Jay-Dubya

In the biggest news of the day, Barb and I finally agreed on a name for our boy in the womb. We really wanted to honor my father by naming the boy after him. With Herman as his middle name, we decided to opt instead for John, his first name. The boy will thank us later for that one, I am sure. I was also keen to honor Barb's father as well by giving the boy Arthur as a middle name. Arthur is Barb's dad's first name. But Barb was really solid that she wanted the baby to have part of my name as well, so we decided on my middle name, William. So when our little guy is born he will be christened John William Schmaltz. It's kinda cool in that one of the best guys I have ever known is a former coworker named John Williams. So in a small way it pays respect to him as well. And perhaps most important, John Williams is also the name of the Academy Award winning writer of the music for Jaws. In fact, if I can convince Barb to throw Arthur in as the first middle name and William as the second, his initials would be JAWS. I'll have to get cracking on that. But we did manage to cover a lot of bases with John William!

Barb went to the doctor today and she is doing okay. She still has her back pain and often suffers from severe heartburn. She is still not getting much sleep at all. I honestly don't know how she does it. But she's hanging in there and so is Jay-Dubya. We hope he decides to stay put in the oven until he's completely baked.

I love you, Barb. You're doing an amazing job.

Washed away

As anticipated, the Cardinals' opener today was rained out, but not before they had staked themselves to a 5-1 lead. Also lost in the downpour was an Albert Pujols homer, a 2-run double by Rick Ankiel and a superb catch in left field by Skip Schumaker. Adam Wainright was shaky but effective in his 3 innings of work. The Cards jumped all over Rockies southpaw Jeff Francis, who has given them fits in the past. So it's a bummer that what seemed like a promising start to the season was lost down the drain. Still, maybe the Cards got a little momentum going today and hopefully that will carry over into tomorrow night's makeup game in the evening. That is, of course, if it's not rained out as well. It looks like a long, wet week in St. Louis.

I picked up Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds for the PS3 today. I only got in 9 holes before I had to go to work, but so far it seems just like the older games in the series, but with unbelievably good graphics. The character models are fantastic. I'll post some impressions about the game after I put in some more time with it.

2008 Cardinals baseball

Well, the opener for the Redbirds it today and I find myself pretty excited about baseball beginning again, even though I expect this to be a pretty awful year for the Cards. The Cardinals didn't do much in the offseason other than get rid of a couple of high priced veterans in Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen. They did add Troy Glaus to take Rolen's place over at 3rd base, but the market was terrible this year for free agent pitching, so once again the Cards go into a season with huge question marks on the mound. Also gone from the team is SS David Eckstein, the 2006 World Series MVP. In his place is the anemic bat of Caesar Izturis, one of the worst offensive starting players in baseball. His partner at 2nd base is Adam Kennedy, whose fielding and batting were woeful last year. The outfield is going to have to rely on unproven players as well with Rick Ankiel getting his first full season in the bigs and Brian Barton and Ryan Ludwick expected to get major playing time.

I'm not sure why Tony LaRussa decided to come back this season to be honest. The club is obviously rebuilding and a lot of young players are going to have to play big roles. LaRussa has always favored the veterans, so it's not a natural fit. I see bad year ahead for the Redbirds. I am predicting a 90 loss season, and if that's the case it's going to be a l-o-n-g summer.

The weather is not supposed to cooperate today. Right now it is very overcast and windy beyond belief. The chance of rain is very strong, as it is for the next few days. Let's hope the field doesn't get too bad and that the Cardinals and the Rockies come out of this series healthy.

Come on, Cards. Make me look like a fool with my prediction. That usually isn't such a hard task.

Wrapping up Bully

I finished the main story line in Bully tonight. Great game, great story, great experience. It lasted me quite a long while and I never lost interest. I still have a few things to wrap up: some more of the missions, jobs, finding hidden items, etc. I am going to try to do everything so I'll still be playing it for a while. I also have my career(s) in The Show still going, so I'll be playing that for a while as well.

This may be the week I break down and get Hot Shots Golf for the PS3. I'm hearing good things about it and I love the series as a whole. Definitely something to look forward to.

Mixed signals from Rams' headquarters

Jim Thomas, Rams beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, supposedly said in an interview on Friday that the Rams are considering 3 players very strongly with their #2 overall pick. According to what was said in the interview (which I did not hear but read a report about) head coach Scott Linehan favors Virginia defensive end Chris Long, new offensive coordinator Al Saunders wants Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett would like LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. There have been a few hints that the Rams were very pleased with Dorsey's recent workout and are pretty much convinced his past injuries (including a stress fracture in one of his legs) will not effect his performance or become chronic problems. If healthy, Dorsey is probably the best overall player in the draft. And while the Rams desperately need a pass rushing defensive end, a healthy Dorsey may just be too good to pass up. Again, until the Dolphins pick is known everything is just speculation. But that's what makes the draft so interesting to me.

The Great Novels, vol. 1: Lonesome Dove

I am an avid reader. But I am also a re-reader. I have gone back to my favorite books many, many times and I always get a kick out of them. It's like reuniting with an old familiar friend. A great book can give you such a thrill when you read it for the first time. But the really great ones on repeated readings give you chills at how good they are even though there are no surprises waiting for you. Often this is because of wonderful, fully drawn characters. And that brings us to Lonesome Dove.

The first thing I tell people when I recommend Lonesome Dove is that I don't really care for Westerns very much. In fact, until I read Lonesome Dove, I would say that I didn't care for them at all. Aside from the occasional Western movie that held my interest, I never found them compelling or found the settings of Westerns very interesting. Often times, it seemed like a Western was just a story that could have been told in any setting. After all, The Magnificent Seven is just an inferior remake of Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, and that story is much more compelling given the Japanese setting and the code of the Samurai. Enter Larry McMurtry and his wonderful story, which was originally written as a teleplay. That it ultimately became a much-loved television miniseries after he decided to turn the teleplay into a novel is one of those great ironies. McMurty actually won the Pulitzer Prize for Lonesome Dove, and brother did he earn it.

