The Fog of Work

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to Paris-Roubaix, Tom Boonen, Stuart O'Grady, Hollywood Cycles, and the Nature Valley Grand Prix!

Check It

2009-04-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Check it: Ohio State basketball bench-warmer applies for '09 NBA Draft.

This kind of reminds me of the time that I actually intended to apply for the '00 NBA Draft*. In the end, I didn't follow through out of concern for my eligibility in my real sport, though I really didn't/don't think my eligibility would have been at risk. But, the NCAA is a fickle mistress and all, so...

*I've never played an organized game of basketball in my life.

Michael Kinahan, Former Green Death Coach

2009-03-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

From Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA) via Deadspin:

THE COACH’S ORIGINAL E-MAIL

Congratulations on being selected for Team 7 (forest green shirts) of the Scituate Soccer Club! My name is Michael and I have been fortunate enough to be selected to coach what I know will be a wonderful group of young ladies. Chris Mac will also be coaching and I expect the ever popular Terry to return to the sidelines. Our first game will be Saturday April 4 at 10:00AM. There will be a half hour of skills followed by a 1 hour game, so total time will be 1.5 hours. All games will be played on the fields in the front of the High School. Each player will be required to wear shin guards and cleats are recommended but not required. A ball will be provided to each player at the first meeting, and each player should bring the ball to games and practices. There is no set practice time allotted for the U8 teams, but I will convene with the coaches to determine the best time and place. If there are cancellations due to rain, all notices will be posted via the Scituate Soccer Club website, no calls will be made (though I will try to send an email). Attached is the Schedule and Code of Conduct. After listening to the head of the referees drone on for about 30 minutes on the dangers of jewelry (time which I will never get back), no player will be allowed to play with pierced ears, hairclips, etc. We used to tape the earings, but that practice is no longer acceptable. Please let me know if your child has any health issues that I need to be aware of. My home phone is 781 XXX XXXX, my cell number is 781 XXX XXXX, and I check my email frequently. According to my wife, my emails get too wordy, so for those of you read too slowly, are easily offended, or are too busy, you can stop here. For the others……

OK, here’s the real deal: Team 7 will be called Green Death. We will only acknowledge “Team 7” for scheduling and disciplinary purposes. Green Death has had a long and colorful history, and I fully expect every player and parent to be on board with the team. This is not a team, but a family (some say cult), that you belong to forever. We play fair at all times, but we play tough and physical soccer. We have some returning players who know the deal; for the others, I only expect 110% at every game and practice. We do not cater to superstars, but prefer the gritty determination of journeymen who bring their lunch pail to work every week, chase every ball and dig in corners like a Michael Vick pit bull. Unless there is an issue concerning the health of my players or inside info on the opposition, you probably don’t need to talk to me. Coach MacDonald has been designated “good guy” this year.

Some say soccer at this age is about fun and I completely agree. However, I believe winning is fun and losing is for losers. Ergo, we will strive for the “W” in each game. While we may not win every game (excuse me, I just got a little nauseated) I expect us to fight for every loose ball and play every shift as if it were the finals of the World Cup. While I spent a good Saturday morning listening to the legal liability BS, which included a 30 minute dissertation on how we need to baby the kids and especially the refs, I was disgusted. The kids will run, they will fall, get bumps, bruises and even bleed a little. Big deal, it’s good for them (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding). If the refs can’t handle a little criticism, then they should turn in their whistle. The sooner they figure out how to make a decision and live with the consequences the better. My heckling of the refs is actually helping them develop as people. The political correctness police are not welcome on my sidelines. America’s youth is becoming fat, lazy and non-competitive because competition is viewed as “bad”. I argue that competition is good and is important to the evolution of our species and our survival in what has become an increasingly competitive global economy and dangerous world. Second place trophies are nothing to be proud of as they serve only as a reminder that you missed your goal; their only useful purpose is as an inspiration to do that next set of reps. Do you go to a job interview and not care about winning? Don’t animals eat what they kill (and yes, someone actually kills the meat we eat too – it isn’t grown in plastic wrap)? And speaking of meat, I expect that the ladies be put on a diet of fish, undercooked red meat and lots of veggies. No junk food. Protein shakes are encouraged, and while blood doping and HGH use is frowned upon, there is no testing policy. And at the risk of stating the obvious, blue slushies are for winners.

These are my views and not necessarily the views of the league (but they should be). I recognize that my school of thought may be an ideological shift from conventional norms. But it is imperative that we all fight the good fight, get involved now and resist the urge to become sweat-xedo-wearing yuppies who sit on the sidelines in their LL Bean chairs sipping mocha-latte-half-caf-chinos while discussing reality TV and home decorating with other feeble-minded folks. I want to hear cheering, I want to hear encouragement, I want to get the team pumped up at each and every game and know they are playing for something.

Lastly, we are all cognizant of the soft bigotry that expects women and especially little girls, to be dainty and submissive; I wholeheartedly reject such drivel. My overarching goal is develop ladies who are confident and fearless, who will stand up for their beliefs and challenge the status quo. Girls who will kick ass and take names on the field, off the field and throughout their lives. I want these girls to be winners in the game of life. Who’s with me?

Go Green Death!

KINAHAN’S RESIGNATION

Team, After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from all coaching responsibilities related to Team 7 this season. Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that some parents and the Board of Scituate Soccer failed to see the humor in my pre-season email. For the avoidance of doubt, the email was largely (albeit not completely) meant in jest and with the goal of giving the parents a chuckle while enduring yet another round of organized youth sports. It was also meant as a satire of those who take youth sports too seriously for the wrong reasons. My overarching goal is the well-being of my players, and I do not want any player to feel uncomfortable, nor do I want to see the team disbanded because of a lack of active players. Therefore, while I’d prefer to go down swinging, it’s really about the kids and it just makes more sense for me to take the year off.

While I respectfully disagree with the Board's interpretation of my comments, I believe that they should be commended for their immediate actions to address the concerns of the offended parties. The Board’s action proves that the chain of command is functioning as designed. Board members volunteer their valuable time and I do not plan to add to their already significant workload. I also respect those parents who were offended as I am sure they acted in the best interest of their children. While I may question their sense of humor, I have no right to question their judgment regarding their children. Perhaps we may even have beer (I’ll buy) and a couple of laughs at the end of all of this.

