Yep, because of that little furry bastard. There's going to be an addition to the Hill household this weekend, which apparently means I am stuck cleaning up pee from now on.

So, care to grab some beers Thursday night? I'm up for wherever, although I'm guessing the name "Barrett's" will be bandied about...

Labels: Barrett's Barelycorn, Puppies, Strangely Powerful Life-Changing Events

While watching Jim Rome yesterday, one of his guest was explaining why the Yankees were still in the playoff hunt. His reasoning was that the AL Central was a weak division and the Yankees would be able to capture the wild card from them. What? Did I miss something? He made his point so emphatically that I had to double check the standings. Every team in the Central, except KC of course, is over .500 and has a winning record against East and West opponents. How could he make such a ridiculous claim and not get called out on it? How do these sports experts know so little? How do you confuse the strongest division as being the weakest? If your job was sports and you were going on a nationally televised show, wouldn’t you do a little homework first? I don’t know, maybe take a quick glance at the standings before going on air. It also pisses me off that no one is calling out the AL East as being weak. Why the fuck not? They only have one team over .500 and their second best team is Baltimore. Now that is a weak division.

Labels: Annoying, baseball, Douche Bags, ESPN sucks

I think I may finally be able to write complete, coherent sentences after the Hold Steady show, which was both one week ago and awesome.

1. Here's something fitting: Since becoming a Twins fan 50 games ago, they are 25-25 exactly. There have been some massive nights and some crushing lows. All-in-all, mediocrity. Entirely appropriate, but they are just interesting enough to justify my purchase of the MLB package. More detailed Twins post to come soon.

2. I've heard rumors that he is still alive, but I have not spoken to the MIB since the Hold Steady show, where he was throwing more headbutts than Bam Bam Bigelow.

3. Reminder of Katie's party, it's June 1st, 7 pm, Barrett's. Come if you wish, bring a friend.

4. Anyone want to do a college baseball pool? I've got one rolling at work and wouldn't mind another one.

5. I've known this for many years, but I've never verbalized it: AJ Pierzynski is a real son of a bitch.

6. The Cubs may win the NL Central this year, and Soriano may hit 15 homers. I'm not sure which is more likely.

So this talk show host in Chicago is defending a Republican's stance on 9/11 and I agree.

Read for yourself and let me know if I'm wrong because it seems obvious.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/18/martin/index.html

A couple of invitations to all blog members. And if you are not a blog member and still want to come, that would actually be better. We all hang out all the time. Fresh blood. We'll be the drunk ones. Here we go:

#1
What: Hold Steady Tailgate
When: Sunday, May 20, 4 p.m. until the show
Where: Sokol--13th and Martha
Who: Anyone going to the show that reads this
Why: Because The Hold Steady (really)condones drinking and pre-show tailgates, and so do we.
How: We need someone on the following items: meat, Tucker Max Death Mix, beer, one cooler, chairs, ice, chips, frisbee, horseballs. Sign up in comments if you like. I will bring a bunch of chairs, a cooler, a grill, some (but not all) beer, and help the Deuce out with the death mix.

2.
What: Potter's going away party
When: June 1st at 7 to whenever
Where: Barrett's Barleycorn, 4322 Leavenworth
Who: Should be a good crowd
Why: Because Katie is moving to Des Moines
How: By consuming a keg of Miller Lite in the back room of Barrett's, should be food as well.

Again, I would appreciate any help on the Hold Steady Tailgate. And Katie would appreciate all who can make it, and since most of you guys are at Barrett's on Friday, that shouldn't be a tall order. Let me know and let's fire it up.

If you are up for it, I am meeting up with co-workers tonight at Mr. Toads for a birthday celebration (which means cigars and scotch.) I really have no idea how long we will be out, but stop by or give me a call.

If you are up for it. I am meeting up with co-workers tonight at Mr. Toads for a birthday celebration. I really have no idea how long we will be out, but stop by or give me a call.

