haha, great. i'm learning chinese; i'll be spending the fall semester there. how encouraging.

Mr. Bernstein has a point:

Waimanalo: http://tinyurl.com/amh7j

Bah. Should have looked harder. The first link in that page works, but the others appear to be broken. Oh well, the one that does work is a gorgeous photo.

I remember when the Weather Channel talked about the weather and nothing but the weather.

My grandparents literally watch the Weather Channel for hours straight.

What does it talk about now?

I remember when Music Television played music.

The Weather Channel shows a lot of "weather porn" now in my opinion. Or has features on gardening.

Wow Jon, your friend Bernstein had an interesting childhood to say the least. I'm going to follow his blog. Does he read yours?

9 - Oh, I doubt he cares about baseball that much.

7 - Me too.

10
He obviously doesn't enforce a "no profanity" rule...

Cool Stuff. Friends are the only wealth in my book.

Just had to post that the third undefeated NCCA Mens falls, TN defeats FLA! I'd sing Rocky Top for everyone if I could, but you'll just have to use your great imaginations.

The buggles and pat, and JJ and the gang.

Funny, about your reference to your friends experiences in China and learning the language. My wife being from China, I have experienced some of the same things. And on my recent trip to China last October whenever a conversation turned to music, I would always be entertained with someone singing John Denvers very same song your friend mentioned, "Take me home, country road..." They all seemed to know the same American songs, and they struck me as odd ones to know for some reason. Other ones were, "Hotel California", which I had to explain what the song was about... some Guns N Roses song that I had never heard of, but they had never heard of "Sweet Child", then of course The Backstreet Boys, which I just kind of politely chuckled at. Nobody seemed to know that Michael Jackson had a craving for young boys. There were two english songs that I heard there that had been redone in Chinese by a very popular chinese female singer "Wang Fei". One of them by the Cranberries and the other was "Mad World" by Tears for Fears. I wonder when a westerner will redo a chinese song into english? They have some great ballads.

This Roddick v Baghdad match looks good.

vr, Xei

All Roddick can do is hit big serves. He doesn't seem to have much else to his game. Federer is far and away the best player in the game.

Great timing on the post. I just attended a University class with a guest speaker who touched on the Guatemalan revolution. Incredible story with characters that include a good-hearted US company owner in Guatemala, greedy business associates, Guatemalan peasants, the CIA, intimidation murders...sounded like a movie.

Probably old news to you guys, but it was my first exposure to the story.

14. Of course the big serve is part of Roddicks game. Heck, he probably has the best serve in all of tennis, when he is serving a high percentage on his first serves. He also has a great forehand and an above average backhand. I think he needs to develop a net game if he ever wants to get to Federers level. I can't believe someone with such a great serve, does not serve and volley. Federer is amazing, the best mens player by far like you said. He has a great all around game and can win on all surfaces. It's too bad that Federer didn't hit the scene a little earlier when Sampras and Agassi were at their peaks.
best, Xei

My wife is from Taiwan and I have experienced very similar problems with trying to speak Chinese. My stepson and I used English together when we first met by singing Country Roads, which he had learned in school.

I wonder if Roddick's serve is so big that it doesn't give him enough time to get to the net by the time the serve has been returned. In general, though, I'd like to see him come to the net more often. Maybe take a little off the serve now and then, which would give him enough time to charge the net.

With that in mind, the game doesn't have many serve and volley-ers left these days. My all-time favorite player (Stefan Edberg) was the master. I think that the racket technology has progressed to the point where serve and volleying is not a viable option.

18/19. Good points. Alot of it depends on your opponent and on the surface you are playing on. You will tend to see more serve and volleying on the faster surfaces, like Ten Hennman does at Wimbledon. I play alot of competitive tennis, less than I use to. I am a doubles specialist, I find doubles more enjoyable and easier on my body than singles (as I'm not as young as I use to be). When I play singles, I serve and volley on almost every point, sometimes even on my 2nd serve as I have a pretty good kick serve which allows me time to get to the net, and I tend to get my opponent off the court on the ad side, and kick serves tend to cause your opponent to return the ball high, if they aren't experienced at receiving it. The way to counter a good kick serve is to take the serve early, a good three or four feet inside the baseline and either slice it at the net rushers feet or if you can get on top of it, blast it at his feet. Alot easier to do in singles than doubles as there is nobody poaching at the net. Anyways, I'm enjoying the Roddick match, and also hoping the local boys (Bryan twins) win the doubles title.
vr, Xei

I never took playing tennis very seriously, but of all sports that I played, it's probably the game in which I had the most natural talent. If I had it all to do over again, I would have prioritized it more than I did. I think I could have been pretty good. I was kind of a Michael Chang clone. We're about the same size and played the same kind of game.