And while I am sorry some people failed to see the humor, I do not apologize for my actions; I wrote it, I think it's funny and I do have a distaste for the tediousness of overbearing political correctness. Furthermore, I was serious about parental involvement as I do believe parents should cheer and encourage players (in a positive fashion obviously) so that the kids feel the excitement that comes from team competition. And most importantly, I was completely serious that I want to see each young girl develop a positive self image, self-confidence and the will to succeed in any endeavor that she desires. Lastly, I have added some comments to my initial email (in capitals) to clarify several points that may have been viewed as offensive.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Kinahan

Go Green Death!

Great story...

2009-03-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

...about Sid. It'll be a sad day when he's gone.

With 4+ million newly unemployed...

2009-03-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

...will Obama strike while the iron's hot and swing for the fences and other metaphors and try for universal health care?

There may not have been a better time to do so since the Great Depression.

W.

2009-02-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Worse: President or movie?

For Ray

2009-02-25T15:11:00.001-08:00

Question

2009-02-18T23:01:00.000-08:00

Question:
Did any player get screwed more by MLB's "Steroid Era" than Ken Griffey Jr?

Tour of California Signage

2009-02-11T14:40:00.001-08:00

I'm attending two days of the Tour of California. I've been pondering for some time what my homemade sign would read.

Thanks to today's New York Times, I've settled on one of my previous ideas. My sign will read:

Armstrong
=
Dopee

I need a ruling here.

2009-02-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

So, what's protocol when you find two abandoned puppies in the tall grass while riding just north of the Salinas River and there's no one or house in sight?

Tommy Lasorda asks, "What is an Isotope?"

2009-02-05T15:29:00.000-08:00

...when what he should've asked is, "You named your Triple-A team after the baseball-playing cartoon characters on 'The Simpsons'? Really?"

Vroom Vroom The Party Starter

2009-02-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

Best commercial of the Sooper Bowl.

Bud Light - Conan O'Brien's Swedish Commercial | Viral | SPIKE.com

The Pick

2009-02-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

Pittsburgh 11 (-7)
Arizona 5

Spanish Tutor's G-Talk Status Update

2009-01-27T22:42:00.000-08:00

In which the author posts his former Spanish tutor's (female; 23 years old; educated at a prestigious U.S. university) updated Google Talk status.

Current status:
"cansada de la gente estupida"

Twitter

2009-01-27T18:43:00.000-08:00

Twitter killed the blog star(s).

Spanish Tutor's G-Talk Status -- Update!

2009-01-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

In which Tuffy posts his former Spanish tutor's (female; 23 years old; educated at a prestigeous U.S. university) Google Talk status. Today's status:

"so tired of bullshit"

78 awards in 26 categories...

2009-01-25T21:23:00.001-08:00

...equals 75 awards and 25 categories too many.

If I Could Teach the World to Sing

2009-01-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

Bob Knight / Mpls / Jan 22

2009-01-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

Bob Knight will broadcast the Minnesota v Purdue game for ESPN from Williams Arena on Thu Jan 22. In this clip, Knight expounds on his impression of the Boilermakers:

The Retirement Tribute Ever. Ever.

2009-01-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

From Deadspin:

Jeff Kent Will Fight No More Forever

By Rick Chandler, 5:15 PM on Wed Jan 21 2009, 2,897 views

Irascible shooter of critters Jeff Kent, the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen and super arch-enemy of Barry Bonds and Milton Bradley, is calling it quits.

Don't expect Bonds to be at the retirement party; the two had several notorious run-ins during their time as San Francisco Giants. Kent spent six seasons there, redefining himself as a player, winning a National League MVP award (2000) and appearing in a World Series (2002) in which he hit three home runs. No, he did not play well with others, whether it be superstars who reportedly took steroids, or forest animals which he enjoyed peppering with buckshot. He also famously "fell off his pickup truck while washing it" in 2002, which is code for "fell off his motorcycle while dicking around during the exhibition season," which would have been in violation of his Giants contract. That lie kind of ruined the holier-than-thou image for me.

Not to mention his being both a Giant and a Dodger. It's the most dickish move in all of baseball, being that the two are such hated rivals. Yes, it's an even worse move than Yankees-Red Sox, because at least with those teams, the money gives you an excuse. There's really no reason to move up or down the California coast; it's like giving the finger to every one of your former fans. Yeah, the Astros came in between there, but still.

But that was Kent, who had no real warm spot in his heart for anyone except his family, with whom he has expressed a desire to spend more time. Ironic to think that, if he does make it back to the majors, Bonds will have outlasted the prickly mustachioed one. I've always thought of Kent as a gnarled old chew toy who would be around forever, or at least until they found a cure for churlishness.

Conference Championship Picks

2009-01-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

phi (-4) over ARI
bal (+6) over PIT

Playoff Record: 2-6
Season Record: 10-14

I See The Future and It Will Be

2009-01-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

"The future of the future will still contain the past
Time goes slow and time goes fast..."

http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=v6119lu6

Reference:
News Cut

Carlin

2009-01-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

I was out of the country when George Carlin passed away on June 22 and didn't return until over a month after his death.

I just got word of his passing the other day.

Garmin-Chipotle Inadvertantly Leaks '09 Kit

2009-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

The Garmin-Chipotle pro cycling team (seemingly) inadvertantly leaked an image of their 2009 kit on their web page (SlipstreamSports.com).

Although the team has not officially presented their new duds, the '09 kit was worn by rider Julian Dean at the New Zealand pro road race championships earlier this month. Garmin-Chipotle included an image of Dean at this race on their website, thus revealing key elements of the kit.

However, someone with the team must have identified the gaffe because the image has now been deleted from the page in question.

The new kit (as observed on the Slipstream site yesterday) is a predominantly white jersey with orange shoulders. The bibs (or shorts) have predominantly blue side panels over black crotch panels.

Here's the link to the page where the photo had been posted:
http://www.slipstreamsports.com/2009/01/11/new-zealand-national-road-championship-results

UPDATE (4:44 PM EST):

The pic (and new kit design) has been reposted. Here you are:

Divisional Picks

2009-01-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

bal (+3) over TEN
CAR (-10) over ari
NYG (-4) over phi
sd (+6) over PIT

Playoff Record: 1-3
Season: 9-11

Wild Card Picks

2009-01-01T19:43:00.000-08:00

atl (-2) over ARI
ind (pk) over SD
MIA (+3) over bal
phi (-3) over MIN

Playoff Record: 0-0
Year-To-Date: 8-8

Week End Roll Call

2008-12-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

In memory of those who left us during the past seven days.

