You Know How It Is, My Friend
- Saw Beach House, a Baltimore dreamy sounding sort of rock band (sorry, I don't know the exact genre), last night with about 100 or so of my closest, hipstery friends at the Mercury Lounge down in the Lower East Side. What a great show. They played a solid mix of old songs, "hit" songs, and new songs and sounded perfect. They threw the crowd a bone in the middle of the set with one of their two "big" songs ("Apple Orchard," quickly becoming one of my favorite songs ever and song from which the official Type Slow slogan above was lifted) and ended with a phenomenal version of "Master of None" - another of the best songs of 2006. Add it all up - great set list, great sound mix, great performance - and this was definitely one of the best live shows I've ever been to. I wish other bands would/could replicate this whole package more often. I have (incredibly) high hopes for an upcoming Yo La Tengo show, but perhaps should temper them based on the last time I got all psyched up for one of my favorite bands. Anyway, check out Beach House if you like organs, drum machines, and good music. Based on the comments we usually get, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that these guys don't really sound like stuff you usually listen to, but it'll be good for you to branch your shit out.
- Saw Zodiac this past Sunday, and I have to say it was one of my best experiences seeing a movie in an actual theater in a long time (mostly since there hasn't been a really great movie to come out in a long time, though The Departed was pretty fun). I've read a ton of reviews on this movie, and all of them say almost the exact same things: a procedural movie about obsession more than a whodunit; three distinct acts taking on media manipulation, the murder investigation process, and, finally, a study on obsession. Everything I've read or heard about this movie has been overwhelmingly positive (probably the best reviewed movie since at least Children of Men), but everybody also makes it seem tedious as fuck. It's true, the movie is long at around 160 minutes or so and it does present a shit-ton of information, but it's incredibly riveting and (I thought at least) the movie moves along at a nice pace. I didn't really think there was a slow part or anything overly confusing, a la Syriana (which I still have no idea whether or not was good). Zodiac is pretty great, go see it.
- I guess I should probably add something in here sports-related, so I'll give you teams I'm liking in the tournament and teams I'm not liking in the tournament.
Liking: Air Force - Not playing as well now as they were earlier, but still, they have a good coach and I think they'll be in the Sweet 16 (pending the conference tournament results)
Michigan State - They have a lot of good wins against the RPI top 50 and probably have the best coach in college basketball. These guys are always there, seemingly no matter how much talent they have.
Winthrop - This team is hot as hell and is actually ranked in the top 25 now. Most likely they're not gonna get any respect when it comes time for seeding, though. I can easily see them getting a 10, 11, or 12 seed, and then upsetting some undeserving pretender.
Holy Cross - They should make it through the conference tournament (15-1 in conference this year) and could make some noise in the first round. Remember, this is the squad that very nearly beat 2 or 3-seeded Kansas a few years ago and probably should've beaten Dwyane Wade-led Marquette whenever that team made its Final Four run. Beware the Cross.
Georgia Tech - Did you know this team beat Memphis, UNC, Duke, Clemson, Florida St (twice), and Purdue? That's pretty good. They are probably a double digit seed, and based on their track record, I'm putting them in the Sweet 16. Also, pretty well coached - these guys have made runs before (remember the Jarrett Jack, Luke Schenscher run?).
OK, here's who I'm not liking: Ohio State - Sure they will be fine through the first two rounds, but as a potential number one overall seed, they're supposed to get to at least the Elite 8. I see them losing in the Sweet 16 only because they are predominantly relying on freshman (even if they are Conley Jr and Oden). Recently, teams with dominant centers (like Bogut or Duncan) haven't been making great runs, and you can't really even call Oden dominant right now.
Virginia - Don't know anything about them other than they were having a nice run through the ACC. Whatever, I don't trust them. You can pick them, but I'm not.
Pac 10 Teams Not Named UCLA - UCLA is obviously really good, even though they get almost no attention in New York. Plus, they went to the Final Four last year, so you know they have some nice experience. But the Pac 10 seems to fall flat (kinda like the SEC) as an overall conference come tournament time. I could be wrong about this (didn't really research it), but I just get that feeling about the conference. It could also be that I haven't heard a thing about any other team besides UCLA. How the hell is Washington State projected for a 3 seed?
- I'm sure some of you think I'm way off here, and I probably am. Set me straight in the comments. I'm looking at you, Legend.