Regarding the Bryan twins: you sure don't see much doubles coverage anymore. I remember when I was growing up that they used to show a lot of doubles.

Jon,
This may be one of those "small world" stories, or it may be a bizarre coincidence. My mom's oldest friend (as in the length of the relationship)has a son named John Lilly who recently left on a rotational assignment in China. His wife and two young daughters will be joining him in China in a couple of weeks. His mom's name begins with K.

22 - Yep.

http://tinyurl.com/8wtgm

Coco Crisp to Red Sox for Marte and Mota + Red Sox sign Alex Gonzalez.

Crisp has a good VORP. Suprised how often Marte is getting dealt around. I am questioning just how good he is if the Braves and Red Sox both gave him up.

Bronx Banter is discussing that trade.

As if all those fake two-point wins at home barely keeping them in the Top 25 weren't enough, Ben Howland says:

"Part of [the PAC-10's] problem," Howland said, "is that we have schools playing low majors or mid-majors on the road."

Howland cited Oregon State's season-opening loss at Tennessee Tech and Stanford's losses at Montana and UC Davis as games that shouldn't have happened.

"I have no idea why Oregon State did that," Howland said. "I don't understand why Stanford would play at Montana, at UC Davis. I'm against that for our conference schools."

The self-embarrassment brought on by this statement goes unremarked upon by the L.A. Times' very special self-embarrassment, who was unable to hear it, having jammed his head so far up Mr. Howland's other major orifice that sound is now a distant memory.

Howland's point is that any team is dangerous on the road in basketball. So if a Pac-10 goes and plays a mediocre team on the road, it is in a no-win situation. A win gets you no boost in the RPI. And a loss is a killer. And by playing on the road, you make the loss much more likely.

Looks as though Anna Benson will have a new 25 man roster to sleep with if her over-rated husband strays.

Well, Miguel, now instead of complaining your team has made no moves you can complain your team has made no good moves.

But play a mediocre team at home, and watch those rankings soar!

28 Are you saying the Orioles somehow lost a trade where they gave up Jorge Julio?

The Steelers seem to like the road this year.

Jake Plummer is not going to be a popular man in Denver today I think.

Just have to keep telling myself "at least it's not the Patriots, at least it's not the Patriots"...

Time to prep for two more weeks of hearing how Roethlisberger is the greatest QB since: Joe Montana/Kurt Warner/Tom Brady

I have a residual dislike of the Broncos because of John Elway.

Roethlisberger is pretty good you have to admit and the Steelers have had a pretty good game plan again today.

"at least it's not the Patriots, at least it's not the Patriots"

Amen.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/22/Rays/Prospects_have_major_.shtml

oh lookie, a major dodger baseball official doesnt like the baez deal....

Don't shout "Baez" in a crowded website.

34 - True, when Bill Cowher outcoaches anybody the Steelers probably are doing too well to lose.

As long as Jon doesn't mind this becoming "Scattered Conference Championship Game Thoughts", who's gonna win the NFC?

Seattle, but by very little.

Anybody read the Simer's piece on Malone, today? Colletti has the Sheriff's endorsement. That had to give Mr. Ned's soul a shiver, this morning.

Poor Terry...no one cares for his opinions anymore. I have more respect for him as I agree with him lol. I do not agree with the Miller and Tiffany comparison. I thought Miller was so good because of his great stuff from the left side.

Oh heck, I'll take Carolina today.

I hope Carolina wins it all.

39 - Bob, that sounds like you are predicting Seattle 3 Carolina 2 :)

Why would the Dodgers like the Baez deal?

It just got very windy up where I am. Which means it's about to get about as cold as Carolina is in a little while...

45
Who wouldn't like a guy that will save 41 games? Add that to Gagne's saves, and the Dodgers should get almost 80-90 wins from Baez and Gagne alone...

what the hell are the panthers doing. COVER THE SPREAD PLEASEEEE!

You're too young to be gambling, Purcey.

So much for Delhomme's reputation.

Nate's references to point spreads are for entertainment purposes only I'm sure.

yea what Bob said. Its like the people who cheer for the refs. I cheer for the bookies and their spreads.

I guess that was the "I really didn't mean it" flag.

The Panthers are in a Flank 2 position now.

This is why I like baseball more than football or basketball. A close game in all three sports is exciting but a blow out in football or basketball means the game is over. In baseball even if your team is down by four runs in the 8th, there is always the hope of a rally and the rally doesn't end until there have been three outs. Moreover, you don't give up the ball when you score and there is no clock working against you. Carolina is done. Bring on ST.

