tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45175089248353652882024-02-07T02:54:28.020-05:00Chop CulturePop culture observations sans journalistic integrityChopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-54007134219559340982015-01-30T07:01:00.003-05:002015-01-30T08:16:16.990-05:005 TV Dramas That You Should Be Watching<b>1. The Americans (FX)</b>: After two full seasons, the Americans is already a top 10 TV drama of all-time for me. You really should be watching.<br />
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<b>Premise</b>:<b> </b>Keri Russell (of "Felicity" fame) and Matthew Rhys play KGB spies living as a married couple in America. A sentence I never thought I'd write: Felicity is a bad ass in this role. Rhys is equally convincing.<br />
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<b>How to watch</b>: Seasons 1 and 2 are on Amazon Instant video (free with an Amazon Prime account and worth it). Season 3 is currently airing on FX on Wednesdays at 10.<br />
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<b>2. Transparent (Amazon Instant)</b>: Amazon Instant is following Netflix's lead and now airing original series. Transparent is Amazon's first hit. Much like the outstanding Orange is the New Black (which I assume you already watch), Transparent has some elements of a comedy and some elements of a drama.<br />
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<b>Premise</b>: Jeffrey Tambor (best known to me as George / Oscar / Pop Pop on Arrested Development) is brilliant as a divorced father of three adult kids who is now living as a transgender woman.<br />
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<b>How to watch</b>: Season 1 is exclusively on Amazon Instant.<br />
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<b>3. Orphan Black (BBC America)</b>: Orphan Black is one of my favorite shows, and I don't know many other people who watch it. It's a little bit sci-fi, which is not normally my thing, but this show is so good.<br />
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<b>Premise</b>: Sarah Manning (played by the outstanding Tatiana Maslany) sees a woman throw herself in front of a subway train, and right before the woman dies, Manning notices that the woman looks exactly like her. It turns out they, and many others, were part of a clone experiment. It may sound weird, but just give it a chance. Maslany plays several roles (because of the clones), mostly in different accents, and she should be taking home a lot more awards than she has been.<br />
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<b>How to watch</b>: Season 1 is on Amazon Instant. Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix. Season 3 comes back to BBC America in April 2015 -- so get caught up before then.<br />
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<b>4. Rectify (Sundance Channel)</b>: Rectify is a very under-the-radar show that is well-written and well-acted. It would be a huge hit if it were on HBO or AMC rather than Sundance Channel.<br />
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<b>Premise</b>: A man in his late 30s gets released from prison after serving 19 years on Death Row in Georgia, and he and his family struggle to get adjusted to normal life in the community.<br />
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<b>How to watch</b>: Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix. Season 3 returns to Sundance Channel later this year.<br />
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<b>5. The Affair (Showtime)</b>: I really only started watching The Affair because it came on after Homeland, but by the end of the season I started looking forward to it more than Homeland.<br />
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<b>Premise</b>: Dominic West (who played McNulty on the greatest TV drama of all-time - The Wire) plays a husband and father who begins an affair with a waitress during a family summer in the Hamptons. The story is told in the backdrop of a murder investigation in which a detective is interviewing Noah (played by West) and Alison (the waitress - played by Ruth Wilson).<br />
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<b>How to watch</b>: Season 1 recently ended on Showtime so Showtime on Demand is the only way to watch right now. I assume Netflix or Amazon Instant will pick it up soon. Showtime renewed the series for another season, which will air in late 2015.<br />
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<b>Note</b>: I assume everyone is already watching Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Homeland, True Detective, House of Cards, and Orange is the New Black. If not, stop what you're doing and watch them now.Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-86762913844304586132015-01-29T22:27:00.000-05:002015-01-29T22:27:13.135-05:00Reverse JinxIt's been almost a year since I posted the <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2014/02/hopeless-sports-fan.html">Hopeless Sports Fan article</a> about the pain and suffering inflicted upon me by UVa sports teams, the Detroit Lions, and the Washington Nationals.<br />
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Since then, the Lions and Nats made the playoffs, UVa basketball has gone 26-2 (19-0 this season) and is now ranked #2 in the nation, and UVa football is...UVa football. Take away Mike London and the boys, and I think the article has created a reverse jinx that has transformed my favorite teams into winners.<br />
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Based on past history, I am not booking my flight to Indianapolis for the Final Four just yet, but Tony Bennett has orchestrated a true contender in Charlottesville. And I'll take the credit for the reverse jinx.<br />
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Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-29998193193911357122014-04-08T12:50:00.001-04:002014-04-08T12:50:10.357-04:00Early Preseason Hoops Top 25 for 2014-151) Wisconsin<br />
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2) Kansas<br />
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3) Arizona<br />
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4) Duke<br />
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5) Florida<br />
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6) Kentucky<br />
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7) UVA<br />
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8) Villanova<br />
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9) Texas<br />
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10) Michigan<br />
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11) Wichita State<br />
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12) UNC<br />
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13) SMU<br />
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14) UConn<br />
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15) VCU<br />
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16) Iowa State<br />
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17) Louisville<br />
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18) Oklahoma<br />
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19) Gonzaga<br />
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20) Maryland<br />
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21) Michigan State<br />
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22) Oregon<br />
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23) Utah<br />
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24) Syracuse<br />
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25) West VirginiaChopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-945331117567549282014-02-24T08:30:00.001-05:002014-02-24T08:46:00.919-05:00Hopeless Sports Fan<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I wrote about this subject a few years ago, but I have updated and expanded my hopeless sports outlook. Spoiler alert: my favorite teams still suck...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some people are hopeless romantics. I am a hopeless sports fan. My favorite teams find new and seemingly impossible ways to lose every year. I am so used to mediocrity that I started to feel guilty when one of my favorite teams won a championship – so much so that this particular team is no longer my favorite. This is my story…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I attended Hampden-Sydney College, a small liberal arts college in Virginia that plays Division III sports, but my dad went to UVA so I have been a fan of the “Hoos” since as early as I can remember. Unfortunately, I was born in 1981 and am not old enough to remember Ralph Sampson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I would like to think I’d still be a UVA fan even if I had gone to another school with Division I sports, but it was easy to remain a UVA fan since I went to a D-III school. Sometimes people say to me, “but you didn’t go to UVA.” First of all, I’m cheering for the athletic teams, not for the ranking of the academic institution in U.S. News & World Report. More importantly, for the most part is it not fun to be a UVA fan. I didn’t ask for this pain and suffering. I’m not “that guy” who roots for Duke basketball and Alabama football (but none of the other sports). Being a UVA fan brings far more sorrow than enjoyment – at least when it comes to revenue-generating sports. If you want national championships in soccer, lacrosse, rowing, and tennis, then UVA is your team. On the other hand, UVA basketball and football – with a few exceptions* – have been an embarrassment of epic proportions over the last 20 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(*UVA basketball is currently 23-5 overall and 14-1 in the ACC, but longtime UVA fans are still cautiously pessimistic about the team's ACC Tournament and Final Four chances)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">UVA fans got spoiled in the 90s and started to grumble that a Sweet 16 trip in hoops and a 7-4 football season capped off with a middle-of-the-road bowl game just didn’t cut it. These days, a trip to a bowl game sponsored by a mortgage company or a low-end department store and an invitation to a March Madness play-in game would be cause for celebration in Charlottesville. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A perfect illustration of the heartbreak UVA fans endure is the 1990 football season. The Hoos were 7-0 and ranked #1 in the nation for the first (and still the only) time in school history when they played Georgia Tech at home. Down 3 points in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter, UVA had two illegal procedure penalties inside of the Georgia Tech 1-yard line, the second of which nullified a touchdown. UVA settled for a game-tying field goal with two and a half minutes left. Georgia Tech went on win 41-38 on a game-winning field goal en route to a co-national championship. The loss started a downward spiral for the Hoos that culminated with squandering a 16-0 lead against Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl and a disappointing 8-4 finish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And those were the golden years. Is it lax season yet? </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Detroit Lions</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have no connection to Detroit, but in 1990 I randomly decided to become a Detroit Lions fan even though just about all of my friends were Redskins fans. Of course, the Redskins won the Super Bowl in 1992 so Redskins fans should be thankful that I did not declare my allegiance to the gold and burgundy in 1990. I have no idea why I chose the Lions, but Detroit drafted UVA wide receiver Herman Moore in 1991 so the decision made more sense at that point.<b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my lifetime, the Lions have exactly one playoff win. They have never been to a Super Bowl. They usually ruin my Thanksgiving. Calvin Johnson will likely end up being considered a top 5 receiver of all-time, and halfway through his career he has managed to play in one playoff game. The Lions failed to win their division this season despite serious injuries to division rivals Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler. Nonetheless, I have a good feeling about next year – which is probably a recipe for a letdown.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Boston Red Sox</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is where things get strange. When I was growing up in Virginia, the closest major league baseball team was the Baltimore Orioles, but I was always more of a Cal Ripken fan than an Orioles fan. During a family vacation to Boston in 1995, I went to three games at Fenway, and it was a life-changing experience. I instantly became a Red Sox fan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the time, of course, the Red Sox had not won a title since 1918. Keep in mind that the Sox didn’t have Nomar, Manny, or Big Papi back then (Nomar was called up in 1996). Mo Vaughn was probably the best player on the ’95 team. Boston was usually a playoff team, but it’s not as if I were hopping on a bandwagon. It wasn’t as if I had become a Yankees fan in 2000 after they had won four of the last five World Series (as many people did). In fact, the Red Sox missed the playoffs in five of the first eight seasons of my fandom. The heartbreak of the 2003 ALCS and Aaron F’ing Boone felt real to me. The improbable comeback against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS and subsequent World Series victory was the first championship I had ever experienced as a fan– at age 23. I enjoyed the 2004 MLB postseason more than any other that I can remember.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But then something unexpected happened: I started to feel guilty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sure, I had been a Sox fan for nine years, but I didn’t feel like a real Bostonian. I felt as if I didn’t deserve to celebrate as much as lifelong Sox fans. Even worse, after the 2004 World Series, I hated when people asked me my favorite baseball team. I wasn’t“that guy” who buys the new lid as soon as a new team wins a championship, but I felt like him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Despite my winner’s guilt, I remained a Red Sox fan. I should have been ecstatic that the Sox brought another World Series title back to Beantown in 2007, but my jubilation was outweighed by a sense that I was being thrown off the bandwagon. I was happy to see Boston win yet another title in 2013, and I was rooting for them in the World Series, but ever since 2007 I have been cheering for a team that better fits my personality, my sensibility, and my ever-present yearning to be disappointed by all of my favorite teams. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Washington Nationals </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am a Nats fan for two reasons: 1) they are the closest team to my current home of Richmond and 2) my favorite player Ryan Zimmerman played at UVA. All you need to know about why rooting for this team perpetuates my status as a hopeless sports fan is the following: in 2012, the Nats not only made the playoffs but also had the best record in MLB and home field advantage throughout the entire playoffs (thanks to a National League All-Star win). However, the Nats decided to shut down their best pitcher (Stephen Strasburg) just prior to the playoffs and lost in the deciding game of the divisional series (after giving up 4 runs in the last inning). Strasburg came back fresh in 2013…and the Nats missed the playoffs. Sounds about right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dear UVA, Detroit Lions, and Washington Nationals, it’s not you, it’s me. Actually, it’s you. But I know the bubbly is going to taste sweet <s>when</s> if we get that elusive championship one of these days. And there will be no winner’s guilt next time.</span></div>
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</span>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-68784993113182870602014-02-10T13:00:00.002-05:002014-02-11T08:27:31.102-05:00ACC Hoops Midseason Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ACC hoops season has not gone exactly as I expected. The league is much more top heavy than I predicted -- instead of 8 or 9 teams dancing, the ACC will get 6 at the most. I did not expect there to be any cupcakes in the league, but Virginia Tech and Boston College have been getting pushed around by everyone.<br />
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The pleasant suprises are UVA (I picked them 3rd but did not expect a 10-1 start) and Clemson (6-4, I picked them 14th) while Georgia Tech and Notre Dame have been disappointing.<br />
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Here are the current league standings (compared to where I picked them preseason):<br />
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1) Syracuse (2)<br />
2) UVA (3)<br />
3) Duke (1)<br />
4) Pitt (6)<br />
5) UNC (4)<br />
6) Clemson (14)<br />
7) Maryland (7) <br />
8) NC State (11)<br />
9) Florida State (10)<br />
10) Wake Forest (12)<br />
11) Georgia Tech (8)<br />
12) Notre Dame (5)<br />
13) Miami (13)<br />
14) Boston College (9)<br />
15) Virginia Tech (15)<br />
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1) <u>Syracuse</u>: The Orange are 10-0 in the league and 23-0 overall. As expected, C.J. Fair leads the team in scoring, but you could make a strong argument that freshman point guard Tyler Ennis is the most valuable player on the squad. He leads the league in assists and rarely turns the ball over. I expect the Cuse to lose at least one conference game (still have away games at Duke, UVA, Pitt, and Maryland), but they should land the #1 seed in the East Regional -- which means they won't have to leave the state of New York until the Final Four.<br />
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2) <u>UVA</u>: I predicted that this year's team would be UVA's best in 20 years. After a 9-4 start and a 35-point beatdown at Tennessee, that seemed like a foolish prediction. 11 games (and 10 wins) later, I stand by the statement. No one in the nation plays better team defense than UVA. The offensive production is by committee, but Malcolm Brogdon always seems to get a bucket when the Hoos really need it. I like that Joe Harris is an unselfish player, but UVA needs him to look to score a little more often. London Perrantes, much like Tyler Ennis, is a freshman point guard who plays well beyond his years and has a calming influence when running the halfcourt offense. I expect UVA to end up with a 5-seed in the NCAA tourney.<br />
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3) <u>Duke</u>: Duke is starting to look like a top 10 team. Coach K is giving Andre Dawkins and Rasheed Sulaimon some more minutes, and they have responded well. In my opinion, those two should be getting much more playing time than Tyler Thornton. Amile Jefferson has thrived in a supporting role, and he is Duke's only viable big man. Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood have been as good as advertised. Don't be surprised to see Duke win the ACC tournament and get a 2-seed in the Big Dance.<br />