- Saw Zodiac this past Sunday, and I have to say it was one of my best experiences seeing a movie in an actual theater in a long time (mostly since there hasn't been a really great movie to come out in a long time, though The Departed was pretty fun). I've read a ton of reviews on this movie, and all of them say almost the exact same things: a procedural movie about obsession more than a whodunit; three distinct acts taking on media manipulation, the murder investigation process, and, finally, a study on obsession. Everything I've read or heard about this movie has been overwhelmingly positive (probably the best reviewed movie since at least Children of Men), but everybody also makes it seem tedious as fuck. It's true, the movie is long at around 160 minutes or so and it does present a shit-ton of information, but it's incredibly riveting and (I thought at least) the movie moves along at a nice pace. I didn't really think there was a slow part or anything overly confusing, a la Syriana (which I still have no idea whether or not was good). Zodiac is pretty great, go see it.
- I guess I should probably add something in here sports-related, so I'll give you teams I'm liking in the tournament and teams I'm not liking in the tournament.
Liking: Air Force - Not playing as well now as they were earlier, but still, they have a good coach and I think they'll be in the Sweet 16 (pending the conference tournament results)
Michigan State - They have a lot of good wins against the RPI top 50 and probably have the best coach in college basketball. These guys are always there, seemingly no matter how much talent they have.
Winthrop - This team is hot as hell and is actually ranked in the top 25 now. Most likely they're not gonna get any respect when it comes time for seeding, though. I can easily see them getting a 10, 11, or 12 seed, and then upsetting some undeserving pretender.
Holy Cross - They should make it through the conference tournament (15-1 in conference this year) and could make some noise in the first round. Remember, this is the squad that very nearly beat 2 or 3-seeded Kansas a few years ago and probably should've beaten Dwyane Wade-led Marquette whenever that team made its Final Four run. Beware the Cross.
Georgia Tech - Did you know this team beat Memphis, UNC, Duke, Clemson, Florida St (twice), and Purdue? That's pretty good. They are probably a double digit seed, and based on their track record, I'm putting them in the Sweet 16. Also, pretty well coached - these guys have made runs before (remember the Jarrett Jack, Luke Schenscher run?).
OK, here's who I'm not liking: Ohio State - Sure they will be fine through the first two rounds, but as a potential number one overall seed, they're supposed to get to at least the Elite 8. I see them losing in the Sweet 16 only because they are predominantly relying on freshman (even if they are Conley Jr and Oden). Recently, teams with dominant centers (like Bogut or Duncan) haven't been making great runs, and you can't really even call Oden dominant right now.
Virginia - Don't know anything about them other than they were having a nice run through the ACC. Whatever, I don't trust them. You can pick them, but I'm not.
Pac 10 Teams Not Named UCLA - UCLA is obviously really good, even though they get almost no attention in New York. Plus, they went to the Final Four last year, so you know they have some nice experience. But the Pac 10 seems to fall flat (kinda like the SEC) as an overall conference come tournament time. I could be wrong about this (didn't really research it), but I just get that feeling about the conference. It could also be that I haven't heard a thing about any other team besides UCLA. How the hell is Washington State projected for a 3 seed?
- I'm sure some of you think I'm way off here, and I probably am. Set me straight in the comments. I'm looking at you, Legend.
posted by Speckled Trout at
11:09 AM
20 Comments:
s dot trout, closet music blogger
I like Wisconsin to win it all this year, depending on the seeding of course (i.e. if they get a 1 seed, they'll draw a tough bracket, and will no longer be a solid, non-obvious pick ... maybe they are already an obvious pick, and I'm just not that knowledgeable about the sport anymore). Alando Tucker is the best swingman I've seen in CBB this year (which, I admit, is not a fair sample of the nation's swingman talent)... but I think he's real good nonetheless. The Badgers beat Ohio State once, and almost beat them a few weeks ago. They held off a feisty MSU ballclub (who I also like in the tournament) this past week.
The other team I like is Davidson. I saw them play last week - they are a team of lights-out-shooting white guys. Everyone is talking about Butler and Winthrop as sleepers because they know them only from their recent tournament history as those embarrassingly bad 15/16 seeds. Now that mid-major conference champions actually have a calculated chance of winning a few games, people are hoppin' on the Butler/WInthrop/Holy Cross bandwagon. But no one is talking Davidson, who has only 1 conference loss. If 1-2 of these short white guys catches fire from beyond the arc - game time. If for no other reason than to guess "this year's George Mason," why not take a shot with Davidson?
