in the last two years.  I think after missing three of the first five shots, Dirk missed like five shots the entire warmup session.  Doncic was playful during warmups, did a few half court and trick shots like Steph does, and even tried repetitively the 50-foot high shot that ESPN gave him pub the next day on (made it but it didn’t count).
• So, I need another flow chart. The guy who says the earth is flat is defending the guy who doesn’t believe we landed on the moon.  Got it.
• So, Lebron answers a question about whether it would be nice to have Anthony Davis on his team and he is TAMPERING?   Sure, NBA players aren’t sending texts daily about playing together, and I get The King’s back on this one.
• It is nice to be on shorts lists for the most part. Jarrett Allen is now one of EIGHT players to ever have blocked a LeBron James dunk.  I would order that poster for my wall, Jarrett.    Andy Warhol would be proud and would say that you personally had your 15.
• When the Rockets broke the Cavs record for three pointers in a game (26), did anyone just shrug and assume that it was just a matter of time until they got that record?
• Wikipedia, we COUNT on you. Damn you for having Buddy Hield’s incorrect age on your site.  Corrected now.
• I believe that if you are looking for hits on LeBron’s resume, you could spin the Instagram Post into that. If you are not looking for it, I think we could spin it into “we are all being a little sensitive these days.”
• The Greek Freak delivered on Xmas Day and hopefully some of the non-basketball folks are now Googling him, saying “now WHO is this guy with a name I can’t pronounce?”
• How the Bucks got their FIRST Xmas Day game since 1977 and the Lakers got their TWENTIETH straight is beyond me. Spread the wealth unless it is the Lions and Cowboys on Turkey Day.
• I guess if you count OT as a success, than the Sixers kind of delivered on Christmas.
• The fact that Lakers were up big when LeBron got hurt, the Warriors closed to within a bucket, and then the Lakers youngsters STILL blew the Warriors out IN GOLDEN STATE is kind of surreal, whether you treat one of 82 games important or not.
• The question, after the Rockets won against the Thunder on Christmas, is not whether they are who they should be right now, but whether they should have to count on Harden to deliver superhuman performances for FOUR straight series in the playoffs is really the question. I think they need another scorer.
• Putting Utah vs. Portland late night made sure East Coast people don’t know those teams for another day.
• Derrick Rose returned to Chicago, scored 24 points, and had MVP chants. I would think it would be very hard to put a bunch of people in an arena who ALL could overlook his present troubles and actually root for the guy.

MLB

• The Mets GM now says, after signing Ramos, that the Mets are the division favorite for next year. Well, everyone IS undefeated right now, I suppose.
• For those wishing for Mike Trout to be in the playoffs (that should be EVERYBODY, by the way), signing Matt Harvey is a great first step.
• The Rockies got Daniel Murphy last week. I like the signing, although the Rockies pretty much have to overpay for everybody it seems.  Since he is Postseason Man, I guess that means they need to get INTO the playoffs again for him to work his magic.
• The longer we go without Harper and Machado signings, the more I think this is a conspiracy where both will sign with the same team.
• The Dodgers traded away Kemp, Wood, and Puig. Before I picture the flamboyant and abrasive Puig melting away on a losing team, I will think about new faces who will get to the World Series and experience defeat.

NHL

• Never to leave a doubt about a fight I guess, Tom Wilson destroyed Jamie Oleksiak to make sure his playoff declination last year wasn’t about fight skills.
• Of all the hockey games I watched this year, I watched Colorado come back from 4-1 down against the Coyotes…and lose. That is the toughest thing in sports.  Coming back, exerting that energy, and then coming up short.