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4) <u>Pitt</u>: Lamar Patterson and James Robinson lead the way for Pitt. The Panthers have been very solid all year long, but some critics have questioned their strength of schedule. Close overtime wins over Miami and Virginia Tech this week have not helped that perception. They are safely in the NCAAs, but the next few weeks will determine if they get as high as a 6 seed or drop as far as a 10 seed.<br />
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5) <u>UNC</u>: The Heels have come on strong in the last few weeks, winning five conference games in a row. They get Duke at home on Wednesday so we should find out just how good they are. Without P.J. Hairston, the Heels only have one reliable shooter in Marcus Paige. I expect them to get invited to March Madness, but their stay will be a short one.<br />
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6) <u>Clemson</u>: Clemson is UVA with a little less talent. They play tenacious defense and keep their games in the 50s, but they often do not score enough to win. Clemson is 6-4 in the league, but they probably need to finish at least 11-7 in the ACC to get an NCAA bid. Their schedule is manageable enough to do so. <br />
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7) <u>Maryland</u>: The Terps are leaving the ACC exactly as I expected them to: as an average, middle of the road team. They have enough talent to make a run and have a shot at March Madness, but I don't expect it to happen.<br />
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8) <u>NC State</u>: Sophomore T.J. Warren leads the league in scoring and freshman Cat Barber is exciting to watch, but the Wolfpack has been too inconsistent this season. Assuming they don't lose anyone unexpected to the draft or to transfer, watch out for this team next season.<br />
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9) <u>Florida State</u>: FSU is 5-6 in ACC play, yet most bracketologists still have the Noles in the field of 68. I think FSU needs to get to 10 league wins, and I think they will barely get there. I see them as an 11-seed in Madness.<br />
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10) <u>Wake Forest</u>: I can't take Wake seriously until they get a new coach. Under Jeff Bzdelik, Wake is 2-28 in ACC road games. The Demon Deacons are composed almost entirely of freshmen and sophomores so a new coach could bring in results immediately next season.<br />
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11) <u>Georgia Tech</u>: The Jackets have been bitten (no pun intended) by the injury bug (no pun intended) this season. Robert Carter and Trae Golden must be in the lineup if this team expects to win conference games, and they have missed too many games for Georgia Tech to be successful.<br />
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12) <u>Notre Dame</u>: Most of the blame for Notre Dame's woes has to fall on Jerian Grant's dismissal from the team for acaemic reasons. He was one of the five best players in the ACC. However, even without Grant, Notre Dame should still be in the top half of the league. They have been the biggest disappointment in the ACC.<br />
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13) <u>Miami</u>: In fairness to the U, they have lost five conference games by 5 points or less. They had Syracuse on the ropes twice. So, even though they are 13th in the league as I had predicted, they are a much better team than I expected. They will play spoiler for one or two teams down the stretch.<br />
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14) <u>Boston College</u>: I still like Olivier Hanlan's game, but there is not much else positive to say about BC this season.<br />
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15) <u>Virginia Tech</u>: I think Devin Wilson could be a quality point guard for four years in Blacksburg, but I don't think Coach James Johnson will be there to see him graduate.<br />
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<u>Midseason 1st Team All-ACC</u><br />
<br />
Jabari Parker, Duke (also Player of the Year & Rookie of the Year)<br />
C.J. Fair, Syracuse<br />
Lamar Patterson, Pitt<br />
Rodney Hood, Duke<br />
T.J. Warren, NC State<br />
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<u>2nd Team</u><br />
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Tyler Ennis, Syracuse<br />
Malcolm Brogdon, UVA<br />
Marcus Paige, UNC<br />
Olivier Hanlan, BC<br />
K.J. McDaniels, Clemson<br />
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Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-42487943520657000152013-11-06T11:24:00.000-05:002014-01-17T11:09:08.857-05:002013-14 ACC Basketball Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This seems like deja vu, but UVa is on a six-game losing streak in football and college hoops kicks off on Friday so it is again that time of year to turn our attention to basketball season.<br />
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With the additions of Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Pitt, the ACC is now without question the best conference in college basketball. I think the ACC could get as many as 9 teams in the NCAA tournament this season. There are really only three bad teams in the league this season so 12 squads will be fighting for likely 7-9 March Madness berths.<br />
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My predictions for the upcoming ACC season are as follows:<br />
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1) <u><b>Duke</b></u> - Despite losing Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee, and Ryan Kelly, the Blue Devils are stacked. For the first time in what seems like decades, Duke does not have any annoying white guys in the rotation (although the third Plumlee brother could potentially fill this role). This is a young, athletic Duke team. Time will tell if Jabari Parker (freshman) and Rodney Hood (transfer from Mississippi State) are as good as advertised. Quinn Cook and Rasheed Sulaimon are solid in the backcourt.<br />
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2) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Syracuse</u> - Every other ACC team is glad that Michael Carter-Williams is playing for the Sixers instead of the Orange this season. The Cuse still has some weapons, most notably C.J. Fair, and will look to challenge Duke for the ACC title.<br />
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3) <u style="font-weight: bold;">UVa</u> - At the risk of sounding like a homer, this should be the best UVa squad since 1995. Seniors Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell lead the way, but there is a lot of depth with Anthony Gill, Mike Tobey, Justin Anderson, Malcolm Brogdan, Evan Nolte, and two freshmen point guards. Gill (redshirt) and Brogdan (foot injury) both missed last season, and they will need to play significant roles to get the Hoos over the hump.<br />
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4) <u style="font-weight: bold;">UNC</u> - I think the Heels are slightly overrated in the preseason polls (#12 in AP, #11 in USA Today). There is still talent on the roster, but the team played a lot of lazy basketball last season. I'm still waiting for James Michael McAdoo to show us why many consider him a sure-fire lottery pick. P.J. Hairston should be the Heels' leading scorer, if he can get his life together off the court. UNC plays Michigan State in its 7th game so I fully expect Hairston's suspension to be for 6 games or less.<br />
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5) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Notre Dame</u> - I think the Irish are a dark horse to win the league. Seniors Jerian Grant and Eric Atkins make up one of the best backcourts in the nation. It will be interesting to see Mike Brey coach against his mentor, Coach K, and Notre Dame - Duke could become a good, new rivalry.<br />
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6) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Pitt</u> - I would like Pitt's chances of winning the league much more if 7-footer Steven Adams had returned to school rather than declare for the NBA draft. Pitt has three returning starters, including point guard James Robinson, and should have a good chance to dance in March even if they don't finish in the top 5 of the league.<br />
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7) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Maryland </u>- Alex Len is gone, but quite frankly, he wasn't that great at Maryland. The Terps have some talented wings in Dez Wells, Nick Faust, and Jake Layman. Michigan transfer Evan Smotrycz will provide another scoring option. No one will be too sad to see Maryland leave the ACC after this season, especially with Louisville replacing them next year.<br />
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8) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Georgia Tech</u> - The Ramblin' Wreck is my sleeper team in the ACC. Most projections have the Jackets finishing in the bottom 5 of the league, but I think they have a chance to make the NCAAs. Tennessee transfer Trae Golden is eligible immediately, and returning sophomores Robert Carter, Jr. and Marcus Georges-Hunt will play bigger roles this season.<br />
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9) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Boston College</u> - Sophomore guard Olivier Hanlan is a star, and Ryan Anderson is one of the league's best post players. Notre Dame transfer Alex Dragicevich is eligible this year, and the 6'8'' guard should fit in nicely in Steve Donahue's up-tempo offense. The Eagles will be much improved this season.<br />
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10) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Florida State</u> - FSU is probably the hardest team in the league for me to get a read on. Mr. Clutch-- Michael Snaer -- is gone, but there is still some talent in the cupboard. Okaro White will be their top scorer, and he'll need some help from Ian Miller, Devon Bookert, and 7-footer Kiel Turpin. Prized recruit Xavier Rathan-Mayes has been ruled academically ineligible, which severely hurts the 'Noles chances of making the Big Dance.<br />
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11) <u style="font-weight: bold;">NC State</u> - The Wolfpack underachieved last season, and then lost almost all of its starting lineup. Sophomore T.J. Warren, the only returning starter, is now the leader of the team. Sophomore Tyler Lewis and blue-chip freshman Anthony "Big Cat" Barber (from Hampton High) are a legitimate 1-2 punch at the point guard position. This is a young team with a bright future, but this season could be a struggle.<br />
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12) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Wake Forest</u> - Poor Travis McKie. The only senior on the Demon Deacons squad has had a great career with very little success to show for it, including three straight losing seasons. Unfortunately, it will probably be more of the same this season. This is a sophomore-laden team that will be very competitive, but I think they are still a year away from battling for a March Madness berth. The NIT is a possibility this season if they overachieve -- but knowing Coach Jeff Bzdelik's track record, I don't expect them to.<br />
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13) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Miami</u> - Miami had a great run last season, but the Canes lost their top 6 scorers from a year ago. Rion Brown is the top returner, and he only averaged 6 points a game last season. This season will be a struggle for the U.<br />
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14) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Clemson</u> - Clemson lost Milton Jennings and Devin Booker from a team that went 13-18 last season. Things will be worse this season. K.J. McDaniels will likely be the leading scorer, but will he have any help?<br />
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15) <u style="font-weight: bold;">Virginia Tech</u> - The Hokies finished last in the league last season, even with Erick Green. Ouch. Much like Clemson, things will go from bad to worse in Blacksburg. <br />
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<b><u>1st Team All-ACC</u></b><br />
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C.J. Fair - Syracuse<br />
Joe Harris - UVa<br />
Rodney Hood - Duke<br />
Jerian Grant - Notre Dame<br />
Olivier Hanlan - BC<br />
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<b><u>2nd team All-ACC</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
Jabari Parker, Duke<br />
T.J. Warren, NC State<br />
P.J. Hairston, UNC<br />
Eric Atkins, Notre Dame<br />
Travis McKie, Wake Forest<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Player of the year</u>: C.J. Fair, Syracuse<br />
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Rookie of the year</u>: Jabari Parker, Duke<br />
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Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-80476940208096882452013-09-04T12:56:00.000-04:002013-09-04T12:56:10.179-04:00Top 20 TV Shows for Early 90s KidsI was born in 1981 and, like most kids from my generation, I love everything about the early 90s -- the clothes (Hypercolor, flannel, Zubaz, Starter jackets), the music (grunge, slow jams, the East coast / West coast hip hop rivalry), the fads (slap bracelets, Starter jackets again), the movies, and most importantly, the teen television shows. After school in those days I did two things: ate a Handi-Snacks and watched TV. <br />
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My television remote frequented NBC's Saturday morning lineup, Nickelodeon after school, reruns on the Disney channel, TGIF on ABC on Friday nights, and SNICK on Saturday nights on Nick. Kids today are watching scandalous shows on ABC Family. We kept things clean in the early 90s. DJ Tanner making out with her boyfriend of the week was as PG-13 as we got.<br />
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Recently, I have posted the <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-20-best-tv-sitcoms-of-my-lifetime.html">top 20 TV sitcoms of my lifetime</a> and the <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-20-best-tv-dramas-of-my-lifetime.html">top 20 TV dramas of my lifetime</a>. I started thinking about all the great shows that I watched growing up that did not make the cut on either list, and I became convinced that I needed another list. The ground rules are simple: 1) no animated series (The Simpsons is out), 2) must be a scripted show (Wild & Crazy Kids and You Can't Do That on Television are out), 3) doesn't necessarily have to hold up when you watch it today but it must be a classic in your memory as a 12-year old, and 4) must not be on one of the aforementioned lists of best shows of my lifetime (which takes 90210 and The Wonder Years out of contention).<br />
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Saved By the Bell: the New Class barely missed the cut. Actually, it missed the cut by a wide margin. Screech as Vice Principal? Come on.<br />
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<u>Top 20 TV Shows for Early 90s Kids</u><br />
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20. <u>California Dreams</u>: Surf dudes with attitude. I couldn't tell you one plot line from this trainwreck of a show, but the theme song alone is enough to make this list.<br />
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19. <u>Blossom</u>: Whoa!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/k60qr2BXbQM" width="560"></iframe><br />
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18. <u>The Secret World of Alex Mack</u>: If Winnie was my first crush, then Alex Mack was my second. Big fan.<br />
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17. <u>The Adventures of Pete & Pete</u>: A Nickelodeon classic. Brothers with the same name, a tattoo named Petunia, and a personal superhero named Artie - the strongest man...in the world! Great show.<br />
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16. <u>Hang Time</u>: The basketball scenes were laughable and the acting was worse, but this was a staple on the NBC Saturday morning lineup. Coaches Reggie Theus and Dick Butkus had very different coaching styles but the same end of game strategy: get the rock to the blonde chick with the ponytail. Anthony Anderson as Teddy was one of the few bright spots from an acting perspective.<br />
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15. <u>Party of Five</u>: Star-studded cast in this FOX drama -- Matthew Fox, Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, and a pre-teen Lacey Chabert. Somebody take the keys -- Bailey's been drinking.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oBsHfxhCxEU" width="420"></iframe><br />
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14. <u>Sister, Sister</u>: The Parent Trap called and wants its plot back. Sister, Sister had a brief run on TGIF, but it found a permanent home on the WB after it was canceled by ABC.<br />
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13. <u>Doogie Howser, M.D.</u>: The two best parts of the show were Doogie's friend Vinnie and Doogie's computer diary. Unbelievably, Neil Patrick Harris is still one of the biggest stars on TV.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_7FJNdLjLGg" width="420"></iframe><br />
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12. <u>Home Improvement</u>: This show prominently featured two of my favorites things: the Detroit Lions and wearing button down shirts untucked and unbuttoned. JTT's flannels were a revelation.<br />
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11. <u>Perfect Strangers</u>: The anchor for the original TGIF. Larry and his distant cousin Balki from Eastern Europe (Mypos) form an unlikely friendship and hilarity often ensues. Tremendous theme song.<br />
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10. <u>ALF</u>: How could you not watch a show featuring this guy?<br />
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9. <u>Hangin' With Mr. Cooper</u>: Another TGIF staple. Strong supporting role from Wild & Crazy Kids host Omar Gooding.<br />
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8. <u>Step by Step</u>: I bet I could watch most Step by Step episodes today and not laugh once. In 1993, it was hilarious. TGIF does it again.<br />
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7. <u>Saved By the Bell: The College Years</u>: Preppy with long hair. Screech getting hazed. Bob Golic as the RA. Kelly transfers in. It's not the original, but let's just be glad it's not the New Class.<br />
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6. <u>Hey Dude</u>: In honor of the Bar None Dude Ranch's own Ted McGriff, I named myself "senior staff" on the Kingsmill recreational maintenance team in 2002. I'm still trying to score some of Danny Lightfoot's famous flatbread -- it's the Hopi way. Mr. Ernst is a personal hero of mine.<br />