A blowout in hockey is the worst.

56
Worse than soccer?

A close game in hockey isn't much better.

I'll take soccer over hockey. I'll take curling over hockey.

Soccer blowouts are thankfully, fairly rare and you almost know there is going to be one before the match starts.

Soccer players tend not to get into fights when they are getting blown out.

of course, in Delomme's case he likes to give up possession before he scores.

That may be the only time the blank in this sentence has ever been filled:

"I'll take curling over (_______)"

Soccer players tend not to get into fights when they are getting blown out

They leave that to the fans.

Hockey and Soccer are the Danys Baez of sports. I wouldn't trade an afternoon of yard work to watch either.

Well said.

55 - I watched, live, the game in 2001 when Cleveland came back from down 12 in the 7th inning on the Mariners to win. That is about what the Panthers would have to do now.

59 , 64 - Spoken like true LA Hockey fans! How is Jere-ME Roenick workin out for you guys?

The Seahawks need to just dump the Gatorade on Holmgren now and end this thing...

Roenick has been out for a while with a broken finger.

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY:

Pittsburgh is an early 4 point favorite in the Super Bowl.

Winning money is more entertaining than not winning money.

1 hockey 2 baseball 3basketball 4 every other sport 5 american football. American football is a big piece of crap it is only popular here in america these sport popularity rankings are true in almost 80% of the world so i dont want you idiots saying hockey sucks because you just dont watch it and if you want excitement there is nothing more exciting than playoff hockey but you morons wouldnt know because you are too caught up in your american football.

For those of you that do watch hockey Go Kings

70 - Besides, the NFL is only just now catching up with the awesomeness that is the Playoff Beard.

Special thanks go to the 2005 Astros for their valiant efforts in this area.

I dont hate football but idiots saying that hockey sucks makes me mad. how do you know if it sucks if you never watch it or go to a game.

[70] that's not true. i think the worldwide rankings are more like:

1 soccer 2 every other sport

1 soccer 2 every other sport 3 curling

70- Traditionally, when you post something like that here, you end it with: "I know all of you are going to jump all over me, but I'm tough. I CAN TAKE IT. Let the pile on begin!"

Something along those lines.

That said, Baseball is number two in the hearts of 80% of the world? Soccer isn't in the top three? Really? Huh, I guess I really am a moron. . .

I meant that football is the least popular of the 4 major sports NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA in the reast of the world

77- Obviously. Anyway, wouldn't hurt to take it down a notch, would it? This is L.A. Make it mellow. Dig?

76-read 77 Im sorry I offended you after all we are the same in we are dodger fans.

So do you guys think the dodger roster is pretty much set or does Ned have something up his sleeve. Odalis Perez traded for Bobby Abreu we can always hope cant we.

1) Danys Baez

2) Soccer

70. Not sure I said anytrhing about the world popularity of hockey. Been to a number of hockey games. Lived in New England. Went to school in Vermont. I've seen a fair amount of hockey. I just don't care for it. But if that makes me a moron and an idiot than so be it.

82-see 77 and 79

Can't remember if I read it here first, making it a bit, er, moronic, to repost it here, if I did. What was I saying? Please forgive me, I've got the flu. And the only acetaminophen I had has codine in it. Which has got me a bit spacey. Right. The West Wing has been canceled. So, only a couple years late. Kind of ruins the suspense of who'll win their television election, though.

LAT-would you at least agree with me on that people say something sucks without ever seeing it or experiencing it

are you guys watching kobe and the lakers he has 63 points and counting

The people who've never seen hockey are the ones who, when asked what they think of it, say, "Hockey? What's that?"

84. At least it made it a few more eposides than Emily's Reasons. Even if the hot chick can't get a date storyline didn't work, they could have tried to tweek it. Cancelling it after one week was rough. Guess we won't be seeing too many movie stars moving to the small screne for a while.

85. Kids do it about food or new experiences all the time.

Hockey? What's that?

89- Glad you asked. It's a stone cold groove is what it is.

Is hockey as boring as watching Kobe play horse with a CBA team?

The very end of this story:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/256601_mari23.html
states that the Dodgers may have an interest in signing Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

Do you think Kobe Bryant will be satisfied with his 81 points and perhaps be happy with scoring 45 points a game back like he did in the "old days". :) vr, Xei

Bob knows how to start trouble without calling anybody a moron.

I was thinking something similar. How can you be satisfied with 30 points a game when you've scored 81? I'm guessing he becomes even more of a ballhog in the near future...

92- The good news in that story is, maybe the Padres will get him, instead.

85 - Not everything is Green Eggs and Ham. Some things are just limburger.

That's not a comment about hockey; that's just a comment about your comment.

