Tag: nba

Friday, December 20, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly. Hmmm, it didn’t turn out that way…

Merry Christmas (and Happy Holidays, I guess) to everyone reading and their families. I love Christmas time!

If anyone is alone with no family or nobody to spend Christmas with, please let me know… I need to borrow some chairs. (Oldie, but still gets a chuckle)

Trivia #1: What does CERN stand for?
Trivia #2: How much is a petabyte?
Trivia #3: What country’s tourism record was broken between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30? – Japan, United States, Iceland, Spain, France, Italy, Dracut
Trivia #4: In the movie “Home Alone,” where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they accidentally leave Kevin behind? – Greece, Paris, Disney, Hawaii, Aruba, Italy
Trivia #5: Which NBA player has played the most Christmas Day games – Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James?
Trivia #6: From what country does the poinsettia plant originate from?
Trivia #7: What was the first company that used Santa Claus in their advertising?

On this date: December 20, 69 (that’s right, 69 AD) General Vespasian’s troops occupy Rome after defeating the Emperor Vitellius
December 20, 1820, Missouri imposed a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men aged between 21 & 50 (Can you imagine how many men then moved out of Missouri!)
December 20, 1967, Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornick form rock group “Jethro Tull” in Blackpool, England
December 20, 1969, Peter, Paul & Mary’s cover of John Denver’s song “Leaving On A Jet Plane” reaches #1
December 20, 1974, “The Godfather Part II”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1975)

Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year. It’s all downhill after that.

Rare ending to the first half in last night’s Denver/LA Chargers game. With eight seconds left in the half, and the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball away in hopes of the time expiring and sending both teams to the locker room. The good news is that the clock hit zeroes – the bad news, however, is that Denver was called for fair catch interference. Of course, a half cannot end on a defensive penalty or a flag by the kicking team, so the Chargers had the opportunity for a “fair catch kick” after the penalty moved them up 15 yards. Cameron Dicker was able to line up for a 57-yard kick without any sort of rush, in fact, the ball didn’t even need to be snapped. He nailed it. That hadn’t happened in the NFL since 1976.

The Army/Navy football game, last Saturday, is such an event. The tradition, rivalry and respect given from all directions.

Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Bruins are tied for their most wins when trailing by 2 or more goals when entering the 3rd period in team history 2024/25 – 3, 2020/21 – 3, 2017/18 – 3.

The U.S. national debt is $36,189,345,826,140.62. Oops, sorry. That was yesterday. Right now, it’s up to $36,248, 090, 851, 924.00.

I kid you not. The other day while channel surfing, I came across the 2024 Plumbing National Championship. The winner, from Peabody, MA, took home $10K and a new set of tires. You cannot make that shit up.

Go away: Luigi Mangione, the thug who shot the healthcare CEO in the back. Just invoke capital punishment law (not that simple, I know) and get this guy out of our lives.

“Understanding the question is half an answer.” – Socrates

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: NYPD officers were seen sitting in the entire front row of the court room where Luigi Mangione’s court proceedings took place in the Blair County Courthouse. Several people outside the courthouse held signs that read “Deny, Defend, Depose,” the same message that Mangione allegedly left on shell casings at the scene of Thompson’s murder and words that are commonly used among insurance providers when they reject claims. 

Fewer people are watching the NBA than in previous years. Ratings for NBA games on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV are down 25% through Saturday and there are many ideas floating about why. Three-pointer propensity and lack of defense are the two main bugaboos observers point to. Oh, don’t me going about the state of professional basketball…

Smuggling drugs, you’re doing it wrong. A Florida fisherman hoping to catch a big one recently hauled in more than 50 pounds of cocaine wrapped in watertight plastic and branded with a scorpion. “If you happened to have lost or misplaced approximately 25 kilos of cocaine and would like to have your property returned, please contact our Narcotics Agents and we will be more than happy to reunite you with your lost property,” the Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey joked alongside a photo of the drugs.

OK folks, you can relax now. The world’s largest hornet, an invasive breed dubbed the “murder hornet” for its dangerous sting and ability to slaughter a honey bee hive in a matter of hours, has been declared eradicated in the US, five years after being spotted for the first time in Washington state near the Canadian border.