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5. <u>Family Matters</u>: Urkel, Stefan Urquelle, Waldo Geraldo Faldo, Little Richie's jheri curl -- Family Matters was equal parts intentional comedy and unintentional comedy.<br />
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4. <u>Boy Meets World</u>: I'm ready for 2014's spinoff Girl Meets World. It's perfectly acceptable for a 32-year old man to watch the Disney Channel, right? Topanga's still got it, and Cory Matthews is back to show why he's in the outkick your coverage Hall of Fame. Mr. Feeney is a national treasure.<br />
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3. <u>Full House</u>: Just three bros sharing a house in San Fran with one bro's three daughters. No big deal. When I think of TGIF, I think of Full House and that speaks volumes about the significance of this show. I almost wrote that with a straight face.<br />
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2. <u>Salute Your Shorts</u>: Camp Anawanna had it all -- awful waffles, Pinsky Family Salami, Budnick's band Roadkill, Ug, Donkeylips, Zeke the Plumber, Dr. Kahn. Not to mention a theme song that will stay in your head for days. Nickelodeon hit a home run with this one.<br />
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1. <u>Saved By the Bell</u>: I guarantee SBTB was the first show that came to your mind when you started reading this list. It was the definitive early 90s teen show. Bayside High was the perfect setting for the series -- I'm so glad that Zack, Screech, Lisa, and Mr. Belding all decided to move from Indiana to California. What a coincidence! Jessie, Kelly, and Slater were a vast improvement over Mikey and Nikki.<br />
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Did I forget any classic early 90s shows?<br />
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<br />Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-48954477235131934282013-08-26T20:33:00.000-04:002013-08-26T20:33:10.078-04:00High top fade > bowl cut > Bama bangs > Lloyd Christmas > rat tailAmanda Bynes 2003 > Amanda Bynes 1998 > Amanda Bynes 2013<br />
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Early 90s computer games: Oregon Trail > Where in the World in Carmen San Diego? > Space Invaders > Doom<br />
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Valerie > Kelly > Claire > Brenda > Donna > Emily Valentine ... > Andrea Zuckerman<br />
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Kan Jam > cornhole > horseshoes > ladder ball<br />
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Wedding seasons: Spring > Summer > Winter > Fall<br />
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Bands with geographical names: Chicago > Boston > Alabama > Kansas > Phoenix > Of Montreal > Alabama Shakes > North Mississippi Allstars > Atlanta Rhythm Section > Virginia Coalition<br />
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Full beard > mustache > mutton chops > Abe Lincoln > goatee > soul patch<br />
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Jack Nicholson 1995 > Meg Ryan > Jack Nicholson 1974 > any other joke Adam Sandler ever did in a movie<br />
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Jersey Mike's > Which Wich > Firehouse Subs > Jimmy John's > Quizno's > Subway<br />
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Pacey > Dawson > the World<br />
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Most hated Duke basketball players: Laettner > Wojo > Hurley > JJ Redick > Greg Paulus > Danny Ferry... > Jay Bilas<br />
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Twitter > Facebook > Instagram > your blog > LinkedIn<br />
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Judge Judy > People's Court > Judge Greg Mathis > Judge Joe Brown > Eye for an Eye with Judge Extreme Akim<br />
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Pudding: chocolate > butterscotch > vanilla > banana cream > tapioca > rice<br />
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Most exciting ways to end a sporting event: hoops buzzer beater > walk-off home run > penalty kicks > hockey overtime > college football overtime > NFL overtime<br />
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Chappelle Show > Key & Peele <u>></u> Kroll Show > Saturday Night Live > All That<br />
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Fast food sandwich: Chick Fil-A Sandwich > In & Out Double Double > Arby's Beef n' Cheddar > Big Mac ... > Filet O'FishChopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-86547900809113010662013-08-07T20:53:00.000-04:002013-08-07T20:53:54.689-04:00The 20 Best TV Dramas of My LifetimeLast week, I posted my list of the <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-20-best-tv-sitcoms-of-my-lifetime.html">20 best TV sitcoms of my lifetime</a>. Today, we look at TV dramas. The majority of the shows on this list are from the last decade. The Sopranos took TV dramas to a new level, and at this point, I expect every new series on HBO and Showtime to blow me away. We are spoiled by the amount of quality shows on TV right now. <br />
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I thought the breakdown of networks with shows on my list was interesting: HBO (6), Showtime (3), AMC (3), Fox (2), FX (2), BBC America (1), The CW/UPN (1), NBC (1), and ABC (1). AMC, which has only aired eight original, scripted series in its history, has more shows on the list than CBS, ABC, and NBC combined.<br />
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I should mention that I've never seen Lost, 24, Oz, or The Shield so they are not on the list. I really wanted Dawson's Creek in my top 20, but it barely missed the cut. Sorry, Dawson.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RLgI-qbrWVo" width="420"></iframe> <br />
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<u>20 Best TV Dramas</u> (I will not give away any spoilers in my rankings.)<br />
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20. <u>Big Love</u>: The first of six HBO shows on the list. Polygamist compounds, sister wives, Mormon hardware stores -- this show had it all.<br />
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19. <u>Orphan Black</u>: I highly recommend this BBC America series. The first season just ended, and all of the episodes are on demand. 10 episodes were good enough to make this list. Worth watching.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/do_BCA-vR9E" width="560"></iframe><br />
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18. <u>The Walking Dead</u>: I did not expect to like a zombie show, but The Walking Dead is entertaining and suspenseful. I'm not sure how many more seasons it can go because there are only so many more places the group can hide.<br />
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17. <u>The Tudors</u>: Very entertaining historical fiction. A poor man's Game of Thrones, and I mean that as a compliment.<br />
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16. <u>Boardwalk Empire</u>: I've always liked Steve Buscemi in supporting roles, but he excels in the lead role in Boardwalk Empire. If you like the Sopranos, you should be watching this series about mobsters set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition period.<br />
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15. <u>Damages</u>: The pilot episode is as good as any pilot I've ever seen. Glenn Close was born to play Patty Hewes. Had some great guest stars in Ted Danson, Martin Short, and John Goodman, among others.<br />
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14. <u>Six Feet Under</u>: Morbid subject matter, but it was a very good show. Michael C. Hall was good as a supporting character before landing the lead role in Dexter. The show also launched the career of Rainn Wilson, better known as Dwight from The Office.<br />
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13. <u>Veronica Mars</u>: Kristen Bell has been in some bad movies so if you haven't seen Veronica Mars, then you probably don't realize that she's a good actress. From 2004-2007, Veronica was the most bad ass female character on TV. The movie -- fully funded by generous fans of the TV program through a kickstarter -- comes out in 2014.<br />
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12. <u>The O.C.</u>: The unlikely duo of brooding Ryan and nerdy/funny Seth made for one of the best bromances in TV history. It had better looking girls, more interesting parental figures, and funnier dialogue than 90210, but it couldn't maintain its excellence for more than two and a half seasons (out of four total seasons). At its best, it was better than 90210. At its worst, it was worse than One Tree Hill. This week marks the 10-year anniversary of the series premiere, and that is not all depressing.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oS3szMD7wMc" width="420"></iframe><br />
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11. <u>Dexter</u>: I've binge-watched all 8 seasons of Dexter over the last three months, and I like it much more than I expected. The show is dark and light-hearted at the same time. Dexter's dark passenger doesn't overshadow the strong supporting cast.<br />
<br />
10. <u>Beverly Hill, 90210</u>: The benchmark for high school and college TV dramas. The college years (despite the ridiculous fact that everyone from West Beverly High enrolled at Cal U) put BH9er slightly ahead of The O.C. Pregnancy scares, prom night hookups, house party fires, acoustic guitar serenades, peach pie, and sideburns. Lots of sideburns. What more can you ask for from a teen drama?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iunYmHH0UNI" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
9. <u>The Americans</u>: Very impressive first season -- impressive enough to make my top 10 after only one season. Felicity (Keri Russell) is amazing in her role as a KGB spy living in America -- never saw that coming and it makes me wonder if I need to go back and watch Felicity. The performances of Russell of her husband/colleague on the show are so compelling that I actually find myself rooting for the KGB instead of the Americans.<br />
<br />
8. <u>The Wonder Years</u>: I referenced this in a post a few years ago, but writer Chuck Klosterman once wrote, "The Wonder Years was the only TV program that allowed me to be nostalgic at the age of seventeen." In my case, The Wonder Years made me nostalgic at age 10. Winnie Cooper was, without a doubt, my first crush. <br />
<br />
7. <u>Mad Men</u>: Mad Men can be slow at times, but it is well-written and well-acted. If not for Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad, Jon Hamm would have several Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) is underrated as a lead actress as well.<br />
<br />
6. <u>Game of Thrones</u>: Winter is coming. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the characters in Game of Thrones -- luckily there are many great characters because the writers are not scared to kill off anyone.<br />
<br />
5. <u>Homeland</u>: Angela from My So-Called Life (Claire Danes) is excellent as a CIA agent. 15 years ago, no one could have predicted that Keri Russell and Claire Danes would be the best actresses on TV in 2013. I'll be interested to see what happens in season 3 (starting September 29) given the interesting events that ended season 2.<br />
<br />
4. <u>Friday Night Lights</u>: Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. Coach and Tami Taylor were the best married couple in dramatic TV history. The show took a risk by bringing in a whole new set of high school characters in season 4 (rather than follow the high school graduates to college), and for the most part the risk paid off. Please watch this show. Texas forever. <br />
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3. <u>The Sopranos</u>: Damn, the late James Gandolfini was good as Tony Soprano. The Sopranos deserves a lot of credit for revolutionizing original programming on the premium channels. It wasn't HBO's first original series, but no prior HBO drama series had garnered the critical acclaim or lasted as many seasons as The Sopranos. On this list, there are six HBO series and three Showtime series, and all of them were created after The Sopranos.<br />
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<br />
2. <u>Breaking Bad</u>: The final half-season starts on August 11 -- that makes me excited and sad at the same time. Walter White is one of the most interesting characters in TV history. A high school chemistry teacher gets cancer and decides to team up with a former student to sell meth to provide for his family after his death. In the first few seasons, we, as viewers, root for Walt to get out of trouble and make money for his family. I would expect that most viewers are now rooting against Walt. The following three things are certain for the final season: Walt, Jr. will eat breakfast onscreen, Marie will wear purple, and Walt will die. What a tremendous show.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wMEq1mGpP5A" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
1. <u>The Wire</u>: The most compelling drama series of my lifetime. The Wire allowed viewers to follow many different perspectives, including those of law
enforcement agents, attorneys, drug dealers, politicians, port workers,
teachers, homeless people, and journalists. I have trouble choosing my 10 favorite characters on the show -- there were no weak links in the cast. The acting felt authentic, and that is not usually the case in shows that deal with poverty, drugs, and the police. The series inexplicably did not win a single Emmy award, but being named #1 on this list must be some consolation. <br />
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<br />Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-11223863388755725662013-08-01T08:29:00.000-04:002013-08-01T08:29:53.816-04:00The 20 Best TV Sitcoms of My LifetimeAlthough we are in the golden era of TV, today's sitcoms are usually not as good as the best dramas on TV. Having said that, there have been some great sitcoms in my lifetime. I have set the following ground rules for my rankings:<br />
<br />
1) The show must have been created during my lifetime -- so All in the Family, I Love Lucy, and the Andy Griffith Show are out.<br />
<br />
2) No animated shows.<br />
<br />
3) 30 Rock is not funny.<br />
<br />
4) Entourage is not funny unless Ari Gold is speaking.<br />
<br />
5) Despite my proclaimed love for Saved By the Bell, Full House, Boy Meets World, and Family Matters, I have used objective criteria to determine that those shows are not that funny.<br />
<br />
6) I have not yet seen the new Netflix series Orange is the New Black, but I have heard nothing but good things.<br />
<br />
<u>20 Best Sitcoms</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
20. <u>Weeds</u>: Weeds started out strong and things slowly got weirder and weirder. It still makes the list based on the high (no pun intended) comedy of Uncle Andy and Kevin Nealon. (Video below is potentially NSFW).<br />
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19. <u>Eastbound and Down</u>: Kenny F'in' Powers. Enough said.<br />
<br />
18. <u>New Girl</u>: I went into this show with low expectations because I thought Zooey Deschanel would be annoying, but New Girl has had two solid seasons. Schmidt and Nick usually steal the show.<br />
<br />
17. <u>Golden Girls</u>: Classic and still funny. I love that Betty White is still on TV today.<br />
<br />
16. <u>Cheers</u>: Started the Thursday night must-see TV on NBC. Doesn't quite hold up as well as some other sitcoms from the 80s and 90s. Outstanding theme song.<br />
<br />
15. <u>Happy Endings</u>: ABC really shit the bed in canceling its 2nd funniest sitcom. At its best, Happy Endings could hold its own with just about any show on the list, but I guess the ratings didn't reflect that.<br />
<br />
14. <u>Friends</u>: A little too dramatic at times for me, but it had its moments. Bonus points for Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox in their pre-cougar prime.<br />
<br />
13. <u>Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</u>: Back when Will Smith was funny. The Carlton dance and the theme song will never get old.<br />
<br />
12. <u>Flight of the Conchords</u>: Very little plot, but hilarious original songs. Would have loved to see a third season on HBO.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/84EoBQfdrb0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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11. <u>Parks and Rec</u>: In my opinion, Amy Poehler is the funniest woman on TV.<br />
<br />
10. <u>Freaks and Geeks</u>: Only had one season before being inexplicably canceled, but it was a great season.<br />
<br />
9. <u>How I Met Your Mother</u>: Bob Saget is a horrible storyteller and a worse parent. This series should have ended after 4 or 5 seasons, but it is still entertaining and, at its best, it was really funny. We should finally and mercifully meet the mother in the upcoming final season.<br />
<br />
8. <u>Modern Family</u>: Great ensemble cast. Even the kids (except Lily) are hilarious.<br />
<br />
7. <u>The Office</u>: Went way down hill after Steve Carell's departure, but the series finale was a good way to go out. <br />
<u><br /></u>
6. <u>The Cosby Show</u>: There's nothing funnier than Bill Cosby talking to kids.<br />
<br />
5. <u>The League</u>: This show is a little bit under the radar, but you should be watching it. The first season was a little bit too much about the fantasy football league, but now the show has a good balance between the premise of the fantasy league and the everyday antics of the main characters.<br />
<br />
4. <u>It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia</u>: Always Sunny as been described as Seinfeld on crack, and I think that's a good description. It has been a little watered down the past few seasons, but it's still one of the best comedies of the last decade.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5fP4emqw7O4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
3. <u>Curb Your Enthusiasm</u>: No one gets himself in more awkward situations than Larry David, and hilarity almost always ensues.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uGkLjfPWqeI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
2. <u>Arrested Development</u>: I would put the first two seasons of Arrested Development up against any sitcom, including my #1 on this list. Season 3 was still funny, but not quite on the same level. Season 4 on Netflix came about 6 years too late.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/axHe_BVY_9c" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
1. <u>Seinfeld</u>: The show about nothing is in a league of its own. I relate things in my life to Seinfeld on almost a daily basis. The acting, writing, pop culture references, and comedic timing are second to none. Thank you TBS for four reruns a day.<br />
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<br />
Which shows did I miss?<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-44681770662103604892013-02-10T15:11:00.000-05:002013-03-17T15:37:21.164-04:00ACC Hoops Midseason ReportBack in November, Chop Culture made its <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-13-acc-hoops-predictions.html">preseason ACC predictions</a>. I made the following league predictions:<br />