The basic story is a simple one. Augustus "Gus" McCrae and Captain Woodrow Call are former Texas Rangers, past their prime and making a hard, honest living as cattlemen in Texas near the Mexican border. Gus is about as lazy as they come, but he has an easy manner about him that makes him instantly likable. While Gus spend his days drinking, gambling and whoring, Call is a tireless worker (and taskmaster), a no-nonsense fellow that demands respect from friend and foe alike. When their old Ranger buddy Jake Spoon rides into town and starts talking about the beautiful state of Montana, Gus and Call decide to pack up and drive their herd there. Gus is less than enthusiastic, but Call is not one easily swayed and before you know it, they are on their way.

The amazing thing about Lonesome Dove is the sheer number of characters, all of which are memorable. While Gus and Call are the main story, the novel follows other people as well, giving them tremendous lives and stories of their own. This is truly an ensemble piece. When the story heads off in the direction of another character, you find yourself wishing it would stay with the character you just read about. Yet when the story shifts again, you wish it would stay on the new character you just met. It's really something to behold and it speaks volumes about McMurtry's ability to create such vivid characters. Also of note is that there are very few inner dialogues that take place. Each character is defined by their words and their actions, not by long interludes of what is going through their mind. You become amazed at how well you get to know these people. When tragedies occur (and believe me, they do) you feel a real sense of loss. You realize that the west was a brutal place that took no sides; both good and bad suffered and often died as a matter of routine. McMurtry takes that western setting and make it come alive.

While every single story in Lonesome Dove is absorbing, I have a special place in my heart for Gus McRae. He's a man's man, who lives by a very real code all his own. He does things that will baffle you, infuriate you and amaze you. In all my years of reading, Gus McRae is my favorite fictional character. He's simply unforgettable.

So don't be scared if Westerns are not your thing. They're not really mine, either, or at least I sure thought that before I read Lonesome Dove. If you love epic storytelling and thoroughly memorable characters, saddle up and head to the library or local bookstore. Pick up Lonesome Dove and get ready for a remarkable read.

P.S. - Lonesome Dove spawned a sequel and two prequels. The sequel, Streets Of Laredo, is a solid, melancholy story that picks up a while after the events of Lonesome Dove. I'd give it a solid B as a grade. The first prequel, Dead Man's Walk, tells the story of how Gus and Call ended up in the Rangers and made enemies of the great Indian Buffalo Hump. Sadly, this book does not deliver what you would expect from McMurtry. The Gus and Call characters are basically oafs who rely on good fortune to stay alive. I'd score it a C-. The second sequel, Comanche Moon, picks up after the events of Dead Man's Walk and before Lonesome Dove. It finds McMurtry back in fine form. It's good enough to stand on it's own as an excellent tale. I give it an A-. Lonesome Dove is probably my favorite book, and I consider it to be the best novel I have read. It rates an A+.

Life, etc.

In other news, my wife's pregnancy continues to be difficult. She has had back problems from day 1 and has been getting very little sleep the last couple of months. I worry that this is harmful to her health, not to mention the baby's. She is very limited on what she can take for either the pain or to help her sleep. As of today we still have 89 days to go. I hope she can manage to hang on until then without too much harm to her & baby's health (and our collective sanity).

Another difficult situation looms as well. We had our basement finished about a year and a half ago. Our 2 cats have started using the carpeted areas near the walls instead of their litter box. We love the cats to death, but if they don't stop we may have to get rid of them. We have tried all sorts of remedies to clean the carpet and get the cats to stop urinating there, but to no avail. My wife has consulted the vet as well as more than a few pet shop employees and we have tried their recommendations. So far we have had no luck. Some of them have told us that once they start, it is very difficult to get them to stop. We had the carpet steam cleaned and Scotch Guarded today and the cats are going to be locked in their litter area overnight. But if they start peeing on the carpet again, we are facing a tough decision on what to do with them. Huge bummer.

God of War PSP review

My buddy Dave has written an excellent review of the PSP game God of War: Chains of Olympus over at Who Needs Rules. Definitely recommended reading, especially if you are a fan of the series. I still need to finish GoW2 on the Ps2 (well, I play it on the PS3) one of these days. It's an excellent game (as is the original GoW), but for some reason I just got away from it. More than likely a newer game came out and took my attention away from GoW2. After I get through Bully and can put MLB '08: The Show down for a while, perhaps I'll get back into GoW2. Then again, Hot Shots Golf is still waiting for me out there as well. So many game, so little time...

More draft talk

Speculation continues to mount that Miami is looking to trade out of the first overall spot. Apparently they are aware that they will not be able to get the normal compensation for the pick, but since there is no clear-cut "best player in the draft" they'd like to get out of the #1 spot to avoid paying #1 money. But that may be a hard sell, because if there really is no clear cut best player, why would anyone else want to trade up, giving up more picks of value, and then having to pay #1 money to that player as well? It seems that Miami is pinning it's hopes on Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, that some team out there will want him because he is such a gifted athlete. But there are concerns about McFadden's character. Who would want to pick a player that has questionable character, give up other picks to get him and then pay #1 overall money to him? The chance that he flames out or gets in legal trouble has to be considered. Unless Miami finds a team desperate enough to take such a gamble, they will probably be stuck at #1. If Miami hopes to make this sort of deal, they are going to have to be willing to not get much value in return for the #1 pick. Right now I don't see that happening.

My guess (as of now) is that Miami stays put and takes Virginia defensive end Chris Long with the first pick. I hope I am wrong. I'd love to see someone trade up, pick McFadden first overall and leave Long to the Rams. The other hope is that Bill Parcells becomes enamored with either offensive tackle Jake Long or, perhaps more likely, defensive end Vernon Gholston. If Gholston reminds Parcells of Lawrence Taylor enough, he may bite. But from a player and personality perspective, Chris Long is the sort of player Parcells loves. I'll keep my fingers crossed but as of now I still see Chris Long going to Miami first overall.

