Incite Full

Wow, did you see that game? The NCAA Men’s championship game, between Butler and UConn was hands down one of the worst games I’ve ever watched. Don’t get me wrong- the kids played their hearts out, and they put every ounce of effort into the game that they had. For UConn it was 2 heavy weight bouts that they won- one by knock out in the Big East tournament, and the other, a sloppy decision after 12 rounds in Butler.

Butler, on the other hand, did the unthinkable- back to back final runs for a mid major. If the game was played by hearts alone, Butler hands down wins this one going away. I’m not going to lie, with all the shadiness surrounding Connecticut, I was hoping for a Bulldog win. That has nothing to do with the kids playing for the Huskies, but it’s something I can’t forget- and Yes, I am a USC trojan. I don’t freak out when kids take money, or boosters slip a kid fifty bucks after a game, but coaches acting, lying, and just breaking just about every rule in the book is something I actively cheer against. See Ohio State.

The game, though, was really the culmination of an interesting year in NCAA Basketball, and a few years of the infamous “And One” rule. Players being forced to play a year in college before going pro might be exciting, but they are essentially mercenaries hired to win a championship. The past few years we’ve seen senior heavy teams, the likes of Butler and VCU make valiant charges into the late rounds of the tournament only to lose in heartbreaking fashion. Last year Butler had NBA Talent, this year- not so much. And we’re seeing a lot of this, good, solid teams without that wow player beating teams that don’t have the chemistry to compete in those pressure situations.

But don’t believe that upsets are good basketball- they may be exciting, but it’s only great basketball when some storybook ending or amazing play elevates the Cinderella to titanic heights, not when erratic shooting meets sloppy turnovers and a dozen charges. And the thing is, they almost has us fooled. We almost bought into the magical season of this tournament, and all the upsets and spectacles- the Mooreheads and the Rams.

Again, this is not about the players on the court, but the system that put them there. The system that hung them out to dry with fatigue and inexperience. It’s a shame that it happened on a night when everyone is watching. Bill Simmons was not terribly far off when he said that Women’s basketball caught up. Not sure I believe him, but I do believe the most explosive and dominant player in college basketball, wears number 24 for UConn.

Today, at Starbucks, I met Brian Wilson. Oh, you don’t know who Brian Wilson is? Maybe you know his beard:

No, it’s not King Leonidas, but he may as well be. Brian Wilson is the closer for the San Francisco Giants. They are in town playing the Dodgers, but Pasadena isn’t really near their Los Angeles hotel. But regardless, I was surprised by just how cool of a guy he is.

I was was walking down California, on the phone with my dad, when I arrived at the Starbucks on the corner. I was standing outside, wrapping up my conversation when I saw a giant, hulking man walking towards he coffee shop with a small, khaki clad kid in an over-sized white polo. I told my dad that I thought it was Brian Wilson, and reminded my dad of the “the guy with the beard” from the World Series. He immediately remembered and I told my dad I wanted to go, and see if it as indeed him. My was fine with this, but when on and on before letting me go- normally I’m fine with this, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to meet this guy.

After he hung up, I am ashamed to say, I ran-walked to the door and went in. At first I saw khakis hanging out, then I saw BW grabbing his coffee from the counter. I ish I had heard the name called, to see if he was trying to go under the radar, but I missed out on that. I looked at him, and he looked like a guy who’s been recognized a million times before. I asked if he was Brian Wilson, and he said he as actually his brother.

To be honest, I pretty much believed him, but before I could look like a jackass, he said no, it was him. I am sure I was gushing at that point, but I shook his hand right away and told him, immediately, that my friend, Alex, was a huge Giants fan and was going to die when I told him I met him. I also think I told him that Alex loved him, too, but I think that guy, in particular,  gets it a lot.

I then went completely amateur and asked if I could take a picture of him. He looked really annoyed at that point, but said sure, and I took a quick one of him making his coffee.

Built for speed, like me

He must have thought I was filming because he went straight up into Brian Wilson mode, and started describing his coffee making. “It’s  red-eye, which means… a single shot? It’s built for speed,” looking dead into the camera, “like me.” Which, obviously, is where this post title comes from.

I don’t meet a whole lot of celebrities. In fact, I think I’ve met maybe 4-5  athletes outside of sports stadiums/games- and I’m referring to famous athletes. I still have an autograph from Don Davey, but I doubt most people will have any idea who that guy is.

Or maybe I have met a few, but I never recognize them because it’s usually something I don’t really care about. But sports figures? I’m all over that.