And I'm referring to Leslie Feist's new album, The Reminder and not to a possible album by North Dakotan Adam Feist.

Labels: Canadians, Good Music, North Dakota

Remind anyone of elementary school photos? Anyways, nothing to really say here. The picture says it all.

Labels: Awesomeness, Funny, Will Ferrell

Ok, we tried to do it last year on the morning after GA's bachelor party: STUPID. This year it needs its own weekend. We need to get this off the ground as there aren't any bouncers or casinos to stop us this time. I want imput from everybody as to what events should be included, when it should be, and where it should be. One suggestion I have is that we do this Western Nebraska style: play mini-golf in Grand Island, regular golf in Gothenburg, regular golf in McCook, and finish with mini-golf at Cody Go Carts. Or we could still bring in the videogame versions or even add ladder golf. So let's hear some ideas because this was too good of an idea to just let it fade away.

Labels: Alcohol Problems, Awesomeness, Golf, Heavy Soul Open

I love this commercial.

So, just got the June Esquire in the mail, which included their annual "Best Bars In America" feature. There are some good bars that I (and I am sure that many contributors and readers of the blog) have been to, but here's the highlight:

The Homy Inn, Omaha

YOU'RE HAVING: The Asti. The vintage tap handles, the I LIKE IKE! buttons, and the rare baseball cards that adorn the intimate Homy Inn are just quaint foreplay for this fifty-year-old bar's main attraction: bubbly on tap. Available by the flute or the pitcher. (1510 North Saddle Creek Road; 402-554-5815)

This is pretty awesome. And, because I am a huge nerd, I would like to think I had something to do with it. Last year's feature did not include a single bar from Nebraska, which is completely ridiculous. So there was a section on their website for nominations for next year, and I nominated all the great Heavy Soul bars including this one: Barrett's, The Holiday, Goofy Foot, etc. But it is probably appropriate that The Homy is the one that was selected, as it is easily the most unique.

So in tribute to this notoriety, I think we should celebrate. By going there. Like, right now. Call me. Please?

EDIT: In this picture I found, I swear to God that is my car on the far left. Probably is.

Labels: Awesomeness, Barrett's Barelycorn, Bars, Esquire, Omaha, The Holiday, The Homy Inn

I love me some 30 Rock and The Office, but "Inside the NBA" might be the funniest and most interesting show on television.

They just did their "Gone Fishin'" for the Mavs, along with a (terribly) photoshopped picture of a bunch of hicks with various Mavs heads, Charles Barkley, Kenny Wilson, and Chuck Norris in the pic. (Charles was a really fat white guy in the picture, by the way.)

And before the unbelievable beat-down of the Mavs tonight by (as Pete calls them) "America's Team" Golden State, Charles looked legitimately sad and pissed when coming to the realization that Houston and Utah will be going to Game 7, which will be Saturday. Which means that Chuck and the "Inside the NBA" crew will be working. Which means he is going to miss the De La Hoya fight.

To this realization, Chuck said--repeatedly--"No one cares about the first round of the NBA playoffs!" God, it was hilarious.

And my rebirth as an NBA fan officially commenced this evening. I'm back on board. You got me again, David Stern...you sneaky bastard.

But I should thank Jim Paxton and Chris Mullen--two of my favorite old players. Because of the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors, I have been reminded about how much fun basketball can be to watch (which Tubby Smith slowly drained out of me--as UK basketball was the only basketball I really watched for the past 5-8 years). I mean, look at the box score linked above for Christ's sake! In case you are too lazy, here is what the Warriors' starting five's line looked like:

Jason Richardson: 15 pts, 5 rbs
Matt Barnes: 16 pts, 11 rbs
Andris Biedrins: 12 pts, 12 rbs
Baron "Willis Reed" Davis: 20 pts, 10 (!) rbs
Stephen Jackson: 33 (!) pts, 5 rbs

Could you possibly--as a coach or a fan--dream of a finer looking box score from your starters? Incredible. I am still having an incredibly hard time believing this team is coached by Don Nelson. Maybe Avery Johnson is that much worse of a coach. I don't know.