W. Mark Felt (August 17, 1913 - December 18, 2008)
A Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, and three other teams from 1968-1979, Felt is perhaps best remembered for establishing the Yankee pitching tradition of performance enhancing drug use, carried on by Andy Pettite, Jason Grimsley, and ~~Roger Clemens~~. Prior to his tenure as a Yankee and according to legend (and, uh, his autobiography), Felt pitched on short notice for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the San Diego Padres on June 12, 1970 while still under the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide, a performance enhancer then untested by MLB. The result? A no-hitter.

Dock Ellis (March 11, 1945 - December 19, 2008)
While serving as Associate Director of the FBI in 1972, Ellis famously acted as the anonymous source, "Deep Throat" for a series of Washington Post articles published by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Ellis, who established a relationship with Woodward through a chance meeting years earlier, confirmed elements of Woodward's investigative reporting by way of Ellis' access to classified information. Woodward and Bernstein's series of articles pertaining to the Watergate burglary investigation spanned a nearly two-year period and eventually led to the resignation of President Nixon, along with the convictions of several high-level government figures. Labeled a traitor by many conservatives, the true identity of Ellis as "Deep Throat" was not revealed to the public until 2005.

Reference
W. Mark Felt, "Deep Throat" of Watergate, Dead at 95 (CNN)
Ex-Pitcher Ellis Dies of Liver Disease (ESPN)

Bob Collins' Featured Comment of the Week

2008-12-19T20:51:00.000-08:00

An MPR.org reader scours Bob Collins' blog regularly to find his cleverest, boldest, most enlightening comments, and presents them on their front page. Here is one of those comments...

"We're a busy Cincinnati."

2008-12-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

ind (-6.5) over JAX
bal (+4.5) over DAL
MIA (-4) over kc
cin (+3) over CLE
sf (-5.5) over STL
no (-6.5) over DET
NE (-9) over ari
pit (+1.5) over TEN
TAM (-3.5) over sd
DEN (-5.5) over buf
hou (-7) over OAK
nyj (-5) over SEA
phi (-4) over WAS
atl (+3) over MIN
car (+3) over NYG
gb (+4.5) over CHI

2008-03-28T10:01:00.009-07:00

2007-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Six months since the plug was pulled. Still not looking back.

2007-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

An Idea

2007-03-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Are USA Cycling racing categories designed to a) protect against sandbaggers taking victories from lesser riders or b) protect "better", "more experienced" riders from the great unwashed masses?

If the answer is the former, I completely understand. And there should be something to protect against that.

However, if the answer is the latter, I don't get it. For instance, let's say a Category 4 rider has the skill and fitness to compete in a Category 1/2 race -- why shouldn't he/she be able to? What's the harm? Why, in essence, keep a legitimately strong rider from competing? Does meeting some arbitrary "minimums" suddenly make someone a credible rider? I don't think so.

Thus, why does USA Cycling even bother to have upgrade minimums? If someone is stoopid enough to upgrade to a level beyond their competence, why stop them? They will get shelled anyway, so no one will be out anything.

Thoughts?

Where have you been, Tuffy?

2007-03-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

a) I've been outside. Get there. It's wonderful
b) I've taken on a second job. Have to get some extra cash for the H3 I'm buying this summer.

PS: My NCAA bracket is in shards. I'll post the final tally next week.

Finally: Looks like Ale-Jet Petacchi is giving Erik Zabel a run for his money as "best lead-out man in the world".

How did I do?

2007-03-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

Florida
~~Maryland~~
Oregon
~~Wisconsin~~
Kansas
Southern Illinois
Pitt
UCLA
North Carolina
~~Texas~~
~~Washington State~~
Georgetown
Ohio State
Tennessee
~~Louisville~~
Memphis

That makes me 39-9 overall.

However, my bracket is cooked. The Texas loss did me in...

A Star is Born?

2007-03-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Discovery Channel's Alberto Contador spent his week winning two stages of Paris-Nice and the overall GC, thanks to an escape on the final climb on the final stage.

Just 24, could Contador be a "star on the rise" to complement, then displace, Disco's Ivan Basso?

Went riding with SuperRookie yesterday...

2007-03-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Went riding with SuperRookie yesterday. At one point, we came upon another unknown rider and SR decided he wanted to beat the bloke to the city limit sign just up ahead.

Here's what happened (with thanks to HotPinkEvil for getting all of this on her hot, pink, and evil digital camcorder):

Just so you can play along at home...

2007-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Here are Tuffy's 2nd Round Picks:
Florida
Maryland
Oregon
Wisconsin
Kansas
Southern Illinois
Pitt
UCLA
North Carolina
Texas
Washington State
Georgetown
Ohio State
Tennessee
Louisville
Memphis

Good luck in your pool(s)!

If a tree falls in the woods...

2007-03-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

If you fill out the best bracket you've ever completed but don't enter it...

I just checked my NCAA men's basketball bracket after all the first round games were completed.

My results? Of 32 games, my record right now is 28-4. Twenty-eight and four. I can't friggin' believe it.

The part I can't believe the most? I'm not in any tourney pools. Not one.

I filled out a bracket on Tuesday morning, meant to enter a bunch of friends' pools, and never got around to it.

Now, I'm stuck with my masterpiece, and potentially nothing to show for it.

Here are the games I got wrong...
~~Texas Tech over Boston College~~ -- I'm a Bob Knight fan. What can you say?
~~Duke over VCU~~ -- When in doubt, go with the better program. Except for this year.
~~Gonzaga over Indiana~~ -- Couldn't really care less about these two teams.
~~Villanova over Kentucky~~ -- Really thought this was Tubby's swan song.

But...here's the best part:
All the winning teams of the games I got wrong I have going out in the next round anyway...

Overjoyed and completely frustrated at the same time...

PS: Here's my Final Four...
Oregon
Kansas
Texas
Memphis

Cat's Outta The Bag

2007-03-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

[image caption] LGR womens phenom King Kongsley in the formerly mysterious LGR '07 kit.

Flipped Out

2007-03-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

Flip Saunders-to-U of M Update:

Source: "There's zero chance of Flip Saunders coaching at Minnesota."

Oh...

2007-03-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

...and this makes five posts in one day. A new record.

Search Terms

2007-03-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

The second highest search term for the site today was "horse+pussy"...