Of course, being true to my tourney pick 'ems of the last 10 years, I will take Kentucky a few rounds deep... if they make it. No Patrick Sparks may or may not be a deal breaker. If the Wildcats don't make it, I may defer to Louisville to take over my random affinity to college basketball int the Blue Grass state... you know, just like a real UK fan would do.
check your butler history. i'm pretty sure they've never been an embarrassment and they beat mississippi st as a 12 a few years back. they've been one of the better mid-majors in recent history. didn't they lose to florida on that mike miller buzzer beater, too?
i like davidson too, and they've been good before heading into the tournament.
also, who's jumping on the cross's bandwagon? i haven't heard anything about them. if people are talking them up, good for the cross. i only pay attention to them cuz my dad went there and cuz they've been so close to moving on the past few times they've been in. also, note that giant killer bucknell hails from the patriot league (same as the cross), so that league has pulled upsets recently.
it's still early for legend's picks..I'm still analyzing nfl scouting combines and checking mel kiper's big board, within another week, i'll be good to go.
that being said, there are two teams i like right now. georgetown - they're a personal favorite every year, but this year i think they have a very complete team, are well coached, and hibbert may establish himself as a truly dominant player come tourny time. also, they're #1 in the best conference in the country, i'm curious to see how they do in the big east tourney.
the second, UAB. Why? Because. Squeaky Johnson is back for his 7th year of eligibility. Wen Mukubu is playing for the freedom of a thousand libyian nationals. plus they have guys named taurus dortch, roderick ollie, and thurston rawls rounding out the front court (sounds like the starting lineup for Carle Place, LI). never count out the UAB blazers.
also, i agree with you on 30 rock. i randomly stumbled upon it last week, and was thoroughly entertained. alec baldwin was particularly good. when is it on though?
thurston rawls is one the greatest names ever.
30 rock is on thursdays at 930, on WNNNNNNNNNNNNBC!
i hate to go afc east on all of you, but i absolutely love the jets picking up thomas jones for almost nothing. they get a top 10 nfl back (i think he absolutely busts out this year once he's the featured back) for only a second round pick? dude was the #8 pick like 4 years ago!
i think this immediately makes the jets a contender for the super bowl. they can draft a defensive lineman or linebacker with their other second round pick, and they'll have pretty much no major holes. as long as chad stays healthy, and as long as laverneous coles' uncle stays out of his bedroom while he's sleeping, i'm predicting 11-5 and potentially cruising through 1 or 2 upsets in the playoffs to reach the big one.
unless the pats somehow manage to get a #1 and a #2 receiver, you can pencil the jets in as afc east champs right now.
What? The pats were clearly the better team last year and have gotten better this offseason with the addition of the best FA available (adalius thomas) and a pretty good receiver in wes welker. even if they don't add moss, they're still better than the jets. what were the major holes in the 2006 pats? speed at linebacker, terrible WRs, and injuries in the secondary. They still won 12 games with that team, could've easily made it to the super bowl, and have already begun to fill in those holes. After addressing the other needs through the draft, I'd say the Pats will be among the best three teams in football. And the jets will get 9 wins, maybe.
Legend -
It's too early for you to make your picks because Dick, Digger, and Bilas are yet to make theirs. I bet you'll have some strong convictions after Selection Sunday. I admit to not knowing a whole lot about the tournament this year, yet I still made some picks. I know you've seen a bunch of games - pick a few teams that looked like contenders when you saw them. With so much player turnover at big programs, a solid 40 teams can say they have a decent shot at winning it all. I'm sure you (or anyone) can find a few teams to make a case for. Just pick Texas and nobody will argue.
Secondly, the Jets are going to be good, but not great. They won a lot of games thanks to great play calling. They have a pretty good (not great) starting QB, a pretty good (not great) starting RB, a developing offensive line, and a defensive scheme still in its infancy with the team. Now, I agree that they need a fast outside linebacker (should have been thomas) and a run stopping DT, but they also could use a nasty cover corner (something every great defense has). They have a dynamic receiving duo, a headsy QB, and propeller-headed play callers (Mangini and Schottenheimer). With all the parity in the NFL, the Jets should win at least 9 games, though 10-11 is likely (schedule isn't too crazy).
All this said, the Pats are still better. But as we saw with the Pats improbable win against the obviously more talented Chargers, execution + luck = big wins. Watch out for the Jets in '07-'08.