On the negative side, here is an incredible stat line that would make a Dallas fan start "It's Time To Trade Dirk" threads on a message board:

Dirk Nowitzki, PF: 39 min, 2-13 FG, 0-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, 2 OR, 4 DR, 6 REB, 2 AST, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 4PF, 8 PTS.

That is EMBARRASSING. Nice job voting for the MVP award, NBA journalists. Yikes.

Anyways, a great series. The fact that an NBA game and post-game show kept me up until 1:00 am is insane...and I'm glad to be back in the fold as an NBA fan.

In response to Pete's excellent comment on the possible combo buffet at the DQ/Pizza Hut, I pose this hypothetical question: Is there a better possible combination of fast food restaurants? If so, who?

Pros:
--Delivery
--I believe at the few Pizza Huts that still remain buffet friendly, they still serve taco pizza.
--Pizza and ice cream are pretty awesome as individuals, but much like the Wu Tang Clan, they are better together.

A customer just handed me an expired coupon to the buffet at the Plattsmouth DQ/Pizza Hut as a tip for helping him pay his bill.

Unbelievable.

Labels: Funny, I hate my life., idiots, Senility, worthless

I find it funny that Keyshawn Johnson said that Dwayne Jarrett wasn’t ready for the NFL. Well guess what Me-shawn, you just got replaced by Jarrett. Too bad your former team didn’t share your opinion on the newly drafted receiver.

I was late to my girlfriends graduation party. Why you ask? I was making one of my best runs at Free Bird on Guitar Hero.

Reason # 142 of why the UFC is better than boxing: I was watching the Best Damn Sports countdown of the best knockouts and the majority of the countdown was from UFC/Pride despite MMA being a relatively new sport. I’m also guessing that of the boxing highlights shown, the majority came before 1995. Speaking of boxing, is anyone watching Mayweather De La Hoya? I know I could care less about the fight.

Anyone in need of a self-esteem boost? If so, I would recommend joining a sports team composed of computer engineers and programmers. My work softball team looks at my like I am the Willie Mays of D league softball. Not because I am good, cause I’m not, but because I haven’t struck out this year and I know how to catch a fly ball while running.

What a good time for television. Run’s House is back on, along with Entourage, and Sopranos. I would also recommend Hollyhood. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows. And isn’t it’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia suppose to be starting up soon?

I’m headed to St. Louis this weekend to watch the Cards and Astros battle it out to see who will have the worst record in the NL Central. Anyone know of any good bars to hit up?

What happened to country music singers? Keith Urban is wearing a monitor on his ankle that measures the level of alcohol in his sweat so that his wife will know if he is hitting the bottle while on tour. Things appear to be a little different now than the Hank Williams era.

Of course I'm practically addicted to this channel, but I happened to switch onto it tonight during a Twins blowout to catch Classic Albums: Grateful Dead, American Beauty.

I know this is nothing revelatory, but the program served as a reminder of how unbelievable this album was. If you like any Ryan Adams from Demolition-present, then this will serve as the inspiration. If you have not heard it, then check it out. It really is a treat, it's basically the kind of album the suck-ass Eagles wish they could have ever done: Mellow, top-notch musicianship, Garcia really at his vocal peak (although he remains among my favorite vocalists, ever) , country-tinged, and concise. "Truckin," "Ripple," "Friend of the Devil," and "Brokedown Palace" are all here.

Plus, as a fun fact, my 89-year-old grandma owns this CD and plays it while cooking, no joke.

I'm going to give it another listen myself, and I'm betting I enjoy it.

Labels: Ben and Jerrys, Grandmas, Hippies, Mandolins, VH1 Classic