Good news: For us football fans, that is. After last night’s NFL game, tonight is open but that is followed by one or more games on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday (Christmas), Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Whoa!

Bad news: ESPN’s Randy Moss has been diagnosed with cancer. What can I say, I like the guy.

Winning an award, you’re doing it wrong: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last Saturday night, came up short to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter in the voting. Jeanty thought so highly of his chances to win the award, he wrote and practiced an acceptance speech and even told the world he did so. DOH!

Article I’ll skip: Santa Claus might be real after all as a stunning new discovery proves it

This just in, the Patriots’ QB Drake Maye has been ruled out of Sunday’s game versus the Bills, due to a back injury. Apparently, Maye suffered the injury sometime during the past several games where he was carrying the team on his back…

Trivia #1 answer: What does CERN stand for? – European Organization for Nuclear Research
Trivia #2 answer: How much is a petabyte? – 1,000 terabytes or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Trivia #3 answer: What country’s tourism record was broken between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30? – Japan, United States, Iceland, Spain, France, Italy, Dracut – Japan saw 33.4 million visitors (247,500 were Americans)
Trivia #4 answer: In the movie “Home Alone,” where are the McCallisters going on vacation when they accidentally leave Kevin behind? – Greece, Paris, Disney, Hawaii, Aruba, Italy – They were going to Paris
Trivia #5 answer: Which NBA player has played the most Christmas Day games? – Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James? – Kobe Bryant (16)
Trivia #6 answer: From what country does the poinsettia plant originate from? – Mexico
Trivia #7 answer: What was the first company that used Santa Claus in their advertising? – Coca-Cola

Speaking of Japan, KFC is the preferred Christmas meal in Japan. Hey, I read it on the internet!

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

“Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Happy National Underdog Day.

Ya’ll got 5 days to get in the spirit. Let’s go!

First, the Eagles

Then, the boss!

Friday, November 8, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly.

Never fight… until you have to. When it is time to fight, you fight like you’re the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s Ark… and brother, it’s starting to rain!

Trivia #1: Besides vodka, what liquor is included in a Harvey Wallbanger?
Trivia #2: What does “chooglin’” mean?
Trivia #3: Who won the 2011 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 2011)?

On this date: November 8, 1731, in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin opened the 1st library in the north American colonies, the Library Company of Philadelphia.
November 8, 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen produces and detects electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range today known as X-rays or Röntgen rays.
November 8, 1956, Biblical drama film “The Ten Commandments”, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner premieres at the Criterion Theater in NYC
November 8, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs anti-trust immunity to AFL-NFL merger

Go away: Pollsters

Don’t be that guy. Don’t burn in your backyard during a “red flag” warning. Idiot!

Ohhh, Dak Prescott is hurt and the Cowboys stink. (They stunk before he got hurt). That must be cool for their fans. Did I mention they are winless at home? My heart goes out.

If you bet that fewer than 34 points would be scored in just the 4th quarter of last night’s Bengals/Ravens game, you lost!

Good news: Bill and Becky Chilcutt spent the last two decades traveling to every state capitol in the country — and had one left on their list when Bill Chilcutt’s terminal cancer halted the planned trip. Employees at the Chick-fil-A Market in Springwoods Village, TX, contacted the Alaska State Capitol — the last stop on the Chilcutts’ bucket list — to see if there was a way for the Chilcutts to visit the capitol without physically being there. An employee photographed the Chilcutts’ wedding photo around the building in Juneau, Alaska — even signing their names on the visitors’ log. Alaska State Capitol employees sent the Chilcutts the photos, a scrapbook and gifts while the Chick-fil-A team presented them with a custom drawing of the pair in front of Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier. 

Not good news: A total of 7 people remain unaccounted for in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene as the death toll from the storm reached 102 as of Thursday.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Baltimore Ravens’ placekicker, Justin Tucker, had missed only 6 of 504 extra points in his career. (He missed one last night)

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: In the days following Trump’s victory, hordes of Washington Commanders fans have taken to social media and called on Donald Trump to help push the organization to change its name back to “Redskins,” previously used from 1937 until its name was changed in 2020. (Whether I’m a fan of the move or not… oh boy!)

Article I’ll skip: Retailers announce “inflation-free” Thanksgiving dinner deals

Big OT win for the Bruins last night.