NFL draft musings

Cue the Christmas music, for it’s the most wonderful time of the year! As someone who loves both college and pro football, it doesn’t get much better than the NFL draft. It is one of my most anticipated days of the year. I honestly enjoy it as much as the football season itself. The buildup to it all, including the NFL combine, gets fans all over the country in a tizzy, leading to tons of speculation, arguments and anxiety. Hope springs eternal at the NFL draft, where fans of downtrodden teams hope that this is the year their team nabs a player that is a difference maker, one that can turn around the fortunes of a moribund franchise. And there are some recent precedents to that. The Tennessee Titans were a real mess before they drafted Vince Young a couple of seasons ago. His addition energized the team and the fan base, and the Titans nearly made the post season in his rookie year. (Don't ask about year 2.) Just this past season running back Adrian Peterson had the Minnesota Vikings on the cusp of the playoffs as well. Of course, there is always the chance that a team will pick a cant-miss prospect in the draft that does just that - misses. Such mistakes can set teams back for a number of years. See Ryan Leaf or Tony Mandarich for examples.

As a fan of the St. Louis Rams, I have seen my fair share of bad drafts, including one cant-miss prospect (Lawrence Phillips) who not only missed, but also has kept the criminal justice system quite busy. The Rams have missed spectacularly by trying to pick the supposed best player available (see Jimmy Kennedy, 2003), by trying to fill a specific need (Robert Thomas, 2002) and even trying to find a new toy for an ego-driven head coach (Trung Canidate, 2000). Of course, not all of the first round draft picks have been bad for the Rams since the movie to St. Louis. The first ever St. Louis Rams' draft pick was DE Kevin Carter out of Florida, who had a nice career with the Rams and was a key member of the 1999-2000 Super Bowl winning team. Stud offensive tackle Orlando Pace (Ohio State) was the first pick of the Dick Vermeil led Rams in 1997. He is likely headed to the NFL Hall Of Fame, as is 1999 first round pick Torry Holt, a super smooth wide receiver from North Carolina State.

Of course, you can’t judge a draft by simply looking at the 1^st round picks. The later rounds are where you add depth to your team and it is here where the Rams have failed miserably. The Rams have gotten themselves into a bind by reaching for players that likely would have been there in later rounds, and by simply doing a poor job of scouting players. Current head coach Scott Linehan has 2 drafts under his belt, with decidedly mixed results - and that’s putting it kindly. But the Rams have a new man in charge of personnel this year, an actual football man rather than the money men who have somehow gotten way too much say in who the Rams select. Bill Devaney is a football guy, not a pencil pusher, so hopes are a little escalated this year in St. Louis as the draft approaches. Of course, that means the heat is really on Devaney, since the Rams own the 2^nd pick in the entire draft this year. Miss this pick, and the team may take a long while to recover.

The Rams, who finished 3-13 last year, have a lot of holes to fill. First among them, in my mind, is the offensive line, but the team is getting back some players who were injured last year (including Orlando Pace) and have added a fine guard in Jacob Bell, so that unit should definitely be improved somewhat. The Rams still need to address the O-line in the draft, but there should still be some fine linemen available in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds, since the Rams have high picks in each. The other huge weakness on the team last year was the defensive pass rush, and it has not been addressed at all this offseason. The Rams have only 3 defensive ends under contract right now, and the best one of those, Leonard Little, is an aging veteran coming off an injury-plagued season. So it seems imperative that the Rams add a very good pass rusher with their 1^st pick. That leaves 2 options at this point: Virginia defensive end Chris Long and Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston. Choosing between the two is something the Rams may very well face, if the Miami Dolphins, who own the 1^st overall pick don’t choose either player (It is thought that the Dolphins have great interest in Chris Long, but no one knows if they will pick him #1). Let’s say the Dolphins pick someone else or trade the pick to another team and they also pass on both players. If it comes down to Long or Gholston, who should be the pick for the Rams?

Both had stellar college careers and both can get to the QB. But they are not similar players. Gholston is a pass rushing specialist who excels coming off of the end and getting to the passer. He can play either DE or LB, but at either position, his #1 responsibility will be rushing the QB.
He brings a rare combination of speed and power to the table and his explosiveness is eye popping. Long, on the other hand, is more of a prototypical defensive end. He can get to the QB but also plays against the run very well. He’s bigger than Gholston and has a reputation as a fiery guy who never gives up on a play. While not quite in Gholston’s class as a pure athlete, he put up some stellar numbers at the combine as well and certainly does not lack for speed or power. He should be a major force on the line. So who should the Rams choose? Well, let’s look at the perceived negatives of each player. The biggest knock on Long is that he may have peaked, so to speak, that he may already be about as good as he is going to get. In other words, the upside may not be so great. Gholston, on the other hand, is only a junior in college and is thought to have lots of room to grow, especially technique wise. But he has detractors too, and it’s in an area that scares the heck out of me when it comes to spending the #2 overall pick. There are quite a few “experts,” even those who are fans of Gholston, who say that he is not always motivated, that he tends to take plays off. It is said that he can disappear for large chunks of a game. That’s scary, because no one questions Long’s motivation. As the son of NFL Hall Of Famer Howie Long, he has had a solid work ethic pounded into him. One of Long’s biggest pluses is that he goes non-stop, never giving up on a play. He is said to absolutely love football and is tenacious when on the field.

The Rams have had their share of defensive players with questionable motivation lately. Jimmie Kennedy stands out in particular. He had everything you want in a defensive tackle: the size, the athleticism and the successful college career. What he apparently didn’t have though was self-motivation. He never really appeared to have a love of the game. He went about his business in a lackadaisical way and that bled over to his play on the field. While no one can question Gholston’s work ethic (he’s obviously a workout warrior; he didn’t come up with that body and those workout numbers by accident), there are valid concerns that he may not be a guy who lives, breathes, sleeps and eats football. And that could effect his on field production. At the very least, it should raise a red flag. He is the better pure pass rusher, but Long is a good pass rusher who plays the run well and never gives up on a play. In my opinion, that makes Long the superior player and the safer pick. Sure, Vernon Gholston could become the next Lawrence Taylor and the Rams will have passed on a chance to have a truly spectacular, dominating player. But in Chris Long, they have a better chance at landing a sure-fire contributor, in my opinion. Of course, if Long is taken first overall, then this whole argument is moot. And I don’t think the Rams would be disappointed to take Gholston at #2. But I’d feel a little safer if we got Chris Long.

