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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
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12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

Annals of 'Face of the Dodgers'
2007-12-11 11:18
by Jon Weisman

Spotted on Sunset Boulevard: a billboard calling out "Hello, Joe" with a mug of the Dodgers' new skipper.

And homegrown Russell Martin continues to wait for the spotlight to properly find him. Someday, Martin's going to die as he lived: dancing the can-can in a Dodger uniform and a catcher's mask.

Comments (390)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2007-12-11 11:22:57
1.   still bevens
No Coltrane, no credibility.
2007-12-11 11:24:50
2.   wireroom
I saw the Joe mug and I liked it. I would love to know what Russell Martin has on his ipod. It has got to be intersting and eclectic.
2007-12-11 11:26:17
3.   Blaine
That same billboard has been on the 60 West for about two weeks.
2007-12-11 11:28:25
4.   silverwidow
I saw it close to Best Buy in Pasadena (Foothill).
2007-12-11 11:29:18
5.   Jon Weisman
3 - I didn't say I was the first to see it ...
2007-12-11 11:29:51
6.   still bevens
2 Google and ye shall receive

ocguy4eva: Hey Russell, what's in your iPod right now? Do you guys pick your "walk to the plate" music?

Martin: I lost my iPod, so I don't have one right now but if I did, it would be DJ Khaled and Kanye West or Lil' Wayne. I like to mix it up. I get a lot of the music I don't know the names of, like 80s music, but I like that stuff too.

2007-12-11 11:31:24
7.   silverwidow
We are the best team in the NL:

http://www.sportprojections.com/mlb.html

2007-12-11 11:39:27
8.   wireroom
6 I was hoping he was going to say he mixes it up with Thelonius Monk to chill out and the New Pornagraphers(canadian) when he wants to turn it up a notch. Hey Russell, hang on to your ipod man, I'll hook you up with some good stuff man.
2007-12-11 11:41:22
9.   Disabled List
At the risk of threadjacking to another condiment discussion, I couldn't let this post get LAT'd. Salsa is just too important, and these guys deserve the business:

157 Hard to believe your friend can't find good salsa in Texas. Good salsa in a jar is tough going, but the best I've ever discovered is a brand called JC's Midnite Salsa. So far, I've found it only at the hot sauce store at Farmer's Market, although they have a website you can order from:

http://jcsmidnitesalsa.com/

"Hell Hot" is my preferred level, which is plenty fiery. "Hotter 'n Hell" will lift your skull clear off, and "Blackout" is not to be taunted.

2007-12-11 11:41:41
10.   bhsportsguy
At least there are no more posters of Kobe and Nomar for Channel 9 (KCAL)
2007-12-11 11:46:54
11.   Xeifrank
7. I'd might move the Rockies down a few rungs and the Diamondbacks up quite a few. The Padres still have some pieces of the puzzle to fill out.
vr, Xei
2007-12-11 11:47:47
12.   Daniel Zappala
People buy salsa in a jar? Really? Ours is either fresh from a deli or a kind neighbor.
2007-12-11 11:48:31
13.   Eric Enders
The New Pornographers are from Vancouver, though. If we're going to hook him up with Canadian music, we should try a good Montreal band like Arcade Fire. Or The Stars, or The High Dials.
2007-12-11 11:49:13
14.   Daniel Zappala
7 I see no evidence that the rankings are anything other than a purely subjective list put together by one person, despite the claim that "staff" works on the rankings for "hours, days, even months".

Was that too D4Pish?

2007-12-11 11:50:19
15.   Bob Timmermann
People buy salsa in a jar? Really? Ours is either fresh from a deli or a kind neighbor.

I don't have any kind neighbors. In South Pasadena, everybody hates everyone else and the city is akin to an armed camp.

I've taken to sleeping in my bathtub with the doors bolted and a shotgun beside me.

Or maybe I don't get salsa because most of my neighbors are Chinese.

2007-12-11 11:50:32
16.   fanerman
14 I have that impression, too.
2007-12-11 11:50:41
17.   Eric Enders
12 I find that people in Utah generally tend to overestimate the number of kind neighbors in other parts of the country.
2007-12-11 11:52:02
18.   Eric Enders
Maybe I should take that back. My neighbors are kind enough. They just don't give me food.
2007-12-11 11:52:12
19.   adamclyde
13 or wolf parade... the best of that montreal bunch...
2007-12-11 11:53:33
20.   kinbote
7 "The Dodgers are now the team to beat in the NL"

Isn't it pretty to think so.

2007-12-11 11:55:22
21.   Daniel Zappala
15 Thanks for the laugh, Bob. Do you at least get some good Dim Sum or other delectables?

17 I've lived outside Utah most my life, so I don't overestimate the number of kind neighbors elsewhere. I'm just grateful for them, and would still avoid any salsa in a jar on a shelf in a store.

2007-12-11 11:56:12
22.   fanerman
20 It sure is, Jake.

I couldn't find their 2007 projections, though I didn't look very hard.

2007-12-11 11:56:28
23.   Xeifrank
15. are you implying chinese aren't kind/nice? vr, Xei
2007-12-11 11:57:10
24.   MC Safety
19 King Khan and BBQ Show are really good. I heard about them through my favorite Atlanta band right now Black Lips.
2007-12-11 11:57:11
25.   Bob Timmermann
21
I would get good dim sum if I ever got out of the bath tub and stopped greeting people at the door with a shotgun.

By I'm going to de-escalate my weapons. I'm just going to sleep with an apple corer.

2007-12-11 11:58:04
26.   Bob Timmermann
23
No. But they don't make good salsa.
2007-12-11 12:00:01
27.   Daniel Zappala
I knew that apple corer would be put to good use.
2007-12-11 12:02:40
28.   kinbote
0 ESPN ticker news we'll never see: "Dodgers and C Russell Martin agree to 5 year contract with team options for 2013 & 2014. Overall guaranteed value of deal is $44 million."
2007-12-11 12:02:48
29.   Marty
Trader Joes has some decent salsa in a jar.

If Bob wants to live dangerously, he should just mention he is pro 710 freeway.

2007-12-11 12:02:56
30.   ToyCannon
9
Thanks for the link but he's looking for some fresh stuff and is just amazed at how tepid the salsa is in Austin. My wife is from San Antonio and she's told him to take a ride south and he'll find the salsa hot enough to make him cry.

He got Lat'd but I liked how the new poster gave salsa a 5 tool rating.

2007-12-11 12:03:43
31.   Connector
Funny Jon should mention Russell Martin... Earlier today, I was renewing passports with my 2 sons in the crowded US Consulate in Jerusalem. As the wait was long and dull, I picked up a dog-eared magazine left on the chair next to me. Much to my surprise, it was a copy of Sports Illustrated from early July 2007 that featured a 4-page spread on Russell Martin.
2007-12-11 12:06:40
32.   wireroom
13 I am cool with all 3 of those montreal bands. Maybe we could set him up with some Of Montreal who are from Georgia.
2007-12-11 12:07:05
33.   ToyCannon
Jon, thanks for the link to the Taxi quotes. You should put up a disclaimer to click without food in your mouth. I'm now a bloody mess.

I wonder if these quotes are funny to those who can't envision the characters saying the lines.

2007-12-11 12:07:28
34.   underdog
13 What about "Of Montreal" - shouldn't they be on Martin's iPod?

(Okay, so they're from Athens, Georgia - Russell doesn't have to know that part!)

2007-12-11 12:08:07
35.   MC Safety
New York City?!?
2007-12-11 12:09:37
36.   Eric Enders
30 He's never going to find anything in Austin. The first time I went to a Mexican restaurant there, they served me Saltines with my salsa. Which pretty much sums up Austin and Mexican food.

If you're in a South or West Texas locale like San Antonio, Laredo, or El Paso, the best thing to do is just go to one of the many great Mexican restaurants and buy some of their salsa, which they almost always sell by the carton.

2007-12-11 12:12:21
37.   ToyCannon
36
That's what she told him. Good to see it confirmed.
2007-12-11 12:14:08
38.   Daniel Zappala
29 Can you believe there is no Trader Joe's in Utah? Blame is generally heaped on the liquor laws. If I were governor I would grant a special exemption for Trader Joe's.
2007-12-11 12:16:08
39.   D4P
38
Utah does have Whole Foods.
2007-12-11 12:16:34
40.   Daniel Zappala
Question for the masses: blu-ray, hd-dvd, wait until the format wars are over, or get both because they'll never be over?
2007-12-11 12:17:50
41.   Daniel Zappala
39 Yes, if I want to drive 45 minutes to go grocery shopping.
2007-12-11 12:20:39
42.   MC Safety
A Trader Joe's teriyaki chicken bowl sounds about right for lunch.
2007-12-11 12:21:20
43.   D4P
41
Well, you are American, aren't you...? Load up the kids in the Suburban, put $100 gas in the tank, and head out.

Course, if you did that, you'd probably be going to CostCo and WalMart instead of Whole Foods.

2007-12-11 12:25:32
44.   GiantturnedDodger
30
He got Lat'd but I liked how the new poster gave salsa a 5 tool rating

Is that an initiation for a first time post or a random event?

2007-12-11 12:26:07
45.   Daniel Zappala
43 I pull my handcart to go shopping.
2007-12-11 12:27:32
46.   D4P
45
How far do you have to pull it?
2007-12-11 12:29:19
47.   Daniel Zappala
46 Only a block, because then I make my kids take turns pulling it the rest of the way.
2007-12-11 12:29:46
48.   alex 7
sorry for the quick off-topic, but Charenton, if you read this could you send me a quick email at raidertapes
at yahoo? Thanks.
2007-12-11 12:32:01
49.   wireroom
38 can't they have a trader joe's without beer and wine?
2007-12-11 12:33:02
50.   D4P
49
They could call it "Trader Joseph's".
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2007-12-11 12:35:51
51.   Daniel Zappala
49 I don't think they would build such a store. It's a major part of their business and profits.
2007-12-11 12:39:36
52.   Curtis Lowe
Depends on what studios you're into. I like offerings from both sides so I've got both players. Costco has been having a recurring sale on the HD A3 for 170 which is a heck of a deal( HD DVD) and if you like games the PS3 is a good choice for blu ray. I dig HD, anytime I watch something now HD now I can't concentrate because all I keep thinking is I wish this was HD.

Blu ray has more memory capability so the soundtrack is technically better my human ears can't tell the difference. If you want wait 6 years and they'll both be put out to pasture by direct download.

Mayo - Disgusting

Mustard - Tasty

BBQ - Good

Ketchup - Sparingly

Salsa - Only Fresh

Guac - Only from my lady who makes the best in all universes.

2007-12-11 12:41:22
53.   LogikReader
re: Trader Joes in Utah

Gee, that's too bad. I'm just teasing, but there are some aspects of Utah that remind me of that movie "Hot Fuzz."

Again for those of you who live in Utah, I think it's a very nice place with wonderful scenery and wonderful people, so I'm just teasing.

2007-12-11 12:45:32
54.   Daniel Zappala
53 You forgot the absolutely amazing skiing. And for Bob, it's very easy to get a concealed weapon permit.

52 This was what I was concluding as well. Get both, enjoy for the next 5 years. Is there really that much difference between an HD/Blu-Ray DVD and an upscaled 480p DVD? I have a nice 1080p LCD if that makes a difference.

2007-12-11 12:47:46
55.   MC Safety
Brian Head, Utah is an awesome place to snowboard.
2007-12-11 12:48:24
56.   thinkblue0
With all this talk of Inge, if we were to get him could we give him some time at 3B and a backup catcher?