Grumpy's / LGR Update

2007-03-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

Just an update on my new cycling team, Grumpy's / LGR, for all of you who don't read SuperRookie's site...

The team got our first result of the season on Saturday as King Kongsley strolled to a sweet 4th place finish in a race out on the Left Coast.

The same day, seven LGR riders embarked on the first serious team ride of the year heading east out of the Twin Cities towards Afton. A great ride was somewhat tempered by some mechanical issues, but a good time/workout was had by all.

The weekend was topped off by a team meeting on Sunday evening. I think the thing that I'm most excited about with this squad was visible on Sunday night in the form of:

--a tremendous vision for the future of a brand new team

--a willingness by everyone involved to contribute to the team

--a willingness by team leadership to delegate authority and to be open to new ideas

--a commitment to transparency in team communication and function

--a great sense of positivity about the team and the season to come

I'm happy to be a part of LGR.

Shop X

2007-03-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Let me take a minute to clarify my position on Shop X:

I have no beef with Shop X. My dealings with Shop X were always professional and smooth. Shop X has good employees, helpful and dedicated in all capacities. Shop X was a fine sponsor.

Bottom line: I AM NOT TRASHING SHOP X.

But, when you put out a shop calendar and don't bother to include the team that you sponsor, well, that's kind of stoopid, I think.

Uniform Nooz

2007-03-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

New San Diego Chargers uniforms with the image courtesy of wherever UniWatchBlog.com pulled it from.

The big news here is the white helmet and the inclusion of powder blue as an old/new color.

Click on the image for better detail/resolution.

Sponsorship Nooz

2007-03-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

So, it seems like everyday that my decision to switch teams for the '07 season was the right one.

Today's case-in-point:

I'm still on the mailing list from my old teams' shop sponsor. Checked my mail today, and lo and behold, the new Shop X Bike Race / Event Calendar. I paged through it looking for some sweet pics of my old squad.

What did I find?

Not one picture of my old team.

Shop X's owner couldn't find one month out of the twelve to publicize the only true team flying his name. Not one fucking month. Not even February, fer chrissakes.

Oh, there were pictures of riders from other local teams, though. There were infinitely more pictures of Grand Performance/SPBRC and Loon State riders than there were of my old squad.

And, in the shop owner's final "Tuffy's Old Squad Can Kiss My Ass" salute, the shop owner found the space to include not one, not two, but three pictures of himself -- including the mf'ing cover.

Must be a proud day for the old team...

Chas Walters: Commenting on the Youth of America

2007-03-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

[image caption] Reed Larson thinks that the kids of today have a lot of shit between their ears.

From the St. Paul Pioneer-Press column of Charlie Walters:
Former Detroit Red Wings star Reed Larson, on his alma mater, Minneapolis Roosevelt, having had just one player on a City Conference hockey co-op team this season: "I know there's a whole bunch of trophies in the hallway at Roosevelt just collecting dust, and I don't know if all that history means anything anymore to those people in the hallways."

No, Mr. Larson, your hockey experiences of the 1970s don't mean shit to those kids. They look at that trophy case not for the plastic-on-marble exhibits exemplifying the past athletic acheivements and glory of their fellow Mpls Roosevelt Teddies, but, instead, in hopes of seeing their beautiful reflection in the glass.

Here's a better explanation of why:

"Study finds today's college kids a bunch of self-centered assholes"

Prepared to be stoopified

2007-03-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

The baddest kits on Planet Tuffy have arrived in Tuffy Town. Prepare to be stoopified.

And don't forget the sunglasses.

Ranking the 2007 ProTour Team Kits

2007-03-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

20. Discovery Channel

Likes: Nothing, really; this is a terrible, terrible kit

Dislikes: Color combo; Vertical sponsor name; Huge planet on hip; Asymmetry; Yellow cuff for guy who doesn't even ride anymore

19. Liquigas

Likes: The shade of green they use has possibilities, though it's a remnant from a former sponsor

Dislikes: That striping (which continues onto the bibs) is an absolute eyesore; Blech

18. Astana

Likes: The fact that this team no longer has to dress up in those Liberty-Seguros clown suits

Dislikes: One word -- teal; More words -- fellas, get rid of the Liberty-Seguros kit template already!

17. Saunier-Duval

Likes: The interplay between the white and yellow; the fact that its not their 2006 kit

Dislikes: There are better ways to do yellow/white/black (see: Tinkoff); plus, they're using that same asymmetrical grey stripe, a la 2003 FDJ

16. Euskaltel-Euskadi

Likes: Well, it's unique

Dislikes: Orange with green accents? Really? At least they're going with orange/black bibs this year

15. Rabobank

Likes: Blue and orange can look really good

Dislikes: Blue and orange look really bad here; asymmetry

14. Unibet.com

Likes: Good color scheme and good logo

Dislikes: The logo is too small on the chest and those fading polka-dots remind you of the Birchwood spanks ("spanks" is used lovingly)

13. Bouygues Telecom

Likes: It looks like they've darkened up the blue a tone or two since last year

Dislikes: Still looks a little off; the Bouygues Telecom logo sucks; asymmetry

12. Predictor-Lotto

Likes: They went out on a major limb using a unique color

Dislikes: Their sponsor is a pregnancy test and it doesn't look pink, it looks salmon; asymmetry

11. Gerolsteiner

Likes: It's not terrible

Dislikes: They've lost their way since they traded navy for baby blue a few years ago; ab graphics; asymmetry

10. AG2R

Likes: It's unique and not quite terrible. Blue/yellow/white are ok together.

Dislikes: Blue/yellow/white don't look great together (hear me, LSC?); what's with that graphic on the gut?

9. Lampre

Likes: Very original; makes asymmetry look good; blue/hot pink work well together

Dislikes: No real changes from 2006 kit

8. Milram

Likes: A very classic kit template; the more you look at it, the more you like it

Dislikes: They've added a red stripe to the bibs this year to match the chest, but it doesn't look all that good

7. Caisse d'Espargne

Likes: The pattern in the black gives a "textured" look; black/red/white is always cool

Dislikes: What's with the red shoulder triangles?

6. T-Mobile

Likes: The only true classic in the ProTour right now; T-Mobile's had this same template in place since they switched their name from Team Telekom

Dislikes: I'm all about UNICEF and poor kids in Africa...except when it messes with good kit design

5. Cofidis

Likes: Finally, someone picked up the Saeco all-red kit torch; a massive improvement from their 2005-06 kits, which were terrible

Dislikes: The red front / white back could work, or it could look hideous; whoever the fat model was who modeled this jersey; phone numbers on a kit

4. Francaise des Jeux

Likes: Simple. Stylish. White.

