Sochi. ← FREE KRAUT!

Sochi. 334

There’s some Olympics going on.

All I know so far:

Bob Costas has pinkeye, which South Park tells me means he will be a zombie shortly.

Kyli Bait. Vernon Davis is the US Curling Team’s honorary captain!

meta stuff: 51M over budget, hotels aren’t done being built, some places have no running water. Oops.

SPOILER ALERT IF YOU DIDN’T WATCH OPENING CEREMONIES BECAUSE IT’S TAPE DELAYED BY NBC.

Russia made a poor choice when they picked this lady to light the Olympic torch.

That said, LET’S GO ELCROATA’S COUSIN!

And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

Thanks, and go As.

334 thoughts on “Sochi.

  1. doctorK Feb 7,2014 4:24 pm

    Holy crap. I once almost got stuck with a dead starter motor at this same gas station.

  2. AV Feb 7,2014 5:34 pm

    GYMNASTICS!

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  3. Jennifer Feb 7,2014 5:41 pm

    I’m not impressed.

    • MikeV Feb 7,2014 5:46 pm || Up

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

  4. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 7,2014 7:51 pm

    I know it makes me sound like a clueless old grandpa-type, but pretty much all of the Olympics I watch will be on NBC’s tape delayed, Americocentric TV package. I’m not invested in most of it enough to care about spoilers, except for hockey. If people spoil hockey results I will be most unhappy.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  5. Jennifer Feb 7,2014 10:48 pm

    I miss Kyli. And while I’m at it, most of you guys, too.

  6. elcroata Feb 8,2014 12:05 am

    The downhill organizing crew is horrible. There is one very long and very hard jump on the downhill, and Rok Perko, starting with BIB #1 on today’s last official training, crashed there. Nobody came.

    He finally got up, skied to the bottom and could be heard entering the finish area saying very juicy swear words and asking where the help and the doctors were.

    Because survival is insufficient
    • ptbnl Feb 8,2014 1:06 am || Up

      Are the women on a different course, or is that the same jump that Daniela Merighetti injured her knees on? I was reading complaints that the forerunners aren’t good enough to test the course at the speeds the competitors are reaching – is that your opinion too?

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • elcroata Feb 8,2014 1:27 am || Up

        No, it’s two completely different courses with the same finish area.

        They made some serious modifications to women’s course with regard to the setting they ran in 2012 in the inaugural World Cup. That year there were actually more injuries on the men’s side, especially due to impact hard landings have on the knees.

        Both courses are hard, with long jumps where you dearly pay any small body positioning mistake prior to it. But form all I heard form people participating, the snow and piste conditions are excellent, perhaps the best they have been all year.

        And as for forerunners, that is true. Even taking pictures, you can’t rely on adjusting your angles on them to still be good when real competitors come down. It’s the combination of obviously lesser skill and not going for it at 95-100%.

        Because survival is insufficient
      • elcroata Feb 8,2014 3:19 am || Up

        That’s the fall:

        Because survival is insufficient
        • elcroata Feb 8,2014 3:42 am || Up

          And that’s what he looked like upon entering the finish line:

          Because survival is insufficient
          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 7:46 am || Up

            He looks really piste.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • PDXAthleticsfan Feb 11,2014 11:06 am || Up

      I have a friend who is volunteering to do some of the grooming tasks. Sounds pretty brutal from him, as well.

      A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
  7. elcroata Feb 8,2014 7:56 am

    Also, this is what the course looks like, for those who think they actually race on snow

    Because survival is insufficient
    • ptbnl Feb 8,2014 8:36 am || Up

      How do they get the zamboni down that?

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • Future Ed Feb 8,2014 9:05 am || Up

        hee

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • elcroata Feb 8,2014 9:31 am || Up

        the down part is easy

        Because survival is insufficient
      • AV Feb 8,2014 11:01 am || Up

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • AV Feb 8,2014 10:58 am || Up

      i can’t tell if you’re saying the course is supposed to be ice (though we don’t see it on TV), or it’s NOT supposed to be ice (and we don’t see it on TV).

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • elcroata Feb 8,2014 4:01 pm || Up

        It is always very icy, this perhaps being on the icier end of the spectrum, but mostly it goes unnoticed in the TV coverage

        Because survival is insufficient
        • dmoas Feb 8,2014 4:48 pm || Up

          You can generally hear the scrapping sound on TV.

  8. AV Feb 8,2014 10:56 am

    who farted on bob costa’s pillow??

    and why do they ski moguls? it doesn’t look fun at all.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • doctorK Feb 8,2014 11:00 am || Up

      My knees and hips hurt just from watching that.

      • AV Feb 8,2014 11:04 am || Up

        and stomach. it must feel like 50 punches to the gut. i can’t eat breakfast with this on.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • MikeV Feb 8,2014 11:01 am || Up

      he must have washed his face with the water in the hotel.

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

  9. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 11:38 am
    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 12:08 pm || Up

      The Coliseum field looking good!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • 5Aces Feb 8,2014 2:13 pm || Up

        From the shower drains, to the dugouts, and right to the field for you.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • AV Feb 8,2014 2:34 pm || Up

        o.co hosted supercross last sunday SUNDAY SUNDAY.

        (really it was wednesday.)

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • nevermoor Feb 15,2014 12:15 pm || Up

        New market inefficiency: who needs dingerz when you can place the ball strategically between OF mountains.

        "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  10. Jennifer Feb 8,2014 12:24 pm

    Is the title intentionally misspelled?

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 2:50 pm || Up

      I think MikeV is going vegan and started to say Soy Cheese, then got distracted.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 2:53 pm || Up

        Him? Vegan? That’s cute.

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 2:54 pm || Up

          It’s always the ones you least expect.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • MikeV Feb 8,2014 2:56 pm || Up

            as soon as they start to make veggies out of meat

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

            • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 3:48 pm || Up

              Marry me.

              • MikeV Feb 8,2014 3:52 pm || Up

                no.

                And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                Thanks, and go As.

                • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 3:55 pm || Up

                  [takes away Jennifer’s shoe laces]

                • MikeV Feb 8,2014 5:51 pm || Up

                  I don’t understand what that means

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 5:57 pm || Up

                  When we put someone on suicide watch, we take anything away from the patient they can kill themselves with. Shoe laces, pills, the phone, silverware, etc. You turning me down broke my heart.

                • dmoas Feb 8,2014 5:58 pm || Up

                  I don’t know why I pictured someone trying to kill themselves with a cellphone when you said “phone” but it made me laugh.

                • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 6:08 pm || Up

                  Sent you an example of this.