I don't see the point of getting him with Laroche, but if they're dead set on not giving him the job it might not be all that bad to pick him up especially if he could be a backup catcher as well....

2007-12-11 12:48:48
57.   scareduck
9 - Gringo Bandito is my latest favorite:

http://www.gringobandito.com/public/index

Made by Dexter Holland, formerly of The Offspring (Hungry Punker Enterprises or some such is their corporation). Tastes great, and, as he says on the label, it's easy on the pooper, too.

2007-12-11 12:50:05
58.   fanerman
54 Yes there's a big difference between 1080p HD/Blu-Ray and 480p DVD, though it depends on the quality of the movie. I've found HD/Blu-Ray to be about equal in terms of quality, with the difference depending on the film/mastering/remastering quality.

If you're into gaming, it's definitely easier to get both because you could just get a PS3 for Blu-Ray and the Xbox 360 with its HD-DVD add-on.

It really doesn't look like either side is going to win anytime soon. It's annoying to have 2 formats, but the constant price drops are pretty nice.

2007-12-11 12:50:31
59.   Eric Enders
"And for Bob, it's very easy to get a concealed weapon permit."

But I have nothing against Bob and I don't think I'd end up using my weapon on him.

2007-12-11 12:51:32
60.   Curtis Lowe
54- The Difference is extreme on newer movies(up to 4yrs ago) and very noticeable on some older titles. Check out highdefdigest.com for reviews on Blu Rays and HD Dvds quality compared to their Dvd counterparts. With an HDMI cable you'll be able to get a 1080p picture out of any blu ray player. The cost effective HD Dvd models output at 1080i which is perfectly fine and only apparent if sitting within 4 ft of the picture.
2007-12-11 12:53:31
61.   scareduck
38 - Trader Joe's' absence from Utah absolutely cannot be blamed on liquor laws, because there are TJ's in Pennsylvania, where liquor is only legally dispensed in state-operated stores. (What a stupid idea.)
2007-12-11 12:54:08
62.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
RE: 51

I'm pretty sure that isn't true, because as best as I recall, Trader Joes in MD don't have booze. I can't be absolutely certain, because the nearest one is in Annapolis, which is where I work, but not where I live (I've only made quick trips in to buy flowers). Supermarkets in MD can't sell alcohol.

I was mystified at first when I heard how popular Trader Joe's was with my friends on the east coast. We had one pretty close, IIRC, in Alhambra, but my parents always went to either a Chinese supermarket, or an American one.

WWSH

2007-12-11 12:54:18
63.   Disabled List
It was a major event when Trader Joe's opened their first store in Manhattan last year. How weird is it that New York still has blue laws: the wine store is a couple of doors down from the main store.
2007-12-11 12:56:26
64.   fanerman
54 Also, check out www.avsforum.com for information on HD-DVD/Blu-Ray players as well as movies.

For example, here are threads that rank picture/audio quality of movies.
Blu-Ray: http://tinyurl.com/2bvbwm
HD-DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2743ho

2007-12-11 12:58:10
65.   madmac
40 There are a couple players out there that play both formats, but I'm not to sure how good those players are. I've seen them offered by Crutchfield for $799.
2007-12-11 12:58:45
66.   TheBigGrabowski
53 Hot Fuzz was so good. I think it might be my favorite movie of the year.

I shop at trader's several times a week to get dinner and wine. It's pretty inexpensive and I can't cook at all.

2007-12-11 12:59:57
67.   Daniel Zappala
60 I thought an upscaling DVD player, with a 1080p output would make the difference between that and HD movies very small. I'm wrong on that?

Wow, who knew that Utah wasn't the only state with strange liquor laws. I still have hope for Trader Joe's then!

2007-12-11 13:01:55
68.   Xeifrank
55. I love Brian Head too, but it's also the coldest place I've ever gone skiing at.
vr, Xei
2007-12-11 13:02:04
69.   Eric Enders
The nearest Trader Joe's to me is 275 miles away. Even more distressing, the nearest REI is also 275 miles away.
2007-12-11 13:02:21
70.   MC Safety
66 Gotta love the two-buck Chuck.
2007-12-11 13:02:29
71.   D4P
North Carolina only allows liquor to be sold in government (county, I believe) run liquor stores. But you can buy beer and wine at the grocery store, though not before noon on Sundays.
2007-12-11 13:02:50
72.   scareduck
36 - through hard experience, I had made a rule that for years served me well: never eat Mexican food in a state that does not actually border Mexico. The problem with this rule is that

1) As you discovered, Tex-Mex isn't really Mexican.
2) Over the last decade, the spread of Mexican immigrants outside the immediate border states has vastly improved the quality of actual Mexican restaraunts in northern states. The larger cities often have quality south-of-the-border menus (New York and Chicago are two that come to mind).

2007-12-11 13:03:37
73.   D4P
69
Sounds like you might want to consider moving, say, 275 miles or so away.
2007-12-11 13:04:23
74.   Hallux Valgus
In Colorado, you can buy beer at the grocery store, but not wine or liquor, and only if it's 3.2. Anything with a higher alcohol content has to be sold at a liquor store, and you can't buy any of it on Sunday.
2007-12-11 13:05:25
75.   madmac
60 If I'm running everything through my Onkyo receiver which does not have HDMI out/in will HD be wasted on me? I've considered getting an hd dvd player, but figured the only way to take advantage of it is hooking it up directly to my tv which is bad because then I lose my surround sound.
2007-12-11 13:07:47
76.   scareduck
75 - 95% certain the answer is "yes", i.e. get a new receiver.
2007-12-11 13:11:33
77.   MC Safety
68 My coldest would have to be Jackson Hole. Im taking a trip to Blackhawk, CO January 11th. From what my grandparents tell me its a mini Lake Tahoe. A nice weekend of snowboarding and blackjack.
2007-12-11 13:11:36
78.   trainwreck
I am sure glad I live in a state where booze flows a plenty at pretty much any shopping center.
2007-12-11 13:13:07
79.   Eric Enders
A look at the Trader Joe's website reveals that none of their stores sell alcohol in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and... (drum roll please) Delaware.

They have no stores at all in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island. So if you live in northern Maine and you want to go buy beer at Trader Joe's, you've got to drive 909 miles to Woodmere, Ohio.

That silly Eastern Seaboard needs to learn how to drink.

2007-12-11 13:13:13
80.   ToyCannon
Trader Joe rules. When I retire I plan to be one of those old guys who work at TJ since it is right down the street.
2007-12-11 13:14:33
81.   Hallux Valgus
77 depending on traffic, it's going to be at least another hour to get to decent skiing from Blackhawk.
2007-12-11 13:14:56
82.   LogikReader
60

That depends on how big the screen is too. If you had that 103" plasma at NBC Sports, you can be further than 4 feet away and still tell the difference.

2007-12-11 13:15:13
84.   fanerman
75 You can hook up HDMI (or component) to your TV and optical/coax to your receiver (that is, if that's feasible for you) and you'll still get surround sound. The player can output video and audio separately. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray also have "high definition" audio*, which you would miss out on, but I don't think it's as huge a loss.

*In a nutshell, Dolby Digital and DTS (found on DVD's) are compressed and lossy, like mp3's in surround sound. The newer formats (Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-Master Audio, Uncompressed PCM) offer better-than-CD quality (like SA-CD, DVD-A) in surround sound. I don't think the difference in audio quality is as great as it is with picture quality, so you can continue to use your old receiver. That's what I'm doing right now; I'll upgrade the receiver later.

2007-12-11 13:16:24
85.   TheBigGrabowski
70 I am not a snob, I love some CS. Plus I drink a lot of wine so it gets expensive to buy good bottles all the time. I will buy Meridian if its on sale though.
2007-12-11 13:16:38
86.   bigcpa
67 Daniel- I'm a happy blu-ray owner and I'll concur with 60 . Seating distance and screen size are the keys to getting the most out of 1080p. If you have less than a 40" display and/or sit 10+ ft away you can save your money and stick with DVD. If you have 46"+ display your standard dvd's will reveal flaws you wouldn't see on a smaller CRT and justify the bump up to blu-ray. A large screen and close viewing distance make blu-ray look incredible.

This is a great reference for determining seating distance:
http://tinyurl.com/2zlz8h

2007-12-11 13:16:53
87.   wireroom
50 Trader Joseph's, haha, I like that.
2007-12-11 13:17:11
88.   fanerman
67 I wouldn't say the difference is very small. It's certainly noticeable. If you watch HDTV, you can still tell the difference between a good HDTV broadcast (I'm sure you've noticed that the broadcast quality fluctuates) and an upscaled DVD. Blu-Ray and HD-DVD generally look as good or better than good HDTV broadcasts.
2007-12-11 13:17:48
89.   Frip
5 Re Billboard: Jon: I didn't say I was the first to see it

Hehe. That would be remarkable. Perhaps impossible.

15 I don't have any kind neighbors. In South Pasadena, everybody hates everyone else...

The diversity of Pasadena may lend to a frosty atmosphere. But yeah, it's just the California way isn't it. When I lived in other parts of the country, neighbors would maintain eye contact and wave. When I drive by people in my CA neighborhood, they turn away at the very moment a wave would be in order. (Yeah I know, maybe they just hate me. Very funny. Whatever.)

A California friend gave me a possible clue as to why neighbors here are so distant. He explained, in an unguarded moment, that he's not nice to our neighbors because "they might start asking for stuff".

2007-12-11 13:17:55
90.   ToyCannon
Dodger Baseball, Condiment talk, and of course the Geek Squad. What more could you possibly want from a blog? And my wife wonders why I became so smart in the last 36 months.
2007-12-11 13:19:11
91.   dzzrtRatt
32 What about The Band? They were 4/5ths Canadian. Or Joni Mitchell? Russell Martin ought to stroll up to the plate to the strains of "Trouble Child" from Court and Spark. When the Braves come to town, Nancy Bea could play "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

If I were Scott Long, I would write a post entitled "Please Explain: Kanye West."

2007-12-11 13:19:52
92.   Disabled List
79 The TJ's here in NYC sells beer. As I mentioned before, the wine store is detached.

One of the red-letter days of 2007 came when I found out that the Trader Joe's here started carrying the frozen chicken enchiladas in the blue package.

2007-12-11 13:21:50
93.   Eric Enders
Have we really made this many posts about Canadian musicians without mentioning Neil Young?

For shame.

2007-12-11 13:22:36
94.   madmac
76 thanks, that's what I figured/assumed. I also have DirecTV and have held off getting their hd programming and hardware for the same reasons. My receiver is only a couple years old
2007-12-11 13:24:06
95.   fanerman
84 75 I'm assuming your current receiver can do Dolby Digital and DTS with optical and coax inputs (for digital audio).
2007-12-11 13:24:34
96.   wireroom
85 Sebeka is my good cheap wine these days. But you can't forget about good ol' Chuck.
2007-12-11 13:24:59
97.   Hythloday
91 - Would that be before or after please explain Barry Manilow? The list of bad musicians who sell lots of records is sadly long.
2007-12-11 13:25:09
98.   D Money
20
it's actually not so far fetched.
we had the best record in the mlb at one point around the all-star break.
and we were in 1st place most of the year, until we had a melt down.
2007-12-11 13:26:01
99.   Hallux Valgus
re: Canadian bands.

I'm a big fan of a Montreal band called Mobile.

2007-12-11 13:27:27
100.   MC Safety
81 Any pointers? My grandparents just purchased a bed & breakfast.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2007-12-11 13:27:33
101.   wireroom
91 The Band would be number one on my list. How could I have forgotten!
2007-12-11 13:28:28
102.   trainwreck
I always try to think of Canadian bands I like and I cannot ever think of any.