<br />
1) Duke<br />
2) NC State<br />
3) UNC<br />
4) Miami<br />
5) FSU<br />
6) Maryland<br />
7) UVA<br />
8) Virginia Tech<br />
9) Wake Forest<br />
10) Clemson<br />
11) Georgia Tech<br />
12) Boston College<br />
<br />
Through games on February 10, the league standings are as follows:<br />
<br />
1) Miami (10-0)<br />
2) Duke (8-2)<br />
3) Virginia (7-3)<br />
4) UNC (6-4)<br />
5) NC State (6-5)<br />
6) FSU (5-5)<br />
7) Maryland (5-6)<br />
8) Clemson (4-7)<br />
9) Wake Forest (4-7)<br />
10) Georgia Tech (3-7)<br />
11) Virginia Tech (2-8)<br />
12) Boston College (2-8)*<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't think anyone expected Miami to be quite this good, although CC did make this comment in the November post -- "If you're looking for a sleeper in the ACC, look no further than the U." But I picked them to finish 4th in the league so I can't say I called it. I expect the Canes to lose two conference games and then get upset in the ACC tourney. I see the Canes as a 3 seed in March.<br />
<br />
Duke needs Ryan Kelly to get healthy if they have any Final 4 aspirations. Even without him, they are good enough to finish 2nd in the regular season and potentially win the ACC tourney. Duke looks like a solid 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.<br />
<br />
UVa is a strange team. They play tenacious d and shoot the three ball well, but their three conference losses are to bad ACC teams and their three non-conference losses were to bad CAA teams. They play up or down to the competition, which means they don't often get blown out but they also don't have any guaranteed wins left on the schedule. In my opinion, they need to get to 12-6 in league play to get an invitation to Madness. To get there, they need to learn to close out games on the road.<br />
<br />
UNC has one of the laziest teams I've seen in awhile. By UNC standards, they are not as talented as usual, but McAdoo and Bullock could start for any team in the nation. UNC plays sloppy and selfish on offense, and their defense is even worse. McAdoo could've been a top 5 NBA pick last year (despite not starting last season) -- his uninspired play this season has hurt his draft stock. The Heels will win enough games to make it to the Big Dance, but it will not be a long trip.<br />
<br />
NC State has struggled more than I expected, but some of the losses can be attributed to Lorenzo Brown's injury. Even still, they lost to Wake with Brown in the lineup. The Wolfpack could be a factor in the ACC tournament. State has all the pieces to be great, but they haven't quite put it together this season. They are in danger of missing out on Madness, which would be shocking after their top 10 preseason ranking.<br />
<br />
FSU has struggled. They have a lot of ground to make up if they want to play in the postseason. I don't see it happening -- which means that the ACC could end up with just 3 or 4 teams dancing.<br />
<br />
Maryland started off the season on a tear, but conference play has not gone as well as expected. They are young and talented, and right now the youth is outweighing the talent. They could be preseason top 15 next season if Alex Len passes up the NBA for one more year.<br />
<br />
Clemson's two best players -- Devin Booker and Milton Jennings -- can both disappear for long stretches during games. They're both also seniors so next season will be worse for the Tigers.<br />
<br />
Wake Forest has some talent, but they also have the worst coach in the ACC. They have been competitive in most of their games and will be better next season.<br />
<br />
Georgia Tech is young -- I think Brian Gregory has that program going in the right direction.<br />
<br />
Virginia Tech had a promising start to the season, but they have fallen back to reality in conference play. Erick Green leads the nation in scoring -- he is a fun player to watch. Unfortunately for him, he gets no help whatsoever. Green has excelled in new coach James Johnson's uptempo offense, but his teammates can't keep pace.<br />
<br />
Boston College is a really good Patriot League team. The only problem is that they don't play in the Patriot League.<br />
<br />
<b>Midseason All-ACC teams</b><br />
<u>1st Team</u><br />
Mason Plumlee - Duke<br />
Erick Green - VT<br />
Shane Larkin - Miami<br />
Joe Harris - UVA<br />
Seth Curry - Duke<br />
<br />
<u>2nd team</u><br />
James Michael McAdoo - UNC<br />
Michael Snaer - FSU<br />
Richard Howell - NC State<br />
Lorenzo Brown - NC State<br />
Reggie Bullock - UNC<br />
<br />
<br />Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-20649274816654881682012-11-05T22:34:00.000-05:002012-11-06T08:38:04.172-05:002012-13 ACC Hoops PredictionsOutside of Florida State and Clemson, the ACC has sufficiently embarrassed itself in football this season. It's safe to say that most ACC fans are ready for basketball season. And, fortunately for them, hoops season begins this week. Although the ACC has no real national title contenders this year (maybe one), I think the league is deeper than it was last season and could have as many as 7 teams dancing in March. There are no easy outs like there have been the last few years (see: Wake Forest). The league is moving from 16 to 18 conference games, and I think every team will win at least 4 league games. Without further ado, ChopCulture's predictions for 2012-13 are as follows:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1) Duke</b><br />
<br />
NC State is getting all of the hype, but Duke is the best team in the conference and easily a top 10 squad nationally. 7 of Duke's top 9 scorers return, and they bring in two 5-star freshmen -- Amile Jefferson and Rasheed Sulaimon. Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee (the best of the 3 Plumlees), and Ryan Kelly make for a dangerous inside-outside trio. The Blue Devils lost Austin Rivers to the Association, but Curry, Tyler Thornton, and Quinn Cook can carry the load in the backcourt.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2) NC State</b><br />
<br />
NC State is without question a team on the rise, but they are also a bit overrated. The Pack brings back its top four scorers and also landed three McDonald's All-Americans, but let's not forget that this team barely squeezed into the NCAA Tournament last year. Don't get me wrong -- this is a dangerous team that deserves to be ranked in the preseason top 15-20 (just not the top 5). Scott Wood is arguably the best shooter in the ACC, Lorenzo Brown is a proven floor general, CJ Leslie is the consensus pick for ACC player of the year, and Richard Howell is a beast on the boards. No one will look past the Pack this season, but they have to prove to the doubters that they are the kings of Tobacco Road.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3) UNC</b><br />
<br />
The Heels' lineup was gutted by the NBA draft including 4 of the top 5 scorers, the top three rebounders, and their assist leader, but the cupboard is not bare. James Michael McAdoo is an outstanding athlete in the post, Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland return from injury, and Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston can both flat out shoot. The X factor will be freshman point guard Marcus Paige. If Paige can step in and manage the offense efficiently, then the Heels could challenge for the conference crown.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4) Miami</b><br />
<br />
If you're looking for a sleeper in the ACC, look no further than the U. The Canes are a senior-laden squad with four returning starters. Reggie Johnson is a load down low at 6'10'' and 300 pounds. There are very few post players in the league that can guard Johnson straight up. Durand Scott and the supporting cast are experienced and will not be intimidated playing on the road in the ACC.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>5) FSU</b><br />
<br />
I am not completely sold on the Noles. Michael Snaer is one of the best players in the ACC, but the rest of last year's starters are gone. Juniors Ian Miller and Okaro White will need to increase their roles and their scoring averages for the Noles to finish better than the middle of the conference.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>6) Maryland</b><br />
<br />
Mark Turgeon is quietly putting together a solid rebuilding job at Maryland. I thought it would take much longer to recover from Gary Williams' retirement. The Terps lost their top two scorers from last season, including sophomore Terrell Stoglin who was suspended from the team after last season and then promptly left school. Stoglin was a huge loss, but the young nucleus of 7'1'' Alex Len (soph), Nick Faust (soph), Shaq Cleare (fresh), and Jake Layman (fresh) will do good things for the next several years. In addition, the Terps add transfers Dez Well (Xavier) and Evan Smotrycz (Michigan) and a strong recruiting class next season.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7) UVA</b><br />
<br />
The Hoos will probably take a step back this year, but the future looks bright in Charlottesville. Mike Scott is gone and will be missed. None of UVA's returning post players have anywhere near the offensive talent of Scott. Transfer Anthony Gill (South Carolina) will sit out this season and be ready to start from day 1 next season. UVA's two best point guards (Jontel Evans and Malcolm Brogdon) are both nursing foot injuries and their returns are uncertain. The good news: wing Joe Harris is one of the best players in the ACC and UVA has three of the best freshmen in the league in Justin Anderson, Evan Nolte, and Mike Tobey. The 6'11'' Tobey's adjustment to college hoops will be the most critical as UVA needs frontcourt help immediately.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>8) Virginia Tech</b><br />
<br />
Most experts are picking the Hokies to finish 11th or 12th, but I think the Hokies are underrated. Although they lost prized recruit Montrezl Harrell to Louisville and Dorian Finney-Smith transferred after Seth Greenberg's departure, Virginia Tech has an impressive backcourt in point guard Erick Green and shooters Jarrell Eddie and Robert Brown. New coach James Johnson wants to get out on the run and play an up-tempo style, and he has the guards to do it. The frontcourt is a bigger question mark.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>9) Wake Forest</b><br />
<br />
The scoring of Travis McKie and CJ Harris will keep the Demon Deacons out the ACC's cellar this season. Wake Forest has a few promising recruits, most notably point guard Codi Miller-McIntyre and small forward Arnaud Moto. They will play and contribute right away.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>10) Clemson</b><br />
<br />
Milton Jennings and Devin Booker will lead the Tigers in scoring and rebounding this year, but it remains to be seen if anyone else on the roster can play at a high level. I expect Jennings, a former McDonald's All-American, to have a solid senior season after a somewhat disappointing first three years.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>11) Georgia Tech</b><br />
<br />
Leader scorer Glen Rice, Jr. was dismissed from the team after a shooting incident. With only one senior on the team, the Jackets will need their promising freshmen to step up if they have any chance of playing in the postseason. Brian Gregory has the Ramblin' Wreck on the right track, although the results might not come until next season.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>12) Boston College</b><br />
<br />
BC has some talent -- there is no doubt about that. They are just very young. BC could feature a starting five of all sophomores. The frontcourt will be led by Dennis Clifford and Ryan Anderson. I picked the Eagles last because of their lack of veteran leadership, but it would not surprise me to see them finish somewhere closer to the middle of the pack.Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-39276708450456329772011-08-02T17:26:00.005-04:002011-08-02T17:38:40.703-04:00Mailbag<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fd3yYRGQs9Uu9_Txqva2sALaPGC8NK5lQ84gjPLLkwOi98L2duYo9zg628fQ0OlGNJbQT_xZKYN66O88iJtW1pYho7fFhHqXBDw1xYEE-AWuU_5pt1cw6_GC_Dbrm9M0OZALsSGzGKM/s1600/franklin-and-bash.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fd3yYRGQs9Uu9_Txqva2sALaPGC8NK5lQ84gjPLLkwOi98L2duYo9zg628fQ0OlGNJbQT_xZKYN66O88iJtW1pYho7fFhHqXBDw1xYEE-AWuU_5pt1cw6_GC_Dbrm9M0OZALsSGzGKM/s200/franklin-and-bash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636376226387375106" /></a><br />You may (or may not) have noticed that ChopCulture has been on hiatus for about a year. <a href="http://chopculture.blogspot.com/2010/06/mailbag-5.html">My last mailbag</a> was posted on June 24, 2010. I could blame the Virginia bar exam for my extended sabbatical, but I really only spent three months studying for that bad boy. Quite frankly, I was just lazy for the other nine months.<br /><br />During the blog’s absence, I expected my Twitter (@ChopCulture) following to be stronger so as to quench your thirst for semi-daily sports and pop culture observations, but many of you have been hesitant to join…which brings me to my first mailbag question. As always, these are real questions from actual readers.<br /><br /><strong>Q: I recently joined Twitter (@chiefhunt) and I don’t know who to follow. Can you give me some recommendations?<br />· Hunter R., Greenville, SC</strong><br /><br /><strong>ChopCulture:</strong> Hunter, let me start by welcoming you to Twitter. Prepare to start getting your breaking news, sports updates, and comedy all in one simple location – iPhone and Blackberry both have very user-friendly apps. I was reluctant to join Twitter. I thought it was basically the celebrity version of Facebook’s status update – which is my least favorite aspect of Facebook. I didn’t care to know what some B list actor had for lunch. I signed up on the recommendation of @JGPraytor, and I was completely wrong about the purpose of Twitter. Now, instead of checking ESPN.com and CNN.com 15-20 times a day each, I get all of my world news and sports information from Twitter. If there is a sports trade, I know about it instantly. I found out on Twitter that we killed Bin Laden. I follow several UVa beat writers to get updates on untelevised UVa sporting events. I also get a tweet from Deadspin and a few other sports blogs every single time they put up a new post.<br /><br />The worst people to follow on Twitter are athletes because 90% of them do use Twitter like it is a Facebook status update. Athletes are always either working out, eating, watching a movie, or tweeting about something that could get them in trouble. I don’t care if they are working out, eating, or watching a movie. If they are tweeting about something that could get them in trouble, one of the several sports journalists that I follow will keep me informed. I only follow about 100 people, broken down as follows: about 25 national sports journalists, 15 personal friends, 15 comedians, 15 writers associated with UVa or ACC athletics, 10 actors, 10 athletes, 5 people affiliated with the Detroit Lions, and about 5 national sports blogs. I would recommend that you follow –<br /><br />1) @sportsguy33 (Bill Simmons – ESPN.com) – funny and informative<br />2) @ClayTravisBGID (Clay Travis – Outkickthecoverage.com) – SEC football coverage and funny commentary<br />3) @Rob Huebel – comedian with hilarious yet often bizarre sense of humor<br />4) @Deadspin – Sports News without Access, Favor, or Discretion<br />5) @sepinwall (Alan Sepinwall) – by far the best TV critic on Twitter<br />6) @sportspickle – witty sports commentary<br />7) @TFLN – texts from last night<br />8) @ConanOBrien and @Andy_Richter – neither will blow up your Twitter feed and both are usually funny<br />9) @slmandel (Stewart Mandel – CNNSI) – best national college football news<br />10) @Grantland33 – new sports and pop culture website featuring Bill Simmons and Chuck Klosterman<br /><br />Hunter, based on your fanship – I also highly recommend that you follow the beat writers for the Atlanta Braves, South Carolina Gamecocks football and baseball, and the Jack Delhomme Fan Club.<br /><br /><strong>Q: Have you given “Franklin & Bash” a shot?<br />· Adam C., Jackson, MS</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> I have watched one episode of “Franklin & Bash” and was not overly impressed. I like Mark-Paul Gosselaar (how could someone our age not like the former Zack Morris?) and Breckin Meyer from their previous roles, but I have never been a fan of legal shows – with the exception of “Damages.” It bothers me when a crime takes place in the first 5 minutes of an episode and the trial has already started and ended by the end of the episode. Granted, I understand that “Franklin & Bash,” unlike most legal TV series, is supposed to be a comedy – even though it’s on a network that knows drama. I had to change the channel when Franklin (or was it Bash?) showed up drunk for trial and then high-fived a juror after his closing argument. Also, as a practicing attorney, I would like to sign up for the job that involves me hosting a hot tub party every weeknight. I definitely plan to give “F&B” another shot.<br /><br /><strong>Q: What are the 5 most mentally unstable positions in sports?<br />· Jack L. M., Toano, VA</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> I am only listing players from team sports, although you could argue that golfers and tennis players often become “head cases” when the pressure is on. My list of the 5 most unstable positions in sports is as follows:<br /><br />1) Closer (baseball) – You have to be a little crazy to be a closer. You want the opponent to fear your game and you personally. The best closers embrace the loose cannon personality. Closers also usually have the best entrance music. For about 10 years, all Red Sox fans loathed Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” because it reminded them that Mariano Rivera was about to come in and end the game. Best examples: Brian Wilson, John Rocker, Jonathan Papelbon, Mitch Williams.<br /><br />2) Placekickers (football) – Placekickers have good reason to be mentally unstable. If they miss a few kicks, they will likely get cut. They rarely get any respect, even if they make a game-winning kick. Sometimes I feel bad for kickers and their bi-polar role on the team…but then I remember that they make hundreds of thousands of dollars for very little work and very little risk of injury. Best examples: Scott Norwood, Gary Anderson, Ray Finkle.<br /><br />3) Linebackers (football) – To be a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker in the NFL (or as every ESPN analyst calls it – The National Football League), you have to want to murder someone. I would not want to make these people angry. Best examples: Ray Lewis, Brian Bosworth, Lawrence Taylor, James Harrison.<br /><br />4) Goalie (hockey) – Why would anyone volunteer for this position? You have to crouch down and squat like a catcher the whole game (not just on defense like a baseball catcher) while wearing skates and then you have opponents relentlessly shoot heavy pucks at you for 60 minutes. You wear so much equipment that you are literally soaked with sweat after the game…a game that was played on ice. For these reasons alone, I suspect you are mentally unstable. Best examples: insert any NHL goalie here.