                • MikeV Feb 8,2014 6:14 pm || Up

                  without boobs :(

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • Jennifer Feb 8,2014 6:26 pm || Up

                  No boobs for you.

                • dmoas Feb 8,2014 6:42 pm || Up

                  Really? You say you won’t marry her and you expect boobs?

                • 5Aces Feb 8,2014 7:12 pm || Up

                  This. Gotta put a ring on it.

                  Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
                • MikeV Feb 8,2014 9:59 pm || Up

                  marriage as a requirement for boobs is a total dealbreaker.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 10:05 pm || Up

                  Yeah, my 20s would have been much, much less fun if this requirement was in place.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • brian.only Feb 8,2014 10:15 pm || Up

                  I was born in the wrong decade, films and life were so much cooler in the 70’s to 80’s…

                • dmoas Feb 8,2014 10:20 pm || Up

                  It’s less a “requirement” but the flat “no” is a bit of deal breaker. A “maybe” would have gotten you a foot in the door… or a hand on the boob if you will.

                • MikeV Feb 8,2014 10:24 pm || Up

                  potential marriage as a requirement for boobs is also a deal breaker.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

                • dmoas Feb 8,2014 10:54 pm || Up

                  Who said anything about potential. Your a father. You know what maybe means.

                • Jennifer Feb 9,2014 12:52 pm || Up

                  This conversation amuses me.

                • MikeV Feb 8,2014 6:00 pm || Up

                  Oh OK.

                  And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

                  Thanks, and go As.

  11. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 2:57 pm

    If I’m reading this right, the Men’s Downhill featuring elcousincroata starts tonight at 11:00 PM PDT (actual real event time, not NBC delay time).

    By the way, this is what he looks like, ladies:

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Feb 8,2014 3:06 pm || Up

      mmmm…snickers

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 8,2014 3:06 pm || Up

      Also, this graphic schedule thing is pretty cool simple way of finding out when the events are happening, and what the results were once the events are over.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • elcroata Feb 8,2014 4:04 pm || Up

      wow, that’s an old one.

      this is more actual

      Because survival is insufficient
      • MikeV Feb 8,2014 5:52 pm || Up

        needs more Snickers.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

      • ptbnl Feb 10,2014 5:42 pm || Up

        3.57s off the pace left him 29th in the field … that’s pretty tight!

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • elcroata Feb 10,2014 11:05 pm || Up

          He was 0.60 and 0.75 off the pace in the first two intermediate measurements. Lost speed in the lower part, partly due to not being one of the heavier skiers.

          He should keep the difference to some 2 seconds to the best ones in the combined to have a chance in the slalom.

          Because survival is insufficient
    • Future Ed Feb 8,2014 6:11 pm || Up

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • vignette17 Feb 8,2014 9:41 pm || Up

        So what’s the chatter at the bottom of the screen?

  12. brian.only Feb 8,2014 9:42 pm

    So, I’m selling an Precor elliptical for $200. Any takers?
    Also, a ton of music stuff, anyone intersted mail me at my user + gmail.

    Owner is selling my place and I have to move, super bummed, but we found a new place in a better neighborhood, just smaller.
    Thin the herd…

  13. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 12:43 pm

    As if there were any doubt about the Coolest A’s Fan Blog, I’ve searched all the others I could think of and not one of them have a single mention of Ed Lover or the Ed Lover Dance.

    But Twitter yields this:

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 4:35 pm || Up

      Boy you aren’t kidding. Since you already did the hard research, I just went back and verified one other site that claims to be large. Not only did I see nothing about the dance, there was almost nothing about Fanfest. There is one article by Napo that just covered the blog conference thingy. I actually think our coverage may be better.

      Also, did the Lounge over there finally die? I figured there might be something there but it just took me to some other website.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • ozzman99 Feb 9,2014 4:46 pm || Up

        Traffic fluctuates. It’s nothing to worry about.

        • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 6:53 pm || Up

          NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!! JUST BREEDING TGE NEXT GENERATION OF FP WRITERS!!!

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
          • ozzman99 Feb 9,2014 8:09 pm || Up

            How is this not driving more traffic to us? I guess because they don’t know about us. We’re the ‘net’s best-kept secret.

            • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 8:14 pm || Up

              Yep. And going over and bringing it up is bad form.

              I guess someone could be there and shooting folks a note if they seem like they might like it. But it would require reading what looks to be a pretty boring site and honestly feels sort of wrong.

              Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
              • ozzman99 Feb 9,2014 8:22 pm || Up

                Plus, being picky about who we choose to invite will keep us from getting overrun by the dregs of their readership. Yes, I know that sounds snobby. I don’t really care.

            • AV Feb 9,2014 9:47 pm || Up

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • doctorK Feb 9,2014 5:08 pm || Up

        Seriously. What.Is.This???

        • brian.only Feb 9,2014 5:13 pm || Up

          Ha, there is something calming about it though.

      • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 5:09 pm || Up

        have you been hooked up to the “lounge” on fb? people seem to talk a bit there

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 5:51 pm || Up

          Presumably one must be a facebook person?

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 5:55 pm || Up

            yes. I know you don’t have one. You must be 8.

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • Jennifer Feb 9,2014 5:57 pm || Up

              Bitch, I don’t either.

              • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 6:10 pm || Up

                you are a little on the old side to not have one. I am hearing that FB is aging rapidly. the kids don’t want to be on the same social media as their parents and g-parents

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 5:34 pm || Up

        I just added you

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 6:54 pm || Up

          Thank you for this, Ed.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 5:50 pm || Up

        Thanks to Englishmajor. Having a professionally trained old-media reporter as a contributor matters!

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 6:55 pm || Up

          This is not so. We are merely page views. Who is in the community should not matter…

          I know, I’m Mr bring up years ago beefs tonight..sue me.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 5:54 pm || Up

        I thought toonces was next to chip hale in the beane, melvin chip hale chat with the fans?

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Glorious Mundy Feb 10,2014 4:50 pm || Up

        They have much more important and timely things to write about at the OC.

        • MikeV Feb 10,2014 7:12 pm || Up

          HEY GUYS LOOK AT ME AND HOW AWESOME I AM

          also, FK you for making me click

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 10,2014 7:40 pm || Up

            I dunno, I’d think it was cool if one of you FKers told a story like that. I bet you’d even get more than 4 comments in response. Ouch.

            "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • MikeV Feb 10,2014 7:57 pm || Up

              2 of which ask about fanfest tickets.

              And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

              Thanks, and go As.