I just keep thinking of people like Snow and bands like the Crash Test Dummies.

2007-12-11 13:28:57
103.   MC Safety
Oranjeboom is my TJ beer of choice.
2007-12-11 13:29:09
104.   fanerman
I think Broken Social Scene is a Canadian band.
2007-12-11 13:29:11
105.   D Money
why doesnt he just make his own salsa?
2007-12-11 13:29:27
106.   Eric Enders
A while back my dad blew quite a bit of money on an HDTV, but has remained fiercely attached to his 7-year-old DVD player and 25-year-old receiver. He insists that if he upgraded, the difference would not be noticeable. Heck, he barely let me hook up the HDMI cables to his cable box.
2007-12-11 13:29:37
107.   madmac
84 Thanks, I've considered going that route as well. I think for the time being I will hold off. Can't believe how cheap the AV receivers have gotten now and HDMI is pretty standard unlike 3 yrs ago. With three young children I hardly have the time to enjoy DVDs much.
2007-12-11 13:31:43
108.   MC Safety
The Guess Who are Canadian as well.
2007-12-11 13:31:47
109.   underdog
Btw, the Blu Ray vs HD question posed in 40 is something my workplace is struggling with. Right now we're renting a few of each to gauge how they do, and HD is winning easily, but I'm not sure what this proves. And the BR discs are starting to heat up so it may not be over yet. We're ordering a few more of the new ones coming out, based on films that are popular and look cool visually (Harry Potter, the new Blade Runner set coming out, and so on) but for now, the HD discs, like Children of Men and The Departed, are doing much better than the Blu Rays. Jury's obviously still out. Wish they'd pick a format and stick with it!
2007-12-11 13:35:01
110.   wireroom
Tegan and Sara are Canadian and I noticed at a few games last year that when someone takes a walk, they play "I was walking with a ghost."
2007-12-11 13:35:14
111.   fanerman
109 From my limited experience with both, I'd say they look about equal. They use the same compression routines. The difference (I think) just depends on the movie, the transfer, and mastering. Movies that show up in both formats look identical in both formats (at least from the comparisons I've seen). I've linked to picture quality rankings for both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray in 64 .
2007-12-11 13:35:41
112.   Bob Timmermann
108
I guess there's no time left for you.
2007-12-11 13:36:05
113.   TheBigGrabowski
104 I'm sure there are some American members of Broken Social Scene. Every indie band in the world has a member of that group.

But really, I think Neko Case is American, she just lived in Canada for a while.

2007-12-11 13:37:45
114.   TheBigGrabowski
96 I haven't had Sebeka, I'll have to try it. Golden Gate is on sale for just over $2 at Albertson's right now, but even I'll admit that it is swill.
2007-12-11 13:38:16
115.   bigcpa
Sounds like Prior will be traded or non-tendered by tomorrow night. I like him as a Hendrickson replacement. Sounds like he'll get $3M in arbitration.
2007-12-11 13:38:44
116.   Hallux Valgus
100 depends on how long you're staying. Winter Park/ Mary Jane is about an hour/ hour and a half, and is my favorite local place (2 mountains on one ticket). Loveland is probably the closest, but that's pretty much it's only selling point. If you're there for 3 or 4 days and want to get the most coverage, I'd go for a multiday ticket that gets you Keystone/ Breckenridge/ Arapahoe Basin. Keystone is 3 mountains by itself.

Actually, I'd probably just stick to Winter Park/ Mary Jane. It's a pretty fun mountain. And try to get into Idaho Springs and go for Beau Jo's Pizza on your way back from the slopes. It's on the way.

Gambling-wise, I don't really know if there's much difference. Bushwhackers an Isle of Capri were pretty popular, but I think it's still $5 limit blackjack everywhere. I would combat that by playing multiple hands and doubling down more than is generally advisable.

2007-12-11 13:39:31
117.   Marty
Trader Joes is a fine store, but Two Buck Chuck is absolute swill that I would pour down the drain if I wasn't worried about what it would do to the pipes.
2007-12-11 13:41:01
118.   wireroom
114 It is worth a try or two. It has a picture of a leopard on the front. Pretty good Shiraz they make.
One time I bought wine at the 99 cent store. That was some swill.
2007-12-11 13:41:14
119.   MC Safety
112 Im on my way to better things. Ill find myself some wings. ; )
2007-12-11 13:41:16
120.   DodgerBakers
98 I don't know, their system ranks the White Sox inexplicably at 19th! I expect the White Sox, under the continuing guidance of Guillen, to fight for last place.
2007-12-11 13:42:55
121.   Eric Enders
So are we saying that bands whose most prominent member is American cannot count as Canadian bands? Say goodbye to Arcade Fire, The Band, and the New Pornos, I guess.
2007-12-11 13:44:21
122.   Hallux Valgus
118 Wine from a 99 cent store reminds me of the features the Onion A/V Club used to run where they would test out food from the 99 cent store and make fun of it. Those were some brilliant features
2007-12-11 13:44:31
123.   MC Safety
117 When you are in college there are far worse things you could put down your pipes. Like Steel Reserve malt liquor. Ah, those were the days.
2007-12-11 13:44:47
124.   wireroom
117 haha, it is pretty bad isn't it.
2007-12-11 13:47:11
125.   GiantturnedDodger
GiantturnedDodger, a History:
I was born and raised in LA by a UCLA/USC(a different story/problem) educated public servant who for some reason was a Giants fan and raised me as same (he died young and I never received an explanation for this). I attended virtually every Dodger-Giant game in the 60's including the game where Dick Dietz of the Giants attempted to break up Don Drysdale's scoreless inning streak with his elbow. My father was hit by a woman with her purse at that game (not the reason, he was already a fan). My first foul ball was a BP shot by Willie McCovey. Willie Mays was/is the best player I ever saw play the game. The water ran pretty deep. We moved to the East Bay in the 80's and attended numerous A's games, great seats - cheap. The epiphany came in 1988. I took my 5 year old son to game 6 decked out in his Canseco/McGuire T shirt. His 1st WS game and mine. In about the 6th inning sensing Orel's dominance and the tide of the game, my son, as 5 year olds are want to do, started rooting for the Dodgers. And so it came to pass, a father, two sons and a daugther are blue. My oldest sports the colors in San Diego, my daughter has proudly worn her Dodger hat to games 1 and 2, 2004 and game 1, 2007 at Fenway and the youngest is prowling a midwest campus in the blue. One could call this the worst bandwagon decision in history based upon what has happened since 1988. I prefer to think of it as coming home. My father would understand.
2007-12-11 13:47:33
126.   Chris H
For me, upconverted DVDs will suffice until a combo player drops down to $299. I'm not interested in picking sides in a format war (particularly since they both support the same codecs). With the speed at which prices are dropping I shouldn't have to wait more than 6-9 months.
2007-12-11 13:48:40
127.   MC Safety
100 Thanks man. I'll be there from Jan. 11th to the 16th if you want to do some riding. I will be in Grand Junction a few days as well, with Powderhorn on the agenda so far.
2007-12-11 13:49:01
128.   SG6
Rush is pure Canada, no?
2007-12-11 13:50:39
129.   wireroom
122 When we saw it, we had to try it just so we could say that we did. That stuff could probably unclog pipes for sure.
2007-12-11 13:52:18
130.   Marty
125 Nice story. I was at the Drysdale game too.
2007-12-11 13:52:19
131.   wireroom
128 you know it. I would be really impressed if Russell Martin was listening to prog rock.
2007-12-11 13:55:51
132.   Hallux Valgus
127 Ha. I'm in LA now, but spent the 15 winters prior to 2005 carving up Colorado. Telluride is about 2.5 hours south of Junction, and it's by far my favorite mountain in Colorado (for experts).
2007-12-11 13:55:55
133.   Sam DC
It's not "the eighth best lefthander in the American League," but it's still pretty sickly:

As recently as two seasons ago, in 2006, Lo Duca's .318 batting average ranked seventh in the National League.

http://tinyurl.com/3azt3e

2007-12-11 13:56:42
134.   trainwreck
123
I still like to drink Steel Reserve over domestic beers. Gets you messed up and costs nothing.
2007-12-11 13:57:18
135.   Sam DC
And hopefully they at least mean "at the end of 2006," and not merely "at some point during the 2006 season".
2007-12-11 13:59:33
136.   dkminnick
117 - As I said, I always enjoy your posts, Marty.
2007-12-11 14:03:58
137.   Curtis Lowe
I got hammered with questions at work sorry for the break in conversation. Fanerman covered all the bases hopefully that helps you out. When you do make a choice check out amazon frequently for good deals usually 2 for 1 types of things. Also netflix has come in really handy with Blu Ray and HD Dvd alot better than blockbuster.
2007-12-11 14:06:54
138.   Gr-ool
92 I like Trader Joes. I wish they'd offer refrigerated beer, however. I guess I should be happy I'm not in "3.25%" (Rocky Mountain High) Colorado.
2007-12-11 14:10:53
139.   Jacob L
I hate it when my job interferes with my ability to track and participate in DT comments!

Let me weigh in -

Condiments; nothing wrong with Herdez salsa in jar, can is better yet. In my family, the yellow stuff does not qualify as mustard. Until I started trying to feed a toddler, ketchup (no matter the spelling) did not exist, except to mix homemade cocktail sauce. Don't underestimate blue cheese dressing as a condiment. Its surprisingly versatile.

Face of the Dodgers; isn't obvious that Torre was brought in for marketing purposes? Not saying its fair to Russell, but he's got less of a complaint than, say, Grady Little.

2007-12-11 14:11:48
140.   Jon Weisman
I still feel Dodger Thoughts lacks a doctor. And maybe an auto mechanic. Aside from that, we may have everything covered.

Why no doctors?

2007-12-11 14:14:20
141.   Daniel Zappala
Thanks to Curtis, Fanerman, bigcpa, and the rest of you. I appreciate the help. I'm struggling between upscaling for now until the prices come down, and plunging into a decent Blu-Ray player.
2007-12-11 14:16:26
142.   Hallux Valgus
140 I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night...
2007-12-11 14:17:15
143.   ToyCannon
125
Great bandwagon story. Never heard of someone jumping ship for the enemy because of their son but we take em anyway we can get em.
2007-12-11 14:18:22
144.   ToyCannon
140
Who would be able to read their typing?
2007-12-11 14:18:56
145.   GiantturnedDodger
I loan money to physicians for a living and I'm not sure I would want any of them distracted by the addiction that is Dodger Thoughts. On second thought, maybe there's a prescription.
2007-12-11 14:19:47
146.   Humma Kavula
140 Sister-in-law of Kavula is a doctor. She was in L.A. over the weekend to meet Spawn of Kavula, and while here, attended a small party. The conversation ranged from entertainment to automobiles to Youtube videos to politics.

Afterward, she was amazed at the number of things people can talk about. "How can they follow so much -- politics, youtube..."

Our answer: "You have to treat people all day long. We have desk jobs."

2007-12-11 14:20:16
147.   dzzrtRatt
121 Hold on! Levon Helm is the only American in the Band, but Rick Danko and Richard Manuel sang just as many songs (God rest their blessed souls), and Robbie Robertson wrote virtually their entire ouevre.

And Neko Case isn't the leader of the New Pornographers. She is their glittering jewel, but the songs are all written by AC Newman and Dan Bejar, both Canadians, who also handle a lot of the singing.

I love Neko Case. She is the Trader Joe's of female singers. She can sing anything and make it sound great. If she walked into the room right now, I would be tongue-tied like a high school kid.