The Rams, who because of their horrid 2007 season get to pick very early in each round, also have a chance to add to what can only be described as a lacking corps of receivers. Gone is the great Isaac Bruce. Torry Holt is still around and when healthy he can still do spectacular things. But he is getting older, has lost a half-step and has serious concerns about his knee. #2 receiver Drew Bennett was a big disappointment last year in a number of ways. Someone should mention to him that actually catching the ball is paramount to being a good receiver. Some very good receivers should still be on the board when the Rams pick in the 2^nd round. I am hoping that’s where they go with their second pick. Cornerback is also a concern, if the whispers are true that Rams’ CB Fakhir Brown is going to be suspended for the season for violating the NFL’s drug policy again. Thanks, Fakhir. And as mentioned earlier, the Rams should really try to address depth on the offensive line at some point.

While the Rams are my team, each franchise (and their strategies) intrigues me. I love seeing where my favorite college players end up and also love the wheeling and dealing that is usually part of the activities. I’ll be glued to the TV in front of my computer all day long (and on day 2 as well), arguing with Mel Kiper and cursing Charter Cable because they don’t carry the NFL Network. Hopefully I’ll be happy with the Rams’ selections. And if I’m not, hopefully I’ll be wrong. Check back here for more football talk in the days leading up to the draft (and on draft day!) for more info and opinions. I plan on having a running blog going for the first round and on all Rams’ picks thereafter. Hope to see you then.

The beat goes on...

I am still spending my (limited) gaming time with both MLB '08: The Show and Bully. I am loving the RPG-lite elements in both games. In The Show, I resumed my RTTS career as the Cards' AA shortstop. The goals are still quite goofy in some cases (again with the bunting?!) but it is such a blast to play. As I mentioned earlier, I had been playing as a closer, which is great too, but I got anxious to do some more hitting. I can see myself coming back to this game all baseball season. It has that addictive, lets-play-one-more quality that makes it so hard to put down.

And let me tell you, Bully is right there with it. I have not had as much fun playing a game in quite a while. It has everything: a good story, easy pick-up-and-play game mechanics, a great variety of things to do, and tons of unlockable stuff. I am a sucker for unlockables, and this game is taking care of that nicely. What I like about Bully (well, I like virtually everything except the loading screens) is that it takes the familiar Grand Theft Auto gameplay and puts it in a more lighthearted setting. Don't get me wrong, GTA is great for intense, adult gaming. But Bully is a little more laid back and a lot lighter in tone. It's a bit easier as well, which is great if you are a geezer like me. This game is a real winner and it does make me anxious to see what the next GTA has to offer. So hats off to Rockstar for making a great stand-alone game that doubles as an appetite-whetter for GTA 4. I really hope a sequel to Bully is discussed. I'd be there on Day One. If you like the sand box genre of games, I can't recommend Bully enough.

So these 2 games are taking up all of my gaming time. Otherwise I'd already have Hot Shots Golf: Out Of Bounds for the PS3. I am a big fan of the Hot Shots series (unlockables galore!) and have been waiting for this game for a while now. But I don't see any point in running out and picking it up when I am concentrating on 2 other games right now. In the past I have been the sort of gamer who gets part-way through a game and loses interest when the newest games are released. I am trying to get away from that by actually completing the games that I start and enjoy. Even if I like a game a lot, if something new comes out and I play that for a while, I rarely go back to the earlier game. So I am holding back from Hot Shots right now. After all, I still have some good games to go through. Would you believe I have not finished Call Of Duty 4, The Orange Box and have barely even touched Assassin's Creed? To be honest, I don't know if I will ever get around to them now. They are too far on the back-burner. From now on I am going to try to finish the games that I start and really like. I did it with Bioshock (my game of the year for 2007) and Mass Effect. And I definitely want to finish Bully before I move on to something else. After all, I still have Rock Band to go through as well!

GTSM

Here's another shout-out for another terrific web site. Gaming Theater Sports and TV Media (GTSM) is a blog which looks at gaming and all other aspects of entertainment. It also has a nice set of forums, populated by very friendly people who enjoy all sorts of conversation. The site is run by George Theofanoupolos and Ted Rorabaugh and they have done a wonderful job making the site a place I like to visit multiple times daily. George is constantly blogging and the news and opinions he offers are first-rate. He's a real hands-on guy and his constant presence on the blog and in the forums make GTSM a special place. It has been a real pleasure to watch GTSM take shape and become a must-visit web site. But don't take my word for it. Visit the blog and if you like what you see take a few minutes to register and join the forums. You'll thank me later.

The Great Albums, vol. 1: Jellyfish - Spilt Milk

One of the reasons I am doing the "Great Ones" series is to possibly expose people to some cool stuff they otherwise may never had found. So while the first in the Great Ones series was a movie (Seven Samurai) that most people have certainly heard of if not actually seen, the second is going to be something far more obscure, yet something I am equally enthusiastic about. And that brings us to one of the finest albums of the 1990's, Spilt Milk by the late, great Jellyfish.

Jellyfish was a band from San Francisco that made just 2 albums, but both are held in very high regard by those who have heard them. The first album was Bellybutton, released in 1990. It made a lot of critic's "Best Of 1990" lists and still holds up very well today. It is filled with strong tunes - the great melodies and witty lyrics that became synonymous with Jellyfish. But enough of that; we're here to talk about Spilt Milk.

Wrapped in pure pop bliss, inspired by the Beatles, Beach Boys and a generous dose of Queen, Spilt milk is a psychedelic trip through everything the flower power 60's strove for. But don't think it doesn't rock out as well; it's capable of rattling the bones with the best of them. Spilt Milk took a couple of years to record and was a very expensive endeavor. It shows in the finished product. The production is first rate, with all kinds of little touches that have you nodding your head, saying, "Yes, yes, this is exactly how this album should sound!" What's amazing is that almost all of those little touches were written into the songs from the get-go: one listen to the demos for Spilt Milk and you realize just how complete the songs were when they headed into the recording studio.

Things get off to a start with the dream-like "Hush," filled with gorgeous a cappella vocals that swirl around in your head. From there, the album really kicks into gear with "Joining A Fanclub,", a raucous, delightful song about fandom and it's perils. "Sabrina, Paste And Plato" follows, about the memories of grade school and first crushes. It's chorus is like the sweetest of candies.

"New Mistake" is one of my favorite cuts on the album. The "mistake" in question is a new relationship and, eventually, a new baby. The singer goes from being unsure...