    • AV Feb 9,2014 9:45 pm || Up
      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  14. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 6:21 pm

    Good for you, Michael Sam. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on draft day and after. Was projected to be a 3rd-5th round pick.

    No one signed NFL free agent safety Kerry Rhodes last year; he’s not out but is widely rumored to be gay. And no NBA team signed Jason Collins after he came out last year.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 6:23 pm || Up

      AUTOPLAY WARNING

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Feb 9,2014 6:27 pm || Up

      football drafts best player or team need?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 6:56 pm || Up

      It could be that I just dont have a wide enough sample of social media, but so far all the responses I have seen have been positive.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • dmoas Feb 9,2014 7:02 pm || Up

        Who needs the hate in their life that the assholes who would respond poorly would bring?

        • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 7:05 pm || Up

          That is what I always think. But someone always manages to step in it.

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 7:49 pm || Up

        So long as the people making the draft picks aren’t afraid that he’ll chemically imbalance the locker room.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • AV Feb 9,2014 9:42 pm || Up

          now there’s an oldie but goodie.

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • ozzman99 Feb 9,2014 8:13 pm || Up

      Not sure if this has been covered, and it’s old news now apparently, but I didn’t watch the opening ceremonies. Anyway, somewhat related.

    • nevermoor Feb 15,2014 12:20 pm || Up

      I’m glad he did it, but I’m worried he isn’t the right guy. He was already going to be a marginal pick at best (“projected” for 4th round really translates to “might be drafted” when you count the number of people with higher projections). That plus the impressive college hardware means it will be easy for people to say he fell a huge way in the draft because he came out.

      Even if it isn’t true.

      "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
      • MikeV Feb 15,2014 1:03 pm || Up

        I mean, I know it doesn’t mean a whole lot, but the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award is no joke. 8 of the last 10 players to win the award were drafted in the first round, and the other 2 were Demeco Ryans (2nd rounder) and Chad Lavalais who was a 4th rounder that flamed out after 2 seasons.

        9 out of 10 pretty good. Most of the Big Board things I’ve seen have Sam ranked anywhere from 65th to 85th overall.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

        • nevermoor Feb 15,2014 1:23 pm || Up

          We’ll see. But that’s exactly my point. My understanding is he’s a small/short-armed guy who is likely to struggle against NFL OLs, but if he falls people will say the only reason is b/c he came out, pointing to exactly what you just wrote.

          "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
          • MikeV Feb 15,2014 1:32 pm || Up

            yeah, and like I said it doesn’t mean a whole lot… but it’s not easy to get 12 sacks in the SEC unless you’re pretty good.

            And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

            Thanks, and go As.

  15. 5Aces Feb 9,2014 7:06 pm

    For a second I thought I’d lost my mind. Providing commentary during ski jumping tonight; Randy Moss.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • andeux Feb 9,2014 7:55 pm || Up

      The football player or this guy?

      TINSTAAFK
      • 5Aces Feb 9,2014 8:08 pm || Up

        It is the latter. But I spent a couple minutes waiting for something like “Randy, how would you handle the cost of this ski jump equipment.” “Straight cash, homie.”

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  16. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2014 8:01 pm

    Confirmation bias: not just for half-assed baseball nerds anymore!

    …when the FBI was confronted with evidence that demonstrated Mayfield’s innocence, they twisted it to support their original theory of his guilt. With no evidence that Mayfield had traveled internationally for years — his passport had expired, and the last record of foreign travel was during his military service in 1994 — the FBI simply concocted the theory that he must have traveled overseas as part of this terrorist conspiracy under a false identity. Because of mistakes made by the FBI — they left shoe prints in the carpet of the Mayfields’ home and broke in one time when Mayfield’s son was home alone — Mayfield concluded he was under surveillance by federal authorities. Paranoia set in. When driving, he would look to see if someone was following him home or to the office. The FBI took his skittishness as more evidence of his guilt. Believing their cover blown, FBI agents detained Mayfield as a material witness

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  17. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 10,2014 12:17 pm

    Home sick with a nasty cold. Luckily I have women’s curling on TV to entertain me. USA, USA! Kick some Swiss ass!

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  18. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 10,2014 2:31 pm

    Wow, the Norway men’s curling team has crazy cool pants. Apparently crazy cool pants are kind of their thing.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • MikeV Feb 10,2014 2:35 pm || Up
      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 10,2014 2:46 pm || Up

        Not these?

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • ptbnl Feb 10,2014 2:46 pm || Up

        Not with those caps though.

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • MikeV Feb 10,2014 3:08 pm || Up

          The caps really complete the look.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

    • batgirl Feb 10,2014 3:32 pm || Up

      Until reading this Sunday’s style section, I’d not realized that Loudmouth is based in Foster City.

  19. Jennifer Feb 10,2014 3:14 pm

    Thanks for making a thread for TWD, fuckers.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 10,2014 3:15 pm || Up

      Haven’t watched it yet.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • MikeV Feb 10,2014 3:19 pm || Up

      god you complain a lot

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Jennifer Feb 10,2014 3:26 pm || Up

        Fuck you.

        • MikeV Feb 10,2014 3:29 pm || Up

          and not even ONE comment about my tags for this post, either.

          Pfft.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

  20. brian.only Feb 10,2014 9:20 pm

    Grant’s a fraud, and is still stupid after all these years…

    • nobody in particular Feb 11,2014 10:27 pm || Up

      and we have the esteemed creator of “that blog network” to thank! Reading that article is 6 minutes of life I will never get back.

      Never suck on a Blow Pop with the microphone open.
  21. colin Feb 10,2014 11:10 pm

    Any of you FKers play disc golf?

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 11,2014 9:27 am || Up

      Used to. Disc golf was always a staple of our backcountry backpacking trips. It’s pretty epic to be standing on top of a ridge, pick out a boulder or redwood 500 yards away in a canyon, say “That’s the hole, par 5” and fire away.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  22. elcroata Feb 11,2014 12:49 am

    The ridiculousness of celebrating soccer goals was just taken to a new level

    Because survival is insufficient
    • ozzman99 Feb 11,2014 11:01 am || Up

      I love how after he gets a red card, one of his teammates points to the glass he just broke. “You can’t eject him, did you see what he just did over there? He busted a piece of glass WITH HIS HEAD, yo!”

  23. elcroata Feb 11,2014 1:02 am
    Because survival is insufficient
    • colin Feb 11,2014 2:06 am || Up

      How did Kant, Poe, Newton, and Plato get lumped in with Hitler, Stalin, and Castro?