Dislikes: When they use those blue bibs in the Classics -- let's hope they don't this year

3. CSC

Likes: Black/red/white looks good, with the bonus of more red this year; the ab graphics; the "feather" shoulder graphics

Dislikes: Their best kit was the 2004 version, and they're moving farther away from that kit every year

2. Quick-Step

Likes: A very classy, and classic, look for 2007; Solid blue with grey sleeves -- nice, simple, understated

Dislikes: That Boonen's not in the rainbow kit this year

1. Credit-Agricole

Likes: Great color scheme; great interplay between jersey and bibs (white highlights continue onto bibs)

Dislikes: That they don't win more

Speed-Reading CNN.com This Afternoon

2007-03-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

[image caption] "After I huffed and I puffed, I still never really thought that I could go ahead and blow y'all's houses down. And for that, I'm sorry," said Bush.

After speed-reading the front page of CNN.com this afternoon, I'm amazed more people aren't talking about these strange news stories.

For instance, I learned that Steven Speilberg, along with being an Academy Award-winning director, is also an art thief. When his alter-ego was discovered by the FBI, Speilberg holed himself up in his Norco, California home. Soon after, the FBI started a fire to try to smoke Speilberg out, only to find him holding over a million rounds of ammo. The FBI also found that Speilberg was in the beginning stages of digging a tunnel to China.

In other news, the hot air constantly emitted by President Bush caused a tornado in Alabama and Georgia. After apologizing for his gaffe, Bush urged citizens affected by the storm to, "Hang in there."

NASCAR Trivia

2007-03-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

Trivia time for all you NASCAR dorks out there (and you know who you are)...

QUESTION: In Spring 2001, Dale Earnhardt Jr. visited the Twin Cities. While in our fair metropolis, which of the following did "Junior" NOT do?

OPTIONS:

a) Make out with a Budweiser sales representative in a posh Minneapolis hotel

b) Ride the Zamboni at a Minnesota Wild game

c) Visit the HUB Hobby Center at MN Hwy 36 and Rice Street

Post your best guesses in the Comments section. If there is a tie, bonus points will be awarded to the person who picks the correct answer AND explains why that answer is not true.

You Must Be...

2007-02-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Lion King

2007-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

For Skibby...just to make him uncomfortable with his own masculinity...

2007-02-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

(image caption) Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young: not a genius.

As we get closer to the NFL Draft, you may hear more and more about the Wonderlic test taken by prospective NFL players at the annual Scouting Combine.

The test itself is simple intelligence quotient test. Players are given 15 minutes to answer as many of 50 questions correctly.

Two players have ever scored perfectly, including current St. Louis Ram quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Harvard alum. Many players have scored very, very low, perhaps most notably Vince Young's score of six (6) last year.

Want to try for yourself? ESPN made a sample fifteen questions available for public consumption last year. Knock yourself out, and post your results in the Comments section if you wish...

Oops

2007-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:00

Looks like taking a year off from football and that ol' schoolroom hassle didn't turn out so hot for former Gopher Gary Russell. Russell is now preparing himself for the upcoming NFL Draft by taking part in the pre-draft NFL Scouting Combine. According to ProFootballTalk.com, it's not going so well:

"Two days after he vowed not to run the 40-yard dash as slow as Maurice Clarett did it two years ago, former Minnesota running back Gary Russell posted two bad, bad times on Sunday afternoon.

Clarett ran a 4.72 and a 4.82 after being out of football for two full seasons. Russell, who missed the 2006 season because of academics issues, ran a 4.8 and a 4.82.

Russell had to lose 25 pounds to get in shape, and he blamed his ineligibility in 2006 to being lazy.

Based on his history and on his times in the 40, we doubt that Russell will hear his name called at the draft."

Needed This Today

2007-02-24T19:30:00.001-08:00

Do you know what 'nemesis' means?

2007-02-23T23:23:00.000-08:00

Write Your Own Caption

2007-02-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

Morrison v. Mercer

2007-02-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

Early '90s heavyweight boxing star Tommy "The Duke" Morrison announced his return to the ring after 11 years.

Almost fourteen seconds later, "Merciless" Ray Mercer announced, "I'm coming back, too!!!"

Tuffy In Action

2007-02-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite photos from last season...

When: May 23

Where: dOPUS

What: Off-roading to avoid Screech's crash and his taco'ed wheel...

Best Post I've Seen Anywhere In a While

2007-02-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

Kudos to Cour10ay...good stuff...

Feels Like Summer

2007-02-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

After a month of bone chilling cold, today's 42 in Tuffy Town feels like summer. And, you know what summer means?

Dorks in socks and sandals!

Disappear

2007-02-18T08:31:00.000-08:00

From a recent post on Craig's List:

"Looking to disappear, completely. (start a new life privately)
Have no idea where to turn, or how to do this, but need to go soon.
Serious replies only, I can't take this nightmare anymore.

'Why do I want to disappear?' = 'Life is meant to be lived, not survived.' "

Obviously, this is one of the more curious posts I have ever seen on Craig's List, so I decided to search a bit. In a quick Websearch, I turned up this.

Any other ideas or experience in this out there in the audience?

Boogie Nights: Star Wars Edition

2007-02-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

"It looks terrible."

2007-02-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

"It looks terrible."

Media Monopoly

2007-02-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Former NBA star Tim Hardaway "hates gay people." 95% of NBA nods heads in silent agreement.

How to start a media shitstorm? Follow these steps...

From Deadspin.Com:

1) ESPN publishes a book in which a gay former player comes out of the closet.
2) ESPN personalities all jump on this self-created "story" to publicly express that they are indeed tolerant.
3) ESPN personalities ask every living athlete about their thoughts on gay players hoping that...
4) An ESPN personality finally catches a former athlete, who's not up on the latest tolerance talking points.
5) ESPN runs non-stop coverage of said comments.
6) ESPN personalities get to go on camera once again and say how much they're against hate.

The Great White Nope

2007-02-14T20:52:00.001-08:00

So That's It

2007-02-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

So that's it.

I've had enough.

You heard it here first: I'm not responding to your comments anymore. I'm just not. No matter how stupid, inane, hypocritical, self-glorifying...whatever! I'm not responding to them anymore.