So father Mason, clutching his crucifix
Baptized the baby in whiskey and licorice
What a lovely way
Drowning sins in tooth decay

...to giddy happiness:

Any old way that I fall
I land in your arms/even tough it's wrong

Cause I love my new mistake

More great tracks follow: "The Glutton Of Sympathy" tells the tale of a lonely girl who will never learn, and "The Ghost At Number One" skews the record industry and sacred cows like artists who posthumously hit the charts. Throughout it all, the vocals soar, the harmonies intertwine perfectly and you find yourself giggling at the cleverness of it all.

I didn't intend this to be a blow-by-blow account of the album, but there are simply no weak songs here, and so many highlights. Trust me, you'll never hear an ode to masturbation as funny or honest as "He's My Best Friend." By the time "Brightest Day" comes along to close the album with it's big, carnival-like atmosphere:

come on and join the big charade
line up shut up clean up and shave
cause right behind you in the back of the fray
is a blade he's a renegade
turning bullshit into marmalade

...you realize that what you have heard is an absolute masterpiece, an album whose parts are absolutely tremendous, but as a whole is the equal to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." As a Beatles fanatic, I do not make such comparisons lightly. So check out Spilt Milk. It's the best album that John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Freddie Mercury and Brian May never made.

I should also note that the lead singer for Jellyfish (Andy Sturmer) was also the drummer. He played standing up and never missed a lick. It was a remarkable thing to see live, as this video will attest to. And for you gamers out there, Jellyfish also wrote one of the great videogame tributes. You can see it here.

I hope this post leads to just one person checking out Spilt Milk. Such an album should not remain in relative obscurity. If anyone does give it a listen or three, or already knows of the album, I'd love to hear from you.

My sister's wedding

My sister was married yesterday in a nice and relaxed Sunday wedding. Everything went perfectly. The ceremony itself was great. She and Mike (her husband) had prepared their own vows and they were witty and insightful, really capturing their personalities and their relationship perfectly. The reception followed and again, everything went off without a hitch. Everyone had a great time and it was so nice to see family and friends that I hadn't seen in while. My 16 year old Zach was an usher and he did a great job. He was really handsome in that tux. My 14 year old Jess was a bridesmaid and she did wonderfully as well. She hung out with Mike's daughter Brittany, who was maid of honor. As I mentioned in an earlier post, they have become really good friends and we couldn't be happier. The dresses were made by Mike's mom and she did a super job. All of the girls looked like lovely princesses. Meanwhile, Laurel, my 3 year old, got things off to a rough start by not wanting to pose for pictures. Then she stunned us all an hour later when she volunteered to pose for as many pictures as we wanted. She's a goofball. Later she danced with Hannah and Hayley, Mike's nieces. Well, dancing is putting it kindly; they basically did frenzied laps around the dance floor all night. Barb and I danced quite a few times as well, as many as her pregnant body and my sore feet would allow.

I could not be prouder of my sister Beth. She took on an awful lot to make this wedding so nice, and she never wavered once. She was always the picture of calm. Even yesterday, she had such a relaxed attitude and was so confident in herself that it was really special for me to witness. She and Mike delivered their vows loudly and proudly, each showing their commitment to one another for everyone to see. The whole affair was nothing but class, but not in that stuffy sort of way. It was perfect.

Beth was gorgeous in her dress. I was stunned when I first saw her; she looked like she had been ready for this moment all her life. It was so special to see my dad give her away, and their dance together was truly touching. My family adores Mike and we are so glad to have him and his wonderful family as part of ours. Here's hoping for nothing but the best for my sister and her new family.

Mel Gibson, sadist

I finally got around to watching Apocalypto tonight. I have had it for ages and my lovely wife and I kept meaning to watch it, but have never gotten around to it. Now that I have seen it, I have to say that Mel Gibson is a talented filmmaker and also one sick S.O.B. Having seen Braveheart and having heard about The Passion Of The Christ in all it's gory detail, I know Mr. Gibson does not shy away from violence. And that's cool, I have no real problem with that. Some of my favorite movies are quite bloody and violent. So again, no problem. But Mr. Gibson seems to actually revel in showing blood, guts and gore to an extreme level. Not only that, he seems to really enjoy putting human suffering up on the big screen. The torture scene in Braveheart, the crucifixion in The Passion Of The Christ (which I admit to not seeing) and now endless human suffering in Apocalypto. It's not just the violence, it's the long scenes of people being beaten, forced into slavery, separated from their children and watching loved ones get slaughtered ad nauseam. The whole time I watched the movie I kept thinking, "Man, Mel has issues." It is all so beautifully filmed, with vivid colors (think crimson) and so lovingly shown on the screen. Nothing is left to the imagination. It's all a bit much, in my opinion, and unnecessary to tell the story. Yes, it's a violent story about a violent civilization, but come on, Mel, it doesn't all need to be up there on the screen.

That said, the film is an entertaining adventure. The action is terrific and the scenery gorgeous. Perhaps if it all wasn't simply soaked in blood and mired in human anguish I would feel compelled to watch it again soon. As it is, I think I'll wait awhile until the anguish is not what I remember most.

The Great Movies, volume 1: Seven Samurai

Choosing the first movie for my series of true excellence in entertainment was a no-brainer for me. I simply picked the movie that I consider the best ever made, or at least the best I have ever seen. Seven Samurai is an undisputed classic, arguably the greatest film made by arguably the greatest director in movie history. Akira Kurosawa's rousing epic has stood the test of time like few others. This is because the themes of the movie - honor, sacrifice, loyalty, bravery and kindness - are universal themes that have rarely been expressed as well on film. I know of no other movie that offers such a powerful glimpse of humanity at it's best and worst while also telling one hell of an adventure.

The story concerns a group of farmers in a village that are waiting for an attack by a gang marauding bandits. The farmers, who do not have the strength or the knowledge to fight back, know that the bandits will take all of their food and deal out unthinkable violence. In the past, the farmers have always endured the attacks and simply hoped that the bandits would leave them enough on which to survive. But one young villager says that he is sick of being kicked like a beaten dog and suggests they fight back. The other villagers are incredulous at this idea, some saying they would rather commit suicide then face another attack. But the idea gets approval from the village elder and it is decided that they will go to the nearest town and recruit wandering samurai warriors to help them. The problem? The villagers have nothing to offer these noble fighters except food, shelter and gratitude.