      • elcroata Feb 11,2014 3:05 am || Up

        It’s just some subjective selection of the funniest, I guess. Here is the complete lineup

        Because survival is insufficient
  24. elcroata Feb 11,2014 1:03 am
    Because survival is insufficient
  25. elcroata Feb 11,2014 12:21 pm

    If anyone knows of a more pathetic story in a baseball movie than “Trouble with the Curve”, I’m all ears

    Because survival is insufficient
    • AV Feb 11,2014 12:53 pm || Up

      bang the drum slowly.

      [watches trailer for trouble/curve.]

      but we might be talking about different shades of pathetic.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • elcroata Feb 11,2014 1:26 pm || Up

        Yeah. Pathetic was perhaps wrong wording. Insulting to logic, perhaps?

        Because survival is insufficient
        • Glorious Mundy Feb 11,2014 1:36 pm || Up

          The plot is that some top draft prospect with ZOMG stats is actually a terrible hitter and only some grizzled old scout’s estranged daughter can figure that out, and then the team drafts the guy anyway because ZOMG stats and what do you know old man? Yeah, that sounds not good.

          • andeux Feb 11,2014 1:44 pm || Up

            “The John McCurdy Story”

            TINSTAAFK
          • dmoas Feb 11,2014 2:32 pm || Up

            The worst part (beyond the whole straw man evil stat guy) is that it’s a HIGH SCHOOL player with ZOMG stats.

            • AV Feb 11,2014 2:45 pm || Up

              do you feel luck is a repeatable skill, punk?

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • elcroata Feb 11,2014 9:15 pm || Up

            This. Plus
            – All the other old and grizzled scouts don’t see shit, thus making the whole point “computers bad, scouts awesome” moot
            – Red Sox, who pick first, because that is also plausible, put multi-million decision of their signing in the hands of the guy who has never scouted before and whom, if he does well, they will reward by giving him a broadcaster position
            – They change their pick, because the said wannabe announcer calls them and tells them not to pick the kid, because the kid can’t hit a curve, a fact that he himself cannot back up by any observation, but the one he derives from a blind scout hearing something and his lawyer daughter seeing something.
            – Additionally, Red Sox base their decision on the fact that the Blind Scout TM promises them Atlanta won’t be picking the kid either
            – The Stupid Mean Analyst TM bases his decision on the stats of high school competition
            – The Stupid Mean Analyst TM keeps calling the kid a true five tool player, whereas he is portrayed as gritty girty slugger
            – Next Sandy Koufax / Randy Johnson rolled int one is a kid who has never played baseball, but developed his skills by throwing peanut bags during baseball games
            – In the final confrontation he makes the #1 kid in the country look silly trying to even touch the curveball, a concept that nobody obviously ever tried in the whole season, because you know, you feed opposing #3 hitter fastballs down the pipe all year, because, why not
            – Additionally, the #1 kid in the country can’t even touch a fastball either, when it is thrown by somebody pure at heart

            Because survival is insufficient
            • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 11,2014 10:40 pm || Up

              Haven’t seen it. There was a time I’d check out every baseball movie no matter what, because baseball. Kevin Costner cured me of this problem.

              "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
            • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 10:00 am || Up

              You forgot to mention that the Red Sox scout making all the decisions on who take #1 overall is Justin Timberlake! Great casting there.

          • nevermoor Feb 15,2014 12:25 pm || Up

            But wait, there’s a supserstar prospect no one knows about and she finds him too!

            "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
  26. andeux Feb 11,2014 1:56 pm
    TINSTAAFK
    • AV Feb 11,2014 2:39 pm || Up

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • AV Feb 11,2014 2:40 pm || Up

        (thank you btw. i’ve been saving that one so long i thought the term had been forgotten.)

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • 5Aces Feb 11,2014 2:59 pm || Up

          I’m not going to fall for the banana thrown at the tailpipe!

          stop hanging around with that other guy

          Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • AV Feb 11,2014 6:05 pm || Up

        gotta wonder what wilson bryan key would have said about that shot, btw.

        sawyer’s just laying there all nonchalant, though with a bamboo boner apparently sticking out of his crotchal area, kate the love of his life steps up and throws a banana at him, then sun (carrying two coconuts chest high?) walks by inadvertently falling out of perspective and into the foreground to step on said boner/crotch. these are not accidents, people!!

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 11,2014 10:44 pm || Up

          I miss Lost. Still mad at that show for careening so recklessly off the rails and then ending badly. Fuckers.

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
          • brian.only Feb 11,2014 11:16 pm || Up

            Yup, by season 4 I felt embarrassed for ever having recommended it to anyone.
            So many unanswered questions, so frustrating, I felt as offended one could be from a TV series.
            Half way through they just started making up more ‘weird shit’, build up all kinds of mystery about the ‘weird shit’ that they’d never have to explain because there’d always be, wait for it, even more weird shit!

            • nevermoor Feb 15,2014 12:29 pm || Up

              Every season of lost: here’s something weird. let’s think about how weird it is. it will be completely unexplained and ignored after the season finale.

              Were you really expecting the series finale to be different?

              "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
              • brian.only Feb 15,2014 4:51 pm || Up

                Not at all, I just wasn’t posting at FK about it at the time, I only watched after then in vain hopes of some type of resolution, alas, or I mean fuck Linde-douche…
                I mean dude, you have to resolve the smoke monster at least… Ugh.

                • AV Feb 15,2014 5:01 pm || Up

                  The Man in Black was a long-time inhabitant of the Island. He was once a normal man with dark hair and steely eyes, but an encounter with the Heart of the Island, brought on by his brother and enemy, changed him into the Smoke Monster, a living cloud of black smoke. As the smoke, he could manifest himself as deceased individuals, most frequently as his former self. Eventually, and permanently after the death of Jacob, he took the form of John Locke.

                  http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Man_in_Black#The_Monster

                  my experience with lost’s unresolved mysteries —and cliffhanger mysteries of other serial shows like it— is that they seem like huge mysteries when they are introduced but that by the time you figure out the solution, it’s much smaller, piecemeal even, and inconsequential, and thus less memorable too, to the point that it seems like it wasn’t resolved.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • brian.only Feb 15,2014 5:24 pm || Up

                  Wait the Greek looking guy is the smoke monster?
                  How did I miss that?

  27. Glorious Mundy Feb 11,2014 3:12 pm

    The biathalon race where they have to do a penalty loop for each target they miss is awesome. Seems like it would be really fun and chaotic in person.

    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 11,2014 10:42 pm || Up

      Add clown music blaring at insufferable levels and I’m there!

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  28. elcroata Feb 12,2014 12:53 am

    In 2013, I wanted the A’s to draft Colin Moran, strictly on the name value. This year I am still undecided between Joey Pankake and Handsome Monica.