Trivia #1 answer: Besides vodka, what liquor is included in a Harvey Wallbanger? – Galliano
Trivia #2: What does “chooglin’” mean? – “Chooglin'” is a term that describes a type of music and a way of life, A debauched form of white-boy boogie that’s open to all, but is especially common among the working class. 
Trivia #3: Who won the 2011 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 2011)? – Boston Bruins (NHL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), Green Bay Packers (NFL)

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do.

Everyone is good at something.

Happy National Harvey Wallbanger Day!

“Maybe you don’t understand it
But if you’re a natural man
You got to ball and have a good time
And that’s what I call choogling
Here comes Mary looking for Harry
She going to choogle tonight
Here comes Louie, works in the sewer
He going to choogle tonight”

Creedence Clearwater Revival (Keep On Chooglin’)

October 18, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly.

I always carry a pebble with me to throw at people who sing Christmas songs in October. I call it my jingle bell rock.

Trivia #1: Who won the 1988 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 1988)?
Trivia #2: Who is Charles Strite?

On this date: October 18, 1776, in a bar decorated with bird tail in Elmsford, New York, a customer requests a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan
October 18, 1867, US takes formal possession of Alaska from Russia, after paying $7.2 million in the Alaska Purchase
October 18, 1967, Walt Disney’s animated musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” film is released
October 18, 1974, American R&B singer Al Green’s girlfriend, Mary Woodson, dies by suicide at his Memphis home, after assaulting him with a pot of boiling grits at 29

Go away: Jelly Roll (Jason Bradley DeFord), is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Antioch, Tennessee. This guy was recently in the news regarding his long criminal record. Hey, there is only one “Jelly Roll” and that’s Jelly Roll Morton. (Just ask Van Morrison)

As if things couldn’t get worse, cases of flesh-eating bacteria have seen an unusual spike following impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. 70 cases have so far been reported in 2024, with 11 deaths – figures that are similar to 2022 when Hurricane Ian damaged Collier and Lee counties.

Don’t be that guy. Cover your mouth when you yawn. Thank you, from all of us.

The Utah Hockey Club. Puh-lease!

Pretty cool: A time capsule from 1924 was unveiled at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. The 100-year-old box was laid at the cornerstone of the Liberty Memorial Tower two years before the memorial opened to the public and was found in June by officials. The Liberty Memorial was dedicated “in honor of those who served in World War One in defense of liberty and our country.”

Speaking of pretty cool (and immensely classy!), The Columbus Blue Jackets took the ice for their home opener against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Bush’s “Machinehead” blared from the loudspeakers. Spotlights danced in the stands and blinked around the circle at center ice. The sellout crowd of 18,484 roared. But something was wrong. Someone was missing. The starting lineup did not have a left wing, leaving an empty space where Johnny Gaudreau should have been. The teams stood still — for 13 seconds officially to symbolize Gaudreau’s No. 13, for a little longer in reality. The fans rose to their feet and cheered as players from both teams tapped their sticks on the ice and the boards. An official picked up the puck and brought it to the Columbus bench. The fans chanted, “JOHN-NY HOCK-EY!”

Only in hockey…

Advertising, you’re doing it wrong. Bath and Body Works has stopped selling a candle that was emblazoned with a winter theme that many commenters online compared to a Ku Klux Klan hood.

I would love to explain it to you, but I don’t have crayons.

Trivia #1 answer: Who won the 1988 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 1988)? – Edmonton Oilers (NHL), Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Washington Redskins (NFL)
Trivia #2 answer: Who is Charles Strite? – Charles Strite granted US patent #1,394,450 for his invention, the automatic pop-up toaster on October 18, 1921.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do.

Happy National No Beard Day! (Sorry, guys. How’s this instead – Happy National Mammography Day!)

“And it stoned me to my soul
Stoned me just like Jelly Roll
And it stoned me
And it stoned me to my soul
Stoned me just like goin’ home
And it stoned me”

Van Morrison (And It Stoned Me)

Bonus: Al Green

Friday, June 21, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly. (I forgot my power cord up north here and aren’t very good at this on my phone)

It’s a 5-minute walk from my house to the pub. It’s a 35-minute walk from the pub to my house. The difference is staggering!