MISCELLANEOUS

• George Lucas is still #1 on the celebrity Forbes list, but, as expected, MJ and Tiger are the two athletes in the top 10.
• Missy Franklin had to retire because of injuries at age TWENTY THREE. So, she is retiring after a 10-12 year career two years after she can drink.
• It’s coming. Senators are bringing a federal sports gambling bill to the floor, folks.  It will be ALL around us soon enough.
• It is interesting that suddenly Rick Pitino is jumping back into coaching, as he will be heading up a professional Greek team. What is MORE interesting is that the Greek Freak’s younger brother plays ON that team, so he will be the savior to bring the next one over, and therefore might get a job.  Just a hunch.
• I don’t think that Travis Scott, apparently a rapper, joining Maroon 5 at the Super Bowl halftime adds to the positives that they are having a non-Atlanta musician headline in a city known for hip music.
• I sometimes think of simple things that make me happy. One of those things is an almost home parlay in betting.  When the Raiders and Broncos played this past Monday night, there were few things stress free and happy than being able to throw some cash on the Broncos just to make sure I won something if my very nice parlay didn’t come in on the Raiders.  It did come in, but what a relaxing three hours.
• Imagine going to apply for a new job if you are the ref that told the black wrestler to cut his long growing dreads before a match.
• It got headlines that LeBron mentioned “slave mentality” among NFL owners on his show, The Shop. But, he has a show, and I feel like he can vent anything and everything on it, so have at it, LeBron.
• I don’t understand many things in life. I know that.  Add this to the list.  UFC is moving their next event for the sake of JON JONES.  WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?  We don’t care, and sorry if you think we DO care about him at all.

THIS AND THAT (pop culture, Fillerbuster thoughts in quick hitter, one sentence hooks):