    Because survival is insufficient
    • MikeV Feb 12,2014 8:32 am || Up

      Why not both?

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • elcroata Feb 12,2014 8:37 am || Up

        We could add Choplick, because who doesn’t, and Niggemeyer, just for those special awkward moments.

        Because survival is insufficient
    • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 10:04 am || Up

      ICIP the tin whistle in Handsome Monica.

    • ozzman99 Feb 13,2014 12:13 pm || Up

      Billy: Who should we pick?

      Forst: Colin Moran! Duh!

      Lew: Get a brain, Moran… supporter.

    • ozzman99 Feb 13,2014 12:15 pm || Up

      Joey Pankake and Hansome Monica sound like characters on Jersey Shore.

  29. AV Feb 12,2014 9:06 am

    vindicating witchy, turns out trained pussies can be rather strong. (N entirely not SFW, but it can be rather suggestive.)

    i thought it was pure parody at first, but turns out maybe those cats truly are fast as lightning (in fact, a little bit frightening).

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  30. Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 10:16 am

    Fosse was on 95.7 this morning. They asked him a question about Josh Reddick and arbitration, and he managed to turn his answer into a story about how great Derek Jeter is.

    • dmoas Feb 12,2014 10:30 am || Up

      Like a fking ROCK STAR!

    • MikeV Feb 12,2014 10:40 am || Up

      I’m surprised they talked about the A’s. It’s pretty bad how pro giants they still are.

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 10:52 am || Up

        It’s the only broadcast outlet that devotes any time to the A’s, so I’m basically OK with it. Just having regular spots with Melvin, Beane, and players during the season is nice to hear, and they do bring Korach and Cotroneo on frequently to shoot the shit, which I always enjoy. I also think that certain of their hosts are more dismissive of the A’s than others. The morning dopes seem neutral to A’s leaning, whereas the afternoon idiots (especially Papa) seem to feel that A’s talk is beneath them. If they are going to stop talking about football for a minute, it is going to be about the Giants.

        Speaking of A’s talk, they have moved Guy Haberman to mornings now. Hopefully this means he is off the A’s pre and post, and they’ll get someone a little more knowledgeable and articulate for that gig.

        • MikeV Feb 12,2014 10:56 am || Up

          Papa is so awful.

          And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

          Thanks, and go As.

          • dmoas Feb 12,2014 10:58 am || Up

            Papa has a HUGE chip on his shoulder WRT the A’s. That guy holds a grudge like no one else.

            • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 11:06 am || Up

              Did they fire him? I can’t remember how that all went down.

              • dmoas Feb 12,2014 11:09 am || Up

                I believe they just replaced him when his contract was up. I’m sure money somehow played a part of it.

                • Future Ed Feb 12,2014 11:46 am || Up

                  saying that they didn’t want papa because he was also the voice of the raiders. With a total straight face, seemingly ignoring bill king.

                  I have $5. No I don\'t.
                • dmoas Feb 12,2014 11:49 am || Up

                  In fairness, at the time, Bill was no longer the voice of the raiders.

          • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 11:05 am || Up

            I think he is really a really good and compelling football and basketball play-by-play guy. I grew up on him calling Warriors games, and he was terrific. I like him calling Raiders games too, because he really seems to deeply understand and communicate the intricacies of the strategic stuff. (I don’t particularly like football, but I’m a sucker for the deep tactical stuff when the person seems to know what he or she is talking about. I used to love watching that show on ESPN where Ron Jaworski would keep rewinding the all-22 tape to break down matchups.)

            As a talk show host, however, Papa comes off as a creepy old man who hates the A’s.

            • Future Ed Feb 12,2014 11:47 am || Up

              he is very very creepy old manish

              I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • andeux Feb 12,2014 11:49 am || Up

              Wasn’t he also better at calling baseball than Kuiper? Not that that’s saying much.

              TINSTAAFK
              • Future Ed Feb 12,2014 12:24 pm || Up

                yes

                I have $5. No I don\'t.
              • dmoas Feb 12,2014 1:13 pm || Up

                Better, yes. Good, no. I always hated his “name the bay area connection” shtick he did with everyone. And while I guess their college is a big deal in football, I’ve never understood it much and his “name the college” thing was rather annoying too.

                • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 1:15 pm || Up

                  I think he was (and still is) bored by baseball.

            • doctorK Feb 12,2014 1:26 pm || Up

              I can’t stand his football PxP. He’s too quick with the analysis part to give us trivial information that anybody listening to the game on the radio couldn’t possibly need, like down, distance to go, time, quarter, score, etc.

              • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 3:17 pm || Up

                Probably helps that I don’t give a crap about any of that.

        • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 10:59 am || Up

          Seriously though, their business model seems to be all football all the time except when an A’s game is on. It’s basically all they talk about, year round.

          KNBR’s refusal to acknowledge the A’s existence is beyond irritating, but they will at least devote serious airtime to baseball (and basketball) chit chat. A Marty Lurie type show — except hosted by someone who doesn’t bear a grudge against the A’s organization — would be a breath of fresh air.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 12:00 pm || Up

      Speaking of God’s Puppy, brace yourselves for the do svidaniya tour.

      • Future Ed Feb 12,2014 12:28 pm || Up

        june 15. special promotion, chevy boo the shit out of jeter day

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • batgirl Feb 12,2014 1:12 pm || Up

          That’s make me consider buying a Chevy.

      • AV Feb 13,2014 9:03 am || Up
        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:32 am || Up

          Cool idea! If it only weren’t written in that annoying Red Sox font…

          Because survival is insufficient
    • AV Feb 12,2014 12:04 pm || Up

      so, how great is jeter?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • brian.only Feb 12,2014 12:28 pm || Up

        Well, I know I won’t be going to any NYY games this year, was bad enough w/ Mo last year, but Jeter…
        Selig names the 2014 season Jeterfest, they will be celebrating his greatness all year, barf.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 12:32 pm || Up

        This morning you claimed that Jeter hit 21 home runs one year just because George Steinbrenner had denigrated his power at an arbitration hearing, so pretty great, Ray.

  31. doctorK Feb 12,2014 11:10 am
    • AV Feb 14,2014 9:17 am || Up

      dante forgot to mention that the special level of hell for bad carmakers is basically a garage on fire.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 14,2014 6:55 pm || Up

        Apropos of nothing in particular, my rental car here is a Dodge Charger, which is a lot of fun, but would probably be more so if there were any roads with speed limits above 45.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • AV Feb 14,2014 8:35 pm || Up

          “but officer, how could i possibly be going 95 miles an hour when this highway’s only 27 miles long??”