Trivia #1: The shortest player ever in the NBA (Muggsy Bogues) was how tall/short? – 4’11”, 5’3”, 5’5”, 5’8”, 5’10”

The Celtics have won the World Championship, banner #18! Don’t expect them to apologize because the playoffs were often a downer due to all the injuries up and down the conference. Not after all of the championship-or-bust pressure that had been thrust upon them. Not after going 64-18 winning the East by 14 games, finishing 80-21 and holding the high-powered Dallas Mavericks under 100 points in four of the five NBA Finals games.

Speaking of the Celtics, I’ve been wearing baseball caps backwards since I was about 13-years-old, but can’t get out of my head the image of Dallas coach Jason Kidd giving speech after speech to the Mavericks’ team with his cap on backwards. How do you look at, and respect, a coach who looks like a 13-year-old?

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Quick, efficient and with a bird’s-eye view of any scene, more police departments are embracing the use of drones to carry out law enforcement work, with some cities now even using them to respond to 911 calls.

Article I’ll skip: Taylor Swift’s favorite menu item, according to restaurant owner who saw her monthly.

Speaking of the Celtics, they last won the NBA Championship on June 17, 2008, after winning this past week on June 17, 2024 – 6/17 – the area code for Boston (617). Whoa!!!

R.I.P. Willie Howard Mays (94) – Considered one of the best all-around player in MLB history. Mays played 21 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and the Mets, batted over .300 10 times en route to a .302 career average, 3,283 hits. He was MVP in 1954 and 1965, a 24-time all-star and won 12 Gold Gloves. He led the league in homeruns four times, stolen bases four times, slugging percentage five times, total bases three time and triples three times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
R.I.P. Donald Sutherland (88) – Canadian actor whose career spanned more than half a century from “M.A.S.H.” through “The Hunger Games”, appearing in nearly 200 films and series. He received an Emmy in 1995, two Golden Globe awards and an honorary Oscar in 2017. His breakthrough was “The Dirty Dozen”, then the 1970 “Kelly’s Heroes (one of my all-time favorites) and then “M.A.S.H” which catapulted his career.

Trivia #1 answer: The shortest player ever in the NBA (Muggsy Bogues was how tall/short? – 4’11”, 5’3”, 5’5”, 5’8”, 5’10” – He was 5’3”

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Wagyu Day!

The three stages of life: Birth, WTF is this, Death.

“In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we’ll be there and we’ll see you
Ten true summers we’ll be there and laughing too
Twenty-four before my love you’ll see I’ll be there with you”

– Yes (Roundabout))

Friday, June 7, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly.

I told my suitcases no vacation this year. Now I’m dealing with emotional baggage.

Trivia #1: Who was the 1st US President to appear on color TV? What year?
Trivia #2: When the last time a team was swept in the Stanley Cup Final?
Trivia #3: The Boston Celtics ran off eight consecutive NBA championships until which team ended their streak in 1966-67?

Nachos are just tacos that don’t have their life together.

Good night for Boston fans as the Celtics took game 1 while thrashing the Mavericks 107-89 and the Red Sox punded the White Sox 14-2.

On this date: June 7, 1942, the Battle of Midway ends: Admiral Chester Nimitz wins 1st World War II naval defeat of Japan
June 7, 1970 – British rock band The Who’s perform their rock opera “Tommy” at the Metropolitan Opera House at NYC’s Lincoln Center 
June 7, 1989 – Wayne Gretzky wins his 9th NHL Hart (MVP) Trophy in 10 years

Well, the Red Sox were 9-0 on Sundays. You’re welcome.

Are you one of the lucky ones who have invested in Nvidia, a world leader in AI computing? The stock is u over 140% this year, shares have gained more than 3,300% in the last five years and the company announced a 10-for-1 stock split today!

Go away: Hunter Biden. Really, get off of my television and get out of my news feeds.

Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle.

Stop complaining: More than half of U.S. workers cannot afford to rent a one-bedroom apartment while only working one full-time job.

Hey, did you hear? A SpaceX Starship launched and landed without blowing up!

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Some 14,000 student-athletes who played and learned from 1026 to now will divvy up $2.8 billion in damages from the name, image and likeness money they were denied and, going forward, schools will figure out how to divide around $20 million a year in historic revenue-sharing arrangement.