<br /><br />5) Wide receiver (football) – Football is clearly a game dominated by mentally unstable individuals. Wide receivers are not crazy like linebackers or head cases like kickers, but they are prima donnas. They are often selfish. They must have the ball. Just throw them the damn ball. They need constant attention. After touchdowns, they need props like cell phones, sharpies, and pom poms. One of them cannot spell “85” in Spanish. One of them spends straight cash, homey. Best examples: Chad Ochocinco, Keyshawn Johnson, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss.<br /><br /><strong>Q: Is liking Justin Timberlake as an actor acceptable?<br />· Dave F., Richmond, VA</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> Yes. I think the “Dick in a Box” skit from Saturday Night Live in 2006 was a turning point for Timberlake’s public image among men. Prior to “D in a B,” we only knew him from the Mickey Mouse Club, the boy band ‘NSync, his pop solo career, and as the guy that cried on Punk’d. We also had trouble understanding why Britney Spears and other girls were so infatuated with him. To some extent, we still wonder about this, but I digress. After his success on SNL, Timberlake came across more as a regular guy. I thought he was surprisingly good in the 2006 film Alpha Dog and even better in The Social Network. I never expected him to a be a lead actor in a movie (Friends with Benefits – which I have not yet seen), but he seems to be doing more acting than singing lately. Even though Timberlake has been one of the better hosts of SNL and the ESPYs in recent years, I am still not sold on his comedic ability. However, I am willing to admit that he is a good and likable actor.<br /><br /><strong>Q: Should I start “Friday Night Lights” at season 1, episode 1?<br />· Adam C., Jackson, MS</strong><br /><br /><strong>Q: Most memorable line from “Friday Night Lights”?<br />a) Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!<br />b) Texas Forever<br />c) All of the above<br />· Tony R., Baltimore, MD</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> Yes, everyone should watch “Friday Night Lights” – in its entirety. I’ve had some time to reflect on the show since the series finale, and I would rank it as the third best show of my lifetime behind “Seinfeld” and “The Wire” (“Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” fans – I’m only counting shows on permanent hiatus). FNL made me nostalgic, and I didn’t even play high school football or grow up in Texas. The theme song made me shed a few tears every time. The football scenes were exciting and realistic (although it was frustrating that every game came down to the last play), but the show was about much more than football. It was basically BH9er with better athletes, better-looking girls, and more developed parental characters. With all due respect to Jim and Cindy Walsh and Sandy and Kiki Cohen, Coach and Tami Taylor were the best married couple in dramatic TV history. The show also avoided the “college years” dilemma by spreading out the ages of the stars in season 1 and bringing in new high school characters in season 4. It was a risky move because several key characters had to be written off the show when they graduated from Dillon, but it was the right move to make and for the most part it worked. As much as I loved BH9er, it was ridiculous that every single character enrolled at Cal U after high school. “Friday Night Lights” was in constant danger of being canceled – the show probably lasted longer than it expected to and bowed out earlier than it wanted to – but the series finale was without question the best series finale I have ever seen. I cannot imagine a better way to end a show. There are rumors of a new movie based on the TV show, and I am not sure how I feel about it. As much as I love these characters – it would basically be a movie based on a TV show that was based on a movie that was based on a book.<br /><br /><strong>Q: What’s your favorite women’s sport? I think mine just became women’s soccer. I was most impressed with the attitude of the players. The men were wimps compared to these ladies. I saw fewer flops, less cat-fighting, less drama between superstar-diva teammates, no mutinies against coaches (see France), and Brazilian players that are actually human.<br />· Hunter R., Greenville, SC</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC: </strong>Tennis and soccer are definitely my two favorite women’s sports – and not just because these sports typically feature highly attractive ladies. I use the following standard to determine whether I really enjoy a women’s sports: would I rather watch a men’s high school team or a professional women’s team play the sport? Without question, I would rather watch professional women’s soccer or tennis than watch a high school men’s team play either. Conversely, I would MUCH rather watch guys play high school basketball than watch the WNBA. Likewise, I would rather watch any men’s or co-ed office league softball game in America than college or pro or Olympic ladies softball.<br /><br />Although I have followed women’s tennis more closely than women’s soccer in the past, I think soccer may have passed tennis as my favorite women’s sport this year. While no-name Russian and Asian players have dominated women’s tennis in recent months (Williams sisters have been injured), the women’s World Cup captivated the nation this summer. I tuned into the US-Brazil quarterfinal game pretty much because there was nothing else on TV that Sunday afternoon. I tweeted before the game that Abby Wambach was Steve Nash’s doppelganger. At the time, I believed that making pointless observations like that would be more interesting than the game itself. I was wrong. By the end of the game, I was ready to buy a Wambach jersey and plan the rest of my week around watching the US team’s semifinal and final games.<br /><br />I watched the 1999 women’s World Cup as closely and enthusiastically as any men’s World Cup, but then I forgot about women’s soccer for 12 years. I think this year’s World Cup will have more staying power than the 1999 Cup. The 1999 Cup successfully influenced young girls to care about and play soccer. The 2011 Cup convinced a worldwide audience that women can play soccer at a very high level and that women’s soccer can be as entertaining as any men’s sport. I also liked that – with the exception of some stalling and bad sportsmanship from Brazil – there was very little flopping and unnecessary gamesmanship in this year’s World Cup, which was a welcome change from the flopfest that was the 2010 men’s World Cup. Maybe I am still suffering from World Cup fever, but right now soccer is my favorite women’s sport.<br /><br /><strong>Q: Following the women’s World Cup, there seems to be some debate about whether or not penalty kicks are a good way to end a game. Some people love it. Some people despise it. Your thoughts?<br />· Drew R., Atlanta, GA</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> I was surprised at how many commentators criticized the rule of ending the game in a shootout. Maybe soccer purists just don’t like it. I don’t recall that many people complaining in 1999 or after the quarterfinal game when the US won in penalty kicks. I love penalty kicks. No one wants to play or watch soccer for more than 120 minutes. I like that soccer has overtime with no golden goal but after regulation and overtime, penalty kicks are the best way to settle the match. Who wouldn’t want to see a basketball game end with a 3-point shootout rather than double overtime?<br /><br />Here is my list of the 5 most exciting ways to end a sporting event:<br /><br />1) Penalty kicks (your goalie and 5 best players decide the game)<br />2) Basketball buzzer beater (especially in March)<br />3) Walk-off homerun (arguably the only exciting part of a baseball game)<br />4) Hockey sudden death overtime (works better in hockey than soccer because hockey is more fast-paced)<br />5) College football overtime (much more exciting than NFL overtime that almost always ends with a field goal)<br /><br /><strong>Q: Did Ashley make the right decision on “The Bachelorette”?<br />· West L., Columbia, SC</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> I would say yes. Ben put himself out there and made himself vulnerable, but it didn’t work out for him. J.P. took a leap of faith and...I mean, wait, I don’t watch “The Bachelorette.” How would I know if she made the right choice? I was watching some random baseball game or something that night. Let’s just move on.<br /><br /><strong>Q: Would you rather have never had your umbilical cord disconnected from your mother OR be Gary Busey’s Siamese twin?<br />· Lindsey D., Nashville, TN</strong><br /><br /><strong>CC:</strong> On second thought, let’s keep talking about that Bachelorette finale…Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-9709731051771832392011-03-13T17:02:00.002-04:002011-03-13T17:14:22.741-04:002011 NCAA Bracket ProjectionIts that time a year again and BZNation is pleased to once again provide a preview of what the NCAA Tournament could look like when it is released at 6:00 this evening. I am sure there will be many mistakes but it's fun to see how we compare to the actual bracket.<br /><br />Final Bracket Projection<br /><br />1 Seeds - Ohio St., Kansas, Pitt, Duke<br />2 Seeds - Notre Dame, Texas, UNC, San Diego St.<br />3 Seeds - BYU, Florida, Purdue, UConn<br />4 Seeds - Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse, Wisconsin<br />5 Seeds - St. John's, Texas AM, Arizona, Kansas St.<br />6 Seeds - Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Georgetown, Missouri<br />7 Seeds - Cincinnati, Old Dominion, Washington, Florida St<br />8 Seeds - UNLV, UCLA, Xavier, Michigan<br />9 Seeds - George Mason, Temple, Tennessee, Utah St.<br />10 Seeds - Illinois, Michigan St., Villanova, Richmond<br />11 Seeds - Memphis, Butler, Gonzaga, Marquette<br />12 Seeds - Colorado, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, St. Mary's<br />13 Seeds - Oakland, Belmont, Princeton, Indiana St<br />14 Seeds - Wofford, Morehead St., Akron, Long Island<br />15 Seeds - St. Peters, Bucknell, Northern Colorado, Arkansas-LR<br />16 Seeds - UNC Asheville, Boston, UTSA, Alabama St, Hampton, UCSBChopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-2135838097576064792010-07-27T13:57:00.004-04:002010-07-27T14:03:38.003-04:00ChopCulture on TwitterI have bashed Twitter in the past, but after trying it out I am now on board. Since my blog posts have been few and far between lately, Twitter is a way to follow ChopCulture through videos and short posts. I will also announce new blog posts via Twitter. I will post Ramblings and Mailbags on the blog and post brief comments/observations/videos on Twitter. If you've never tried Twitter, give it a chance.<br /><br />Follow me at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/chopculture">www.twitter.com/chopculture</a>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-58334566581447234702010-07-21T22:18:00.002-04:002010-07-21T22:26:18.363-04:00The DecisionI plan to write a lengthy post about LeBron's decision (or in Chief's words -- the Lebacle). The subject has become as overblown as Favre's decision to retire/unretire last season (and this season), but I need to put my position on the record. For "teaser" purposes, I think LeBron joining the Harlem Globetrotters would have been a better decision than taking his talents to South Beach and D-Wade's Miami Heat. Until I get around to full explaining my thoughts on LeBron, enjoy Steve Carell's Decision below (from the ESPYs).<div><br /></div><div><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtIaMr2hGeI&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtIaMr2hGeI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-17605737125566208512010-06-24T19:22:00.007-04:002010-06-24T19:49:10.324-04:00Mailbag #5<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This is my first mailbag since October -- I've had a lot of questions submitted since then so I could not answer them all this time. Keep the questions coming (mjfriedman1@gmail.com) and I will try to bang out another mailbag later this summer. As always, these are real questions from actual readers.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: </span></span></span></b><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When I read, I hear Kelsey Grammar's voice in my head. I do this intentionally to make reading more interesting. 1) Is this weird?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2) Who provides the monologue for your inner voice?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; "><span><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Dave F., Richmond, VA</span></span></span></b></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Chop Culture: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1) Yes, that is weird.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2) I narrate my own silent reading, but your question makes me want to reconsider that decision.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Morgan Freeman is an obvious choice since he has served as the narrator for at least two dozen films, but I’d like to be a little more creative.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kelsey Grammar has a good voice, but after awhile you would have to realize that Sideshow Bob is reading a John Grisham novel to you inside your own head.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">James Earl Jones would be a sneaky good inner voice, but that choice might eventually lead me to build a baseball stadium in my cornfields.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Upon significant reflection, I would choose rapper DMX to narrate/rap my inner voice when I read.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here is how DMX might articulate the opening passage from an English literature classic: “Uhh, where my doggs at, uhh, come on, Swiss Beatz, uhh, yeah, Ruff Ryders…it was da best of times, it was da worst of times, it was da age of wisdom, it was da age of foolishness…it was a tale of two cities, muthaf_cka!”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: If you had to cut one of the main characters from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” who would it be and why? And it can't be someone like The Waitress or Rickety Cricket -- it has to be Dennis, Mac, Charlie, Sweet Dee, or Frank.</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Karen R., West Columbia, SC</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC:</span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> That’s a tough question because the show will instantly be worse if I take out one of those characters.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It’s similar to trying to take one of the main characters out of “Seinfeld” – each character in integral to the success of the show.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">One thing “Always Sunny” has done that “Seinfeld” could never do was add a fifth main character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Frank Reynolds (played by Danny Devito) was not in Season 1, but he has fit in perfectly with the cast without trying to steal the spotlight from the other lesser-known actors.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Apparently, Devito was just a fan of the show and the creators jumped at the chance to have him join the show.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I find it hilarious that Frank went from a successful businessman to living in squalor in Charlie’s apartment, where the two men share a futon and some raggedy long johns.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Charlie is among my top 10 favorite TV characters of all-time.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I think Mac, Dennis, Sweet Dee, and Frank are equally funny (and equally depraved) in their own ways.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If I had to get rid of one it would be Frank.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">He is hilarious, but the show was funny (though not as funny) before he came to the show.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The show would be worse without him, but I can’t give up any other character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After all, according to the gang, Mac is the brawn, Dennis is the looks and the brains, and Charlie is the wild card.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Sweet Dee provides a woman’s perspective, albeit a disturbing perspective at times.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you have never watched this show, please reexamine the priorities in your life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: </span></span></span></b><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you could attend any of the following four high schools, which would it be and why: 1) Bayside High, 2) Dillon High (with Coach Taylor), 3) West Beverly High, or 4) Walsingham Academy?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Please use comparisons of each school in your answer.</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Matt B., Morgantown, WV</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Well, I attended Walsingham Academy – we had some good times but it would obviously be my fourth choice.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I will break down each school based on seven categories: 1) sports, 2) extracurricular activities, 3) academics / college placement 4) location, 5) posse, 6) girls, and 7) administration.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The sports category is based equally on how good the sports teams are and if I could make the varsity teams (i.e., if I cannot make the team, they better be state champs).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">BAYSIDE HIGH (“Saved By the Bell”)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Sports: Good wrestling team led by Slater.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Decent football team led by Slater, Moose, and Ox.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Slater was all-city in four sports.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Zack was a star basketball player until he sprained his knee.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If Zack could start for the basketball team, I could definitely make the team.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Extracurricular activities: No high school clique was more involved outside the classroom than the Bayside crew. For a self-proclaimed slacker, Zack was extremely involved with extracurricular activities.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Student council, campus radio station, school plays, glee club, and school carnival, just to name a few.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Academics/college placement: Jessie was rejected by Stansbury.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Slater gave up a wrestling scholarship to Iowa.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Zack was accepted to Yale based on his 1502 SAT score.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Ultimately, everyone ended up a Cal U.