          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
        • dmoas Feb 15,2014 6:09 am || Up

          It never stopped the Duke boys.

          • ozzman99 Feb 16,2014 6:22 pm || Up

            They were just makin’ their way the only way they knew how.

  32. elcroata Feb 12,2014 12:04 pm

    Does anyone remember, back at OC someone, I think Paul Thomas, had a signature — or maybe it was a singular comment — going something like ~ “it is important that your particular brand of wrongness doesn’t go unchallenged”. Anyone remember it? The exact wording?

    Because survival is insufficient
    • PDXAthleticsfan Feb 12,2014 12:10 pm || Up

      Paul Thomas (OC link)

      Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged.

      A soliloquy of fresh-sounding ideas which would probably be disastrous.
      • Future Ed Feb 12,2014 12:39 pm || Up

        I love threads like that. The February 2014 answer to Elston Gunn’s october 2009 question

        Do people really think that Desme’s upside is way higher than Green, Weeks or Brown?

        is depends on what you mean by “higher”

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • dmoas Feb 12,2014 1:15 pm || Up

        I feel like that should be a tagline.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 12:44 pm || Up

      Um, DFA…care to revisit this comment?

      • ptbnl Feb 12,2014 1:16 pm || Up

        It’s true – Harper isn’t the berst thing since sliced bread.

        If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • DFA Feb 13,2014 12:11 pm || Up

        Eh… I made that comment after he struggled in a showcase event right after the SI article. Im fine with that.

        In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
      • DFA Feb 13,2014 12:15 pm || Up

        Also while he has been very good in the majors, he hasn’t been a generational talent like Trout has.

        In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
        • andeux Feb 13,2014 12:22 pm || Up

          Oh, care to revisit all your comments starting here then?

          TINSTAAFK
          • DFA Feb 13,2014 3:59 pm || Up

            Are you saying that I cannot be wrong and/or revise my opinion with more facts?

            In play, run(s)! Talk dirty to me gamecast, talk dirty. - Nevermoor
          • dmoas Feb 13,2014 4:21 pm || Up

            That might depend on whether you want to revisit this one.

    • ptbnl Feb 12,2014 1:13 pm || Up

      You have use for it?

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • elcroata Feb 12,2014 3:13 pm || Up

        Unfortunately, yes:

        And it is not just some XY psycho liking the article that builds its thesis around this image, but one of the best sports journalists in my sorry, homophobic homeland

        Because survival is insufficient
        • dmoas Feb 12,2014 4:46 pm || Up

          That’s like a whole new category of wrong.

        • ptbnl Feb 12,2014 5:09 pm || Up

          Jeebus that’s dumb.

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
        • ptbnl Feb 12,2014 5:20 pm || Up

          For an alternative perspective, from a Texas sportcaster no less,

          If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  33. brian.only Feb 12,2014 12:33 pm

    Iwakuma out 4-6 weeks due to a strained tendon while operating a suitcase, he sounds like Athletic to me.
    Poor Mariners, their rotation is full of question marks now, big big upside, but could really really suck in 14′.

    King Felix
    Scott Baker
    Taijuan Walker
    James Paxton
    Erasmo Ramirez

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 12:36 pm || Up

      6 weeks before the season starts is a pretty good time to have that injury though.

      • brian.only Feb 12,2014 12:44 pm || Up

        For sure, someone also commented on twitter gentry had the same injury in 10′ and was out 4 months, so it could take longer.
        But yeah, he could be back by Late April/ May.

        • dmoas Feb 12,2014 1:16 pm || Up

          Apparently he has a history of injury after a good season.

    • lenscrafters Feb 12,2014 12:55 pm || Up

      The latest PECOTA projections have 4 teams above .500 and all within 5 games of each other. The M’s could certainly close the gap a little further, if they sign someone like Cruz as the rumors have been saying.

      With the uncertainty in these types of projections, what this really means is that luck and injuries are going to play a bigger part next season than talent. I think the A’s have recognized this and therefore focused on depth to mitigate the injury factor since no one can really do anything about the luck factor.

      • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 1:01 pm || Up

        Man, PECOTA really likes this Angels roster. I guess it must be expecting big bouncebacks from Pujols and Hamilton, but I don’t really see it.

        Also, holy crap on the Dodgers projection.

        • brian.only Feb 12,2014 2:11 pm || Up

          Yeah, Los Doyers, yikes!

          Seems somewhat pessimistic about our run scoring capabilities, as well as overrating our defense and pitching a bit.
          Pretty tight division, none other is close to being as competitive.

      • vignette17 Feb 13,2014 12:58 pm || Up

        Obviously the Coliseum helps, but the only teams projected to allow fewer than the A’s are the Braves, Nats, and Giants.

        But 9(!) teams are projected to score more in the American league alone. Ouch.

        In other words, PECOTA projects 63 fewer RS and 17 more RA for the A’s 2014 vs 2013.

        • Glorious Mundy Feb 13,2014 1:03 pm || Up

          Does anyone know whether PECOTA accounts for the A’s extreme platooning when allocating playing time for the team projections?

          • vignette17 Feb 13,2014 1:19 pm || Up

            As best as I recall, they do not. They may account for it when they assign playing time, but their projections should be based on their previous stats only. If someone had been heavily platooned in the past and was going to keep that platoon, the projection would be reasonably accurate.

            Given that Jaso, Moss, and Gentry already had big platoons the last couple of years, their past usage is probably reflected in their projections. Norris might be different since his minor league stats might be affecting his projection and he wasn’t platooned there.

            Of course, someone might have a better memory than me.

        • andeux Feb 13,2014 1:36 pm || Up

          There were some other projections (was it Bill James? Clay Davenport) posted here a couple weeks ago that were just the opposite – they had us as tied for a close second in runs scored (which would make us the best offensive team on a park-neutral basis, since the other top teams were Boston and Texas) and just a bit better than league-average in runs allowed.

          fangraphs has us a little better than average in both.

          TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Feb 12,2014 1:42 pm || Up

      In other encouraging Mariners news (via Jeff)…

      “I gained a lot of weight in my country,” he admitted. “So, now, I’m on a program to lose weight. I’m working really hard to get my weight back. I wasn’t doing nothing (after finishing winter ball), just eating.”

      • lenscrafters Feb 13,2014 11:27 am || Up
        • brian.only Feb 13,2014 9:43 pm || Up

          Oh dude, wtf…
          I like the Mariners like that one drunk uncle that has bad luck w/ women and always somehow fucks up and gets fired a week into the job, but still tells good jokes and remembers everyones birthday.
          Gah…

  34. AV Feb 12,2014 1:51 pm

    4 months from exactly now… we’d be at the half, with croatia over brasil 1-0. (i’m not saying croatia will win. you know what i always say about the last minutes with brasil.)