I don't know why I ever did in the first place.

You're a jackass. Everyone is clear on this. But your jackassedness makes you such an easy target...it was like shooting gd fish in a barrel.

And I reveled in it.

I reveled in taking you to task every single time.

Every. Single. Time.

Just like at the velodrome.

Every. Single. Time.

But the fun is over.

When I spent almost a half an hour transcribing my thoughts into what might be my best piece of writing in years...well, that's a sign.

And you're not worth that kind of time.

So it's over.

You won't have this guy to abuse you in print any longer. You'll have to find someone else.

Or, you could always abuse yourself. Think about it.

One Less Headache

2007-02-12T17:10:00.000-08:00

So, I have one less headache to report today.

After struggling for sometime about what to do about the ever growing inverse relationship between the price of my cable bill and the quality of service Comcast provides, I pulled the plug.

Sort of.

My demands:

1) Downgrade my service to Basic 1

2) Keep the Sports Tier

Basically, now I have the five local channels plus about 19 variations on QVC, plus English Premier League football. For almost $40 less per month than I was paying yesterday.

It's ok. I haven't been watching the tele much lately anyway. And I'll upgrade for the month of July, then immediately downgrade again.

Screw you, Comcast.

Overheard at the Swap Meet

2007-02-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

Overheard at the Swap Meet:

Shopper: "So, why would I wear bibs instead of shorts?"
Dag: "Bibs don't fall down."

Wiser words have never been spoken...

PS: I stole the photo from your site, Smithers. Deal with it.

Well, that explains a couple of things...

2007-02-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

I was watching Super Bowl XLI on DVR today, and I noticed something I hadn't last Sunday.

Don't know how I missed that...

Missing: Former Major Leaguer

2007-02-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Find Les!

"Yeah, about that check..."

2007-02-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

Then...

January 10, 2005:

"We look forward to developing with Lance and the entire Team Discovery Channel the highest quality programs about healthy living, medical breakthroughs, the science of sports, and cancer survivorship and education for our worldwide audience," says Discovery chief executive Judith McHale in a statement.

And now...

February 9, 2007:

In a statement, Discovery said it was proud to sponsor the team for three seasons, but "we have decided to aggressively shift our focus and resources to support our core business goals and objectives. And our core business goals don't include 2nd-tier pros like George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer nor reclamation projects like Ivan Basso."

Whoops...

Training the Tuffy Way

2007-02-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

This photo has nothing to do with this post, except to highlight Jan Ullrich in his new team kit.

Time to fess up...

Tuffy didn't get fat this winter. Truth is, Tuffy is only a few pounds over his riding weight from last summer/fall.

"How did he do it?" you ask.

Simple. Here's how:
1) Cut a hole in a box
2) Put your...

Wait. That's something else.

Here's what you'll need:

--1 Mountain Dew every day for lunch
--1 CycleOps trainer
--1 BMC SLT01 (Tuffy recommends: 57cm in Swiss)
--4 cycling DVDs (Tuffy recommends: "Overcoming (2 disc set)"; "Hell on Wheels"; 2006 Ronde; 2006 Paris-Roubaix)
--2 CDs of Paul Oakenfold (Tuffy recommends: "Perfecto Presents Another World")
--1 stereo (with amp set to 11)
--2 water bottles
--1 towel
--1 ProTour team kit (Tuffy recommends: a national champ kit)
--1 hour

--5x per week

That's about it. Git 'er dun!

Nobody Fucks With The Jesus

2007-02-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

"Yeah, but he's a pervert, Dude."

Remember...

2007-02-07T17:41:00.000-08:00

Remember those nimrods you went to high school with? The ones who thought it was cool to sleep through class, sneak dips of snuff in the back of the room, and drove the beat up Luminas?

Well, they work at Comcast now.

Signing Day Update

2007-02-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

Today is "National Signing Day" for many Division I schools and sports.

The Gophers have a big ceremony planned at the McNamara Center to announce their football signees this afternoon.

However...

The Gophers have lost one of their "blue chip" recruits in the last 24 hours. Henry Sibley quarterback, Phil Haig, a prep athlete long-expected to sign with the Gophs, has pulled his oral commitment off of the table. Haig was ranked the #26 quarterback nationally by Rivals.Com.

As reported in the Star-Tribune this morning, Haig rescinded his verbal after Gopher Head Coach Tim Brewster's quarterback son, Clint (#17 at Rivals.Com), committed to the Gophers over the weekend. The younger Brewster had been set to attend Illinois.

In a strange twist, Illinois, along with at least one other Big Ten school, is now in pursuit of Haig.

The NCAA signing period extends over the next 14 days, and watching where Haig ends up after the music stops should be interesting.

Super Bowl Yippee!!! Plus, Celebrity Picker!!!

2007-02-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

It's Super Bowl Sunday!!! Time to celebrate!!!

Bonus appearance by this year's Super Bowl Celebrity Picker!!!

The Greatest Excuse Ever

2007-02-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

So, here's the best reason ever to miss Stupor Bowl 10: I just spent the last four hours MCing a meat raffle.

I think I was first exposed to a "meat raffle" while getting sauced during my Morrison/Joplin days at Joe & Stan's on W. 7th in St. Paul with my drinking partner Krugs. And it made me shiver.

And, ever since, the idea of a meat raffle has made me laugh.

But, after doing a little bit of research, I guess I never realized how much a meat raffle is a part of Minnesota-cana.

So, that's where I was during Stupor Bowl: presiding over a meat raffle. I even had to buy a ticket, mainly because I damaged it and it was unsellable.

PS: There was no way I was showing up at Stupor Bowl anyway. It needed to be at least 30 degrees warmer.

No, really -- which suburb are you from?

2007-02-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

So, I'm going with the Colts in "the big game" on Sunday.

(Side note: Why the f is the NFL such a batch of dooshes that it won't allow advertisers to refer to the Super Bowl as the "Super Bowl"? What the shit is this? Imagine if MLB pulled that shit with baseball, and you couldn't call it the "World Series"?!? What the f would they call it? "The Big Best-Out-Of-Seven Game Series"? Get real, NFL; you look like a bunch of chumps acting like this. I digress.)

Anyway, I'm going with Indianapolis because I hate Chicago. Whoops! Let me rephrase that: I still hate Chicago.

Why do I hate Chicago? I'll tell you why: attend college with a bunch of little pricks from Chicago for three or four years. Hear them spout all kinds of bullshit stories, like "I'm from Chicago."