Look, I get it. The land looks beautiful after a good snowstorm, a blanket of white against a clear blue sky but, let me tell you. I like a blanket of fresh green grass, pastures, beautifully manicured golf courses too. Plus, it ain’t so cold outside!

Article I’ll skip: What Lakers could possibly expect from Dan Hurley-led team

Good news: The Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis is back! (20 points in 21 minutes last night off the bench)

R.I.P. Larry Allen (52) – One the NFL’s the greatest offensive lineman (Dallas Cowboys) with All-Decade honors in the 1990s and 2000s and 11 Pro Bowls. His six consecutive First-Team All-Pro nods solidified him as one of the game’s nearly unstoppable forces — as did his average of 3.2 sacks allowed per season and only 13 holding penalties in 207 starts.

Trivia #1 answer: Who was the 1st US President to appear on color TV? What year? – Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1955
Trivia #2 answer: When the last time a team was swept in the Stanley Cup Final? – The Red Wings swept the Washington Capitals in 1988
Trivia #3 answer: The Boston Celtics ran off eight consecutive NBA championships until which team ended their streak in 1966-67? – The Philadelphia 76ers

Fitness is 20% exercise and 80% nutrition. You can’t outrun your fork.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Donut Day!

“Did you pay your dues?
Did you read the news
This morning when the paper landed in your yard?
Do you know their names?
Can you play their games
Without losin’ track
And coming down a bit too hard?”

– The Guess Who (Share the Land)

Friday, May 31, 2024

by fasted86

Briefly.

Somewhere, somebody out there is thinking of you and the tremendous impact you made on their life. It’s not me… I think you’re an idiot.

Trivia #1: What is the Walter Cup? Bonus: Who is it named after?
Trivia #2: Which of the following teams was NOT a Negro League baseball team? – Atlanta Black Crackers, Homestead Grays, Cleveland Black Barons, New York Cubans, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Indianapolis Clowns
Trivia #3: Last night’s Rolling Stones concert at Gillette Stadium was a milestone show. How many total shows have been at the venue? 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 – Bonus: Who played the first show at Gillette?

I will not sleep until I find a cure for my insomnia.

On this date: May 31, 1879, Madison Square Garden opened
May 31, 1893, Whitcomb Judson of Chicago, patents a hookless fastener (zipper)
May 31, 1968, movie star James Stewart retires from the US Air Force after 27 years of service

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: The Red Sox are 9-0 on Sundays this season with a +38 run differential.

Go away: People who think others give a shit about how they feel about the Trump conviction

Stop complaining: You haven’t a clue what the person next to you is going through. It ain’t always about you.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: More than three-fourths of American adults believe that abuses involving the use of artificial intelligence systems will affect the outcome of the presidential election.

Your Boston Celtics are favored to win the NBA Championship over the Dallas Mavericks. Giddy-up! LFG!

A couple of weeks ago, I neglected to note the DOW Jones Industrial Average hitting the 40,000 for the first time. Well, it’s back down below 38,000. DOH!

Speaking of golf, Auburn beat Florida State the other day for the NCAA Golf Championship.

Defending yourself, you’re doing it wrong. A Michigan judge was astonished when a defendant charged with driving with a suspended driver’s license dialed into a virtual court hearing while behind the wheel of a car. So he revoked the defendant’s bond and ordered him to turn himself in to the Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m. that day. 

Article I’ll skip: ‘Aliens’ that landed in family’s backyard used ‘cloaking device’ to hide from humans: expert

Tickets for Wednesday night’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) championship game between Minnesota and Boston were going for as much as $3,930 apiece! Minnesota won 3-0.

They said it: “The Celtics gave me not only my career back… they gave me my life back.” – Bill Walton

Good news: Tilton Elementary School, in Haverhill, held its annual Memorial Day Concert last week. Most of the 456 students attended and several fourth graders addressed the crowd and spoke of the history of Memorial Day and its importance to our nation while recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the military. Hey, at least some kids in our country are being taught correctly!