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  35. elcroata Feb 12,2014 5:01 pm

    Hey FSU, your guys won and threw a pretty good elbow

    Because survival is insufficient
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 12,2014 10:58 pm || Up

      Heh heh. And you can just tell from that video that the Duke kid is an arrogant dickhead who totally deserved that elbow to the face.

      Apparently the main event got cancelled due to an ice storm so bad that the Duke bus couldn’t drive the 11 miles to Chapel Hill. I was body surfing at the time, myself.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  36. elcroata Feb 12,2014 10:50 pm

    Cuse!

    Because survival is insufficient
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 12,2014 11:03 pm || Up

      Wow, nice finish! They are really having an amazing season.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  37. Glorious Mundy Feb 13,2014 10:32 am

    So why is there men’s and women’s curling? If there were ever a sport with where gender differences in size, strength, flexibility or whatever else do not matter at all it’s this one, right?

    • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:33 am || Up

      Chess?

      Because survival is insufficient
    • dmoas Feb 13,2014 11:23 am || Up

      I would think so too. There is a mixed doubles form they’re trying to add though.

    • Dial C for Concupiscence Feb 13,2014 11:35 am || Up

      Mixed means less medals?

      • 5Aces Feb 13,2014 12:02 pm || Up

        Not necessarily. If they still had men’s and women’s and just added mixed.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • Glorious Mundy Feb 14,2014 12:57 pm || Up

      I’m reconsidering my claim that strength doesn’t matter. These Canadian dudes are buff as hell.

  38. elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:34 am

    OK, gals and guys, tonight at 10 PM your time, send some good thoughts over. And for the insomniacs among you, 3:30 AM again

    Because survival is insufficient
    • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:00 pm || Up

      BIB #18 -, let’s go!

      Because survival is insufficient
      • dmoas Feb 13,2014 10:08 pm || Up

        So with the brilliance of NBC they’re not starting their “live” coverage until an hour into the event. I bet they act like they’re showing it to us live while having it be an hour tape-delayed.

        • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:10 pm || Up

          This is with commentary in German, but still:

          http://www.stream2video.tv/countries/austria/orf1

          Because survival is insufficient
          • dmoas Feb 13,2014 10:16 pm || Up

            I finally found it. They fking bury it under garbage and mislabel it.

            • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:25 pm || Up

              The course is getting softer by the minute. But, OK, that means slow downhill times will get gut slalom starting numbers later and it will not be any colder in the afternoon

              Because survival is insufficient
              • andeux Feb 13,2014 10:40 pm || Up

                “Mission accomplished” according to the announcer here. Nice.

                TINSTAAFK
                • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:42 pm || Up

                  It is. It was really tough. But he is a good slalom skier, unlike many here. Everything is still open. Ligety, Miller and Kostelic will show how good he was.

                  Because survival is insufficient
          • Future Ed Feb 13,2014 10:29 pm || Up

            the nbc one sucks. wouldn’t play

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
            • Englishmajor Feb 13,2014 10:31 pm || Up

              Mine’s working okay, except for the ads they insist on showing between every racer.

              • dmoas Feb 13,2014 10:43 pm || Up

                I don’t get ads. Every once in a while I’ll get a two second “We’ll be back” message though.

                • Englishmajor Feb 13,2014 10:46 pm || Up

                  Maybe it differs by provider? I’m happy to blame AT&T U-verse.

                • dmoas Feb 13,2014 10:49 pm || Up

                  Wouldn’t surprise me. Comcast would do something like that.

                • andeux Feb 13,2014 10:49 pm || Up

                  No ads when I’m logged in with my Comcast(=NBC) cable account.

                  TINSTAAFK
          • Englishmajor Feb 13,2014 10:40 pm || Up

            The NBC commentator said “there are two Croatians who really figure in this competition…here is the first one”.

    • dmoas Feb 13,2014 10:00 pm || Up

      If I’m reading it right, he’s #18?

      • elcroata Feb 13,2014 10:09 pm || Up

        Correct. The piste is warm, it would have been better to be starting earlier, but now, let’s just race

        Because survival is insufficient
  39. andeux Feb 13,2014 11:27 am

    Ugh. Law-talking guys, am I right in being surprised that the 9th circuit ruled this way?

    TINSTAAFK
    • Glorious Mundy Feb 13,2014 11:42 am || Up

      Yes, although the plaintiffs got a good panel. O’Scanlainn and Callahan are pretty conservative. I wouldn’t be surprised if the full Ninth Circuit took this one en banc and reversed.

  40. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 13,2014 10:40 pm

    Saw Steven Tyler at the hotel pool today.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Feb 13,2014 10:45 pm || Up

      are you sure it wasn’t a lady?

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • AV Feb 13,2014 10:54 pm || Up

        i was going to say are you sure it wasn’t a big-mouth humuhumunukunukuapuaa with a hook in it, but yours has a better ring to it.

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • ozzman99 Feb 13,2014 11:18 pm || Up

      Did it make you wanna close your eyes?

      • 5Aces Feb 13,2014 11:23 pm || Up

        I’ll bet he didn’t want to miss a thing.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 13,2014 11:34 pm || Up

      This truck was parked out front, the valet parking guy told me it was his:

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  41. elcroata Feb 13,2014 11:02 pm

    Hey people, thanks for watching this with me.

    Because survival is insufficient
    • ozzman99 Feb 13,2014 11:19 pm || Up

      I’m pissed I missed it. How did he do?

      • elcroata Feb 13,2014 11:22 pm || Up

        Around twentieth, about 2 seconds off the pace. He’s a good slalom skier and he will start around 10th, which is good on the warm slalom course… so I’d say everything is still possible.

        Because survival is insufficient
    • ptbnl Feb 14,2014 12:50 am || Up

      So for the slalom run they go in descending order from 30th to 1st and then in ascending order from 31st to 46th?

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
      • elcroata Feb 14,2014 1:39 am || Up

        Yes, so anyone who was worse than 30th in the downhill is not in the medal hunt anymore

        Because survival is insufficient
  42. elcroata Feb 14,2014 5:29 am

    In the end it was 10th place. Still proud of ya, little cousin!

    Because survival is insufficient
    • batgirl Feb 14,2014 8:22 am || Up

      I think 10th sounds awesome! But now on to the Olympic experience:

      1. Is he having fun?
      2. Is he bringing a stray dog home with him?
      3. Is he using the Tinder app to hook up with olympic cuties?

