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October 30, 2008 3:17 PM
I hate Halloween.
Unfortunately, my distaste for spending money during a recession on a ridiculous outfit I will never wear again and am too old to be wearing in the first place leaves me in a difficult position. Specifically, it leaves me at home on the couch on a Friday night.
My problem is that the people who love Halloween REALLY love Halloween. With the help of Hallmark and the Hershey Company, they hijack this weekend in October and organize elitist gatherings. If you do not cave to their demands for face paint and polyester one-size-fits-all garments, you must suffer the looks of disgust from 80’s hair band members and slutty nurses alike.
Bars also embrace the tradition, but people who work at and own bars will use any opportunity to appeal to slutty nurses, which is a difficult concept to argue with. However, it means that the only alternative I have is to sit at home imagining my friends discussing how lame I am for hating Halloween enough to sit at home.
Thankfully, this year is different.
You see, the real problem I have with Halloween is creativity. Having to come up with a costume is infuriating and the real source of tension between All Hallows’ Eve and myself. But this year, the decision has been made for me.
My friends, who fall heavily in to the Halloween loving category of people, are throwing a Zombie Party. Though pretty self-explanatory, the premise is if you don’t have another costume in mind, throw on some tattered clothing and draw a scar on your forehead…case closed.
While this does not achieve my ultimate goal of a costume-free house party for Halloween outcasts, at least I can venture off my couch this year without fear of being persecuted by girls who, if it were not for our Puritan social standards, would probably dress like strippers on a consistent basis.
ACC Picks
Florida St (+2.5) over GEORGIA TECHMiami (+2.5) over UVA
BC (-4) over Clemson
WAKE FOREST (-7.5) over Duke
Continue reading this post for Top 25 picks...
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Posted in
October 29, 2008 10:45 AM
Two interesting ones in today's paper:
Sagarin: Cavs' schedule second-toughest in FBS
According to the Sagarin Ratings, U.Va. has the second-toughest schedule in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.
Of Virginia's 12 opponents, only Clemson (3-4) has a losing record. Southern California, Richmond, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia Tech have six victories apiece, and Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech have five.
Hokies' Greenberg offers praise for Groh
Praise for Groh is coming from all directions. At media day for ACC men's basketball Sunday, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, of all people, raved about the job Groh has done this season.
After a 1-3 start that included one-sided losses to USC, UConn and Duke, the Cavaliers have won four straight to take over first place in the ACC's Coastal Division.
"As a coach, the hardest thing to do is get your team back," Greenberg told reporters in Atlanta. "To get that team back on point, and to get them believing and trusting in one another, is a testament to coaching. As a coach, you want to sit down and study them and say, 'What did you do to keep the guys together?'" -- Jeff White
Sagarin: Cavs' schedule second-toughest in FBS
According to the Sagarin Ratings, U.Va. has the second-toughest schedule in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.
Of Virginia's 12 opponents, only Clemson (3-4) has a losing record. Southern California, Richmond, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia Tech have six victories apiece, and Miami (Fla.) and Virginia Tech have five.
Hokies' Greenberg offers praise for Groh
Praise for Groh is coming from all directions. At media day for ACC men's basketball Sunday, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, of all people, raved about the job Groh has done this season.
After a 1-3 start that included one-sided losses to USC, UConn and Duke, the Cavaliers have won four straight to take over first place in the ACC's Coastal Division.
"As a coach, the hardest thing to do is get your team back," Greenberg told reporters in Atlanta. "To get that team back on point, and to get them believing and trusting in one another, is a testament to coaching. As a coach, you want to sit down and study them and say, 'What did you do to keep the guys together?'" -- Jeff White
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Posted in
October 29, 2008 10:30 AM
I would like to reiterate that I have a very bad feeling about this week's game.
Marc Verica showing up on the front page of Rivals.com does not help temper my concern. It is much easier to sneak up on teams when you're an "ACC laughingstock".
Marc Verica showing up on the front page of Rivals.com does not help temper my concern. It is much easier to sneak up on teams when you're an "ACC laughingstock".