Response? "No, you're not, asshole. You're from Barrington or Deerfield or maybe Oak Park at the closest. But you sure as shit aren't from Chicago proper."

The mob spawn (different from the typical suburban Chicago dooshes) I went to school with were even more impressive. Day after day, decked out in a varitable rainbow of track suit colors, with their zippers down low enough from the porno-esque chest hair to sway freely back and forth in the breeze. And they never showered, either. Check that: they did shower. But their version of a shower was loading up with more cologne. And cologne that was two years past its trendiness date.

Assholes.

(Although, it was one of those mobster wannabes that hurled a Bud bottle across a bar one time at my loudmouth roommate and hit him square in the eye socket. How do I know it was a Bud bottle? "Bud" was imprinted in purple bruising on his eyelid. Quite spectacular, really.)

The best part, however, was being in college during the Wannstedt/Jauron era Bears. The Bears sucked back then. Plus, the Vikes were on top of the world at the time. And that made it a virtual certainty that we could talk shit to these little Chicago suburb Catholic school turds with extra gusto for two weeks out of the year. Plus, we got to kick them when they were down after the Bears would get thumped during Packer Week, too. (Though we then had to listen to those Wisco rubes drone on and on, too, which may have been worse.)

But we always taunted them about the Dan Ryan Expressway. For some reason, Chicagoans are very touchy about the Dan Ryan. I don't exactly know why. But you had to say it that greasy, overweight Chicago drawl..."The Dahn Rihuhn". Rolls right off the tongue.

Assholes. (PS: Not you, Ray...you're cool.)

Go Colts!

Cold Days, Warm Thoughts

2007-02-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Flash Drive

2007-01-31T19:53:00.000-08:00

Seen my flash drive? I haven't. Shit.

Tuffy Not to Defend Title

2007-01-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

Tuffy claims his prize at Stupor Bowl 9 (2006) from (dis)pencer (l) and SuperRookie.

---FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---

Grumpy's / Little Guy Racing

NE Minneapolis

Contact: Ray @ http://lunaticbiker.blogspot.com

Defending Stupor Bowl Poker Champion Tuffy has announced that he will not defend his title at this Saturday's running of Stupor Bowl 10.

"After careful consideration and consultation from my trainer, my manager, my team director, my massage therapist, and my yogi, it is with restrained jubilation that I announce that I will not be participating in Stupor Bowl 10," Tuffy read from a prepared statement this afternoon.

The announcement was not completely unexpected. Tuffy had been hedging on participating for some time, and had reportedly told his inner circle that he would be riding Stupor Bowl for training, if at all.

"In the end, my personal schedule will not allow me to attend, and I'm mildly disappointed in that, at most.

"Hopefully someone else will come up with a full house of cowboys and bullets this year...but I doubt it," Tuffy pronounced.

This One's For Skibby

2007-01-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. January 2007.

The Big Stud Farm in the Sky

2007-01-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

Now we just have to wait for Ariel Sharon and Fidel Castro to develop hoof infections...

Fliptastic?

2007-01-28T11:56:00.000-08:00

Tuffy: Who's the next Gopher basketball coach going to be?

Source: My contacts are telling me that it'll be 1) Flip or 2) Majerus. And the Gophers are going to be willing to pay.

Tuffy: What would you put the odds of netting Flip at?

Source: 75%

GP Photo Blog

2007-01-27T07:53:00.000-08:00

Adam Bergman (l) shows up at Friday's Grand Performance "after party"; Jim R. forced to flee to restroom for modesty's sake.

"Candy Girl" Redux

2007-01-22T17:34:00.000-08:00

Reader Tom from Minnetonka writes:
"I got a lap dance from Diablo Cody at Choice. She was shitty."

There's always a critic, I guess...

Tuffy's Book Club: "Candy Girl"

2007-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the debut of the Tuffy Book Club!

The first piece of literature on our docket is "Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper" by Diablo Cody.

Cody, not her real name (somewhat obviously), is a 21st Century success story. Toiling in obscurity in a series of "square" and soul-crushing pseudo-corporate jobs, Cody went on a dissociative fugue of sorts, quitting the mind-numbing monotony of the cube farm to join to dark and enigmatic culture of clothing-optional entertainment. She emerged from her year of subversion with a hit website (found in its new, tamer incarnation at http://blogs.citypages.com/dcody/), a steady editorial position at the City Pages, several screenplay opportunities, and, of course, a book deal.

Overtly, Cody's tome advertises itself to those curious about the world of nude female entertaining. And, for this audience, Cody does not disappoint. The reader is taken on a roughly 365-day tour of strip clubs, peep shows, and the phone sex trade in our fair Midwestern metropolis.

However, Cody's memoir is infinitely more entertaining and enlightening when creatively, touchingly and endearingly engaging in topics not advertised.

To wit, to a large extent, this story of one of a woman trying to support a non-traditional family in a city largely foreign to her while also mothering a daughter not her own. Oh, and Cody met her domestic partner on-line, too. This familial reality, in itself, could be the foundation of another (completely different) novel.

Cody also challenges the reader to step outside of the norm and envision their world completely turned upside-down. She holds a mirror to our faces and makes us examine our carefully planned and precisely executed day-to-day existence. If you are comfortable with who you are, the novel will not affect you on this level. However, if you feel anywhere near the mental location that Cody found herself, such will undoubtedly be the context of internal debates stretching into the near future.

While exposing the often seedy underbelly of the sometimes non-intercourse sex trade, Cody also exposes the often seedy underbelly of the Twin Cities themselves. The author takes us to familiar yet completely foreign locales and gives the reader a glimpse of the side of the Cities that they've never (most likely) let themselves explore. Cody grabs our hand and rushes us through the dimly lit entrances underneath those exotic awnings that we've often contemplated but rarely fulfilled.

Diablo Cody's novel "Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper" is currently in print (both hard and soft cover), $14.00.

The Big Time

2007-01-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

Say...which way to the Champagne Room?

Well, without even trying and in completely dumb-luck fashion, the "little blog that could", The Fog of Work, received its most notable and mainstream citation this morning.

And, naturally, since I don't read the newspaper, a friend of the blog had to call and point it out. But, lo and behold, there is was at the bottom of the back page of the Star-Trib's "A" section today: "The Blog House" by T. O'Brien featuring my "Gov. Timmy" post from a few days ago.