    • andeux Feb 14,2014 9:51 am || Up

      Congrats.

      TINSTAAFK
    • ozzman99 Feb 14,2014 7:02 pm || Up

      That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Good for him!

  43. elcroata Feb 14,2014 7:18 am

    And fourth Olympic silver for Ivica! Just one incredible family they are.

    Because survival is insufficient
  44. ptbnl Feb 14,2014 9:56 am

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  45. Glorious Mundy Feb 14,2014 10:09 am

    You can download every De La Soul record for free right from their website. Today only, and you have to sign up for their newsletter. Their stuff hasn’t been previously available for purchase and streaming online because of all the licensing issues caused by their sampling.

    If nothing else, people, get the first two albums.

    • MikeV Feb 14,2014 10:17 am || Up

      de la soul is dead

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

    • Glorious Mundy Feb 14,2014 10:20 am || Up

      (Relatedly, the first time I heard 3 Feet High and Rising was in the car of my older sister’s friend on the way to Game 1 of the 1989 ALCS. That might partly explain why I like it so much.)

    • AV Feb 14,2014 10:26 am || Up

      huh. signed up. content “on it’s way” (sic). not sure what that means. do they send an email with MP3s?

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • Glorious Mundy Feb 14,2014 10:27 am || Up

        Yeah….not sure how that is going to work either.

        • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 14,2014 7:14 pm || Up

          Wait wait wait. So…when are the pancakes coming in the mail?

          "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • Glorious Mundy Feb 18,2014 10:29 am || Up

        I got an email that linked to a bunch of zip file downloads.

    • brian.only Feb 14,2014 12:37 pm || Up

      Hells yeah!

  46. AV Feb 14,2014 10:18 am

    down goes frazier, harrison looks hairy in warshaw pact, jordan shows river card: “OPD is FKed”.

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
  47. andeux Feb 14,2014 1:46 pm

    Ryan Cook shut down for “a week or two” with right shoulder soreness.
    Doolittle out a few days with a right calf strain.
    Shoring up the bullpen might not have been such a bad idea.

    TINSTAAFK
    • Future Ed Feb 14,2014 2:08 pm || Up

      early spring news is so OMG!

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • AV Feb 14,2014 8:39 pm || Up

        [bites tongue about how gorgeous the cherry blossoms are this week.]

        *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • MikeV Feb 14,2014 2:14 pm || Up

      Welp, let’s wrap it up and call it a season, boys. See you in 2015

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

    • dmoas Feb 14,2014 2:23 pm || Up

      Call me when they have TJS.

      • MikeV Feb 14,2014 2:25 pm || Up

        Don’t go too far from the phone.

        And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

        Thanks, and go As.

    • 5Aces Feb 14,2014 2:57 pm || Up

      uh..you forgot one…

      AJ still haz the long hair!!! swoon city.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  48. andeux Feb 14,2014 8:23 pm

    I rarely tape sports to watch later, but the US-Russia hockey game at 4 AM looks like it might end up being the best matchup until the quarter- or even semi-finals.

    TINSTAAFK
    • dmoas Feb 15,2014 7:07 am || Up

      Avoid the spoilers and watch it. It’s an incredible game.

      • andeux Feb 15,2014 3:17 pm || Up

        Yeah.
        Glad I taped an extra half hour past what was scheduled.
        The US caught a break on the disallowed goal, and probably also benefited from the weird rule where one guy got to take almost all of the penalty shots. But I’ll take it.
        As it turns out, since they went to OT, both teams might get a pass into the quarterfinals anyway.

        TINSTAAFK
  49. AV Feb 14,2014 8:37 pm

    watched the ESPN bo jackson story today. before i declare my love for the man, we’re still saying he wasn’t on PEDs, right?

    *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
    • Future Ed Feb 14,2014 10:48 pm || Up

      I don’t think people in archery care about ped’s

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 15,2014 10:04 am || Up

        I know you’re kidding, but I bet that’s not true. Like golfers, I imagine archers would benefit from nerve-steadying kinds of drugs.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • AV Feb 15,2014 10:26 am || Up
          *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
          • ptbnl Feb 15,2014 10:31 am || Up

            Beta-blockers were big in snooker for a while too.

            If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
            • AV Feb 15,2014 10:35 am || Up

              ah. there you are. thinking of you watching the game. i infer you’re a pensioner. are you?

              *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
              • ptbnl Feb 15,2014 10:36 am || Up

                Hate ’em both actually … prime examples of all that’s going wrong with European sport.

                If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • AV Feb 15,2014 10:39 am || Up

                  ha! damned foreign owners!!!

                  so who is are your team?

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • ptbnl Feb 15,2014 10:50 am || Up

                  It’s not the foreign-ness but the wealth disparity (UEFA “fair play” rules notwithstanding). The premiership has basically become two divisions – the top half dozen teams play for the title and the four champions league places and the rest play to avoid relegation. You can win promotion to the second tier, but only ridiculous wealth will get you into the top tier.

                  And my team is Liverpool, though John Henry and the defence of Luis Suarez have made that an increasingly untenable position.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • AV Feb 15,2014 11:11 am || Up

                  well, then…

                  prime examples of all that’s going wrong with European sport just about everything in the world today and where we’re headed.

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • ptbnl Feb 15,2014 11:51 am || Up

                  And still the only VW plant in the world without a works council votes against it, while the German workers who are exporting the concept earn twice the wage/benefits.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • dmoas Feb 15,2014 12:15 pm || Up

                  You can’t fix stupid.

                • AV Feb 15,2014 12:17 pm || Up

                  damned non-foreign non-owners!!!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
                • ptbnl Feb 15,2014 12:35 pm || Up

                  You’d think that using the intelligence of a workforce would be a market efficiency.

                  If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
                • dmoas Feb 15,2014 1:06 pm || Up

                  Just fire them all and hire pro-union guys.

                • ozzman99 Feb 16,2014 6:33 pm || Up

                  This is what happens when you open a plant in the fucking South. Build that shit in CA, or the NE or Midwest next time.

                • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 16,2014 7:20 pm || Up

                  Speaking of which, I have now twice burst into obscenities in front of my kids when the new Walmart commercial came on. The one that touts their commitment to American manufacturing. Fucking bastards.

                  "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
                • dmoas Feb 16,2014 7:43 pm || Up

                  Me too. Total bullshit.

                • AV Feb 16,2014 7:57 pm || Up

                  with a sountrack outsourced to canada.

                  go NAFTA!

                  *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.

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