And what was probably the most surprising is how cool the guy was. He was obviously getting coffee- a red-eye no less- because he just needed to wake up. Hell, he probably came to Pasadena in order to avoid running into someone who might give him away. I can understand that completely, but he also understands that celebrity is a full time job, and I’m just some guy who’s seen him on TV, winning championships, no less, and it made my day to see him.

I guess I’ve been jaded by all of the reports of asshole athletes out there, or guys getting drunk in bars and causing trouble, that it was refreshing to see a guy who was fine with me taking a quick pic. Hell, maybe he goes out and causes fights and trouble of all sorts, but I know he’s got his cool side to him also, which is more than I can say for a lot of people. Between this and the ridiculousness of most Dodger fans, I think I’m turning into a Giants fan- too bad everyone will think  I’m doing this because they won a world series.

Are you kidding me? I’m a Packer’s fan, and until this year, I had to deal with Brett Favre and also Colin Cowherd calling “my” QB  overrated for not having won a playoff game.  I like the Brewers, Seahawks, and I would love the Supersonics if they still existed.  I generally like teams with no chance of winning championships, so it’s beyond that.

The guy was cool, and hey, maybe if he ever searches his name, and clicks through the thousands of links before mine shows up, he’ll feel the same amount of satisfaction seeing this here, that I did meeting him. I wish Alex had been there to meet him, but even though he wasn’t, I’m still using it as my birthday gift to him for the next five years.

It’s hard to put into words what love actually is. Not hugs and kisses, but to describe the indescribable. To express exactly what it is to a person who would otherwise not know. In some respects, it’s easier to explain it to a child in terms of how they feel about their mother or father. But that’s the “easy” type of love, the kind of love that everyone has for someone, whether it be parent or friend.

Today I saw it for the first time in a long time.

Gabe and Danielle got married today, and it was a great ceremony and reception. The music was great and the readings and prayer for the service were about as perfect as such a thing could be. What struck me about it all came near the end of the service, before “The kiss,” when we were to all silently take in one of the readings. Everyone on stage was fidgeting, uncomfortable with the silence. Some were swaying, others were darting their eyes to their friends or around the church.

But Gabe and Danielle, Mr. and Mrs. Hohrieter, were simply standing there looking at each other. It was one of those looks where a cracked smile said more than either of them could say verbally. Standing there holding hands, I felt like I was let in on some secret they have.

And it was incredible. Obviously I knew they cared about one another. They are perfect together, after all, but seeing that let me in on what a relationship can and should be like. I wrote on a not that I was jealous of them (in a joking tone) but the more and more I think of it, I am. Not a scornful jealous, but a happy for them feeling i’ve not really felt before. It’d be easy to be a tad bitter and scornful what with my recent relationship woes, but I can’t be. First of all being Danielle’s friend, but second of all I should hope we’re all as lucky as those two.

Congratulations D and Gabe, you guys have a long, exciting life ahead of you. And plenty of relatives to babysit free of charge.

I also went to the Phillies vs Dodgers game Friday night. I went with Jordan and his friends from The Shack, a Philadelphia sports bar with much love for all things Eagle, Phlyer, Phillie and 76er. The group is an eclectic bunch, from guys looking like Matisyahu and Scott Stapp, and girls on gluten free diets to those who can talk trash and moon other drivers. That being said, man they are a lot of fun. The game was going well until towards the end and alcohol had set in for the Dodger fans.

I swear I’ve never been pelted with more food items and beverages in my entire life than I was last night. After the Dodger fans went ahead and won the game, insults were thrown even further than the hotdogs with which these douchebags were armed. Now I didn’t really have a problem with it and partially expected it coming in. But they should have at least been men about it all. The girls in our troupe (said mooner and gluten-free femmes) were the target of most of the thrown items, and one guy, apparently, took a swing at one of the girls. I wish I had seen it, but unfortunately I wasn’t around at that point.

Imagine a grown man swinging at a girl over a baseball game. Stay classy, Los Angeles. And as much as I know it’s not indicative of all fans, it shows you that there are fans and people out there going Robert Deniro over this shit like they are playing in the actual game. My favorite is the asshole who’s talking shit from the left bleacher, only to run away when we saw him in the parking lot. The best way to describe it: The bleachers at Dodgers stadium are most like the internet; Anonymity plus opinion equals incredibly stupid behavior.

Making matters worse was the “security” in the park. They were too busy hassling a bunch of phillie fans for their tickets and ensuring they were sitting in the right spot instead of kicking out said douchebags hurling shit at us. Can’t remember the official who came and talked to us, but he looked like Squeak from Basketball. This guy was more interested in being our friend than actually fixing the problem, a quality I find loathsome in human beings.