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Location: Bayside was originally in Indiana and then – for no apparent reason – Zack, Lisa, Screech, Belding, and the school itself moved to California.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It would be nice to be near the beach, especially on senior skip day.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Maxx is a good hang-out spot.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Posse: Zack, Slater, Screech. Ouch.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am a huge “SBTB” fan, but who would want to hang out with these d-bags?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Girls: Kelly, Jessie, Lisa, Tori, Stacey Carosi (summers at Malibu Sands although technically she did not attend Bayside).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Solid lineup.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Administration: “Hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Mr. Belding put the “pal” in principal.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">He flailed on the oil spill incident, but for the most part he was an effective administrator.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“The Big Bopper” could spin some records as well.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">DILLON HIGH (“Friday Night Lights”)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Sports: Good news = football.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">State champs.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bad news = all other sports.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">No one even discusses other sports.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The entire athletic department budget goes to football.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">They might not even have a basketball team.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Extracurricular activities: Very few.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do pep rallies count?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Julie is involved with Habitat for Humanity.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Landry is a tutor.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Riggins starts drinking immediately after his last class – if he actually shows up for school.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What a great character.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Academics/college placement: Yet to be determined to some extent.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Lyla went to Vanderbilt.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Saracen goes to art school in Chicago.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Smash plays football at TMU.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The others are either too young (see: Landry, Julie, J.D. McCoy) or not the college type (see: Tim and Billy Riggins).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Tami Taylor was a good resource for prospective college students during her time as guidance counselor.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Location: Dillon, Texas.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Close enough for a weekend trip to Mexico.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Posse: Street, Smash, Riggins, Landry, Saracen. ASIDE: I am assuming I am in the same graduating class as Riggins so I am not counting the posse or girls from Season 4 at East Dilllon.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Girls: Lyla, Tyra, Julie.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I’ll take quality over quantity with this group.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Administration: Guidance counselor/principal Tami Taylor.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Coach Eric Taylor.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Good leadership from the Taylor household.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I’m sure Dillon High would love to keep them on the faculty/staff for a very long time…ohhh wait.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">WEST BEVERLY HIGH (“BH9er”)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Sports: None to speak of.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Tennis, anyone?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The football and track teams had steroid issues.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">None of the main characters are jocks, although Brandon and Steve played some classic one-on-one games in the driveway.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Extracurricular activities: School newspaper, school DJ, teen crisis hotline (Kelly probably has this number on speed dial), dance committee, etc. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Academic/college placement:</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Andrea fulfilled her lifelong goal of being accepted to Yale only to snub the Ivy League and attend California University, every other main character attended CU as well.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Location: Beverly Hills, California.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Not my scene.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Peach Pit (and Nat’s sage wisdom) make 90210 a more favorable location than it would be otherwise.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Posse: Brandon, Luke, Steve, David Silver.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If we could ditch Steve and David, we’d have a legit posse.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Girls: Kelly, Brenda, Donna, Andrea, Emily Valentine.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In other words, basket case, bitch, airhead, bookworm, pyromaniac. Run far, far away from these ladies!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Administration: The gang seemed to have a good rapport with Mrs. Teasley, the vice principal.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hell, she let Donna Martin graduate.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">VERDICT</span></span></span></u></b><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1) Dillon – I can’t play sports there, but the football team dominates and there is a solid group of guys and girls. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2) West Beverly – Brandon, Dylan, and Nat make up for the girls with baggage.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">3) Bayside – even Kelly Kapowski isn’t enough to rank them higher.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4) Walsingham.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Honorable Mention: Capeside High (Dawson’s Creek), The Harbor School (The OC), and John Adams High (Boy Meets World).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: If you could have a supporting role on any 80’s movie, what would it be and why?</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Errol E., Santa Monica, CA</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC:</span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> I thought about this one for about 0.0001 seconds…of course I would play Stiles from “Teen Wolf.”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Speaking of which, what is the deal with the new Teen Wolf show on MTV?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The new TV show is based on the 1985 classic flick, but it departs drastically from the original storyline.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It’s not even a comedy, much less a cheesy comedy.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Why even call it “Teen Wolf”?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The MTV series is described as a "sexy thriller set against the drama of high school life with a forbidden, romantic love story at its core." "Vampire Diaries" and "Twilight" called and they want their premise back. This is why MTV has been one of the lamest cable networks of the last decade. I refuse to watch the channel unless TJ Lavin is hosting a challenge consisting of people that used to live in a house together or people that used to live in an RV together. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: If you had one day to live (for the sake of this question let’s say the day is from 6:00 AM to 6:00 AM)…and you had to spend it in Williamsburg, Virginia, give me an hour by hour breakdown of how you would spend the day?</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Travis C., Arlington, VA</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wow, kind of a morbid question, but I guess I need to go out with a bang.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> For purposes of this question, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am going to assume that I’ve already said my goodbyes to friends and family, and this day is just about the Colonial Capital and me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">6:00 A.M. – Wake up in Whitey’s grandma’s room – I just realized how weird that sounds if you don’t know the context.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Crush a Chick Fil-A chicken biscuit.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wait for Kirkland – my former boss when I was a pool boy/overglorified trashman – to arrive at work.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Slash the tires on Kirkland’s blue Mustang.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">7:00 A.M. – Steal a golf cart from the Woods Course – another one of my former employers.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Go for a joyride and call in a Code Brown to Mounts Bay Pool (a Code Brown is pool boy lingo for exactly what you think it would be).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kirkland is stressed out and my day is off to a great start.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">8:00 A.M. – Sneak into Busch Gardens through the woods.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kill time playing skeeball at the arcade.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hang around the petting zoo until the park opens at 9:00.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Saddle up on a Clydesdale.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">9:00 A.M. – First in line to ride in the front of Apollo’s Chariot.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hit up Loch Ness Monster for old times sake.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Go to the “Guess Your Weight” game – even if the guy does not correctly guess my weight, I punch him in the neck and run off with my prize – a giant stuffed gorilla.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">10:00 A.M. – Make my way to Colonial Williamsburg.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Purchase a tri-corner hat and a fife.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Direct traffic at confusion corner.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Alienate tourists.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Throw horse manure at kids in the stockade / pillory torture device while their parents take pictures.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Churn butter.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Shear a sheep’s wool.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Make soap out of lard.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The usual.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">11:00 A.M. – Go to Walsingham (my high school).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bring Coach Caccetta (my gym coach/tennis coach/idol) a fresh pair of Zubaz pants.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Coach and I team up against the 8</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> graders in a game of floor hockey.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Coach scores a hat trick within the first minute.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Then he scores another hat trick.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Then another.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Coach has a hat trick of hat tricks.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am honored to be on the same gym floor with him today.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">12:00 P.M. – Lunch at the Cheese Shop – the combo with cheddar is quite simply the finest lunch sandwich known to man.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1:00 P.M. – Take a drive to Sno-to-Go.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you are not familiar with this establishment, it serves a delectable treat that combines a sno-cone and an ice cream cone.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Pure genius.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I have no idea why this concept has not spread like wildfire throughout the nation.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It is a moneymaking machine in the summer.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">But I digress.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2:00 P.M. – Head to my old neighborhood Windsor Forest on the west side of town.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I head to “the park” for some wallball – I dominate Billy Madison style.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“Now you’re all in big, big trouble!”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It’s a hot day so I suggest some sharks and minnows at the pool.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After that gets old, let’s clear out of the deep end for a biggest splash contest.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My cannonball easily wins.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do I care that I am the only person old enough to swim during adult swim?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">No, I don’t.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">3:00 P.M.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">- Break into my old house and take a nap in my old room.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If you’re keeping track, this is at least my fourth crime of the day.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Exit house before current owners return from work. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4:00 P.M. – Refreshed from a power nap, I head to Quarterpath Park for some pick-up hoops.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Gus Johnson is there to give the play-by play.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">“Rise and fire…he got it!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My name is Chop and I make buckets!”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">5:00 P.M. – Time to stop off at Hot Diggity Dog for a light bite.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What the hell?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hot Diggity Dog is closed?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Who is the dead man responsible for this?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">6:00 P.M. – Still hungry, I head to Pierce’s Pitt BBQ for some ‘cue.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">No, I am not counting calories today.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">7:00 P.M. – Off to Monica’s Psychic Advisor to answer the age old question: is this place a brothel or just a money laundering scheme?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Monica is definitely not reading palms.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">She is either greasing palms…or greasing palms.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Let’s just move on.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">8:00 P.M. – Hang out in the Williamsburg Crossing parking lot for an hour.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">No one else is hanging out.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">A passerby mentions that everyone loiters at some new shopping center called New Town now.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I will stay here and rep my city.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">9:00 P.M. – Time to call my PT Cruiser Limo since I will be drinking.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Start off with a LeBomb James shot at Pitcher’s.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Leave this cougar den as soon as I chalk clap Splenda all over the floor.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">10:00 P.M. – Hit up Paul’s Deli.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Order a hot Holly sub and wash it down with a pitcher of Natty Light – the best bar food and drink combination in the 757.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">11:00 P.M. – For this hour only – it suddenly transforms into the night before Thanksgiving at Paul’s and I get to say goodbye to everyone I’ve known since kindergarten.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I also get to snub people that I don’t like because I know I will never see them again.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">12:00 A.M. – Go to Green Leafe to tell everyone inside that Paul’s is the best bar in town.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">1:00 A.M. – It’s karaoke night at the 415 Grill at the Hospitality House.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The crowd laughs as I select Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” but I win them over in a mere three minutes and thirty-four seconds.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">2:00 A.M. – Dine and ditch at IHOP on Richmond Road.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">3:00 A.M. – Go to bar/club Carpe P.M.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The white trash dance club that likes to “seize the night” had a short run in the ‘burg, but it makes a one-night comeback in honor of my last night.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I’ve never been happier to see people in jorts grind on the dance floor.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">4:00 A.M. – Sneak into Water Country.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Take a few laps on the Lazy River with an inner tube and some fruity drinks.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Obviously there are no lifeguards on duty so I enter Big Daddy Falls at my own risk.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I ride Aquazoid until my fingers are pruned.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">5:00 A.M. – Head back to Colonial Williamsburg for my last hour.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Go streaking down Duke of Gloucester Street.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">At 5:59 A.M., I literally climb into a cannon next to the gunpowder magazine and light the fuse.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Blast off! I told you I had to go out with a bang.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: In defense of its relatively poor showings in prior World Cups, casual US soccer fans like to justify this by claiming that the best athletes in Brazil, Italy, Argentina, etc. play soccer whereas the best US athletes play other sports.