2007-12-11 14:22:57
148.   wireroom
140 my girlfriends brother is a doctor and my neighbor is a mechanic. The girlfriend tolerates the Dodgers, and the doctor brother helped out when I burnt my hands by cutting habenero peppers without gloves. FYI; if this ever happens, use plenty of yogurt to soothe the blowtorch that is the habenero pepper on the skin.
2007-12-11 14:23:25
149.   Jon Weisman
125 Almost forgot to mention that I liked your story too. Welcome.
2007-12-11 14:24:24
150.   D4P
I still feel Dodger Thoughts lacks a doctor

There's a guy from North Carolina who I think is a doctor. I think he lives in Durham somewhere. I'm forgetting his screen name.

Show/Hide Comments 151-200
2007-12-11 14:25:56
151.   Sam DC
150 Are you sure he's not more of a "doctor"?
2007-12-11 14:29:23
152.   D4P
151
I'm pretty sure he said he was a medical doctor. He hasn't been around in a while.
2007-12-11 14:29:59
153.   Daniel Zappala
125 D4P would claim you are an impostor since there was no game 6 of the 1988 World Series. I'll just say "welcome". I was there at game 5 too, but already a solid Dodgers fan.
2007-12-11 14:31:23
154.   Frip
In only the most technical sense can The Band be considered Canadian. Or for that matter any Canadian band with traditional rock influences. All good Canadian bands are essentially from the U.S.

Shania Twain is Canadian. Though to make amends for it with southern audiences she plead that she's half Indian (native American) on her father's side.

Turns out it was her stepfather.

Led Zeppelin was not Canadian. Nor were the Beatles. I'd be VERY surpised if Elvis was. But Celine Dion, well of course.

Only now has Canadian rock truly found its own voice, with all these good-to-great indie bands with the multi layered cornicopia sound.

2007-12-11 14:32:18
155.   trojanmansaki
58- "It's annoying to have 2 formats, but the constant price drops are pretty nice."

Not sure if this has been covered yet, but the most annoying thing with having two HD formats is that certain titles and studios only release on one format and not the other. Personally, I find that maddening. Especially since I have Blu-Ray and that The Bourne Ultimatum is not being released on Blu-Ray.

2007-12-11 14:33:49
156.   wireroom
154 4 of the 5 members of The Band are Canadian. Only the drummer was American. That seems pretty qualified for being a Canadian band to me.
2007-12-11 14:34:01
157.   D4P
153
I've already determined his impostorerity.

Harkening back to the old days and waxing poetic about watching baseball with your (dead) father seems to be the meme of choice these days.

2007-12-11 14:37:43
158.   Jacob L
I'm not sure where this talk about Canadian rock and its "voice" got started, but I've got one thing to say. Neil Young.
2007-12-11 14:38:16
159.   SG6
143 - I've always marveled at the complex relationship between fan and team. It's nothing that's really decided on at any particular time, but rather something that just happens.

I heard newest Laker Trevor Ariza on the radio today, and he was talking about how his whole family roots for the Lakers. When he called his mom to tell him of the trade, she just began screaming into the phone.

2007-12-11 14:40:18
160.   Strike4
Reading thoughts of Trader Joe's in the afternoon brings to mind their tasty frozen fruit bars. Mmmmm.
2007-12-11 14:40:36
161.   underdog
155 Yes, this is the bane of our existence right now, too. Interestingly, a few titles are starting to see releases in both formats (and Planet Earth, the series, came out in both), but due to the studios and their latching on to one or the other, you'll see this annoying trend continue for awhile. Sigh.

Yes, as Fanerman says, they are very very close to each other in terms of quality. Either one looks great. They each have their small quirks. The biggest quirk is just that they both exist in competition with each other.

2007-12-11 14:40:46
162.   Marty
157 We could harken back to old days of Dodger Thoughts, when we had Fearing Blue, Steve, that insane DodgerKid, and the cranky Bokonon42.

Wait, we still have the last one. He just changed his name to protect the innocent.

2007-12-11 14:41:52
163.   Sam DC
Poor Doug -- how did he get lumped in there?
2007-12-11 14:41:58
164.   TheBigGrabowski
147 Neko Case is great. I saw her at the Henry Fonda this past year. Very good show, and she covered Buckets of Rain, which made it doubly good.
2007-12-11 14:42:44
165.   Marty
163 Didn't mean to besmirch him. Fearing Blue was one of the great contributors.
2007-12-11 14:46:51
166.   Sam DC
165 :) It's understood -- Steve was a big net plus as well, despite his occasional "They are exactly who we thought they were" moments.
2007-12-11 14:47:11
167.   jasonungar07
Humma Kavula how is the little one? You getting any sleep? My little Ben is fun and a handful.
2007-12-11 14:48:43
168.   scareduck
140 - I used to do my own auto repair until (a) the cars got too complicated for me to fuss with them, and (b) it became necessary to buy diagnostic CD's and computers to ask the car whether it was sick.

Unfortunately, this trend has become pathological in automobile repair. While I consider myself generally incompetent at things like automatic transmission repair, I have changed out my own clutch before, and replaced an engine as well. (This was on a 72 Vega, which was probably the worst car ever manufactured by an American maker.) While tranny repair is an art requiring numerous specialized tools, the process of car repair is a branch of generalized troubleshooting -- which is really nothing more than breaking problems down into groups of possibilities and steadily winnowing each down to its root. In this, I still believe I am ahead of the techs they hire at the dealerships.

One prominent example of this came recently on my wife's Prius. The garage door opener built in to the rear-view mirror never worked at our old house, and now that we have a new house, it doesn't work on those garage doors either. My car, an Infinity, will open those doors, as do the remotes that came with the openers, so there is absolutely no question that the problem is on the garage door side.

Some months ago we took our car to the Toyota dealership complaining of this fact. Their reaction was to plug a laptop into the car, at which point the onboard computer told their computer that everything was working just fine, thank you. I repeated this process after complaining about the logical impossibility of the entire situation: if there was a problem with the transmitting antenna on the car (say), unless the laptop had an RF receiver to detect the presence or absence of the signal going to the garage door opener, there would be no way to verify whether the system as a whole was working properly.

The tech replied to me, "It doesn't use the antenna, it uses radio waves."

I tried calling several other dealerships, and they all had the same idiotic stance: if the computer told them the car was working, then by God it was. The computer has become a crutch for actual diagnosis and problem solving. And even with this atrophied state of affairs passing for normal in the service bays, the car dealers still complain that they can't hire and retain qualified service techs.

2007-12-11 14:48:46
169.   paranoidandroid
Jon,

I have a six degrees of Kevin Bacon doctor to include.

My father-in-law is a physician and his name is Weissman too, but with two s's. Since stealing his daughter's heart, he has become a Dodger fan. He's been dragged to a few games, the most memorable being Lima giving up loads of runs to Anaheim during a 13-0 blowout in 04.

When he saw Gagne close a game that year, he was hooked. Also, living in North Carolina, there isn't much in the way of competition unless you're a bandwagon Braves fan.

2007-12-11 14:50:57
170.   Humma Kavula
167 Getting some sleep, yes. My Naomi can sleep for four hours at a stretch...

...sometimes...

...which doesn't stop me from being the nervous dad, checking on her to make sure she's still breathing.

Latest is that she will make this grunting noise while she sleeps. She's definitely still asleep and we'll hear unnnh unnnnh unnnnh unnnh snort snort unnnnh. Drives us crazy....

2007-12-11 14:52:43
171.   scareduck
DodgerKid has moved on to the Persian Gulf. Last I checked he's working in Dubai.
2007-12-11 14:52:59
172.   GiantturnedDodger
-125-
Stand corrected, old age. It was game 5. Took Bart to and from the game which Northern Ca still has over LA but that's another topic.
2007-12-11 14:53:25
173.   jasonungar07
Oh and The Band is my favorite band ever. The music they made for me anyways is perfect. I am reading the Clapton book and he said when he heard Music from the Big Pink he immediatly thought, what the heck am I doing in Cream. We are boring and play silly songs.

The band even made my wedding. Life is a Carnivale. Belive it or not. And I can't listen to It makes no difference without a tear in my eye. If the singing wasn't enough, the sax solo at the end gets me everytime.

2007-12-11 14:53:31
174.   Sam DC
Wait til the night she sleeps quietly and you get so fussy about whether she's breathing that you wake her up trying to check.

That's one of those special kind of moments where you realize what an idiot you've become.

2007-12-11 14:54:41
175.   dzzrtRatt
160 Banana Waffles.

Plus my dog loves their braided chews. He insists on them. They give him gas, but it's worth it once in a while just to see him so happy.

2007-12-11 14:55:27
176.   scareduck
168 - "there is absolutely no question that the problem is not on the garage door side."
2007-12-11 14:56:20
177.   jasonungar07
170 The noises are priceless. We can take this off line but the faces and expressions made all within say a 30 second time frame are amazing....he will go from content to unhappy to the world is about to end to happy to sleeping all within 30 seconds.
2007-12-11 14:59:52
178.   GiantturnedDodger
157

Ouch. Always connect going to games with my dad and taking my kids. Sorry.

2007-12-11 14:59:59
179.   Humma Kavula
177 Are you still swaddling? We'd been using a sleepsack because we were so bad at swaddling her, but lately we're back to the swaddle and she sleeps longer.

We'd also resisted using a pacifier due to the crazy-making baby books (baby might reject the breast!). That was a huge mistake. I now believe that the pacifier is one of the great inventions in the history of mankind.

2007-12-11 15:00:51
180.   dodger fan in hong kong
Repost from the last thread. My email address is hsu.hubert@bcg.com

Long time lurker, first time poster

I love this site and read it daily. I would like to give something back and will take the baton on Marty's now expired offer to match donations

For those who would like to donate to the Dodger Thoughts, please email me your donation amount. I will match up to $200

2007-12-11 15:01:00
181.   Jon Weisman
My daughter was big on the swaddle. My son couldn't stand it. Neither were pacifier kids.
2007-12-11 15:02:10
182.   trainwreck
Bobby Petrino is resigning from the Falcons to take the Arkansas job.
2007-12-11 15:02:45
183.   paranoidandroid
170 It gets easier to rest when they are asleep as time goes on. I still go into my nine month old's room to be sure he's breathing at times and he sleeps the entire night through virtually every night.

It freaks you out a bit that they know how to do this when they are so small and helpless, but it is so natural.

However, stories like Lamar Odom's makes me nervous.

Things that kept us sane and our children safe:

1. Back to bed (on their backs!)
2. Nothing in the crib they can suffocate on, no blankets, no stuffed animals.
3. If it is cold, the sleeper blankets are great for them.

2007-12-11 15:02:56
184.   Humma Kavula
181 Did you try the pacifier and they rejected it, or did you simply not use the pacifier?

If you didn't use the pacifier, how did you satisfy their sucking urge? My daughter will feed and and be satisfied but still not fall asleep until she gets the pacifier.

2007-12-11 15:04:15
185.   Andrew Shimmin
I've never met a doctor who read anything. They all claim to read trade journals, but I'm skeptical of even that.
2007-12-11 15:05:51
186.   Humma Kavula
183 3. If it is cold, the sleeper blankets are great for them.

The room my wife and I sleep in is very, very cold at night. Bride and I sleep under a down comforter. I worry about everything and one thing I worry about is that Spawn is too cold at night.

So I've been putting swaddled baby under a blanket, which is part of what's freaking me out. What if she rolls and gets under the blanket and......

I suppose I could swaddle her and then put her in a sleepsack in addition, but that seems weird.

2007-12-11 15:06:27
187.   Jon Weisman
181 - The former. They didn't reject it with predjudice, but they never really went big for it.