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Posted in
October 28, 2008 11:01 AM
These are a few highlights from this week's edition of "The Homers." Follow the link to enjoy the dellusions in their entirety:
Homer #1: E-Dubs
Did I drink too much last weekend, or did I just read that UVA is atop the ACC?
Homer #6: Ned Ryerson
So now we have a bye week, then games at home against Ga. Tech, at Maryland, State and Duke. I can see us going undefeated and making a play for the championship game in Tampa, and I could also see us going 2-2 or even worse, 1-3. I just don't know what to expect at this point.
Homer #8: 46 East
Verica loves to throw interceptions. There is no doubt about that. He's good for one a game, guaranteed, but two is never unexpected. But his resiliency (there's that word again, I think Groh should put it on his tombstone: "Al Groh, 1950 - 20XX. He wasn't a lot of things, but he was really resilient.") has been pretty cool to watch.
Homer #9: Benny-Who!?!??
VT was picked sixth in preseason men's basketball ACC polls. This is a good sign. In the last few years, we have been picked below 8th and finished toward the top. Last year, I believe we were picked to be 9th and finished 4th. If we can gain that much ground this year, we will enter the tourney as the #1 seed.
Homer #10: Erik the Red
Saturday's game ball definitely goes to Steed Lobotzke (Deac's O.C.), provided that the ball is firmly shoved up Lobo's … well, let's just say some of us were not too happy with the play calling.
Continue reading this post...
Did I drink too much last weekend, or did I just read that UVA is atop the ACC?
So now we have a bye week, then games at home against Ga. Tech, at Maryland, State and Duke. I can see us going undefeated and making a play for the championship game in Tampa, and I could also see us going 2-2 or even worse, 1-3. I just don't know what to expect at this point.
Verica loves to throw interceptions. There is no doubt about that. He's good for one a game, guaranteed, but two is never unexpected. But his resiliency (there's that word again, I think Groh should put it on his tombstone: "Al Groh, 1950 - 20XX. He wasn't a lot of things, but he was really resilient.") has been pretty cool to watch.
VT was picked sixth in preseason men's basketball ACC polls. This is a good sign. In the last few years, we have been picked below 8th and finished toward the top. Last year, I believe we were picked to be 9th and finished 4th. If we can gain that much ground this year, we will enter the tourney as the #1 seed.
Saturday's game ball definitely goes to Steed Lobotzke (Deac's O.C.), provided that the ball is firmly shoved up Lobo's … well, let's just say some of us were not too happy with the play calling.
Continue reading this post...
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Posted in
October 27, 2008 12:32 PM
While the Hoos has ascended to sole possession of 1st place, things are bit dicey in Blacksburg. The Chokies have their second bye this weekend as they prepare for back-to-back Thursday nighters (Maryland & at Miami).
It is unclear if that will be enough time for Tyrod to recover from his high ankle sprain or for Glennon to recover from whatever cause him to flop around like Curt Hennig after a Ric Flair suplex. So just in case neither is ready to go, The Sporting Blog is looking for QB recruits on Beamer’s behalf.
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Posted in
October 27, 2008 12:17 PM
Man the Duke loss stings a bit more each week.
A two game lead in the Coastal Division would be fairly comfortable with four to play. As it stands, though, the conference remains completely up for grabs.
Still, it’s hard to complain about much considering the turnaround Peerman, Verica, and yes, the Grohs have led the last four weeks. In a word, it has been astounding, and beating GT in the ATL is particularly significant. There is precedent for winning unexpected games at home under Al, but it’s been seven years since one of his teams beat a ranked opponent in their building…insert blind squirrel joke here.
The Hoos will have a chance to prove the road win was not a fluke when they head to Winston-Salem in two weeks, but first, they return to the friendly confines to face the surging Miami Hurricanes.
I am terrified of this game for a lot of reasons.
As if Randy Shannon’s young squad needed any more motivation after the 48-zip beat down that shut down the Orange Bowl last year, now they have the chance the come to C-Ville and supplant the top team in the division.