• I seriously feel like Aioli and NFL defensive celebrations were just invented.
• Somehow, and I don’t fully understand the inner ticking of my website, Feed The Wolf CONTINUES to be the most read blog post months after posting.
• The League of Their Own producer died last week, but we will always still say the line “there is no crying in baseball.”
• I dug the story about a man buying his neighbor 14 years of presents before his death, but my mind still wonders why he chose the random number 14.
• We are in an age of people wanting to sue anybody and everybody, and yes, Carlton is suing Fortnite for taking his dance without permission.
• Lindsey told me her regular doctor is older and rushes, and I would drop a doctor like a bad habit if he ever rushed through my prognosis on anything.
• I thought his tweet was funny, but how has Reese Waters still not seen Titanic-it sucked, but still needs to be seen once I think.
• My phone has a fancy “motion picture” function and I am thoroughly confused by it.
• I am excited for Austin this weekend, as I had a taste of it for a night enough to make me want to go back, but haven’t had the long trip experience…I hear good things.
• I wonder around Pepsi Center sporting events sometimes and think that we should be making fun of that place instead of the DMV.
• My brother sent over this cool tune and you should check it out. Grandson-Blood in the Water.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-U8ruIQyA
• Did you ever put much thought into buying a tune on iTunes and realize you spend $1.00 to play it at a bar in front of people (sometimes more if you want to hear it next), and $.29 more to OWN it…not much of an investment.
• I have someone who will be teaching me tagging my website at work next week…the flood gates will open, my friends.
• I think Zagg is in the right business, as their fancy screen shield is $40 and pretty much is a clear piece of heavy duty plastic.
• I will be sitting across from the Lifeguard (Anthony) next year at work, and know he is a pop culture expert and my this and that part will become hilarious starting in the new year with his input (well, he won’t know it).
• He is called the Lifeguard because he runs over rapidly to share fun facts if he hears you talking about a movie or show.
• I hate when you change a password and it becomes difficult to type the letters quickly.
• Everyone says “be safe” during the holidays like every person is going to wrestle a bull or climb a mountain.
• It doesn’t matter how experienced I get in my line of work, sales prospects still have no concept of the ideology of helping me out and making things not last minute.
• I think technology is booming, but we still rely on old buildings more than I would think at this point.
• I think when deciding whether to go see Aquaman in the theater or not, you need to weigh in the fact that Pitbull actually covered Toto-Africa and that sounds horrifically scary.
• I believe that the Wombats song called Bee Sting is a great tune and kind of reminds me of something from the Singles soundtrack in the 90’s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksYr6RVRDuM
• I feel a little lazy when I get people’s fancy family Christmas cards.
• I feel like I am reading a joke on all of us when reading that Trump shut down the government until he gets his freaking border wall.
• When you wonder how far behind the U.S. is in niceness to its inhabitants, know that The Netherlands is literally PAYING people to bicycle places.
• Do you think you will die before or after Survivor goes off air?
• I get that we need to cater to gluten-free people, but I think that ordering one HUNDRED tacos ALL corn is crossing the line as corn tortillas are not good with breakfast burritos.
• I am happy to report I started raking the leaves in my yard, and am unhappy to report snow and cold came before I finished actually picking them up in bags.
• Josh Blue is the most refreshing comedian out there, and he makes you walk out of the performance both in a good mood and wondering what the hell you are bitching at daily in life.
• The Voice announced its winner, and she was very, very underwhelming to me in comparison to 2-3 other singers.
• I am three episodes from finishing Ozark, and although good, it still leaves me with the feeling of “HOW are these people still alive???”
• I am not smart enough to put this together, but I like what the NASA guy did in creating a glitter bomb for people stealing Christmas presents.
• I am excited for the next Secret Life of Pets, and hope they make them for the rest of my days.
• I like breweries. They are cool.  I like the tours.  Linds and I sat next to a guy at Hops and Pie on Tennyson that was less than 10 breweries away from doing every Colorado brewery and about 800 total breweries in his life.  Good job, Cooper.
• On that same adventure, we did Tennyson Tap and Berkley Inn (same street). One had live music, one had pool tables and karaoke, therefore I will be going back to both.  In karaoke, I felt a low key crowd so kept it light with Midnight Blue, Patience, and Walking in Memphis.  Oh, and even better, I found a Golden Tee machine at Berkley Inn.  Boom goes the dynamite.
• Berkley Inn had a bathroom that I have always found confusing. You know.  Locking door, but really spacious, and a toilet and a urinal.  I am never sure if I am weird when I come out as only one person, or whether I am weird for not locking the door when I use one of them.
• I HIGHLY recommend Bar Dough for brunch the next time you are near the Highlands. Bottomless, delicious breakfast pasta, delicious breakfast sandwich, and from the looks of it, our neighbors had a delicious looking breakfast pizza complete with potatoes on it.
• Always ask a server or bartender what THEY eat regularly.
• I will never be sure how far I got in fantasy football, but it wasn’t far and surely had the word “consolation” somewhere in my bracket name.
• So, we have America’s Got Talent, we have American Idol, we have The Voice, and we have something called the Masked Singer or something. But, I just noticed a commercial for the “The World’s Best,” which struck me as a similar thing, but with an audience of judges kind of resembling the Star Wars senate in the early episodes (the bad ones).
• I heard someone talking about “secret” Facebook pages. That is a real thing?
• Linds rewatched some of Blockers the other night when I was in the room, and it was like I remembered it as A) not great but had moments (kind of like a Jim Carrey newer movie) and B) John Cena was magnificent and made it worth seeing alone.
• Watching Christmas Story on Christmas Eve never gets old for me.
• We had a Christmas dinner, and it is nice that Lindsey’s family recognizes I am just better in any other room than the kitchen as I am no help on anything at all.
• If you are looking for a fun service to go to Christmas Eve if yours is boring, you need to check out Pete Hiett at The Sanctuary in the Highlands, as he is a character every single year (one year he was Arnold Schwarzenegger).
• Somehow Lindsey tracked down mac and cheese flavored candy canes.
• I feel like Austin should be warm all the time, and wasn’t too happy that apparently we are hitting a cold front.
• I can try and blind myself to the infomercial, but I kind of want that Flex-Tape (the thing that holds water out of the canoe).
• (I don’t want it as I would spend more time trying to break it rather than fixing things)
• We are all tough Colorado people, but having a broken car heater makes you feel a little more vulnerable (first thing to be wrong with my ride since the purchase).
• Just like I marvel at the dedication and financial management when I see a homeless person at the YMCA, and just like I am not totally mad at homeless people at corners who get picked up in a Lexus, I also am not mad at the homeless guy who pulled the GoFundMe stunt because I admire his creativity.
• I find it irritating when people at work say they have nothing to do, as we are in sales, and there is always something to do until we have 100% of all prospects as clients.
• I was supposed to write more of this LAST night, and I can get a lot done when Lindsey watches Dateline as I tune it out, but she put on one with Ted Bundy and I couldn’t turn away.
• I think perhaps showing Russian leaders Rocky IV again might stop them from releasing this unstoppable missile, the Avanguard.

TWEET OF THE WEEK:

THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK:

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

I’d take legacy over money.

Anthony Davis

We can’t run from who we are.  Our destiny chooses us.

Professor Petrovsky (Rounders)

(snuck another viewing in this weekend)

Well, if they’re big and you’re small, then you’re mobile and they’re slow. You’re hidden and they’re exposed. You only fight battles you know you can win.