They sucked on my finger from time to time.

2007-12-11 15:07:12
188.   D4P
185
Trade journal four out of five doctors prefer:

Golf Digest

2007-12-11 15:08:33
189.   bhsportsguy
182 Do you think Norm Chow is on campus today?
2007-12-11 15:10:44
190.   paranoidandroid
Lurking Dodger fan in Hong Kong:

I sent a paypal this morning, I don't know if Marty counted me as part of the 235 he matched. I emailed him but didn't get a reply back and I suspect it was after the 235. It's possible my work filter kicked his email back to him as I work in a school that filters everything.

Marty, did you get a paranoid android match or should we allow our the Hong Kong Dodger fan to kick in some more for Jon's site? Also, if you didn't email me back that it totally cool, don't read my post as a criticism as it definately is not that in the least.

Marty inspired many of us to get with the program. His match is quite an amazing gesture and he hit a lot of us with the realization that we should contribute.

I hope I'm in a position to do something similar in the near future. Alas, as a teacher living in Palmdale with two small ones, I will contribute what I can for now.

2007-12-11 15:10:53
191.   trainwreck
189
I have no idea. I am already tired of this process.
2007-12-11 15:11:41
192.   trainwreck
According to Sportscenter, the Mitchell Investigation should be released on Thursday.
2007-12-11 15:12:51
193.   Benaiah
The Band is a rare case though, most of the band was Canadian, including Robbie Robertson who wrote all the songs, they made plenty of bluesy, southern rock tinged songs that clearly showed the influence of Levon Hemsley, their drummer. They were a Canadian band, but a little Levon leavened the whole loaf.

No way a strictly Canadian band could make "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down".

2007-12-11 15:15:34
194.   bhsportsguy
191 Tired of it, its only been one week. Michigan has been looking for almost a month.
2007-12-11 15:19:55
195.   Marty
190 If you emailed me this morning, I haven't seen it yet. It is sometimes difficult to read my home email from work.

So yours can count towards Lurking Dodger fan's list.

Again, thanks to everyone who gave.

2007-12-11 15:20:20
196.   Frip
154 D4P

Harkening back to the old days and waxing poetic about watching baseball with your (dead) father seems to be the meme of choice these days.

The meme of choice? I hate for you to reduce a nice thing like family reveries to a meme. But I have to say you're right. I suppose the verbal romanticism started with the great thespian Billy Chrystal. Then carried on with lesser thespians like Bob Costas.

OK, an anti-meme then. My dad hated baseball and considered its fans equal to, or slightly above, crash-up derby fans. He had a unique way of making the very word "baseball" sound like an expletive.

My big brother and I had the best arms in the league (well we did) but dad wouldn't let us pitch, lest it screw up our tennis serve.

2007-12-11 15:22:59
197.   Humma Kavula
By the way, speaking of the New Pornographers...

Emusic's recommendation feature linked NPs to a Chicago band called The 1900s. I downloaded their album, which I like very, very much. Emusic is right -- if you like the NPs, you may like the 1900s, too.

You can listen to the entire album for free at www.the-1900s.com. Click on the pic at the right that says "click to launch music player."

2007-12-11 15:23:15
198.   jasonungar07
Yeah the Swaddle works but he is a swinger..he likes to have his arms free. We go with a half swaddle sometimes. And yeah thank god for the pacifer. It's funny when he give me that look like, man this is not the real thing.
2007-12-11 15:24:51
199.   trainwreck
194
I am not very thrilled with what I am hearing. Especially the stuff that the athletic department would not even let Guerrero talk to Leach, when Leach seemed to be his new favorite.

Nothing changes.

2007-12-11 15:24:58
200.   Jacob L
I could participate in all this new baby discussion myself, since I've got a 4 month old at home. The fact that she's a second child, however, means I just don't freak out so much about the breathing and such. That's so 2005.

The rundown, for the record

Big Sister - 2 pack a day pacifier habit
Baby Sister - occasional/recreational use
Big Sister - Swaddle hater
Baby Sister - Must be swaddled to sleep
Big Sister - No regular sleep pattern until 11 months
Baby Sister - pretty strong sleeper

Apart from that, they're amazingly similar. Good luck to you guys with your offspring. Its an amazing thing.

Show/Hide Comments 201-250
2007-12-11 15:25:13
201.   Humma Kavula
196 My dad also hates baseball. He doesn't understand how his children became baseball fans. To help foster his relationship with his spawn, he has attended a few Dodger games with us.

He stood during the 7th-inning stretch and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." When it was over and we sat, he said, without a trace of irony, "Boy, the Dodgers sure got lucky that that song was written about them."

2007-12-11 15:25:20
202.   Marty
196 My dad hated golf. He always said "only rich people play golf"
2007-12-11 15:26:02
203.   trainwreck
I just found out that 3 Inches of Blood is Canadian. There's my favorite Canadian band.

Daughters is another one I like that I forgot about. They are very similar to the Locust and have great song titles.

2007-12-11 15:31:24
204.   jasonungar07
202 Did he like two buck chuck? lol
2007-12-11 15:35:02
205.   paranoidandroid
186 Neither of my children used a pacifier, that was by our choice. We just didn't offer it up, but we would have if we had to, they aren't evil or anything, we've just seen four year olds with them and wanted to see if we could avoid using them.

My son will suck his thumb a bit before he puts himeself to sleep. It isn't a big habit right now, but my daughter never sucked her thumb and she's three and a half.

As far as blanket sleepers go, they are simply great. The child is swaddled but can't bury their head under anything, there is a button at the top.

While you are probably totally fine with a blanket under the child, I would suggest flannel sheets and blanket sleepers instead. That takes any anxiety away from you, you are lacking enough sleep as it is I'm sure. Sleeping through the night seems to happen suddenly and then when it continues, you don't even remember sleepless nights after that.

Relish the cute noises, they are precious. Wait until they can say "I love you dada". I still melt.

2007-12-11 15:38:07
206.   Humma Kavula
I've got a couple of points to add on the two-buck Chuck.

Charles Shaw isn't actually a winery. They buy surplus wine off the market and bottle it and pass the savings on to you.

Several years ago, during the wine glut, there was a lot of good wine on the market and Charles Shaw bought a bunch of it. As a result, you could buy a bottle and get a little lucky and for $2 get a very good wine. There was a lot of variation between bottles. But even at that time -- and this is key -- bottles tended to be very drinkable for an investment of two dollars. And if it turned out to be a bad bottle, you poured it down the drain and you were out two bucks.

It's been a while since I've bought a bottle, but I would guess that the variation and the quality of Charles Shaw is down. Still, four or five years ago, it was a good bet for $2.

2007-12-11 15:38:51
207.   paranoidandroid
When I say swaddled, I mean to say comforted and surrounded, but their arms are free. Blanket sleepers don't swaddle the arms.
2007-12-11 15:39:03
208.   paranoidandroid
When I say swaddled, I mean to say comforted and surrounded, but their arms are free. Blanket sleepers don't swaddle the arms.
2007-12-11 15:40:28
209.   Frip
202 My dad hated golf. He always said "only rich people play golf"

My dad taught me to play golf for that very reason. Now that I've grown up to be a sleaze bag, all his work on me amounted to nothing. He reminds me of this every time I see him.

2007-12-11 15:41:19
210.   Humma Kavula
207 Right. That's why I'm thinking about placing my swaddled baby inside the blanket sleeper (and just letting the arms hang free). It's really that cold in our bedroom.
2007-12-11 15:42:38
211.   still bevens
209 Pahahaha. My vote for post of the day.
2007-12-11 15:46:59
212.   Daniel Zappala
May you never have a child that cries for the first 6 months straight. I hope I never have to live through that again. Particularly distressing when it is your first one and you think you must be royally screwing something up.
2007-12-11 15:47:53
213.   bhsportsguy
200 At least she can consider herself forturnate at being at a game the Dodgers won this year.

Though she was more interested in the ice cream/malt.

Jacob's tip for getting out to the ballpark, have another kid and take that one out while Mom stays home with the newborn.

2007-12-11 15:49:03
214.   Lexinthedena
201- That is hilarious...

I've got a daughter due in February and I don't even know what a swaddle is!

2007-12-11 15:50:32
215.   jasonungar07
Lexinthedena

Oh you will Grasshoper.

2007-12-11 15:53:14
216.   Humma Kavula
214 check it out:

http://tinyurl.com/2gme2l

2007-12-11 15:55:08
217.   scareduck
185 - I heard some real horror stories about med school from a friend who was once married to (now divorced from) a doctor studying at Johns Hopkins. Once they let you in, you HAD to finish, because the admissions process never made mistakes. One guy defenestrated himself over it; another guys failed every class in his freshman year, and was not only allowed to advance to his sophomore classes, but to do this while taking his freshman classes over again. It undoubtedly helped that his father was president of the alumni association.
2007-12-11 15:55:22
218.   ToyCannon
178
Pay no attention to the Mr Wilson of the board. He's the love boat captain to oddball. Always the negative vibes.
2007-12-11 15:56:42
219.   dzzrtRatt
212 May you never have a child that cries for the first 6 months straight.

This is how Jeff Kent felt the entire 2007 season.

2007-12-11 15:57:06
220.   Strike4
175 Thanks for the tip, I'll try em. The waffles. I've outgrown my braided chew stage.
2007-12-11 16:24:48
221.   still bevens
Diamond Leung is reporting the Andruw Jones press conference is tomorrow and Furcal will start Domincan Winter League action.
2007-12-11 16:41:53
222.   bhsportsguy
I am not sure this means anything but I just emailed the Petros and Money Show because of a mock press conference where they said UCLA hired the Japanese father character from Karate Kid 2 as their new head coach.

I just noted that I love bad Asian accents, horrible pronounciations and stereotypes portrayed in the media.

I got an email back from P (Petros) saying that yes it was a mock press conference. No bite on my other comments.

2007-12-11 16:46:42
223.   Marty
204 He appreciated cheap liquor. Probably starting from making jungle juice at Guadalcanal. I suspect he would have approved of Charles Shaw.
2007-12-11 16:51:16
224.   Linkmeister
Terry Gross interviewed Levon Helm on Fresh Air today. He's got a new CD (first in 25 years) here:

http://tinyurl.com/37b9d2

He had cancer of the vocal chords which was diagnosed in 1998, treated with radiation (alternative was surgery and a voice box), and that distinctive voice is back.

2007-12-11 16:52:27
225.   D4P
I think I remember the name of the poster who I think is a doctor from NC. It's "dagwood".
2007-12-11 16:56:04
226.   preacherroe
#218

Thank you, going to baseball games with your dad is a rite of passage not grounds for flippancy. I never had much of a relationship with my dad, but I still value trips to Cleveland Municipal, Crosley Field, Briggs Stadium and watching Tom Tresh break up a Bosox no hitter in the eighth inning with a drag bunt in Yankee Stadium. The stuff of dreams!

2007-12-11 16:57:03
227.   TheBigGrabowski
223 I'm the reverse. I don't mind Chuck Shaw but my dad refers to it as "vile swill." I think I would always prefer Gabianno chianti, but it's hard to beat a $2 bottle.
2007-12-11 17:00:00
228.   eekrock
24 - the lord bless you, MC.

KK & the BBQ is good times. Saw them in SD when they just came through. Helluva show, although I must admit I do prefer KK & the Shrines. More like a Garage-Soul Revue.

I also saw KK+BBQ's label mate Jay Reatard when he came through last week. Did you catch that?