More to the point, this is exactly the kind of game all non-lacrosse UVA teams lose. A few AP voters start taking notice, Ivan Maisel is "completely sold", Scott Stadium is packed again, the path to the BCS is clear, and then…Wham! You are suddenly and unceremoniously put back in your place. This is what it’s really like to root for the Virginia Cavaliers.
So as not to end on an entirely pessimistic point, Verica continues to get better each week (in case you missed the graphic in the paper yesterday, his numbers over the four-game win streak are impressive).
A two game lead in the Coastal Division would be fairly comfortable with four to play. As it stands, though, the conference remains completely up for grabs.
Still, it’s hard to complain about much considering the turnaround Peerman, Verica, and yes, the Grohs have led the last four weeks. In a word, it has been astounding, and beating GT in the ATL is particularly significant. There is precedent for winning unexpected games at home under Al, but it’s been seven years since one of his teams beat a ranked opponent in their building…insert blind squirrel joke here.
The Hoos will have a chance to prove the road win was not a fluke when they head to Winston-Salem in two weeks, but first, they return to the friendly confines to face the surging Miami Hurricanes.
I am terrified of this game for a lot of reasons.
As if Randy Shannon’s young squad needed any more motivation after the 48-zip beat down that shut down the Orange Bowl last year, now they have the chance the come to C-Ville and supplant the top team in the division.
More to the point, this is exactly the kind of game all non-lacrosse UVA teams lose. A few AP voters start taking notice, Ivan Maisel is "completely sold", Scott Stadium is packed again, the path to the BCS is clear, and then…Wham! You are suddenly and unceremoniously put back in your place. This is what it’s really like to root for the Virginia Cavaliers.
So as not to end on an entirely pessimistic point, Verica continues to get better each week (in case you missed the graphic in the paper yesterday, his numbers over the four-game win streak are impressive).
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Posted in
October 24, 2008 12:49 PM
Baseball has fallen out of my sports viewing rotation for the most part. There are too many commercials, too much time between pitches, and far too much Tim McCarver.
This year’s World Series has been an exception. I have watched nearly every pitch through the first two games. This may have more to do with the fact that ESPN was showing women's billiards Wednesday night and that I could watch SNL’s "Thursday Night Election Update" during commercials last night. It also may have to do with the fact that I was born in Tampa and feel like that justifies my spot on the Rays bandwagon despite having no memory of ever living there. Regardless of what has drawn my viewership thus far, there’s no chance I see a single minute of Game 3.
My attention Saturday night will rest squarely on the Big 10 Title Game. For a conference that has avoided a title game like Bird Flu, Penn State's visit to the Horseshoe is the closest thing we're gonna get. The Lions can essentially lock up a spot in the National Title, and its not even Halloween. More importantly, they can answer the prayers of an entire nation terrified of having to watch an SEC team decimate the Buckeyes for a third year in row!
The much covetted "last" button on my remote will be reserved for Nick Saban’s attempt to get Phil Fulmer fired. The Tide has a chance to drop the Vols to 1-4 in the SEC and further guarantee the unemployment of the guy who played a key role in sanctioning ‘Bama a few years back.
So with my apologies to Norfolk’s-own B.J. Upton, baseball can’t compete with the Big 10 or SEC.
Note: There is also a full slate of ACC match-ups tomorrow. While it is fun to speculate that a Hoos win and Hokies loss would catapult the Cavs to the Coastal Division lead, Al’s 14-28 road record and the combined 76-13 losses to UConn & Duke do not inspire a lot of confidence. My guess is we have no better idea who is heading to Tampa from either division tomorrow night than we do today.
Picks after the jump.
Continue reading this post...
This year’s World Series has been an exception. I have watched nearly every pitch through the first two games. This may have more to do with the fact that ESPN was showing women's billiards Wednesday night and that I could watch SNL’s "Thursday Night Election Update" during commercials last night. It also may have to do with the fact that I was born in Tampa and feel like that justifies my spot on the Rays bandwagon despite having no memory of ever living there. Regardless of what has drawn my viewership thus far, there’s no chance I see a single minute of Game 3.