Thus begins the recruiting process, a marvelous sequence where we meet the men who will do this deed for the villagers simply out of honor. Each samurai has his own unique personality and story. There is the leader, Kambei, a war-weary veteran who is the first to accept the offer. He recruits others, including Kyuzo, a swordsman with no peer. When they head for the village there are seven of them ready to do what it takes to save the villagers. Well, actually, there are six and a half; tagging along is Kikuchiyo (the magnificent Toshiro Mifune), a peasant who has dreamed of being a real samurai. While the others do not take him seriously, he is anxious to prove his worth.

What unfolds is a terrific adventure, filled with action, humor, a little romance and humanity. Most of all humanity. Not all of the farmers are grateful that the samurai have come, fearful that they will take their women. And the farmers may not be exactly who the samurai think they are, either. In the second half of the film, when the bandits arrive, all will be tested in a battle not just for crops and sanctuary, but for honor, duty and the chance to live as real human beings.

Now for the caveats. Seven Samurai is in fact a Japanese film with Japanese language and English subtitles, so reading will be required. In addition, it is an older film, released in 1954, and it was filmed in black and white. It is also quite lengthy, clocking in at around three and a half hours. There is an intermission at about the halfway point. It is an epic story and the running time never seems excessive. It does not seem like a long movie while you are watching.

If you think you can deal with those three things, then you owe it to yourself to check out Seven Samurai. It is film making at it's absolute best, with a great director at the top of his game leading the way. Terrific performances, great storytelling and rousing action await you. I envy those those who get to see Seven Samurai for the first time.

The Great Ones, a wedding and some gaming

I am going to start an entertainment series called The Great Ones which will highlight things that I really feel are special and at a different level than the usual stuff. These may be books, movies, music, etc. I'll try to write a little bit about each selection and explain why I feel it is worthy of being called truly great. There will be no set schedule for these postings, they'll just come out whenever I get the itch to talk about something that I really love. I hope by writing about these some people may be inclined to check them out and perhaps discover something they normally wouldn't. And if anyone wants to discuss things here, all the better. Look for the first selection soon.

Not much going on lately other than getting ready for my sister's wedding, which is Sunday. We had the rehearsal dinner tonight and it was very nice; everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. But it looks like my 3 year old daughter Laurel will not be walking down the aisle. She didn't want any part of it at the rehearsal and I can't see that changing by Sunday, when there will be a bigger crowd of people. She's a bit shy, something I hope eventually fades a bit.

I'm very happy for my sister. She met a really nice guy and things worked out for them. Here's hoping they share a long lifetime of happy moments together. He's also got a great step-daughter, the same age as my daughter Jess, and they have become fast friends, which is nice. I am really looking forward to the wedding, letting loose a little bit and celebrating with my sister. And of course my wife Barb will be my designated driver. Thanks, honey!

Still enjoying my career as a closer in The Show. I just made it to the AAA level and have successfully closed out my first 2 games. I am starting to get the itch to do some hitting though, so I may go back to my shortstop career for a bit as well. I am also making slow progress in Bully. I am around the 10% completion mark, so I still have a long way to go. I'm still enjoying it, but I am finding it hard to find the time for both The Show and Bully, so it may be a while before I finish. But it has been fun watching my character evolve into a bit of a good guy. The story is good and it's pretty easy to pick up where you left off without feeling too lost. I'll keep my progress updated here and let you know what I think of the game as I get further along.

"No Country For Old Men" revisited

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!!!***

I picked up No Country For Old Men on DVD today and watched it tonight with my wife. We both saw it in the theater and liked it very much. But this time, it just seemed like, I don't know, more than it had on my original viewing. Like many people, I was a bit taken aback by the ending. Let me clarify that; while I was taken aback by the ending, a lot of people flat out HATED the ending. But as I watched the movie this time, it occurred to me that what the Coen brothers are showing us is not simply a story that unfolds, they are showing us the bigger picture of the nature of violence. I had wrongly assumed that the main story was about Llewelyn Moss, who finds 2 million dollars in a drug deal gone wrong. After all, the action is based on him and he is the one that gets the story rolling in the first place. At first glance, he is the protagonist. But what became clear on the second viewing is that it is not Moss who is the main character, but Sheriff Ed Tom Bell, played by Tommy Lee Jones. It is his story about how much the times have changed and how the world seems to be coming apart at the seams. He decides that this new wave of violence is too much for him, that it has passed him by; the same way it had passed by his father, grandfather and his uncle Ellis, all lawmen.

Javier Bardem got the accolades and awards (well deserved) for his portrayal of the psychotic hit man Anton Chigurh. He is perfect in the role, no doubt. And Tommy Lee Jones is also note perfect as Sheriff Bell. He is really the soul of the movie and Jones plays it with with both humor and a sense of gravity. It's a great performance. But I thought Josh Brolin was equally good in the Llewelyn Moss role. He seems a natural for the part: the rugged everyman who has seen a lot, including war, but can't possibly fathom what he is up against. He makes Moss into a decent, likable man that you root for, even though he is certainly no innocent victim. When he comes to his end, it is shocking in both it's outcome and the matter-of-fact way that it is shown. The Coens seem to be building towards a classic showdown between Moss and Chigurh and many viewers (including this one) felt a bit cheated that Moss is killed by Mexican drug dealers, not Chigurh, and off-camera at that. But on the second viewing I think I understand why they (and obviously Cormac McCarthy, who wrote the book) don't let you see Moss get killed. And it's because that is not what the movie has been about. It has been about ALL violence and the fate of those who dabble in it. It's about the harshness of violence, of the West, and of men who kill without remorse. Some of it is senseless and all of it seems to be fate. How many people die in the movie because they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? It is telling that the death of Moss is shown in the same manner as the girl in the pool who had been flirting with him. After the fact, after all that has happened, they are both just corpses, entwined by violence and fate.

To Sheriff Bell, the violence and crime is getting worse and he cannot deal with the this new harshness that seems to have enveloped the world. But it's not just that the level of violence is new, it's also that Bell has gotten old. His time has passed. As Bell's uncle Ellis says, "Whatcha got ain't nothin new. This country's hard on people, you can't stop what's coming, it ain't all waiting on you. That's vanity." What Bell finds is that it is indeed no country for old men.