So, I guess the writing is on the wall now. I'll have to shell out the big bucks to buy a fancy new domain name, keep blogging in a very cynical and sometimes thoughtful manner, bust my hump for a few years, and save enough money to buy that used '96 Toyota I've had my eye on.

Fame and fortune, here I come! All thanks to you, Strib!

Hat tip to Buck over at the now-defunct Just Visiting blog for clueing me into my new-found glory...

Superpower #2

2007-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

So, you still want to believe that the United States is the only superpower in the world, hunh?

Ok. Remember this? That was only the first step.

Now, today, this. This is step number two.

And this? This will be step number three.

Get used to it. Come to grips with it.

Why? Because we can't invade them.

Oh Snap!

2007-01-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

Gov. Timmy

2007-01-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

Minnesota Governor Timmy Pawlenty is angling to become the runningmate of Arizona Senator John McCain in the 2008 Presidential campaign.

Pawlenty announced today that he will be co-chairing a committee that will explore the possibility of McCain running for the Republican nomination for President. Today's move by Pawlenty creates further distance between him and long-time political foe George W. Bush.

The pairing of McCain and Pawlenty makes perfect Presidental political sense, partnering two individuals of disparate backgrounds: McCain is a military veteran and former prisoner of war who is both outspoken and thoughtful, possessing a sharp intellect and a keen grasp of centrist values. Pawlenty, on the other hand, never served a day in the military, works entensively behind the scenes in devious and weasel-like ways, and possesses a soft mind and no grasp of any value not presented on the teleprompter or notecards in front of him.

Pawlenty also announced that he will attempt to return the characteristics of dead-weight wishy-washiness to the role of the Vice President that have been so blatantly missing in the current administration.

Cipo Reviews: 2007 T-Mobile Kit

2007-01-14T08:32:00.000-08:00

Cipo reviews T-Mobile's 2007 kits:

"Zo dey are-a keepinga zee traditionale Zee-Mobeel color, yes? Uhh...I doo nut lika za U-nee-seff azur stripe a cross za chest -- look strange, no? Uhh...it ruin za good designa. And, uhh, what izz za Zee-Mobeel doing ga wita za campiona ovva za Danmarka? Don'ta dey knowa dat za rouge, uhh, clashes wita za pinka?

Over dee alla, Cipo givesa za kits tre of za pozziball quattro cheetah skin."

Oklahoma City is still near the asshole of America (which is, of course, Arkansas)

2007-01-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

Remember when the city of New Orleans was beset by a couple of thunderstorms, tornadoes, floodings, and some high winds that all hit the city at the same time and endured for about a day or so?

You might not.

Anyway, the city's professional basketball team used the event to fly the coop to Oklahoma City, albeit only temporarily. But, then, an amazing thing happened: the team's attendance sky-rocketed and talk began of moving a team there permanently.

But New Orleans and the state of Louisiana made some sizable financial guarantees to both the basketball Hornets and the football Saints, and both teams committed to staying in the rebuilt metropolis for at least the short-term.

So then a group from Oklahoma City went out and bought the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, and rumors began to swirl that unless the Sonics got a new arena in Seattle, the squad was Oklahoma City bound.

It kind of reminds me of when the owner of the Hartford Whalers of the NHL rattled his sabres and held that city hostage for a new arena. When it didn't happen, the team moved to the hockey hotbed of North Carolina (North Carolina!). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman endorsed the move, saying that the NHL needed to have teams in competitive markets, thus insinuating that the Raleigh-Durham market was somehow potentially more lucrative than Hartford -- the insurance capital of the world and a de facto suburb of New York City. Whatever.

But moving a basketball team from Seattle to Oklahoma City? Seriously? Have you seen this picture from last night?

Unless thousands of Oklahoma City basketball enthusiasts came to the game dressed as empty seats, it looks as though the novelty has worn off. Or the shine is off that apple. Or the honeymoon is over.

Think again, Oklahoma City.

A Better Business Model

2007-01-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Get this:
On Monday, Comcast implemented their new service and rate packages for 2007. I didn't think this would concern me.

That was until I punched in Channel 57 tonight at 6pm.

And Channel 57 didn't show up.

See, in St. Paul, Channel 57 was ESPN Classic. ESPN Classic is one of my favorite channels because of classic boxing action and, at 6pm every evening, "Stump the Schwab".

But now, Channel 57 in St. Paul is ~~Channel 57~~.

So I called Comcast. It seems that I won't have any problem getting ESPN Classic back...so long as I pay an additional $4.95/month for Comcast's "Sports Tier".

Oh sure, with the "Sports Tier" I get some other channels, like Fox Sports Atlantic, Fox Sports Pacific, NFL TV, and SkySports (UK). The problem is, however, that I would have never had to make this call if ESPN Classic hadn't disappeared from my current package. And for that, I get to fork over another $4.95/month to the local cable monopoly. Beautiful.

Here's the best part, though: I can't even get ESPN Classic in my new "Sports Tier" until February 1.

Why? I have no idea. Neither did Patsy at Comcast. But, for now, ESPN Classic is lost in the Comcast broadcasting monolith for another 20 days.

Bottom line: Love ya, Comcast. "Comcastic", my ass.

Lost

2007-01-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hey. We over here at The Fog of Work / Tuffy Town lost a digital camera last night (Sat Jan 6).

The camera is a Canon Powershot A540, and it was lost at or between one of the following locations:
--Kikugawa (St. Anthony Main)
--Orchestra Hall - Minnesota Orchestra (Downtown Mpls)
--Mancini's Char House (W. 7th St., St. Paul)

If you have any info, shoot me an e-mail at thefogofwork@gmail.com

There is a handsome reward for this camera.

Thanks.

Well

2007-01-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

Well, just cross him off of the list, then!

The Word

2007-01-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

(image caption) University of Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. (image courtesy of Scout.Com)

Tuffy has learned so Tuffy must report:

My sources are telling me that there are three names that have come to the fore on the University of Minnesota's short list for the position of Head Coach - Football.

These three names are:
--Paul Chryst, OC - Wisconsin
--Frank Solich, HC - Ohio
--Marc Trestman, ex-OC - NC State

Two other names are being mentioned, but more along the lines of "alternates":
--Craig Bohl, HC - North Dakota State
--Larry Coker, ex-HC - Miami

Tuffy would endorse either Chryst or Solich. Trestman makes me vomit in my mouth. Bohl is a curiosity, and Coker makes me want to give up my season tickets.