Hey Trout - I watched the end of the Butler-Wright St. game last night. Butler has the most white-trash-looking star player (Graves) since Adam Morrison. If Butler gets a top 6 seed, I'm picking against them round 1. Down goes Butler! And when I say "people" in regards to those talking up Holy Cross, I'm talking about white sports fans in their twenties (like yourself) who root for mostly white Jesuit schools (about half of my sports-watching friends). You are right, I haven't heard an "expert" analyst - like Hubert Davis or Steve Lavin or Mike Hall or Andy Katz - say a word about them. Wait for Clark Kellogg ...
PS - remember Dream Job?
agree to disagree. the pats do have holes though. will last year wear on brady's psyche? will belechick be kidnapped NASA style by the former husband of the secretary he's been sleeping with since he was an assistant on the giants? we'll have to wait until the season to find out.
on another note, jason of laguna beach/the hills fame was arrested for the third time this year yesterday for underage drinking. he was dragged off to jail while "shouting obsenities at the officers and screaming 'do you KNOW who i am?'" this kid is special, a once in a lifetime talent who takes over the game whenever he's in. basically, the Mo Rivera of semi-reality tv stars. can we get him back on 'the hills'...pleeease? last monday's episode was atrocious, and heidi and lc's friendship is obviously finished, but they still have to live together and talk because the tv producers are making them. also, heidi recently posed in FHM and in the interview it said that she is still dating spencer aka don't hold your breath for 'the hills' season 3.
Dick Dastardly (10:55:41 AM): DOWN GOES BUTLER
Dick Dastardly (10:55:55 AM): thats all i kept saying in my head last night as the blew it
Speckled Trout (10:55:59 AM): saw that, after i touted em up
Dick Dastardly (10:55:59 AM): you watch that game
Speckled Trout (10:56:04 AM): yeah
Speckled Trout (10:56:08 AM): theyre still gonna make it
Dick Dastardly (10:56:07 AM): that kid graves
Dick Dastardly (10:56:10 AM): what trash
Speckled Trout (10:56:18 AM): just not as a top 5 seed i guess
Dick Dastardly (10:56:17 AM): adam morrison II
Speckled Trout (10:56:27 AM): yeah, hes also like 5'8"
Dick Dastardly (10:56:32 AM): hes trailer trash
Dick Dastardly (10:56:41 AM): no way that kid isnt real poor
Speckled Trout (10:56:44 AM): did you hear his % from the line?
Dick Dastardly (10:56:45 AM): no
Speckled Trout (10:56:48 AM): 96%
Speckled Trout (10:56:58 AM): thats incredible
Dick Dastardly (10:57:02 AM): i saw him go ;like 0-5 in the last 3 minutes of the game
Speckled Trout (10:57:20 AM): and he has the ball the entire time, so he has probly hit something like 96 of 100
Speckled Trout (10:57:35 AM): yeah, he also couldve easily drawn that foul at the end for three FTs
Dick Dastardly (10:57:36 AM): they run their offense through him
Dick Dastardly (10:57:39 AM): yes he could have
Dick Dastardly (10:57:44 AM): but hes cocky white trash
Dick Dastardly (10:57:47 AM): and wanted to hit the shot
Speckled Trout (10:57:51 AM): i mean that guy jumped on him and he moved out of his way to avoid the contact
Dick Dastardly (10:58:17 AM): yeah that was stupid
Dear Richard Dastardly,
being an ncaa purist (i'm apalled you'd think i'd be swayed by digger & co. - who btw drinks with my father in brewster on occasion, a random fyi i found out on monday).
here are my top 4 teams (without regard to ranking, and in no particular order).
-georgetown (for reasons mentioned yesterday)
-ucla: they have every piece for a championship run, experience, a proven star (ruffalo), and hunger (getting beaten last year). they're the early favorite and for good reason.
-kansas: last year they started 5 phenominally talented freshman and lost due to inexperience. this year, they start 4 phenominally talented sophomores and 1 phenominally talented PG. they needed a year to grow, so expect big things.
-florida: my dad's blind bookie once told me, "never bet against the champs" and this one only makes sense. their best two players are back, and even though they haven't been great so far, it took them awhile to kick it in last year too. i think one comes down to how good of a motivator billy donovan is
teams i don't like who people are way too high on:
1. wisconsin - well-balanced, sound teams do well in the regular season, but stars shine in the tourny and carry teams to championships. i just don't see that on the badgers.