I’m not perfect, but I’m not afraid to disappoint people once and a while either. There are about 4-6 girls in my past life you can confirm this with. But honestly, the expression “Don’t piss on my and tell me it’s raining” is apt here. Tell me you can’t do shit about it, don’t tell me “We can’t watch everyone,” because either way you’re failing at your job, but one way I don’t expect change. And pro-tip: If I get upset and swear, calling something “fucking ridiculous,” threatening to kick me out is a baller move. Apparently swearing is higher on the pantheon of crimes at dodger stadium than throwing a plate of nachos. At least put jalapeños on it, spice up my life.

The point of my rant is that I’m not even a Phillie fan. They are fun to watch, and i don’t mind cheering for them from time to time (but they still beat the brewers and we can’t have that happening). But I am even more of an anti-Los Angeles fan than I can describe, but I’ll try. LA Fans, go back to your freeway congested, smog filled, band-wagon jumping, waitering because you can’t act, more plastic than a matel factory, bottled water drinking, bad driving, over-populated, 7-dollar-beer selling, slicked-back or shaved head, blond or dyed blond, groupie gathering, twenty-dollar micro salad, paparazzi infested latrine that feels less and less like home than it does a pit stop on my journey through life.

Kind of wish I didn’t hit my 1000 word limit in anger, but I’ll take it. Gearing up for nanowrimo.

If you’re one of those people, and by people I mean girls, that gets frustrated when guys begin to talk about sports, just close the window now. It’s not going to be pretty, and there is a lot to talk about.

We’ll start with baseball, because i don’t generally care about the sport. It’s too long of a season and the games are too long for the type of (in)action that occurs. I’m going to make a prediction here and now, and that prediction is the following: Angels win the world series over the cubs. I don’t think it’s going 7, but 5-6 is probably about right. 6 is what i’ll put out there as my official vote.

Aside from that, I want the brewers simply to make the playoffs, but it’s not looking great. Yes they have the wild card right now, but the Phils and Mets need to just get into a blood bath and save me some time of worrying. I’m also worried about the durability of CC “run-me-into-the-ground” Sabathia and Ben Sheets. We cannot have these two getting hurt when we need them most. I see us making the playoffs, depsite my worries, but losing in the first round. Hey, i’d be ok with that- although we won’t be making the series any time soon in the following years.

On to football, a man’s sport. USC played well against a non-competitive conference’s worst team. Which doesn’t give me high hopes just yet. I’m not drinking the koolaid, to be sure. And here comes Ohio state, a team that has been destroyed in the past 2 National Championships. I am confident that USC can win, but will win is a completely separate issue. They have a strong D against our nubile O line. I really hope that our boys (USC) grows up quickly and can protect Mark Sanchez and the stable of running backs we use.

Football predictions: USC over tOSU, Wisconsin over fresno, Michigan over ND, and Georgia over the other USC- that one by a sizable margin. Not really impressed with the other slate of games coming up, but I do think Oregon takes out Purdue by double digits. And I don’t want to play against ECU, as they are the newest giant killers in town.

NFL notes, now. Tom brady is out for the year and fantasy owners around the country cry. If you paid for your pool and had him, i’d want a #1 draft clause that lets you get out if your fantasy draft stud gets hurt. Yes, that’s silly to actually implement, but this changes seasons for tons of people. I’m not happy he got hurt; it’s never a good thing to see a player get injured, especially the face of the organization (and countless magazines, too).

True, I don’t like the guy, he’s too talented and good looking, generally people get one or the other. I also was hoping for a 30+ pick season, and not making the playoffs. But it appears the superbowl curse is alive and kicking (knees, apparently) and the madden curse might have retired early, when it’s coverboy didn’t. But only time will tell, but the one thing we know for certain are these two things: Bellecheck (sp?) will be seen for how good of a coach he is and apparently another AFC team sold it’s soul to the prince of darkness for a shot at the AFC championship.

Aaron Rodgers looked great as the packer’s starter against a team that many picked to win the North, and the bears looked really good against a perennial superbowl contender. Lets hope the pack stays healthy and the bears nose dive like I know they can. Here’s to Rex Grossman making a quick return.

Last injury update: Shawn Merriman. He decides to forgo surgery and play the season. After a loss he decides to get surgery and forgo the season. I’m not saying he wasn’t really hurt, and I’m not saying he doesn’t want to play, but changing your mind after one game/loss looks a little suspicious. Of course i’d never say this to his face, and I could very well be wrong, but the timing is suspicious and makes him look petty. I hope he gets better, but I also hope the charger’s rebound and win the AFC. The packers are superbowl bound… if they can get past the scary ass cowboys.

This just in, Slovakia 82, Bulgaria 0, and that’s a hockey game.