R.I.P. Grayson Murray (30) – Grayson was the second-youngest golfer in history to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour before eventually turning pro in 2015. He was a 3-time winner on the Kron Ferry Tuor and 2-tme on the PGA tour. He withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge during the second round last Friday citing an illness. Grayson died by suicide.
R.I.P. William Theodore “Bill” Walton III (71) – Bill was eulogized this past week as a 6-foot-11 hippie covered in tie-dye T-shirts Grateful Dead tunes. But he was so much more. He was the first and only high school player to ever make the USA Senior Men’s National Basketball Team and play in the World Championship and/or Olympics. He still holds the national all-time high school record for field goal percentage at 79 percent and is still the No. 3 all-time rebounder nationally in the history of high school basketball. He is in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. He won the NCAA Player of the Year Award all three years he played in college (UCLA), which has led to his induction into the UCLA Hall of Fame. Walton was the starting center under John Wooden’s teams that compiled an 88-game winning streak, and brought the Bruins two undefeated championship seasons. He is a member of the NCAA’s All-Time Basketball Team. He earned Academic All-America honors all three years, and went on to become a member of the Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1994. Walton was drafted No. 1 overall in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, and was the Finals MVP after winning his first NBA championship in 1977. He was a Boston Celtic for his last four seasons and won his second NBA championship in 1986, the same season he also won NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Walton is the second of only five players in NBA history to lead the league in both blocked shots and rebounding in the same season. He was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1977 and 1978 and he is a member of the NBA’s All-Time Team as one of the league’s 50 Greatest Players Ever.

Trivia #1 answer: What is the Walter Cup? Bonus: Who is it named after? – The championship trophy for the PWHL, named after the Walter family. LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter, PWHL’s primary financial backer, launched the league by buying out the rival Premier Hockey Federation in 2023.
Trivia #2 answer: Which of the following teams was NOT a Negro League baseball team? – Atlanta Black Crackers, Homestead Grays, Cleveland Black Barons, New York Cubans, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Indianapolis Clowns – The Cleveland Black Barons (They were actually the Birmingham Black Barons, Cleveland did not have a team)
Trivia #3 answer: Last night’s Rolling Stones concert at Gillette Stadium was a milestone show. How many total shows have been at the venue? 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 – Bonus: Who played the first show at Gillette? – It was the 100th show at Gillette and the first was also played by the Rolling Stones.

I don’t always lose stuff, but when I do, it’s because my wife moved it.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Macaroon Day!

“I’ve got ta cool myself down
Stompin’ around
Thinkin’ some words I can’t name ya
Meet ya half way
Got nothin’ to say
Still I don’t s’pose I can blame ya”

– James Gang (Walk Away)

Friday, December 29, 2023

by fasted86

Briefly. (Nope)

A bottle of wine is the perfect amount for two people, provided one of them is not drinking any.

Trivia #1: What is Xiangqi?
Trivia #2: In 1890, the US 7th Cavalry massacred 200+ captive Sioux at Wounded Knee. What US state were they in?
Trivia #3: What NHL player was the fastest to 100 goals (# of games)?
Trivia #4: 50 years ago…Who won the 1973 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 1973)?

Go away: OK, don’t go away – Joe Flacco. Come on, give it up for Joe. Flacco become the first player in NFL history to have 250 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of his first five games with a franchise. The Cleveland Browns are now 4-1 under Flacco and clinched a playoff spot.

Wisdom has been chasing you… but you have always been faster.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: California stores with more than 500 employees will soon be fined for not having a “gender-neutral” toy section once a new state law kicks in Jan. 1. The bill will force stores that sell childcare items or toys to pay a $500 fine should the store fail to create a gender-neutral toy section for kids 12 years old and under. A childcare item, according to the legislation text, “means any product designed or intended by the manufacturer to facilitate sleep, relaxation, or the feeding of children, or to help children with sucking or teething.” Huh?

On this date: December 29, 1972, Life Magazine ceased publication
December 29, 1982, Jamaican Post issues commemorative postage stamp featuring reggae singer Bob Marley

Remember, Sunday is December 31 or… 12-31-23 – 123123! Whoa!

Christmas shopping, you’re doing it wrong: Abrielle Baldwin, her two sons, ages 6 and 10 months, were out shopping with her two teenage brothers, ages 15 and 14, and their mother. Baldwin’s 14-year-old brother was apparently upset that his older brother was getting more gifts than him, sparking an argument. The argument carried on at Baldwin’s home. The 14-year-old took out a handgun and threatened to shoot his older brother in the head. Family members present at the home tried separating the teens. The younger teen then began arguing with Baldwin. He then allegedly shot her in the chest with a .40 caliber handgun. The 15-year-old teen then took out his own .45 caliber handgun and shot his brother in the stomach. 