2. ohio st - great PG, great center...that being said, both too young and oden is only 40%
3. texas - durant is great, but he's not going to carry this team on his back to a championship. danny manning came close with the jayhawks in '88, but he wasn't a freshman either.
4. unc - loved them before, but the hansborough injury is a lot bigger than people think. i suffered a similar nose injury during little league practice in 8th grade. it takes a full wk to play again, and even after i saw my batting average dip from .320 to .270, and i lost all my aggressiveness patroling the outfield. expect similar side effects for hansborough.
news of heidi in fhm made my day, i had no idea. if mtv was smart, they'd spin heidi and spencer off into another show, since they are the best "characters" on the show.
i dont know if i believe beard kid saying "dont you know who i am?" as he was being dragged off by the cops, but i do wish he was still on the show. if he was still going out with LC, he and spencer definitely wouldve thrown down by now and there wouldve been a full on war. on monday's episode though, that was some cold shit heidi pulled. still, not a great episode. all storylines involving whitney and LC together are always boring (or boring-guh, as whitney might say) as fuck, even though they're nice to watch. im mildly worried about this show (but not nearly as worried about it as i am about 24).
legend, way to roll the dice there with georgetown, ucla, florida, and kansas - all potential number one seeds (if georgetown wins the big east). although i also think its between kansas and florida in the end. but why can't durant pull a Melo? i guess he doesnt have a hakim warrick-type, but augustin is way better than jerry mac.
related question: is anybody else taking next friday (or thursday) off? why cant these two days be national holidays? senor dastardly and i will be bringin all you suckers who are working that friday blog updates throughout the day. don't say we dont take care of the typeset (the new nickname for our tens of readers).
2 more random side notes as i quest to break the single day record held for most comments posted on type slow (previous record held by myself at 4)
1. squeaky johnson was injured in a rare tractor plowing accident at the cobb county pie-eating contest and will not be participating in the tourny for the blazers. aka count out UAB
2. i love how dick and trout love to bend over and try to pick cinderellas out of each other's rears (giggity giggity - btw, that is as risque as i can get at this new job). don't act like you both aren't and don't try to use the excuse you're picking legit teams with F4 aspirations because we all know that the Cross, Butler, and whoever else you saw a highlight of at 3am on ESPN U while jacking it to your pre-made depth chart for one of the 8 fantasy baseball drafts you plan on participating in, is going to get blown out of the tourney by the third round. they just are, deal with it.
cinderellas are cinderellas because no one had any idea they were good heading into the dance. admit it, you'd never even heard of george mason until this time last year. there will surely be a cinderella this year, and surely none of us will be able to pick it. another note on butler. they were a cinderella (either last year or one before that), and cinderellas rarely do well twice in a row (with the exception of gonzaga whose program has elevated itself to legit over the past 6 years). if i want to play your game i'd go with nevada.
if you wanna have some stones then pick a real sleeper. i'm going with the university of pennsylvania quakers. they're going to out-think the opposition into a F4 birth.
the point of my post wasn't to pick the final four. i was just mentioning teams that i think are going to do well relative to the expectations assigned to them pre-tournament, and vice versa. meaning, i dont really think holy cross can get to the final four, but i think they are capable of winning in the first round, which would be exceeding most people's expectations.
do you dudes actually have jobs or do you just get paid to write on each others blogs all day?
Since you didn't have enough balls to put your name to that comment, your comment is respectfully ignored.
Thanks for the support, anonymous.
i slept with anonymous' sister
legend - I didn't know mark ruffalo quit acting to play for UCLA. I think the guys name is afflalo (sp?). not sure what he's done this year, but he was definitely legit in the tourney last spring. UCLA is a solid pick.
Also, Trout and I clearly are not picking Butler/Holy Cross/Davidson to win it all - just sayin that they are good sleeper picks to upset a top seed early (or, in Butler's case, make a Sweet 16 run).
Legend sets another record: number of times using the word "Cinderella" in a single comment. Congratulations!
Gammons to Cinderella @ Disney World:
"You're story is great, but the '69 Mets? Now that's a Cinderella Story."
dick, please memorize the following limerick and be ready to recite on call:
"desperately describing disasters de deportes / delving deeping during diatribes / doing delicate deeds diligently / dipping doping dick dastardly"
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