Brill (Enemy of the State)

LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE:

https://deadspin.com/i-cant-stop-thinking-about-jim-nantz-calling-tom-brady-1831179119

https://deadspin.com/zion-williamson-bonked-his-forehead-on-the-damn-backboa-1831189240

https://theconcourse.deadspin.com/visionary-brain-genius-elon-musk-has-invented-the-world-1831210269

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25566382/luka-doncic-your-average-nba-rookie-knows-it

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/12/20/eric-reid-panthers-nfl-random-drug-testing

https://deadspin.com/dunking-autofellating-otter-at-oregon-zoo-dies-at-20-1831243329

https://deadspin.com/oh-wait-never-mind-the-rockets-are-dead-again-1831248801

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25583225/10-things-like-including-steph-curry-nba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MbU15JfQFA

https://deadspin.com/here-is-a-heartwarming-video-of-demarcus-cousins-dunkin-1831265622

https://deadspin.com/luka-doncics-step-back-jumper-is-as-smooth-as-it-gets-1831258990

http://digg.com/video/adam-sandler-chris-farley-tribute

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25595315/towson-solomon-uyaelunmo-gives-la-salle-gift-dunk-own-basket

https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2018/12/21/stephen-smith-josh-gordon-addiction-mental-health-first-take-espn

https://news.avclub.com/kevin-spacey-charged-with-felony-sexual-assault-releas-1831300806

BY THE NUMBERS:

362

201

0

811

1:21

THIS WEEK’S LIST:

I am going to Austin this weekend with my wife to kickoff the new year.  Given that we chose it randomly after a couple of searches when we wanted to go somewhere fun for NYE, it got me thinking of my favorite cities I have been to.  Here are my favorites of LARGE cities in the geographical U.S.

1. San Diego-combination of beach, harbor, parks, and cool inland make it my favorite
2. New Orleans-you can’t top the party, the food, the culture, the history
3. Boston-obviously, it has the history, but amazingly a GREAT walking town given its size
4. Nashville-Vegas with a country western flavor
5. Chicago-you have to miss the bad parts, but the good parts are worth the while
6. Portland-eccentric, different, rainy, but awesome
7. Miami-I can’t put a city with that many waterways and beaches any further down this list
8. Seattle-the grimy parts are grimy, but the harbor parts are special
9. Charleston-historical, beautiful, just nice
10. Virginia Beach-the tunnels get old, but the hidden beaches north of town are fantastic
11. Pittsburgh-use to be a crappy town, now it is a tech hub and a great walking town

(I didn’t count Vegas on purpose-in its own category)

THE RIDDLE:

No riddle this time, but I have a fun one brewing for next time.

CLOSING:

Oh, the theme.  Well, as you know I married into a Sooner family.  And, as I mentioned, we randomly picked Austin as our NYE destination this year.  And, it so happens that we will be in Austin when the Sooners play the Tide.  And, it is well known that the Longhorns and Sooners are arch rivals.  Therefore, I will be the Enemy of the State.  The words fell into place of course, but the MOVIE is an underrated MASTERPIECE from back in the day.  Gene and Will at their best.  You should go rent it and forgive it that cutting edge technology is now a little more dated, but be glad that your friends missed out on this great undercover flick.  Enjoy.  You are welcome.

That’s it for today.  Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed.  Remember two things.  First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf.  Second,  if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker.  Will I blog again?  That is a CLOWN question, bro.

Talk to you next week.  Happy New Year!

I will be here if you need me:

PICS:

I attended one of my wife’s painting classes for her work party.  This is what mine looked like:

Me and my lady at our holiday party from the terrace at the Denver Nature & Science Museum:

If you want some Golden Doodles, I know where a big stash all the time is:

And I was about 20 feet away from Luka watching past and present at the Nuggets game:

Lots of Austin, TX pics next time…

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

THROW IT BACK

brees-payton now #2 qb-coach duo wins

manu u fires manager

skins montae nicholson and female companion charged with assault

mo’ne davis to attend hampton, play softball

tulsa’s dax hill, five star, flips back to UM from bama

Ohio State wins recruiting war with um

Felton schroder suspended game

celtics baynes out broken hand

mother of clubs ss russell neglect

John legend nephew wr commits to minn

cp3 injury

execs say lebron tampered AD

ravens will retain harbaugh as coach next year

cousins dunks on KD in practice

raiders looking to play in san fran 2019

nfl might alter weed policy

yanks cabathia had hea