A few quick hits before I go to bed.
– Bill Simmons talks about “Invictus” and “Blind Side.” I probably won’t see either movie (although I’ll definitely get the book for Blind Side). The important thing was he had a bunch of links to previous sports movies, which inspired me to add “61*”, “The Rookie”, and “Bang the Drum Slowly” to our Netflix queue. Given my love of baseball and Robert DeNiro, the fact I’ve never seen “Bang the Drum Slowly” is kind of a shock. Looking forward to them.
– Watched TNA’s Knockout New Year’s Eve. I thought for a long time that Michaels vs. Taker was my match of the year. Well, I was wrong. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels was amazing. Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe was a better pure wrestling match, but the triple threat was absolutely breathtaking. My first chance to see it and I was blown away. The ladies put on a good show too, but the ability to see three great matches I didn’t get to see the first time was well worth the time.
– Definitely going to pick up some kind of baseball game this year. I would LOVE a Head Coach style sim with real major league players. I typically only play 20 or 30 games before I get bored — I can’t remember the last time I finished a season in a baseball video game. Probably High Heat, come to think of it. Or Triple Play, a game that had no impact on reality (Say hello to 200 homers for Jim Thome in one season!) but was fun because every game was high scoring.
– My first Rise to the Throne game has gone well. I chose England (a safe choice to learn the new mechanics) and I’ve already conquered Ireland, Scotland and started colonizing Canada. Loving most of the new features. I inadvertently conquered most of Norway, but the herring-munchers kept rising up every time I left. Since Sweden was my ally, I sold most of Norway back to them, but got practically nothing in return. Such is life. Portugal has surprisingly colonized a lot of North America, mostly because Spain inherited France, which distracted them from the New World. Since Portugal is my ally too, not much I can do, but it means I’ll have to start kicking some Indian ass to expand.
– Actually enjoying Sorel’s Reflections on Violence. I never thought I’d like the writing of a socialist, but he’s remarkably clear and concise. His central argument — the only way socialism will succeed is through proletarian violence — makes logical sense. Parliamentary socialists are remarkably easy to co-opt and get distracted by shiny bourgeois things. Got seven books out of the library for my prelims this fall — three are done (John Stuart Mill, Nietzsche, and Freud). Sorel’s half done, after him it’s Rousseau, Adam Smith, and Gobineau). Only 40+ to go…
– The Browns are playing very well, but since it coincided with me not shaving, I have a playoff beard until the Browns lose again. Basically, I have to shave on Monday one way or the other. Mike Holmgren will be a good fit in the front office. I don’t think he’ll keep Mangini, but I’d personally like to see Mangini have one more year; he did a pretty good job in the draft and with Holmgren, I think next year will be even better. I must say that since Derek Anderson “won” again, I sincerely hope that we don’t screw with Brady Quinn again next year. Please, let him keep the starter’s job for one full season, just leave him alone. I don’t even want us to draft a QB in the draft unless he’s second day.
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