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bill Simmons has echoed this sentiment many times over the years.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Which US athletes do you think would make great soccer players?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What would your lineup be?</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Hunter R., Greenville, SC</span></span></span></b></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am considering all US athletes of my lifetime and I am assuming they will play on my soccer team when they were in their prime.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I will not include athletes like Jackie Robinson or Muhammad Ali, who were before my time, although those two would probably be good soccer players.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">FORWARDS – all about speed and finishing skills: 1) Allen Iverson (basketball) and 2) Michael Chang (tennis).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bench: Michael Johnson (track) and Deion Sanders (football/baseball).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">MIDFIELDERS – all about stamina, footwork, controlling the tempo of the game, and above-average speed: 1) Barry Sanders (football), 2) Lance Armstrong (cycling), 3) Derek Jeter (baseball), and 4) Chad Ocho Cinco (football).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bench: Kobe Bryant (basketball) and Apolo Anton Ohno (speed skating). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">DEFENDERS – all about intimidation, good tackling, and athleticism: 1) Mike Tyson (boxing), 2) LeBron James (basketball), 3) Ronnie Lott (football), and 4) Bo Jackson (football/baseball).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bench: Ed Reed (football) and Deron Williams (basketball).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">GOALKEEPER – all about wingspan, reflexes, and instincts: Michael Phelps (swimmer).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Bench: Stacey “Plastic Man” Augmon (basketball) and Rajon Rondo (basketball).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My starting lineup (4-4-2) would look like this:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">PHELPS</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">BO-LEBRON-LOTT-TYSON</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">JETER</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-LANCE-BARRY-OCHO CINCO</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">IVERSON-CHANG</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Q: If California Dreams and Hot Sundae appeared on Ed McMahon’s Star Search against each other, who would have received more stars and why?</span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Lindsey D., Nashville, TN</span></span></span></li></ul><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">CC: </span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I don’t have the energy or imagination to dissect another “Saved By the Bell” question, but from the videos below I think we can all agree that both bands suck.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">If either band made it on the air, then Star Search clearly has a flawed screening process.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The last video shows how caffeine pills can destroy bands worse than heroin.</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></b></span><!--EndFragment--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; "><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mp823uNEi6o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mp823uNEi6o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/65B2HDxerIg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/65B2HDxerIg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bflYjF90t7c&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bflYjF90t7c&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-91080321815077825962010-06-10T15:40:00.007-04:002010-06-11T08:28:36.564-04:00NCAA Conference ExpansionChop Culture has experienced some internet problems recently -- I apologize for the lack of recent posts. I will have a mailbag out within a week.<br /><br />I am not a fan of conference expanison. In my opinion, 12 members is ideal and certainly enough to constitute "power conference" status. If I were the commissioner of the Pac-10, I would try to get just Texas and Oklahoma and become the Pac-12. I bet they could get both of those schools to join without adding four others. Instead, they appear to be adding Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M. I dont get the appeal of the Pac-16. You add two powerhouse football programs and basically four more middle of the pack / mediocre bowl teams. Assuming they will have two 8-team divisions, no teams from opposite divisions will play until the conference championship game -- isn't that like having two separate conferences? At least in the Big East -- where they have 16 basketball teams (but only 8 football teams) -- they play everyone once in the regular season. In 12-team football conferences, you at least get to play everyone in your division and half of the other division (on a rotating basis) every season.<br /><br />Nebraska appears to be headed for the Big 10, probably out of self-preservation more than anything else. The rumors about the Pac-10 have been swirling for weeks and Nebraska has never been a part of that discussion. I don't blame them for jumping ship out of the Big 12, but I bet they wouldn't have done it if they knew Texas, Oklahoma, etc. were staying put.<br /><br />I blame one school for all of this conference expansion business: Notre Dame. It's easy to put the blame on the Pac-10, but if Notre Dame had agreed to become the Big 10's 12th member I don't think any Big 12 team would leave. Then the Pac-10 would have been in a position to choose from among BYU, Utah, TCU, UNLV, and Fresno State. Since none of those school seem as appealing as the Big 12 schools, the Pac-10 would likely either stay at 10 schools or only expand to 12 schools.<br /><br />I predict the ACC and SEC schools will stay intact and remain at 12 schools...for now. I see the rest of the conference landscape shaping up as follows:<br /><br />Pac-10: adds the 6 schools mentioned above and becomes the Pac-16.<br /><br />Big-12: dissolves.<br /><br />Big-10: adds Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt and becomes the Big-16.<br /><br />Big East: loses Rutgers, Syracuse, and Pitt -- adds Kansas, Kansas State, and Memphis.<br /><br />Conference USA, WAC, and Mountain West fight over Baylor and Iowa State.<br /><br />If the SEC expands and the other conferences expand as predicted above, here are my top 10 candidates for the four spots (in order of most likely to happen): Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami, Louisville, NC State, Maryland, West Virginia, and South Florida.<br /><br />I don't expect UNC, Duke, UVa, Wake Forest, Maryland, or NC State to leave the ACC no matter what -- they are all original members of the ACC and none consider football their best or most important sport. If the SEC expands, its focus will be on football. In fact, I would say that conference expansion in general comes down to football. Football and money.Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-50522240681583573092010-05-10T20:08:00.001-04:002010-05-10T21:52:21.275-04:00Ramblings<div><ul><li>I am hoping to put out a mailbag within the next week. Send questions to mjfriedman1@gmail.com.</li></ul></div><ul><li>Betty White hosted Saturday Night Live this weekend -- thanks to a Facebook group pleading SNL execs to ask her to host -- and she absolutely killed it. It was one of the best episodes of the last several years. All of the best female SNL alums of the past decade (except Cheri Oteri) joined White on the Mother's Day episode. At 88 years old, White must be the oldest host in SNL history by at least 20 years. I recommend watching the entire episode on Hulu, but here's a preview: </li></ul><object width="512" height="296 "><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/VN72YB24mQR__R-HsSqpWg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/VN72YB24mQR__R-HsSqpWg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I usually don't pay much attention to the NBA until the playoffs. If you're like me, you probably didn't realize until the last few weeks that Rajon Rondo is currently the best player on the Boston Celtics. The Celtics won the NBA title in 2008, when Rondo played a supporting role to Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. This Celtics team is completely different -- Rondo controls the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, scores when he needs to, and has become one of the best playmakers in the league. Rondo broke into the league as a defensive specialist with good size for a point guard, but I doubt too many scouts expected him to be a franchise player. I am starting to believe Rondo might be one of the top 10 players in the league. If the Celtics upset the Cavs (series currently tied 2-2), it will be due in large part to Rondo's complete domination. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>"Breaking Bad" is the best show on TV right now. If you haven't seen it, I recommend going to your local public library (or Netflix) and renting seasons 1 and 2-- season 1 is only 7 episodes because of the writer's strike from 2008. Season 3 is currently airing on AMC on Sunday nights. It is a close call between "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men" (another AMC original series) for my vote as best show since "The Wire." I should note that Modern Family, It's Always Sunny is Philadelphia, and Friday Night Lights are my favorite shows -- but "Breaking Bad" is the best show on TV.</li></ul><div><ul><li><p class="MsoNormal">The murder of Yeardley Love at UVa last week was shocking, bizarre, and senseless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>An innocent girl died, allegedly at the hands of a male lacrosse player (George Huguely) with anger management issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The accused murderer appears to be a pampered, privileged, cocky asshole from a preppy private school in Maryland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He was allegedly arrested at Washington & Lee for public drunkenness in 2008.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>UVa President John Casteen is upset that no one at UVa knew about Huguely’s arrest at W&L, and he has spoken with Virginia’s governor about passing legislation that would require police departments to notify universities when a student is arrested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I would pose the following question to President Casteen: what difference would it have made if you knew about Huguely’s prior arrest for drunk in public?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thousands of college students get arrested for public drunkenness every year – about 0.0000001% turn out to be murderers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If UVA had been notified of the arrest, UVa administration or the lacrosse coaches could have suspended Huguely for a game or two – in 2008 – but that prior arrest is totally irrelevant to this murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The media is also talking about how the culture of lacrosse players led to this tragic event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I agree that a majority of lacrosse players are white, entitled, cocky, and maybe even mean-spirited towards people that don’t fit the above-listed criteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went to Hampden-Sydney – I know this type and it is by no means limited to lacrosse players. However, these attributes rarely lead to violence against women or murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is a monumental difference between being a cocky jerk and murdering an innocent ex-girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No one knows what Huguely was thinking in the days, hours, and minutes before the crime took place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We might never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The only thing I know for sure is that UVa administrators and the lacrosse culture are not to blame for Love’s death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Check out this blog post that takes a different perspective than me: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/6/1459030/george-huguely-yeardley-love-uva-lacrosse-murder">http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/6/1459030/george-huguely-yeardley-love-uva-lacrosse-murder</a></p> <!--EndFragment--> </li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I don't know how I never saw this commercial before now. Steve Nash is the man.</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tdNiXidfLcc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tdNiXidfLcc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-76166665855539290102010-04-21T21:08:00.002-04:002010-04-21T21:37:07.909-04:00Big BenNFL Commisioner Roger Goodell suspended Big Ben for six games today. For what, I'm not sure. Maybe because he COULD be a rapist. Maybe because he brought bad publicity to his team. I like that Roger Goodell has cracked down on off-the-field behavior, but I think he went too far with this suspension. Big Ben MIGHT be guilty of something, but the District Attorney didn't have enough evidence to bring charges. What did Commissioner Goodell have on Big Ben that the DA didn't have? I think even a one game suspension would be too much considering that he was not charged with anything. Writer Clay Travis (author of the great book Dixieland Delight) summed it up really well:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/21/roger-goodell-nfls-solomon-attempts-to-split-the-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClayTravisFanHouse+%28Clay+Travis+FanHouse+Columns%29">http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/04/21/roger-goodell-nfls-solomon-attempts-to-split-the-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ClayTravisFanHouse+%28Clay+Travis+FanHouse+Columns%29 </a></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-59499641173620014882010-04-18T20:47:00.008-04:002010-04-20T23:02:01.801-04:00Ramblings<ul><li>I can't imagine a better home for Conan than TBS. FOX seemed like a logical destination for Conan, but FOX has to deal with hundreds of affiliates that get decent ratings from Seinfeld and Friends reruns at 11 P.M. Also, going to cable will give Conan a little more creative control and leeway with risque sketches. Comedy Central was mentioned as a possibility for Conan, but I figured they didn't want to switch their popular Colbert/Daily Show schedule. The biggest winner in Conan's new deal is George Lopez. At first, I thought Lopez might be pissed that Conan was coming in and pushing his show back to midnight (as NBC wanted to do with Leno and Conan). Lopez came out immediately to deny that -- he said he called Conan to convince him to come to TBS. And why wouldn't he? He will have Conan as a lead-in and his show will get renewed, which was not a guarantee before the Conan deal. Lopez is funnier than Jimmy Fallon and Craig Ferguson so his show has a chance to be successful. I suspect a lot of people will watch Conan at 11 and then turn to ABC for Jimmy Kimmel at 12, but Lopez may surprise some people. Conan going to cable will probably hurt Letterman more than Leno -- if you think Leno is funny, you probably don't get Conan. However, I expect Conan to be way behind Leno and Letterman in the ratings. I don't give a shit about ratings -- Conan is the funniest guy in late night and I am just glad he will be back in November.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Didn't get enough hoops talk in March? Me neither. Wake Forest fired basketball coach Dino Gaudio after three seasons, in which his record was 61-31 with two NCAA tourney bids. He also signed four top-100 recruits for next year. Wake fell apart near the end of the year this past season, but they were dealing with the loss of two underclassman (Jeff Teague and James Johnson) who turned pro and they still won an NCAA tournament game. I should also note that Gaudio was named the head coach after his long-time friend and mentor Skip Prosser died suddenly in the summer of 2007. I think under the circumstances, Gaudio has been a successful coach at Wake. Even assuming that Wake was ready to move in a different direction, I don't understand their new hire. They hired Jeff Bzdelik, who was 36-58 at three seasons at Colorado. Bzdelik is good friends with the Wake Forest athletic director. I understand that the AD wants to bring in someone he feels comfortable with, but I cannot fathom firing a coach that went 61-31 in three seasons and bringing in a coach that went 36-58 over three years in a comparable league.</li></ul><br /><div><ul><li>KFC has a new sandwich called the Double Down -- it is two fried chicken patties, two slices of bacon, two pieces of cheese, and Colonel's sauce (don't want to know what's in that). Oh, and did I mention there is no bun? Don't get me wrong -- this sandwich sounds delicious, but the very concept of this product flies in the face of KFC's healthy grilled chicken ad campaign that they have spent millions on over the past year or two. I look forward to further enlightening discussion on the Double Down after I try it.</li></ul><br /></div><div><ul><li>It's time I give props to the best new show on TV -- Modern Family. I am comfortable putting Modern Family in my top 5 favorite sitcoms of my lifetime already -- behind Seinfeld, Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Curb Your Enthusiasm for now. Modern Family is 20 episodes into its first season, and it has still yet to have a bad episode. Everyone on the show is funny in his or her own way -- the kids' roles (especially Manny Delgado) are as well-acted as in any sitcom I have seen. There are no weak links. I highly recommend this show -- Wednesdays at 9:00 on ABC.</li></ul><br /></div><div><ul><li>ESPN's 30 for 30 is a series of documentaries chronicling 30 intriguing stories of the ESPN era. I watched the one on Allen Iverson last week -- it focuses mainly on Iverson's 1993 trial for hitting a woman with a chair at a bowling alley. It was interesting to see highlights of his high school days in Hampton and relive the story behind the trial -- I remember hearing about his trial when I was in middle school, but shockingly his conviction has been rarely discussed on a national level since then. I thought the racism angle of the documentary was complete bullshit. I am sure there was some racial tension in the area at that time (the fight allegedly started when some white rednecks called Iverson and his friends the n-word), but there is no doubt that Iverson threw a chair at that lady. The director of the documentary (Steve James -- also directed "Hoop Dreams") tried to be an impartial filmmaker, but he definitely pushed the racism angle. Iverson's attorney was made out to be a washed-up litigator who would rather negotiate pleas than try a case. The judge was made out to be a racist who wouldn't consider giving a black man a break. Just because a judge is a harsh sentencer doesn't make him racist. People in the film kept pushing the argument that no white star athlete would have received jail time (Iverson was sentenced to 15 years suspended to 10) for an offense like this. Maybe that's true but who knows? I doubt any white star athlete would have been granted clemency after just 4 months from Virginia's first black governor. The governor also waited two more weeks before he granted clemency for Iverson's two co-defendants -- so maybe it was about sports more than race. Iverson is one of my favorite NBA players of all-time. I am glad he was successful. I am glad he overcame adversity. But when it comes down to it, he threw the chair and he deserved to serve some jail time. He even admitted as much in a 2005 interview with Stephen A. Smith.