2007-12-11 17:05:11
229.   Sac Town Dodger Fan
Best buys at Trader Joes (a proud sponsor of the Dodgers)

1. Spinach Pizza (takes 8 minutes to make, goes great with Vin calling the action

2. TJ's green tea (looks like a Mickey's bottle)

3. Vegetarian Chili -Im not vegetarian, but much like Samuel L. Jackson's character in Pulp Fiction (Jules) "when you date a vegetarian, that pretty much makes me a vegetarian)

4. Any scotch/tequilla. The Black Label and Hornitos are my favorite respective choices

5. Chicken Chow Mein- non-cooks like me cant even screw this up.

Thanks for all the great reading guys, it literally gets me through my afternoons at work.

2007-12-11 17:06:38
230.   Jon Weisman
From Josh Rawitch at ITD:

As for the comments about Ned reading the blog (or any blog), I can assure you that he was joking around with our beat writers at the winter meetings and it came off as flippant. Since three of our regular papers now have blogs, that topic came up and everyone was joking about it, which was when Ned made the comment he made. As someone who sees just how insanely busy his schedule is, it's safe to assume that he doesn't do much reading of media coverage or blogs and I'm fairly certain that he's not alone in that area when it comes to big league GMs. That doesn't mean they don't care about what fans think - it's just that they have to rely on their scouts and baseball people for opinions and then make a decision rather than reading every website out there for input.

2007-12-11 17:10:03
231.   Benaiah
226 - I usually went to Turner Field and Fulton County with my dad, though maybe we will get to go to Chavez Ravine one of these days.

Meanwhile, I live in the "best" sports city in the country and I never go to games. Boston sports are unbelievably overpriced, you basically can't get Red Sox or Patriots tickets unless you know someone or you are prepared to pay whatever they ask.

2007-12-11 17:13:35
232.   Benaiah
231 - "They" being ticket resalers. It is tough to get any Red Sox ticket for less than 100 bucks.
2007-12-11 17:18:02
233.   Robert Daeley
230 I suspected as much.
2007-12-11 17:19:06
234.   fanerman
230 While that makes me a little red on the cheeks (from what I may or may not have said in the last week), it also makes me sigh with relief that he was just joking.
2007-12-11 17:21:44
235.   Bluebleeder87
I thought Lo Duca was headed to the Jays but I guess not [ http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7551208 ]
2007-12-11 17:21:59
236.   natepurcell
Godspeed You! Black Emperor is an amazing band from Montreal... Or was an amazing band.
2007-12-11 17:22:58
237.   Bob Timmermann
222
It's nice to know that Norm Chow wouldn't face any discrimination on the job.

Sheesh.

2007-12-11 17:23:04
238.   natepurcell
230

Spin it Josh!

2007-12-11 17:24:57
239.   MyTummyHurts
6 I get a lot of the music I don't know the names of, like 80s music, but I like that stuff too.

That makes a lot of us feel old, & I'm not that old.

2007-12-11 17:25:12
240.   fanerman
236 I'll second that. GY!BE is/was awesome.
2007-12-11 17:29:53
241.   Andrew Shimmin
Colletti's typical daily schedule:

4:00 AM Wake up.
4:05 AM Triathlon training
6:00 AM Breakfast of oatmeal and three raw eggs
6:15 AM Yoga
7:00 AM Arrive at the office
7:05 AM Look at lolCats
8:15 AM Print the best lolCats
8:20 AM Fax printed lolCats to everyone on the Dodger payroll. . .

2007-12-11 17:30:12
242.   Strike4
239 Maybe some Gordon Lightfoot was thrown in.
2007-12-11 17:36:25
243.   Gen3Blue
Wierd night--I've been drawing the east coast evening out, as if waiting for a D's game at 9 or 10 pm out here.
224 Link I have heard several cuts off Levons "Dirt Farmer" and it is good stuff. He was the only voice in the Band I really cared for. Also if anyone buys it, at least a buck goes to a couple of good charities.
2007-12-11 17:37:08
244.   Linkmeister
241 Oatmeal? Nah. Residue would show up in the mustache.

I'm bettin' on smoothies for breakfast.

2007-12-11 17:55:30
245.   scareduck
239 - I'm listening to Bizet's Agnus Dei. Youse guys are all whippersnappers.
2007-12-11 17:59:07
246.   LAbits
125 Great story, thanks for sharing.

Dodger-Pepsi fan club, riding the bus to the stadium, listening to Vin while I was supposed to be sleeping & Bill Singer's no hitter while at the park celebrating my 14th are my Dodger 'hooks'.

2007-12-11 17:59:52
247.   trainwreck
237
It is okay, because according to Brian Dohn, Chow nor anyone on the planet wants the UCLA job.

Well, except for his boy DeWayne Walker.

2007-12-11 18:08:56
248.   JimBilly4
This blog has covered approximately everything today, except maybe Dodger baseball.

Swaddling: I am 100% pro-swaddling. I tried all the sleeper sacks and easy-wrap items and found nothing worked as well as nice, slightly stretchy blanket. It takes some practice to get it nice and tight, but worth the investment of time.

My twin girls (now 13 months) still get swaddled for bed, even though now it is only for comfort/familiarity. Once put down in their cribs they can bust out in approximately 9.76 seconds, which they always do sometime in 15 minutes after I put them down. This fact is what finally soothed the "crib death" fears for me. If they can get out of any blanket I literally tie them into, they are not in much danger of suffocating from a bunched up blanket.

Now all my fears center around them falling perfectly onto point-ey surfaces, like the edge of a table or a fireplace. Next I plan on following that up with fear of them running into traffic, then a few good years fearing child abduction, before finally settling into years of fearing they will get pregnant. Then later I will fear they won't get pregnant. Finally, I will fear they won't visit me in the home.

You got to have a plan.

2007-12-11 18:11:32
249.   MC Safety
228 I like King Khan and the Shrines too, good stuff. I saw Black Lips a little while back and plan on seeing them again in February.
2007-12-11 18:14:26
250.   Benaiah
248 - My mom used to say: "You spend the first couple of years teaching them to walk and talk, and the rest of their lives telling them to sit down and shut up."

That and "That's because I love (insert name) more" every time any of the kids complained that another one was getting some small favoritism.

Show/Hide Comments 251-300
2007-12-11 18:15:21
251.   Chuck Churn
Hope this isn't stale news for the Toaster but MLB Trade Rumors is reporting a tip that Kuroda has chosen the Dodgers.

I will be very pleased if this true as it will assure that we won't be trading away young talent for the likes of Blanton, et al.

2007-12-11 18:15:38
252.   eekrock
249 i second your emotion on the black lips. i had tix to see them at the troubadour until a rotten family wedding made me miss. i saw them down in Costa Mesa and I'll definitely be in line when they come to town in a few months.

actually, i've been scouring to find the KK+BBQ/Black Lips Christmas 7". Guess I should just order it from Norton and quit driving around town.

2007-12-11 18:17:17
253.   trainwreck
251
Let's hope that this is indeed true.
2007-12-11 18:17:22
254.   Benaiah
250 - Everyone tells me my mom is hilarious, but her humor always went over my head.
2007-12-11 18:17:39
255.   natepurcell
251

Kurodomania!

2007-12-11 18:18:55
256.   Gen3Blue
248 If you haven't already, read the "World according to Garp".It may add variety to your fear for your children. It seemed to perfectly capture my obsessions.
2007-12-11 18:21:42
257.   Dodgers49
Since I start my day on-line by reading every single Dodger Thoughts post I've just wasted a huge portion of my life reading Condiment Thoughts. :-)
I can't wait for the pitchers and catchers to report.
2007-12-11 18:23:06
258.   Daniel Zappala
248 Excellent comment. I have actually had a child fall out of a second story window onto concrete and survive intact. Not the kind of experience you're going for as a parent.
2007-12-11 18:23:38
259.   Dodgers49
From the James Loney interview in previous thread:

>> It's great seeing them have success in the big leagues. We have great chemistry. <<

This doesn't surprise me at all. The kids seemed to be having fun. It's the PVLs that seem to have a chemistry problem.

2007-12-11 18:25:05
260.   Daniel Zappala
251 I like the first comment from a Twins fan -- bummed that they won't likely have a Santana-to-Dodgers deal. Other teams continue to dream of Dodger prospects under the Christmas tree.
2007-12-11 18:26:55
261.   MC Safety
252 A friend promoted that show at Detroit bar. I heard it was insane.
2007-12-11 18:28:07
262.   natepurcell
260

you should check out orioleshangout.com, they have at least 200 comments a day dreaming up different Dodger packages for Bedard...and Tejada.

2007-12-11 18:28:39
263.   Bob Loblaw
251 - If we got Kuroda I will be very happy.
2007-12-11 18:33:55
264.   Benaiah
Kuroda doesn't seem like a lock to be better than Estaban Loaiza next year, but at least it all but gaurantees that the Dodgers won't trade a bunch of prospects this offseason.
2007-12-11 18:35:37
265.   diogenes
Have you got news reports in the States about the fans who purchased their own team in the UK?

http://www.myfootballclub.co.uk/latestnews.php

Great story. Dedicated soccer fans who wanted more control of their team, so they started a trust which people could purchase a part share in for about 30 pounds. Then when they had a big chunk of change, they went out and bought a team in the 3rd division (kind of like A ball). The nice thing about soccer is that if you win you get promoted, so they bought in an area they felt was expanding economically, with the hope that if they do well, and get promoted, the area would support a team at a higher level of competition.

They have hired a manager who has agreed to allow them to decide the roster for each game; there will be a vote, and that's it. Great idea. Not sure it would work in Baseball because of the financial interests of the big clubs, but would be great fun.

2007-12-11 18:40:10
266.   D Money
248
thats hilarious, you have really thought this through!
and inspired this 22 year old to never have children!
haha just kidding...i think. someone give me some positives quick!
2007-12-11 18:40:27
267.   bigcpa
I just put "Dodgers sign Kuroda" in the babelfish translator and it spit out "Dodgers keep Kemp." Yay!
2007-12-11 18:44:29
268.   D Money
258 omg! thats scary.

i myself have put my parents through hell.

starting with hip surgery at 5 months and again at 10 years old.

tonsillitis (not a biggie)

3 broken noses a broken hand a broken thumb a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder, all on different occasions.

Hodgkins Lymphoma when i was 15.

and a multitude of other little things... i dont know how they did it.

2007-12-11 18:46:26
269.   D Money
264
and if you believe in the law of averages, if we get enough 4-6 range pitchers one of them is bound to have a 3 type season right? i hope!
2007-12-11 18:47:09
270.   trainwreck
Diamond Leung says that Kuroda has not told the Dodgers anything yet.
2007-12-11 18:47:23
271.   Vishal
from eric stephen in the last thread:

Mayo--The single most disgusting manufactured foodstuff on the planet

i don't like mayo at all either, but come on... this title has to be reserved for SPAM.

2007-12-11 18:48:12
272.   D Money
wow just read this on dodgers.com

During the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., Moore made outfielder Jose Guillen the highest paid player in the history of the Royals with a three-year contract that averages $12 million per season.

and they still have fans?!?

sheesh

2007-12-11 18:48:34
273.   Gr-ool
224 Levon Helm appeard on the Imus show last Monday, December 3 with his band.
2007-12-11 18:49:46
274.   natepurcell
270

Thats a downer.