My attention Saturday night will rest squarely on the Big 10 Title Game. For a conference that has avoided a title game like Bird Flu, Penn State's visit to the Horseshoe is the closest thing we're gonna get. The Lions can essentially lock up a spot in the National Title, and its not even Halloween. More importantly, they can answer the prayers of an entire nation terrified of having to watch an SEC team decimate the Buckeyes for a third year in row!
The much covetted "last" button on my remote will be reserved for Nick Saban’s attempt to get Phil Fulmer fired. The Tide has a chance to drop the Vols to 1-4 in the SEC and further guarantee the unemployment of the guy who played a key role in sanctioning ‘Bama a few years back.
So with my apologies to Norfolk’s-own B.J. Upton, baseball can’t compete with the Big 10 or SEC.
Note: There is also a full slate of ACC match-ups tomorrow. While it is fun to speculate that a Hoos win and Hokies loss would catapult the Cavs to the Coastal Division lead, Al’s 14-28 road record and the combined 76-13 losses to UConn & Duke do not inspire a lot of confidence. My guess is we have no better idea who is heading to Tampa from either division tomorrow night than we do today.
Picks after the jump.
Continue reading this post...
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Posted in
October 22, 2008 9:35 AM
These are a few highlights from this week's edition of "The Homers." Follow the link to enjoy the dellusions in their entirety:
Homer #4: Beef & Charlie Chalupa
One has to wonder what could've been for this Terps team. They beat three ranked teams this season, and they have beaten the last five ranked teams they faced back to last season. Unfortunately, the Terps play to the level of their competition...which means they lose to crapass jokes like Virginia and Middle Tennessee State.
Homer #5: Krystal
To say that I wanted to throw my TV out the window and swear off football FOREVER at halftime is an understatement. Duke was beating Miami 17-14! What?!?! It’s DUKE! Seriously????
Homer #6: Ned Ryerson
Two UNC grads were getting married. We lost right before they cut the cake. Everyone had a look on their face like they were trying to smile, but it was like trying to smile for a family portrait after catching your wife cheating AND learning your daughter is knocked up. Just not genuine. The father of the groom looked like he might throw up.
Homer #8: 46 East
The same way we love having the Fat Bastard at Maryland and the same way I am going to miss Tommy Bowden at Clemson, the Hokies, Heels and other ACC schools love having Groh at UVA. They aren't worried about the Al Groh Wahoos.
Homer #9: Benny-Who!?!??
If our offense was water, Bear Grylls would tell me not to drink it for fear of dysteria.
Continue reading this post...
One has to wonder what could've been for this Terps team. They beat three ranked teams this season, and they have beaten the last five ranked teams they faced back to last season. Unfortunately, the Terps play to the level of their competition...which means they lose to crapass jokes like Virginia and Middle Tennessee State.
To say that I wanted to throw my TV out the window and swear off football FOREVER at halftime is an understatement. Duke was beating Miami 17-14! What?!?! It’s DUKE! Seriously????
Two UNC grads were getting married. We lost right before they cut the cake. Everyone had a look on their face like they were trying to smile, but it was like trying to smile for a family portrait after catching your wife cheating AND learning your daughter is knocked up. Just not genuine. The father of the groom looked like he might throw up.
The same way we love having the Fat Bastard at Maryland and the same way I am going to miss Tommy Bowden at Clemson, the Hokies, Heels and other ACC schools love having Groh at UVA. They aren't worried about the Al Groh Wahoos.
If our offense was water, Bear Grylls would tell me not to drink it for fear of dysteria.
Continue reading this post...
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Posted in
October 20, 2008 5:39 PM
The offense was excrutiating to watch for 58 minutes, but the last 2 were outstanding...
Note: Yes, that guy with his hand up blocked this kick
Note: Yes, that guy with his hand up blocked this kick
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Posted in
October 20, 2008 11:29 AM
I don't even know what to say about this. I have never seen anything like it...ever!
Note: What you don't see in this clip is that it was first and goal on the LSU 8 yard line.
Note: What you don't see in this clip is that it was first and goal on the LSU 8 yard line.
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Posted in