Bully for me!

I finally got in a few hours of Bully: Scholarship Edition last night. It was hard to pry myself away from MLB '08: The Show, as I am having a blast in Road To The Show mode with my closer. Still in AA (that's Double A ball, not Alcoholics Anonymous), but now I am actually closing out games, which is great fun. Anyway, back to Bully. The first thing I noticed was that the game was not blessed with cutting edge graphics. It almost looks like an original Xbox game, but a bit more polished. If you are not a graphics whore, you'll get used to it in pretty quick order and go about your business.

The game puts you in a sort of private school hell, as your character is dropped off at Bullworth Academy by your uncaring mother and stepfather - not that you yourself have the best of attitudes. After getting lectured by the headmaster, you start your career as the new kid at school. No one likes you very much, except for a creepy kid named Gary. I wanted to beat the crap out him right away, but he plays a vital role in the story, so that was a no-go. Everyone else at the school seems to either want to kick your ass or avoid you like the plague. You can fight back of course; the fighting mechanics are simple and the fights themselves pretty easy. You spend your idle time going to class, pulling pranks, helping Gary's nefarious plots, fighting bullies and wooing the girls. It's all a little simple, but damn if it ain't addictive. You definitely get that "just-one-more-task" feeling. You are given missions to carry out that advance the story and there are little side quests such as helping out other students. These side quests are usually of the paying kind, so you can build up a nice little chunk of change. Just like real life, there are cliques at school and your actions will either increase or decrease your popularity with each one, i.e. help the nerds and face the wrath of the greasers. Each individual day goes by pretty fast, but there doesn't seem to be a limit on how long you have to carry out the main story.

So basically the game is Grand Theft Auto in the schoolyard., which makes sense since GTA creator Rockstar is behind the game. It plays very well, controls aren't too wonky for the most part and I have yet to see any of the slowdown that has been mentioned in some web reviews. There are a LOT of "loading" screens. At first they were excruciating to me, but they actually become more tolerable as you play on. I just finished the first chapter of the game, so now I get to venture off campus and out into the real world. Every review I have read said that this is where the game really takes off and gets interesting. So far I have had a lot of fun and I am very anxious to carry on the adventure. If you like "sandbox" games, I'd definitely recommend trying out Bully.

Who Needs Rules?

I have already touted Operation Sports, which is a must-have link for serious sports gamers. They have a great forum over there and excellent articles written by a fine staff of writers. The info you can get there is incredible.

There's also a relatively new sports gaming site that has already shown itself to be just as valuable. Who Needs Rules? is run by the distinguished Scott Burress, a.k.a. ExtremeGamer. He has assembled a stellar staff of writers who have already made a name for themselves in the sports gaming community. The articles there are fresh, relevant and very well written by guys who simply love games. They have an awesome set of forums there as well, populated by knowledgeable fans who know what they are talking about. It's a great place to find in-depth info and strong opinions about what is happening in the sports gaming world.

So here's a serious shout-out to Scott Burress and his staff at Who Needs Rules: Our good friend Dave Roland, Dave Lint, Greg Callaghan, Matt Kabara, Chris "Sully" Sullivan, Mike Snider, Dave Roberts, John Enoch and Steve Semple. Congratulations, fellas. You have already made Who Needs Rules a vital player in the sports gaming community.

Happy Anniversery, Baby

Five years ago today, my wife and I went on our first date. It was a real doozy; it ended up lasting over a week. Now here we are with our beautiful 3 year old Laurel and another baby on the way. I have been blessed not only with Barb, but her (now our) two wonderful children, Zach and Jessica. Best package deal ever.

I love you Barb. You have made my life so much more meaningful and you are my best friend. I cherish you and our family. Thanks for everything you do.

Love, Laughter and Friendship,
Jim

What are friends for?

If nothing else, I am raising Dave's spirits by losing to him in MLB 08: The Show. I'd love to say I am being altruistic and letting him win, but the plain truth is that I just suck. Dave beat me 3-0 with the Blue Jays against my Angels. Halladay threw a complete game shut-out. My pitching ain't bad, my defense is fine, but my hitting and baserunning is abysmal. It's like having a whole team full of Caesar Izturis clones. That ain't good.

Good job, Dave. Maybe we can get our headsets working soon. Bluetooth technology is boggling my mind.

More on The Show...

I started a new RTTS career today and decided to do it as a closing pitcher. So far is has been a lot of fun, but once again my performance isn't helping me get to where I should be. I had 9 out of 10 saves in spring training with the MLB Brewers, with an E.R.A. under 2.00. What did that get me? The middle relief job in AA. Still, in only a few weeks I have moved up to the setup role in AA, so I am progressing. Training emphasis so far has been on fielding, pitching and durability, so that's not too bad.

More later...

The Show

I picked up MLB 08: The Show yesterday and was able to put in some time with it. First of all, the game is gorgeous. Players look like their real-life counterparts and the stadiums are amazing. It's really something to behold. The gameplay is very good as well. I have seen all manner of hits and faced ace pitchers and journeymen with realistic results. The pitching and batting interfaces are largely unchanged from last year's model, and that's fine. The game plays a realistic and fun game of baseball and that's the best you can hope for. I have yet to see any statistical bugs which are said to be a bit of a problem. I am sure they are there, but they must not be too commonplace.

I started a Road To The Show career, where you begin as a young player in the minors and work your way up. It is a blast, but I do have some complaints. First off, I can be the second highest rated player at my position in my organization, have some terrific stats, but I still am only on the AA team. When I am rated higher than the AAA player and have better stats, I would think I should be ahead of him in the organization's depth chart. Secondly, and worse, is that the goals you must achieve every few weeks make you focus your training on mundane areas, which forces you to neglect more important skills. For example, the emphasis on bunting is absurd, as it has caused me to basically ignore my power rating. It needs to be more flexible and not so difficult to obtain training points, so that you can reach your goals and focus on other areas at the same time. That or the goals need to be modified to more accurately reflect real life training. I mean, how good of a bunter do I have to be before I can concentrate on other areas?