2007-12-11 18:53:50
275.   Vishal
looking over the condiment thread, i'm rather disappointed i missed it.
2007-12-11 18:58:35
276.   Brent Knapp
Why do teams pick people in the Rule 5 draft and then sell them to other teams? Can they charge more than the $50,000 they originally paid?
2007-12-11 18:59:27
277.   Gen3Blue
270,274 I'd love to see the D's land Kuroda, though it may be an alterior motive.
273,224 One of those aforementioned chatities is the Imus ranch.
2007-12-11 19:00:49
278.   Bluebleeder87
Hiroki Kuroda vs Hideki Matsui [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cekkzbHot_I ] The last call reminds of when Gagne struck Hideki Matsui out a while back. Same high curve & everything.
2007-12-11 19:01:53
279.   Gen3Blue
Most boring TV by a huge margin: MSNBC's series about inside prisons.
2007-12-11 19:04:37
280.   MC Safety
The most amazing song just popped on my itunes. "Come Saturday Morning" by Chad & Jeremy.....what an amazing track they also do "Summer Song" which you will recognize from Rushmore.
2007-12-11 19:04:45
281.   scareduck
271 - The most disgusting manufactured foods on planet Earth:

1) Dinty Moore Beef Stew.
2) Spam.
...
10) Organ meats (liver in particular).
...
20) Canned beans and peas of any kind. Inevitably boiled beyond recognition.
...
33) Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip. It makes it less gross to think of it as white mucous.
...
40) Lima beans.
...
45) Pimientos.
...

2007-12-11 19:05:04
282.   Bluebleeder87
Kuroda has had arm issues in the past (elbow) but I'm sure if the Dodgers end up signing him they'll make SURE he's healthy enough gawd knows we don't want another Schmidt situation.
2007-12-11 19:05:22
283.   arbfuldodger
262 I've checked out that site out a couple of times since you posted it Nate, It's kind of humorous reading how they were going to score 4-for-1 for Bedard but there was/is always that little voice in my head saying "Ned wouldn't really do that would he?" then it wasn't as funny lol.
2007-12-11 19:07:00
284.   Bluebleeder87
281

Mayo is alright on turkey sandwiches in my book...

2007-12-11 19:07:06
285.   Vishal
281 are lima beans and pimientos not grown, rather than manufactured?

well, regardless i find them both quite appetizing.

i'm with you on all the rest, though.

2007-12-11 19:08:51
286.   eekrock
261 - your friend was right. it was a bit nuts. the wyf went and the Detroit actually let her stand in the sound booth. plenty of empty pint glasses thrown into the pusher-people and the drummer got a large gash over his eye from broken glass.

the news about Kuroda would send me through the roof. hopefully they'll be more to tell come tomorrow's A.Jones conference.

264 i agree nothing is a lock, and Kaz Ishii was a bit of a bust, but are you saying you'd place Esteban in front of Kuroda next year in the rotation?

2007-12-11 19:09:55
287.   Don Tordilla
According to Tony Jackson, Kuroda is not a done deal but he's leaning our way. Also, Jones passed his physical.
2007-12-11 19:10:57
288.   Vishal
13 stars stars stars!!! i love this band so much. call me a huge sap, but heart is one of my top favorite albums. props for having good taste, eric :)
2007-12-11 19:13:23
289.   Bluebleeder87
287

man, Ned is a stood this year IF the deal goes threw I'll give him an A+ for the winter.

2007-12-11 19:14:19
290.   Hallux Valgus
Vienna sausages are the worst manufactured "food" I have ever eaten. Why it was required in every earthquake preparedness kit I was ever taught to make in elementary school is beyond me. I think I'd rather risk whatever I can kill after The Big One.
2007-12-11 19:15:57
291.   Vishal
re: blu-ray vs hd-dvd... i don't know a lot about it, because i don't even own a television, but one of my co-workers was talking to me about it. he said that although disney and sony are on blu-ray, most of the porn industry is on hd-dvd, so it's a good bet that'll be the format that wins out in the end.
2007-12-11 19:16:31
292.   Vishal
(though why anyone would need to watch porn in HD is completely beyond me)
2007-12-11 19:16:38
293.   Benaiah
281 - Pate is always good and foie gras is probably the best tasting food on the planet. Organ meats are wonderful, you just gotta branch out from all the bads ways you can prepare them.
2007-12-11 19:20:52
294.   Sam DC
Dinty Moore means only one thing to me: Mr. Roberts, Channel Islands, 10th Grade.
2007-12-11 19:21:22
295.   Gr-ool
284 Yeah, I'm finding it pretty amusing reading how disgusting mayonaise is! Obviously some are better than others. A person needs some healthy oil in their diet though. I'm a little mystified at how little love mayo's getting. :-)
2007-12-11 19:21:45
296.   Hallux Valgus
292 Oh man, Daniel Tosh has a great joke re: porn on IMAX
2007-12-11 19:24:26
297.   Vishal
147 i, too, have a big crush on neko case.
2007-12-11 19:29:15
298.   MC Safety
If we are talking all things manufactured, I wouldnt be sad if I never saw a Cadbury cream egg again. Those things are harsh. Marshmellows are disgusting too. Peeps and Cadbury cream eggs are bad manufactured products imo.
2007-12-11 19:29:32
299.   scareduck
285 - I refuse to believe that anything that gross is natural.

291 , 292 - why would people want to watch porn in HD? Why do people want to watch CSI:Your town here in HD?

2007-12-11 19:31:48
300.   Eric Enders
Reason for Lo Duca to pick Nats: 'Getting to play the Mets 18 times'
http://tinyurl.com/27f966

"He has never been with a losing team. Ever," Washington general manager Jim Bowden said. "He wins. That's what he does."

(Lo Duca played for the 1999 Dodgers, who went 77-85. He also played for six losing teams in the minors.)

Show/Hide Comments 301-350
2007-12-11 19:34:33
301.   Jon Weisman
Does anyone have any confidence that Kuroda will actually be any good, or is this just a no-trade celebration?
2007-12-11 19:34:55
302.   trainwreck
300
I will go lay my money down on the Nats in the World Series.
2007-12-11 19:35:49
303.   natepurcell
301

Logan White scouts him and it seems he gave the OKay on it.

Sooo, as Logan goes, I go.

2007-12-11 19:35:57
304.   trainwreck
301
I am guessing it is 95% no trade celebration.
2007-12-11 19:36:40
305.   Eric Enders
No-trade celebration.
2007-12-11 19:37:26
306.   eekrock
301 for me it's the combination of picking up a solid pitcher (for our 4 or 5 starter), and not trading.

No way Kuroda can be worse than Tomko...I mean, that Before the Bigs special made me give him a few extra chances but man...

2007-12-11 19:39:18
307.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
RE: 301

After Igawa, who ended up as such a disaster, who knows, but I like to think of it as "no trade" plus up-side. After all, in contrast to Igawa, there's Saito.

Besides, I have a weakness for Japanese pitchers; Nomo's still my favorite Dodger.

WWSH

2007-12-11 19:40:21
308.   Bluebleeder87
Stars sound is very sweet (liked the song Ageless Beauty) My guilty pleasure is a band I found while surfing the web, I use to frequent a club called Vertigo's on thursdays (I was always to drunk to remember anything to be really honest) but I found this really cool semi-video of a band called Black Tie Dynasty [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG7P1NUQp_0 ] I really liked the song not to mentioned the awkwardness of the fans it was both funny & cool all at the same time.
2007-12-11 19:40:38
309.   Gen3Blue
I feel sorry for people who don't have certain places where they use small amounts of most of the common condiments. How limited their diets must be. I can understand mental blocks against perhaps one, but how could one get buy without mustard, mayonnaise, and relish for instance.
2007-12-11 19:41:07
310.   Hallux Valgus
no trade celebration.
2007-12-11 19:41:34
311.   NorCal-Dodger
A Dodger trade is still possible even if Kuroda picks the Dodgers.

If the ChiSox can't get Rowand they might want to work a trade with us for Pierre, maybe for some middle relief pitcher.

2007-12-11 19:41:49
312.   Dark Horse
I think Kuroda's got a chance to be decent, if we pick him up. I think it also fairly assures both the non-trading of Matt Kemp and--let us not forget--the non-tendering of Hendrickson. Honestly, if we picked him up I can imagine heading into the season with but one, tiny-headed, blemish on our roster.
2007-12-11 19:42:44
313.   Dark Horse
311-If that were to happen on top of getting Kuroda I would be jubilant. Any middle-reliever would do.
2007-12-11 19:42:50
314.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 311

I guess we should say: "No Kemp trade" celebration.

WWSH

2007-12-11 19:43:01
315.   trainwreck
311
Jon meant a trade we would hate not one that would make us cry with happiness.
2007-12-11 19:44:12
316.   Daniel Zappala
278 Questions for Bob, our resident Japanese baseball expert:

1) Do all Japanese pitchers work that slowly?
2) Are the Carp uniforms modeled after the Reds? Is this done with MLB approval?

2007-12-11 19:45:26
317.   MC Safety
Chance to be good.

Hey, someone had to.

2007-12-11 19:50:37
318.   immouch
301
mostly a no-trade celebration for me. but i like our odds of getting something if we get kuroda. at least one of schmidt, kuo/guo, kuroda figures to have a decent to very good season.
2007-12-11 19:51:03
319.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
This is a BPro scouting report on our possible new acquisition:

He's not Daisuke Matsuzaka, but Kuroda a very strong power pitcher with a low to mid-90s fastball and a wicked forkball. In addition, he features a plus shuuto, something like a screwball, as well as an effective change. Even if he only pans out as a third or fourth starter in the majors, he will give you innings, work deep into games, and he should be fairly consistent start to start.

That actually sounds pretty good to me. It at least gives us room for optimism. If Ned can flip Pierre to the ChiSox, this will be a great winter for him.

WWSH

2007-12-11 19:53:31
320.   immouch
worst manufactured food doesn't happen in this country. visit estonia sometime. there are canned products - meats, i believe - that cause animals to die when opened.
2007-12-11 19:53:50
321.   Benaiah
319 - Yeah, pretty much the opposite of last year.
2007-12-11 19:54:28
322.   Daniel Zappala
301 From what I've read, he could be anywhere from a solid #3 to a bust. I don't think I'd celebrate his signing, other than to be glad to have extra depth in the hope that between Kuroda, Schmidt, Loaiza we could do something at the tail end of the rotation.
2007-12-11 19:55:50
323.   Dark Horse
Meanwhile, we might also celebrate the fact Fukudome just signed with the Cubs. Leaving the Padres with an outfield of, er, uh...
2007-12-11 19:57:34
324.   Marty
I just got home and was able to look at my email. I got mails from 6 more people donating a total of $90 dollars. Thanks everyone, this is amazing. I've forwarded the mails to Dodger Fan in Hong Kong so they can go against his match.

Thanks everyone again.

2007-12-11 19:57:54
325.   arbfuldodger
Fukudome to the Cubs (4 yrs 50 mil) according to WGN radio via mlbtraderumors.com
2007-12-11 19:58:53
326.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
RE: 321

In fairness to Ned, I think the Schmidt signing was a good idea, considering the market. But that going wrong, combined with the indefensible contract to Pierre was a true catastrophe. Hopefully we'll get karmic payback from the baseball gods and have Kuroda work out this time, unlike Schmidt last season.

WWSH

2007-12-11 19:59:27
327.   Bluebleeder87
322

Is there such a thing as a 3.5 for a pitcher???

2007-12-11 19:59:36
328.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Man, Pads really miscalculated in letting Bradley get away, then.

WWSH

2007-12-11 19:59:41
329.   Lexinthedena
Drunken Cub fans + Fukudome= Awesome
2007-12-11 20:03:19
330.   Bluebleeder87
If Kuroda indeed does throw mid-90's heat with that delivery he should be a solid starter in my opinion it all depends if he has good command of his fastball, the scouting report doesn't say anything about control though...
2007-12-11 20:04:59
331.   eekrock
329 that is gold. good call.
2007-12-11 20:06:10
332.   Daniel Zappala
One report I read said that when he locates his fastball well, he is an ace.