Well that was amazing.

88

Heather Graham was a movie star? Or was she famous for some other reason when she appeared in a certain P.T. Anderson film?

I gotta say, I wish I had seen Kobe's game.

Heather Graham's primary claim to fame is a guest star appearance on Arrested Development.

99- She was in Twins! Young Mary Ann Benedict (uncredited).

This is too good not to pass along. Are any of you folks old enough to remember text games like "Adventure" and "Zork?"

http://tinyurl.com/c2czv

A wicked sense of humor this author has, along with a good memory.

99 - Thanks to Swingers, she'll always be money to me.

99. What can I say I'm a sucker for a naked girl on roller skates.

Actually, it was in Austin Powers that she left a mark on me.

103
Very funny stuff. I do remember those games. I remember playing a game on a "computer" that was really just a keyboard and a printer. I don't think there was any kind of monitor.

What's the record for points in a half?

Heather Graham? What's that?

OT (is there a T)?:

Anyone know anything about SunRocket Internet Phone Service? A co-worker of my wife just signed up, and from what I can tell, it looks promising...

Wilt had 59 points in the second half of his 100 point game to set the record.

However, the single quarter record is held by George Gervin with 33 in 1978 against the New Orleans Jazz in the second quarter.

And a special prize to whomever first figures out who holds the record for most points in an OT.

The Ice Man. Now there is a guy that made Kobe look like a leader in assists.

Million Dollar Baby on HBO2. There can be no doubt that Hillary Swank deserved best actress. Really good but depressing movie.

To balance out 103, Here's an archive of columns by Pat Boone. Yes, that Pat Boone. http://www.wnd.com/news/archives.asp?AUTHOR_ID=268

114 Pat's not as creative as the Yeti guy. ;)

Earl Boykins.

112. When in doubt, I go with MJ.

After years of waiting, it finally happened: Lisa Loeb has her own reality show.

Was anybody on this board watching The Admiral's 71 point game in I think 1994, wasn't that one against the Clips?

It was vs. the Clips. He always dominated the Clips (who didn't) I was there and it was more frustrating than anything. They just kept feeding him the ball in the low post and there was nothing the Clips could do. Thanks to the dominance of Chris Kaman we have come a long way since then;-)

118. That's weird, right before you posted that I flipped to it accidentially and started watching. My wife asked me who she is and I realized I'm not sure. A disco singer I think. Why is this on?

The OT record held is by an Indiana Pacer.

reggie?

121
I don't know why it's on. She's not a disco singer. I always thought her nerdy look was cute.

You can judge for yourself about Ms. Loeb.
http://www.lisaloeb.com/fanart/wall2large.jpg

But she and Dweezil have split up.

And Reggie Miller is not the answer. Reggie Miller was still at UCLA when the record was set.

125
She's actively seeking a mate, and someone to father her children, if anyone is interested. I'm already spoken for...

I lost a beer to a guy in a bar by not being able to answer the following question:

Who is the only player to be named 3-time college player of the year, win an NCAA scoring title, an NACAA championship and an olympic gold medal in basketball and never play in the NBA?

Cheryl Miller?

Bob, wins a beer.

Next barroom trivia question although this one is old and the answer may have changed.

In the main four sports, name the seven teams with the same name. For example the Arizona Cardnials (NFL) and the St Louis Cardnials (MLB).

Actually one of them no longer exists: Huston Oilers and Edmonton Oilers.

"Trivia answer | Earl Boykins, who a year ago Wednesday scored 15 of the Denver Nuggets' 21 points in overtime of a 116-110 victory over Seattle. The 5-foot-5 Boykins broke the record of 14, set by Butch Carter of Indiana against Boston on March 20, 1984."

- Los Angeles Times

New York and San Francisco Giants
Texas and New York Rangers
Los Angeles and Sacramento Kings
Arizona and St. Louis Cardinals

Old ones:
New York and Winnipeg Jets
Edmonton and Houston Oilers

132

I guess the NBA to needs to update its record book that they have on their website.

Lisa Loeb once did a nice guest turn on "Cupid," a very underrated, canceled-too-soon series starring Jeremy Piven and, of course, Paula Marhsall.

112/116/132/134 - I wouldn't have known it except it was in Morning Briefing about three days ago. But of course, you don't subscribe to the Times.

And since I know there are, like me, some Veronica Mars fans here, I'll add that Rob Thomas, who was the Cupid show-runner, now is the VM show-runner.

Earl Boykins would have been a weird name to guess without any previous knowledge of the situation.

Bob is 2 for 2. I thought there was one more but I can't think of it. The Kings is the one people usually forget.

Would the Senators count?