I did play a game with Dave online last night and it was a blast. I fell short in a 6-4 game as the Cubbies really clobbered Adam Wainright in one of the middle innings. It also didn't help that I did not know how to work the base running controls. I hit several balls to the gap but had to settle for singles because I did not know how to make the runners go to second base. Doh! Dave led 6-1 until I manged to put a few runs up late, including a pinch hit home run by Cardinals' cast-off Scott Spezio. Overall, it played pretty well online, though lag came into play a few times for both Dave and myself. Dave plays a great game; he isn't afraid to throw strikes and makes sound managerial moves. Good job, buddy!

I also picked up Bully yesterday, but it will probably be a while before I get into that. I'll post impressions when I do.

Thoughts and Prayers

Some good people I know are suffering right now and I just want to mention them so maybe you could include them in your thoughts and prayers. My cousin Mark is struggling with an illness at this time. He is receiving treatment and hopefully is on the mend. It will be a long struggle for him, but I am hoping he recovers fully and gets back on his feet. We love you, Mark.

My buddy Dave has been going through a rough stretch. He and his wife have separated and their marriage is really up in the air at this point. As if that wasn't enough, his father may be dealing with a serious illness. Dave, you are stronger than you think. You hang tough and keep your chin up. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. Call if you need anything at all.

God bless.

Nasty weather

We're having quite a snow and ice storm here. My kids are off from school and that takes a load off my mind. Barb is still at work, though her nursing school classes today have been canceled. That's a good thing, because she has quite a drive to get to her school. I am hoping she gets off early from work and comes home soon. I am working tonight and will definitely make it in, as work is only a couple of miles from my house. I get the feeling that I may have to work a double shift tonight; someone will probably call off because of the weather. While working a double can be a real drag, the overtime money would definitely come in handy.

Of course with the bad weather I will not be venturing out to any stores today to pick up MLB '08: The Show and Bully. It's just not worth the risk of possibly having an accident. In my younger days, I would have braved this weather and gone. I'm a little more sane now. Anyway, no sweat, they'll be there later in the week. I am hearing about some pretty puzzling bugs in The Show, so that has dampened my enthusiasm a bit. I'll be posting impressions of both games after I have played them a bit.

Gaming update

Been having lot of fun with Rock Band lately. My boy Zach likes to play guitar while I take care of the drumming. I love playing the drums but I can only handle the Easy level. Weak, I know. Still, it's a blast. My friend Pete came over on Saturday night with his wife and 8 year old daughter Claire. While we couldn't get Kim or my wife Barb involved, Zach and Pete traded off on guitar, I played drums and Claire handled the singing. She did a great job; she is familiar with a lot of songs by The Police since her dad's such a big fan, so she nailed those. She also had a lot of fun with "Roam" and "I Think I'm Paranoid." Rock Band is so cool. I don't play as much as I'd like because most of my gaming time is late night, and since my daughter Jess has her bedroom in the basement where my consoles and TV are, I can't exactly be pounding on the drums like a maniac.

The other gaming news is that MLB '08: The Show is coming out this week. I'll be picking it up on Wednesday most likely. Those who snagged early copies say that it is phenomenal. I'm not as stoked as I usually am when a big game are released; I can't really say why. Maybe it's because it's so hard to find the time to play games anymore. But I'm definitely looking forward to hooking up with Dave for some games. It'll be Cards vs. Cubbies, I imagine!

Bully: Scholarship Edition is also being released on Xbox 360 this week and I might pick that one up as well. I didn't play the original on PS2, so I am looking forward to it. It's a long game so should keep me occupied for a while.

That's all for now...

Why I love Operation Sports

As you may have noticed, I provide a link to Operation Sports on this blog. I have been a member there for a long time and there is always good info on the site and in the forums. But it's like a community as well. For example, I give you the story of BluenGold, a guy who talked his wife into making a 442 mile round trip drive with him to pick up a copy of MLB 08: The Show three days before the actual release date. Now that may sound crazy to you, driving all that way for game just to get it 3 days early, but when it comes to sports gamers, we are completely irrational when a major game is nearing release. I myself wouldn't have made that trip, but I definitely understand why BluenGold would do that. Anyway, here's what happened:

They made the drive to a Wal Mart which was 221 miles from there house. His wife thought he was nuts, but she also thought it would be a fun road trip so she gamely went along. He got to the store, bought the game and at that point all was well. He stopped at a gas station to fill up for the trip home. As he pumped gas, his wife cleaned out the car and threw away trash that had accumulated during the trip. They drove back home and then they realized that along with the trash, she also threw out the game. Uh-oh. His wife wanted to drive back to get it, but he said it would be foolish, given what they had spent on gas already and that by the time they got there, the trash might have been taken. So BluenGold posted on the Operation Sports forum that the game was in the trashcan at this gas station and if anyone wanted to go there and get the game, they could keep it. He just didn't want it to be a total waste of money (and a great game).

A poster named JSKYWALKER1 read the message and said that he lived 20 miles from the gas station. He made the drive, looked in the trashcan and plucked the game right out of the garbage. He called BluenGold and told him that he had the game and that he would gladly give it to him if he wanted to drive back. So tomorrow at 5:00 A.M. BluenGold is driving down to pick it up. He'll get his game, his wife won't feel so awful and JSKYWALKER1 knows he did a very nice thing to help out a fellow gamer. JSKYWALKER1, you sir are a hero. And BluenGold, that's one hell of a wife you've got there.

Big night for a big girl

Yesterday evening I put together a bunk bed for Laurel, my 3 year old. It was quite the pain in the neck because I couldn't use my cordless drill for all of the screws; the drill was too big to fit into the tight spaces. So after putting in approximately 647 screws by hand, it was ready to go. Of course during the construction of the bed, I had to fend off wave after wave of Laurel attacks, as she wanted to be in the room, help me and constantly ask "Can I get on the bed now? How about now?!" So it fell upon my wife (Barb) and 14 year old daughter (Jessica) to help keep Laurel at bay. My 16 year old, Zach, gave me a hand with the bed and was a big help.

Laurel was so excited about her new bed that she wanted to go to sleep as soon as we were done. That's very unusual. So Jess and I snapped a few photos before she climbed in and then Barb and I read her a story. She slept through the night and when she woke up this morning, she declared her new bed the "best ever!" She is so proud of her new big girl room and bed. Sometimes it's the simple things that make life so wonderful.