I think the consensus is that he's a gamble.

2007-12-11 20:06:30
333.   Andrew Shimmin
Pff. $200? She should have just tried selling one of his kidneys; it's worth 100 times that, to the right party.

http://tinyurl.com/yp44d6

2007-12-11 20:07:23
334.   Eric Enders
Kuroda's Japanese stats here:
http://japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=986

His BB numbers appear to be outstanding, but who knows how well that will translate to the majors.

2007-12-11 20:07:35
335.   arbfuldodger
I think the Kuroda rumored signing broke the Orioles Hangout board
2007-12-11 20:12:04
336.   natepurcell
335

So hilarious. Some of them are now like, "Maybe Kuroda now allows the Dodgers to put Billingsley in a deal".

LOL.

2007-12-11 20:14:25
337.   dodger fan in hong kong
To date, I have received seven responses for a total of $195. Last call to those wishing to provide some financial support to this great site and community.

To me, it's less important about the $ amount. It's much more about the number of participants. I will match up to $300 to allow for more people joining this group activity.

2007-12-11 20:14:45
338.   WillieD
No trade celebration... Plus he's Saito's friend, so he's got that going for him.
2007-12-11 20:15:47
339.   herchyzer
There is a town in north Ontario
Dream comfort memory despair
And in my mind I still need a place to go
All my changes were there
Leaves us...
Helpless helpless He...elpless

There are days I think that Neil Young is the greatest rocker... ever.

Heart! (The band)

(The words to the song are as they came to my memory. Donno if they're correct. I can't even remember it's name.)

2007-12-11 20:16:32
340.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 336

Now that is what is called wishful thinking. :)

WWSH

2007-12-11 20:17:36
341.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
I know a fair number of real Orioles fans, though; people who've stayed loyal to the franchise. I hope they're able to turn it around; it's a shame to see an org. with such a pedigree struggle the way it has lately.

WWSH

2007-12-11 20:19:25
342.   dodger fan in hong kong
Again, my email address is hsu.hubert@bcg.com
2007-12-11 20:19:43
343.   scareduck
303 - Logan White presumably also scouted Lance Carter and Danys Baez.
2007-12-11 20:20:59
344.   natepurcell
343

Well he was never mentioned specifically in association with them like he has been with Kuroda.

2007-12-11 20:22:44
345.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
RE: 343

Actually, would that necessarily be true? Wasn't White still head of amateur scouting then; I assume it's the big league scouts who looked at Carter and Baez, or, at least, looked at tapes of them.

WWSH

2007-12-11 20:25:00
346.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
RE: 344

I also assume that the Japan scouts who found Saito also looked at Kuroda extensively.

WWSH

2007-12-11 20:27:43
347.   arbfuldodger
340 You'd be suprised how many wishful thinkers there are on that board
2007-12-11 20:32:00
348.   El Lay Dave
Let's see, since last posting on the Florida Marlins starting pitching candidates, I've missed:

Condiment Thoughts
Canadian Music Thoughts
Trader Joe's Thoughts
Baby Thoughts (w/ sleepwear emphasis)
High Resolution Video Thoughts

It must be the off-season, but it certainly was enjoyable reading.

I will only add that my Belgian foreign student ate her "Belgian" fries with mayonnaise, Canadian music discussions must include Bare Naked Ladies, Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Andy Kim, unlike some other TJ's the grocery store rocks, and thank Ch-i we had it easy raising my daughter (at least when she was a baby).

As for bad manufactured foods, what is "potted meat" in a can? I saw this in a store once and it seemed vile.

2007-12-11 20:36:20
349.   natepurcell
http://tinyurl.com/283w7p

Google translation!

2007-12-11 20:37:15
350.   El Lay Dave
On the main topic, the Torre greetings billboard can also be seen in Van Nuys when heading west on Roscoe, away from the 405, across from the Budweiser plant. Probably spot-able from the freeway.
Show/Hide Comments 351-400
2007-12-11 20:43:21
351.   Wayne Wei-siang Hsieh
Re: 349

The translation is almost comically bad. I suppose only the Dodgers being mentioned in the lead paragraph is a pretty good sign for us, though.

WWSH

2007-12-11 20:44:14
352.   natepurcell
They just "called the hogs" on espenews.

weird.

2007-12-11 20:44:25
353.   GMac In The 909
349 Makes perfect sense to me.
2007-12-11 20:49:13
354.   Vishal
308 their two best songs are, in my opinion, "elevator love letter" and "look up".
2007-12-11 20:51:40
355.   Eric Enders
The fans at Orioles Hangout seem utterly convinced the following trade is about to go down:

Kershaw, Kemp, LaRoche, Hu, Broxton, and Pierre
for
Bedard, Tejada and Jay Payton

2007-12-11 20:53:00
356.   Vishal
355 hah! that seems utterly delusional.

...right?

2007-12-11 20:53:04
357.   natepurcell
355

They apparently were being lead (astray?) by a couple of "insiders".

2007-12-11 20:54:35
358.   natepurcell
DeAngelo Hall is really laying it to Bobby Petrino on sportscenter. wow.
2007-12-11 20:55:19
359.   KG16
355 - if that happens, I'm an Angel's fan.
2007-12-11 20:55:37
360.   El Lay Dave
356 Absolutely. That deal makes no sense unless Billingsley and Loney are in it also.
2007-12-11 20:57:41
361.   scareduck
352 - Helen says the best feature of that cheer is that you can do it completely drunk.
2007-12-11 20:58:13
362.   El Lay Dave
358 Quite the trend, using the NFL to get SEC jobs.
2007-12-11 21:04:36
363.   Hallux Valgus
358 He was laying into Petrino 2 months ago. Has there ever been a college coach who came up and was successful in the NFL?

I can't think of one. Bill Walsh is the closest I can come up with.

2007-12-11 21:06:24
364.   eekrock
360 i laughed. hard.
2007-12-11 21:06:27
365.   El Lay Dave
363 Barry Switzer. ;)
2007-12-11 21:07:03
366.   Bob Timmermann
363
Paul Brown coached at Ohio State. I think he was pretty good in the NFL too.
2007-12-11 21:07:45
367.   Eric Stephen
271
For the record, I didn't say the quote attributed to me about Mayo (it was kinbote), but I really, really dislike it.

301
Put me down for the no-(Kemp)trade celebration category if the Kuroda signing will indeed happen.

2007-12-11 21:07:54
368.   El Lay Dave
363 More seriously, Jimmy Johnson.
2007-12-11 21:08:54
369.   Eric Stephen
363
Jimmy Johnson did OK.
2007-12-11 21:10:16
370.   Hallux Valgus
368 yeah, I'll take Jimmy Johnson. But I can't think of another one lately. Why do these rich idiots keep hiring the Steve Spurriers of the world?
2007-12-11 21:10:23
371.   overkill94
355 Woo hoo, we finally get rid of Pierre! ;)

While 3/$30M for such an unknown commodity as Kuroda is somewhat steep, I doubt he'll be much worse than Lohse or Silve who will probably fetch even more per year. I think it's a smart signing given the market and like many have said, it makes it much less likely that Ned will be tempted to trade for an ace.

2007-12-11 21:10:26
372.   natepurcell
363

"They were who we thought they were!"

2007-12-11 21:10:33
373.   El Lay Dave
363 Dick Vermeil.
2007-12-11 21:12:54
374.   Bluebleeder87
I'm gonna hold back some judgment until 1) we know he's headed to the Dodgers & 2) until we see what he does against MLB hitters even if it's spring training you can still get a fair assessment on what type of pitches he throws, his above average pitches & so on, especially if he has control & how hitters react to his pitches. Matsui looked lost againt Kuroda but it was only one at bat.
2007-12-11 21:13:26
375.   El Lay Dave
366 Bah, he was a one-state wonder.
2007-12-11 21:13:54
376.   Bob Timmermann
You also need to keep in mind that until the 1960s, it was considered more prestigious to coach college football than in the NFL. A lot of the greatest NFL coaches did coach in some capacity in college.

Vince Lombardi was Red Blaik's top assistant at Army. Hank Stram was a coordinator at Miami. Joe Gibbs coached at several colleges as an assistant.

The usual job path is college assistant --> pro assistant --> pro coach.

It's not like a lot of football coaches spring up fully grown.

2007-12-11 21:14:44
377.   LogikReader
I hope ESPN.com posts that DeAngelo Hall clip soon.

Now speaking of "laying it on him," how about Knick fans letting Isiah Thomas have it? Good for them! I'm not a fan of booing or anything like that, but this is a unique situation. Leave it to Isiah Thomas to ruin both the CBA and the Knicks, although The Knicks may have been ruined anyway.

2007-12-11 21:15:55
378.   LogikReader
376

In a way, it still is! Imagine how Pete Carroll owns Los Angeles right now. In the NFL he'd just be another piece of meat.

2007-12-11 21:17:04
379.   Bob Timmermann
378
If Pete Carroll owns L.A., I'm going on a rent strike.
2007-12-11 21:17:58
380.   Vishal
376 i did. i'm the athena of dodger thoughts.
2007-12-11 21:21:39
381.   Hallux Valgus
okay- I should refrain from "ever."

In my life time, I've got Vermeil and Jimmy Johnson. And in the last 10 years, not one college coach has turned immediately into a solid NFL head coach. And a bunch of rich idiots keep hiring these fools to run their teams. And it's always a failure. Because NFL coaches can't pull off the draft

2007-12-11 21:22:04
382.   Bluebleeder87
354

"Elevator love letter" has a Concrete Blonde "Joey" feel to it (to me at least) really nice sound (mazzy starr'ish)

2007-12-11 21:34:25
383.   trainwreck
381
Lane Kiffin!!! ; )
2007-12-11 21:35:09
384.   Vishal
383 are we including offensive coordinators, or just college head coaches?
2007-12-11 21:38:03
385.   Eric Stephen
Padres signed Tadahito Iguchi...1 year / ~$4m

http://tinyurl.com/2tdy3t

2007-12-11 21:45:29
386.   overkill94
I can't believe I missed Canadian music thoughts!

One I'd like to throw into the fray is Islands (or its previous incarnation The Unicorns) if you're in the mood for some fun indie rock with a hint of twee.

Bands mentioned so far that get my seal of approval:
Neil Young (of course)
Rush
The New Pornographers (and subsequently Neko Case and Destroyer)
The Arcade Fire

and one more to add:
The Stills

2007-12-11 21:46:10
387.   Eric Stephen
Other NL West news...which team got the best 3 year / $30m pitcher?

Rockies extended Aaron Cook.

2008 (age 29) - added $2,5m bonus to existing $4.5m salary
2009 - $8.75m
2010 - $9m
2011 - $9.25m
2012 - $11m mutual option ($500k buyout)

He's battled injuries, but has put up some good, albeit possibly misleading numbers:

2004 - 115 ERA+, 3.72 K/9
2005 - 130 ERA+, 2.59 K/9
2006 - 116 ERA+, 3.89 K/9
2007 - 116 ERA+, 3.31 K/9

2007-12-11 21:46:41
388.   trainwreck
I did not realize this was such an indie hipster crowd.
2007-12-11 21:47:36
389.   Jon Weisman
New post up top.
2007-12-11 21:48:11
390.   Marty
Vermeil did pretty well in the Pros.
2007-12-11 21:48:19
391.   Eric Stephen
Jeff Kent is officially back.

http://tinyurl.com/2wg2ru

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