In all-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ last 8 games, he is 3-5 (.375), hitting 64.6% of his passes for 1,921 yards, 11 TD and 8 INT. DOH!

Speaking of futility, the Detroit Pistons lost in OT to the Celtics last night tying the record with their 28th consecutive loss. The night before they set the record for losses in a single season.

They said it: “I’m unbelievably proud of the group, the way they bring it. They’ve heard all the stuff about our team and they just keep bringing it. I know it’s going to pay off.” – Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams (In other words, they have a chance!)

The Celtics meanwhile are 15-0 at home and have the league’s best record at 24-6.

Despite some recent shoddy play, the Bruins are still tops in goals allowed and second in total points.

Seen on Twitter: “Taylor Swift is to the Kansas City Chiefs what Yoko Ono was to the Beatles.” And “Thank you, Taylor Swift for Yoko Ono’ing the Chiefs.”

Betting, you’re doing it right. Did you see the guy who hit a $5, 14-man anytime touchdown parlay for $489K? Wowza!

WTF! The Chinese Xiangqi Association (CXA) announced it was stripping Yan Chenglong of his title of “Xiangqi King” over cheating allegations and “extremely bad character.” Officials addressed the 48-year-old champion’s behavior in the post-game celebrations. Yan apparently consumed alcohol with others in his room on the night of the 17th, and then he defecated in the bathtub of the room he was staying in on the 18th. How did he cheat, you ask? Yan was rumored to have used anal beads with wireless transmitters to help him in the contests. Really.

Interest-free checking. Me: “I’d like to open an account.” Teller: “Who cares?”

Before you go betting on the Buffalo Bills tomorrow, keep in mind that since 2000, at home, they are 4-19 (.174) vs. Bill Belichick and 103-67 (.606) vs. the rest of the league. 

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: See trivia question #1
Useless information supposed to fire my imagination, part deux: Bailey Zappe is 4-2 after 6 starts. Tom Brady was 4-2 after 6 starts.

Again?! A tourist from Singapore tragically plummeted to her death from a cliff (70 feet) at a New York state park last week while hiking with her husband. She and her husband had been hiking when they stopped to take photos at the edge of the cliff. 

Studies have shown that the reason you may be awake right now is because you are not asleep.

T-minus 9 days and the NFL still has not announced the start times of games next Sunday, the final weekend of the regular season.

Good news: Kiss-of-death maybe but, I still haven’t shoveled snow this season.

Article I’ll skip: CFP (College Football Playoff) odds… for next season

Trivia #1 answer: What is Xiangqi? – It is the official title of what is known as Chinese Chess.
Trivia #2: In 1890, the US 7th Cavalry massacred 200+ captive Sioux at Wounded Knee. What US state were they in? – South Dakota
Trivia #3: What NHL player was the fastest to 100 goals (# of games)? – Mike Bossy (129), (Teemu Selanne is second at 134)
Trivia #4: 50 years ago…Who won the 1973 championships in the NHL, NBA, MLB and the NFL (Super Bowl played in 1973)? – NHL (Montreal Canadiens), NBA (New York Knicks), MLB (Oakland Athletics), NFL (Miami Dolphins)

My kid is turning out just like me. Well played, karma, well played.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Be safe, and have a healthy, happy New Years. And enjoy the college bowl games!

Happy National No Interruptions Day! (Last work day of the year)

“My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw”, I said “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s okay”

Harry Chapin (Cat’s In The Cradle)

Friday, December 15, 2023

by fasted86

Briefly.

That fact that my entire body cracks like a glowstick whenever I move yet refuses to glow, is very disappointing.

Trivia #1: Mosi Tatupu played for the New England Patriots from 1978-1990. He played for another team in 1991. What was that team?
Trivia #2: On December 15, 1791, the first US law school was established at what university? – Pennsylvania, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Lowell
Trivia #3: B.B. King. What does “B.B.” stand for?
Trivia #4: What is Howard University’s nickname?

