Saturday, February 16, 2008

from 12/16/07 posting

12/16/07 - After a brief Indian Summer in the Carolinas, the winter weather’s returned with a blustery vengeance.

BCS Title Game - I think the voters got it right. LSU vs. Ohio State. However if ever there was a year for a playoff, this is it.

How could the playoffs work? Here’s my system. Let’s call it the “Myers Bowl Playoff System” or MBPS, for lack of any other creative name. Take the 8 teams in the 4 major bowls (Orange, Sugar, Fiesta, Rose). The 4 winners will pair off and play again on the second Saturday in January at two of the 4 major bowl locations. The two winners of those games would face off on the weekend before the Super Bowl. It would be at either the site of the Super Bowl, or at another of the 4 major locations. Thus three of the 4 majors would have two games, and the locations would rotate. Therefore each of the “4 majors” would host two games three out of every 4 years.

Now there are other variables such as letting the Super Bowl location host the game and possibly allowing other cities to bid for it. Regardless, the three extra games equal millions of more dollars for the NCAA and the BCS conferences. The regular season would still matter because if you don’t wind up in the top eight, you’re out of the title hunt. The rest of the bowl system would remain intact. Only four teams would practice more than the rest of the current bowl system. Best of all, the championship is settled on the field like every other sport and division of football. In a year as chaotic as 2007, teams like Georgia, USC, Oklahoma, and Hawaii would all have a shot at the championship.

Homebrew - Debating what to brew for my next batch. Absolutely love having TBA in a keg (fresh, cold beer at the squeeze of a tap). A wine afficianado with a palatte for lagers recently sampled my TBA and declared, “tastes like something straight out of Europe.” But I enjoy having a darker beer on hand too. Something along the lines of a porter or stout. Made my own six pack at Total Wine last week with beers from Butte Creek, Otter Creek, Brooklyn, The St. George Brewery, Rogue, and Highland (in Asheville). Will sample several more trying to get ideas. Liked the Stovepipe Porter from Otter Creek and have a replica recipe of it somewhere. Maybe the 2nd half of Christmas week will find me in the driveway standing over a boiling brewpot. Cheers!

Too much corn - I know that sounds strange, but hear me out. Homebrewers and commercial brewers alike are feeling the crunch from the number of farmers who are switching from growing hops and barley to corn. The demand for corn is increasing due to Ethanol production. Unfortunately it’s not the great alternative some people think it is. While it’s an alternative to oil consumption, it burns faster and hotter than gasoline. And an unforeseen side effect, the price of beer at the supermarket has and will continue to rise. Of course as economics teaches us, when it becomes more profitable for farmers to grow barley and hops, they’ll switch. That may be awhile.

Movies - Been out for a few years, but watched Cinderella Man recently. Excellent movie. Scenes of Great Depression were heart-wrenching. Particularly at thought of having to send children away to live with relatives because you don’t have enough food for them. And the anguish of hearing a child’s deep cough and knowing what’s to come since you can’t afford any medical care for him. Many scenes like the one of Hooverville were reminiscent of The Grapes of Wrath. I loved the boxing scenes, but the rest of it was too sad to want to watch again.
Finally saw Old School too. Great script, very quotable, and great comedic performances.
Saw For Love of the Game a couple weeks ago. Liked the premise of flashbacks as the pitcher is between innings. Loved hearing Vin Scully announce a game, wish ESPN would simulcast him whenever they broadcast a Dodgers game. Thought the main character should have lost the no hitter at the very end when his old friend’s son was up to bat. Could have been deliberate or as a sign he knew his career was over. Several different minor storylines could have played out from this. Still a good story even if a little too neatly tied up.

Old Guy Radio - See last posting for further explanation of where this idea came from (an homage to Tony Kornheiser). With it being Christmas and all, check out Bing Crosby's Good King Wenceslas and Peace on Earth (his duet with David Bowie). Both are timeless, and the latter is a classic variation of a standard. It also exemplifies how standards can be changed and interpreted by different artists.

1 Comments:

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