</li></ul><br /></div><div><ul><li>I know I pick on Jim Nantz quite frequently, but is there a bigger douche in sportscasting? Although he was born to announce the Masters, I hate that he thinks of cheesy lines to yell when the winner makes his final putt on Sunday. Whether it's Tiger's "win for the ages" or "is it his time? Yes!" on Phil Mickelson's first green jacket. This year, Nantz milked the Amy Mickelson breast cancer story during the entire back nine just so he could break out "a win for the family!" on Mickelson's final putt. Come on, Jim. You're better than that. No, actually you're not.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Catch up with the "Hey Dude" cast: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/entertainment/2010/04/19/thennow-cast-hey-dude/?slide=1">http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/entertainment/2010/04/19/thennow-cast-hey-dude/?slide=1</a> </li></ul>First of all, I never knew there was an internet rumor that Danny (the Hopi Indian) was dead. I need some confirmation on that. Secondly, Mr. Ernst was not nicknamed "Buddy." He had a tool of a son named Buddy. Finally, how did Ted McGriff not become a huge star? He was senior staff. Christine Taylor is the most famous of the cast, although that is mainly by virtue of marrying Ben Stiller. What a good f'ing show.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Creepiest. Game show host. Ever.</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O0WW9BXdKuc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O0WW9BXdKuc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span><br /><br /></div><div><ul><li>I don't listen to much new rap, but I heard the latest single from new artist Peep Dis and I had to post it. One founding member of Peep Dis -- formerly known as LBDeez -- hails from the 757. Rep your city.</li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_RhL7TxQ7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_RhL7TxQ7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></div></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-73761510636209970772010-03-28T16:52:00.005-04:002010-03-29T21:39:59.826-04:00Hoops RamblingsI have decided to blog about nothing except college basketball during the month of March. If you are looking for pop culture observations, check back in April. If you enjoy college hoops insights sans journalistic integrity, then read on.<br /><br /><ul><li>Before I get to March Madness, I want to update you on the UVa men's basketball team. Tony Bennett came in as head coach from Washington State before this past season. Shortly after he arrived, <b>John Brandenburg</b> -- a fundamentally sound white big man whose game is seemingly perfect for Bennett's style -- transferred to Colgate. Before the first game, talented big man <b>Jamil Tucker</b> took a leave of absence from the team for unknown personal reasons -- he never returned. Near the end of the season, <b>Calvin Baker</b> -- an experienced senior point guard -- left the team for family reasons. Last week, highly touted freshman <b>Tristan Spurlock</b> decided to transfer (he says he wanted to stay but Bennett advised him to transfer) and star sophomore <b>Sylven Landesberg</b> decided to go pro. Landesberg had been suspended from the last three games of the year for academic reasons (apparently he skipped a few art classes), but he did not fail out. He could have returned to the team and school next season, but he dropped out of classes last week. Landesberg is good, but in my opinion he needs at least another year to develop his outside game. Since he was dropped out of school, he cannot test the waters and return to school. I think Bennett will be successful at UVa once he gets his type of players, but it is a little disheartening that 5 key members of the program left before season's end or after the season ended. UVa has a solid class coming in next season, but I expect it to take 3-4 years before UVa returns to respectability. Let's now talk about teams that actually made the Big Dance.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>March Madness 2010 has been one of the best of all-time. Double digit seeds won 11 games. Two 5-seeds are in the Final Four. Only one 1-seed is in the Final Four. Three buzzer beaters. West Virginia saved the Big East from being vastly overhyped -- the first time I filled out a bracket, I had four Big East teams in the Final Four (I later switched UK in for West Virginia). Speaking of which, everyone's bracket sucks. In a normal March Madness, only about 90% of people will say their bracket sucks (as opposed to 100% this year).</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li> I still think 1998 is my favorite March Madness of all-time. This year has probably been just as good or better, but I was on high school Spring Break on the first and second weekends of March Madness 1998 -- my friends and I drank at least ten liters of Mountain Dew each per day, crushed a few boxes of Hot Pockets, and filled out our own bracket on a giant posterboard. We watched just about every game, and it seems like every game was close and there were a few unbelievable upsets every day. My favorite March Madness moment is Bryce Drew's three at the buzzer as Valpo upset 4-seed Ole Miss by one (Valpo also won its second round game against Florida State). 14-seed Richmond upset 3-seed South Carolina. Rip Hamilton hit a fade-away floater in the lane to beat Washington at the buzzer. UK won the title in Tubby Smith's first season.</li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0haGKGiX9qA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0haGKGiX9qA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhY4J_uZOQE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XhY4J_uZOQE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>There have been some great storylines in this year's Madness: Butler gets to play in its hometown of Indianapolis for the Final Four. Baylor made the Elite Eight less than seven years after one player murdered another player and the coach tried to cover it up. West Virginia and Michigan State advance to the Final Four without injured point guards. Northern Iowa's Ali Farokhmanesh hit a game-winning three against UNLV then made the ballsiest shot of the tourney against Kansas. Michigan State underachieved during the regular season, but Tom Izzo led the Spartans to their 6th Final Four in the last 12 years.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Gus Johnson had another great Madness as an announcer. I am waiting for CBS to realize that Gus should be announcing the Final Four games instead of Jim Nantz. When Jim Nantz tells me that the Masters is a tradition unlike any other, I believe him. He was born to be a golf announcer. Gus was born to announce every close March Madness game. See below for a Gus Johnson soundboard and the video of Gus' best game of the tourney (although the video does not contain some of Gus' best calls from that game).</li></ul></div><div><br /><a href="http://www.gusjohnsongetsbuckets.com/">http://www.gusjohnsongetsbuckets.com/</a></div><div><a href="http://www.gusjohnsongetsbuckets.com/"></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MFzVZOIMswI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MFzVZOIMswI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span></div></div></div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-1250226955475064252010-03-14T16:11:00.002-04:002010-03-14T16:21:09.064-04:00Final Bracketology - March 141s: Kansas (#1 overall), Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke<div>2s: West Virginia, Kansas State, Ohio State, Purdue</div><div>3s: Villanova, Georgetown, Tennessee, Temple</div><div>4s: Maryland, Pitt, Michigan State, Vanderbilt</div><div>5s: Texas A&M, Baylor, New Mexico, BYU</div><div>6s: Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Butler, Richmond</div><div>7s: Xavier, Marquette, Texas, Louisville</div><div>8s: Oklahoma State, Cal, Florida State, Clemson</div><div>9s: Notre Dame, Missouri, UNLV, UTEP</div><div>10s: Northern Iowa, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, San Diego State</div><div>11s: St. Mary's, Minnesota, Florida, ODU</div><div>12s: Utah St., Siena, Washington, Cornell</div><div>13s: Houston, Murray State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State</div><div>14s: Oakland, Wofford, Ohio, UCSB</div><div>15s: Vermont, Morgan State, North Texas, Montana</div><div>16s: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lehigh, East Tennessee State, Winthrop, Robert Morris</div><div><br /></div><div>Last 3 in: Utah State, Minnesota, Florida</div><div>Last 3 out: Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Illinois</div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-32575530611608499372010-03-08T13:02:00.003-05:002010-03-08T13:27:54.089-05:00Bracketology - March 8<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Midwest (St. Louis)</span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">1 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Kansas</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">16 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Quinnipiac / Lehigh</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">8 Wake Forest</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">9 Notre Dame</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">4 Vanderbilt</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">13 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Murray St.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">5 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Maryland</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">12 Arizona St. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">3 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">New Mexico</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">14 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Oakland</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">6 Xavier</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">11 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Utah St.</span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">7 Louisville</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">10 Virginia Tech</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">2 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Purdue</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">15 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Morgan St</span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b></b></p><b><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">West (Salt Lake City)</span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">1</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> Syracuse</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">16 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Vermont</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">8 Florida St. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">9 Missouri</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">4 Baylor</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">13 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Sam Houston St.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">5 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Gonzaga</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">12 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Old Dominion</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">3 Tennessee</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">14</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"> Wofford</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">6 Wisconsin</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">11 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Siena</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">7 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Cal</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">10 UNLV</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">2 Kansas St</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">15 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">North Texas</span></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><b></b></span></p><b><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>East (Syracuse)</b></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">1 <b>Duke</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">16 <b>ETSU</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">8 Marquette<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">9 <b>UTEP</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">4 Pitt<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">13 San Diego St.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">5 Texas A & M<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">12 <b>Cornell<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">3 Michigan St.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">14<b> Kent St.</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">6 <b>Butler</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">11 St. Mary’s<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">7 Texas<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">10 <b>N. Iowa</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">2 West Virginia <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">15 <b>Winthrop</b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: 800;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></b><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><b>South (Houston)</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">1 <b>Kentucky</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">16 <b>Jackson St</b>. </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">8 Richmond</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">9 Clemson</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">4<b> Temple</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">13 Washington</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px">5 Georgetown</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">12 Memphis<b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">3 Villanova</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">14 <b>Weber St</b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">6 BYU</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">11 Florida</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">7 Oklahoma St.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">10 Georgia Tech</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">2 Ohio St.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">15 <b>UCSB</b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'"><b></b></p><b><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">Last 5 In: Florida, Memphis, Arizona St. SDSU, Washington</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'">Last 5 Out: Illinois, Wichita St, Mississippi St., UAB, Ole Miss</p></b><p></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">Seeds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">1s: Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">2s: Purdue, Kansas State, West Virginia, Ohio St.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">3s: New Mexico, Tennessee, Michigan St., Villanova,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">4s: Vandy, Baylor, Pitt, Temple</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">5s: Maryland, Gonzaga, Texas A&M, Georgetown</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">6s: Xavier, Wisconsin, Butler, BYU</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">7s: Louisville, Cal, Texas, Oklahoma St.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">8s: Marquette, Wake Forest, FSU, Richmond</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">9s: Notre Dame, Missouri, UTEP, Clemson</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">10s: Virginia Tech, UNLV, Northern Iowa, Georgia Tech</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">11s: Utah St., Siena, St. Mary's, Florida</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">12s: Arizona St., ODU, Cornell, Memphis</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">13s: Murray State, Sam Houston State, San Diego State, Washington</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">14s: Oaklnad, Wofford, Kent St., Weber St.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">15s: Morgan St., North Texas, Winthrop, UCSB</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 800;">16s: Quinnipiac, Lehigh, Vermont, ETSU, Jackson St.</span></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:x-small;"><b style=""></b></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:85%;"><b style=""><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><b style=""></b></p><b style=""><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" text-decoration: underline;font-size:x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></span></p></b><p></p></b></span><p></p><p></p></b><p></p>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4517508924835365288.post-12206556315665288862010-03-07T19:05:00.003-05:002010-03-07T19:26:40.134-05:00ACC Basketball AwardsThe following is Chop Culture's ballot for ACC basketball awards:<div><br /></div><div><b>1st Team All-ACC</b></div><div>Jon Scheyer - Duke</div><div>Greivis Vasquez - Maryland</div><div>Malcolm Delaney - Virginia Tech</div><div>Al-Farouq Aminu - Wake Forest</div><div>Trevor Booker - Clemson</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2nd Team</b></div><div>Kyle Singler - Duke</div><div>Nolan Smith - Duke</div><div>Sylven Landesberg - Virginia</div><div>Gani Lawal - Georgia Tech</div><div>Tracy Smith - NC State</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3rd Team</b></div><div>Ishmael Smith - Wake Forest</div><div>Solomon Alabi - Florida State</div><div>Chris Singleton - Florida State</div><div>Joe Trapani - Boston College</div><div>Jeff Allen - Virginia Tech (tie)</div><div>Dwayne Collins - Miami (tie)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Player of the Year: </b>Vasquez</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rookie of the Year: </b>Derrick Favors - Georgia Tech</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Coach of the Year: </b>Gary Williams - Maryland</div>Chopchizzlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17989158802072692212noreply@blogger.com0