Go away: Patrick Mahomes (Draymond Green with a close second)

DYK: Mosi Tatupu was posthumously diagnosed with CTE. He died of a heart attack at age 54. Bonus trivia: In a 2023 report, how many NFL players were diagnosed with CTE amongst the 376 who had their brains scanned? – 100-125, 126-150, 151-200, 201- 250, 251-300, 301-350

There’s still time to change the road you’re on.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A history teacher at a Seattle high school allegedly gave a student a failing quiz grade after he answered that only women can get pregnant and only men can have penises.

Fun fact: The world population is approximately 8,030,610,062. The number of people born to women is 8,030,610,062. The number of people born to men is zero. Look it up.

On this day: December 15, 1810, the first Irish magazine “Shamrock” was published in the US.
December 15, 2006, American blues legend B.B. King was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush

They said it: “It’s tough to swallow. Not only from me, and football in general, to take away greatness like that, for a guy like Travis to make a play like that, you want to see the guys on the field decide the game.” – Patrick Mahomes. Wah-wah-wah

Really? Colorado attorneys for two men accused of stealing items from Kohl’s, including KitchenAid appliances, argued for lesser charges during the trial because some items their clients stole were on sale.

Shohei Ohtani signed on with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $700M over 10 years. Reportedly, he deferred all but $2M annually until his contract ends. He will then receive the remaining $68M annually, paid WITHOUT interest, until 2043. So… beginning in 2034, he will collect approximately $1,863 per day for doing nothing, assuming he’s not playing in 10 years. Not a bad gig, if you can get it.

DYK: On December 15, 1980, the Yankees’ Dave Winfield became the highest paid baseball player, 10 years $15M.

I think I like the NFL more than the NBA is because the helmets cover up most hairdos.

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Last night the Las Vegas Raiders scored 42 1st half points, the most in history for a team that was shutout the previous week. (They had the record at 35 and then chocked up another TD)

Good news: Bestselling author James Patterson has awarded $500 bonuses to 600 employees at independent bookstores across the United States. The employees were nominated by their store owners, managers, peers, community members and others for the holiday awards. “Booksellers save lives,” Patterson said in a statement. “What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season.

Article I’ll skip: Prince William’s romance with Kate Middleton faces renewed scrutiny

I went shopping for a pair of jeans the other day. My choices: Regular, straight, relaxed, relaxed straight, slim fit, classic fit, athletic, stretch. Look, I just want a pair of freakin’ jeans!

R.I.P. George McGinnis (73) – Played basketball in the ABA/NBA from 1971-1982. His accolades are numerous, I’ll skip the 2nd/3rd team honors here. 1969 – Indiana Mr. Basketball, first team Parade All-American, 2x ABA champion, 1973 ABA Playoffs MVP, 1975 ABA scoring champion & MVP, 3x ABA All-Star, ABA All-Time Team, 3x NBA All-Star, 1976 All-NBA First Team, No. 30 retired by the Indiana Pacers

Trivia #1 answer: Mosi Tatupu played for the New England Patriots from 1978-1990. He played for another team in 1991. What was that team? – The Los Angeles Rams
Trivia #2 answer: On December 15, 1791, the first US law school was established at what university? – Pennsylvania, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Lowell – The University of Pennsylvania
Trivia #3 answer: B.B. King. What does “B.B.” stand for? – Blues Boy – As a singer and disc jockey in Memphis, he was given the nickname “Beale Street Blues Buy”, later shortened to “Blues Boy” and finally to B.B. (If you were paying attention, I asked this same question on September 25, 2020)
Trivia #4 answer: What is Howard University’s nickname? – The Bison

Bonus trivia question: In a 2023 report, how many NFL players were diagnosed with CTE amongst the 376 who had their brains scanned? – 100-125, 126-150, 151-200, 201- 250, 251-300, 301-350 – There were 345 players diagnosed with CTE. Similarly, (shockingly) in a 2018 BU general population study, one person was diagnosed with CTE in 164 autopsies.

If alcohol can damage your short term memory, imagine the damage alcohol can do.

Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.

Be careful out there. (It’s a jungle!)

Happy National Underdog Day!

“Everybody wants to know why I sing the blues
Yes, I say everybody wanna know why I sing the blues
Well, I’ve been around a long time
I really have paid my dues”

– B.B. King (Why I Sing The Blues)