But it could have been better.
In both fantasy football leagues I participated in this year, I took home a trophy in each. However, neither was a gold.
The league I put together with my wife and her family, I was in the Super Bowl against my buddy Jim. He crushed me and I finished in second place.
The other league, which was commissioned by my friend and old colleague Tye, resulted in a third place finish. Brett Favre and Percy Harvin outscored Adrian Peterson and Ryan Longwell in last night's Minnesota loss to give me the win. The worst part about that league is had I beaten my opponent last week by leaving in the Dallas defense (as opposed to replacing them with the Chicago defense leading to a loss), I would have outscored the guy who ended up earning the league's championship.
Yet, finishing in third place with a team that was autodrafted and not influenced in any way by me is pretty good. I'll probably be posting some statistics from the trades I made throughout the season in order to have them on record and hopefully learn something from the moves made.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Come On Fantasy Team
It is my Super Bowl this week against my buddy Jim in fantasy football land. I'm going to need some luck because he is the favored team (and rightly so, because he has a really good team). Ryan Grant is doing well, but he is really my only star right now.
In my other league I'm playing for third or fourth place. Apparently kicker Lawrence Tynes isn't playing for the New York Giants today, which I was not aware of. The silver lining in that loss is that the Giants haven't scored any points yet and are getting shelled by the Carolina Panthers (hahahaha).
Update: I guess Tynes is playing because his field goal gave me five points. Maybe just the fact that he was questionable had fantasy owners worried and more than 7,000 of them dropped the guy.
In my other league I'm playing for third or fourth place. Apparently kicker Lawrence Tynes isn't playing for the New York Giants today, which I was not aware of. The silver lining in that loss is that the Giants haven't scored any points yet and are getting shelled by the Carolina Panthers (hahahaha).
Update: I guess Tynes is playing because his field goal gave me five points. Maybe just the fact that he was questionable had fantasy owners worried and more than 7,000 of them dropped the guy.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
I don't expect any traffic to this site today (especially since 95% of my hits are my own on any given day), but should you find yourself wandering this way I wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
My Personal Rank Of The James Bond Villains
In my continued listings of the different aspects of 007 films, which include the movies, theme songs, and Bond girls in earlier posts, I will now give my ratings of the main villains from each official Bond film.
22. Brad Whitaker (from The Living Daylights)
21. Ernst Stavro Blofeld (from Diamonds are Forever)
20. Aris Kristatos (from For Your Eyes Only)
19. Gustav Graves (from Die Another Day)
18. Kamal Khan (from Octopussy)
17. Elliot Carver (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
16. Dr. Kananga (from Live and Let Die)
15. Karl Stromberg (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
14. Max Zorin (from A View to a Kill)
13. Rosa Klebb (from From Russia With Love)
12. Francisco Scaramanga (from The Man With the Golden Gun)
11. Franz Sanchez (from License to Kill)
10. Renard (from The World is not Enough)
9. Emilio Largo (from Thunderball)
8. Dominic Greene (from Quantum of Solace)
7. Alec Trevelyn (from Goldeneye)
6. Le Chiffre (from Casino Royale)
5. Hugo Drax (from Moonraker)
4. Ernst Stavro Blofeld (from On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
3. Dr. Julius No (from Dr. No)
2. Auric Goldfinger (from Goldfinger)
1. Ernst Stavro Blofeld (from You Only Live Twice)
Monday, December 21, 2009
New Blog Is Up
Per request from James (and inspired by the Texas Poker Guy), I am giving updates on my poker play as of late. Go here to check it out.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Music Of John Williams
As I am watching Richard Donner's cut of Superman II, I started to wonder what John Williams' most famous theme song is. Humming the Superman theme, I was almost positive it would be among the top five of Williams' tunes, but once I looked his filmography up on IMDb, I was astounded at how many great scores he has delivered. I always knew he had produced some great music, but I had forgotten how famous some of his work really was.
Well, I have narrowed down his top five theme songs and here they are. The following selections are the most recognizable pieces of music that any person would be able to identify whether they had seen the movie or not.
5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Those famous five notes might not immediately remind people what sci-fi movie they saw in 1977, but it certainly has become an oft-repeated hummed tune. It was even used in 1979's Moonraker as a passcode for a secret laboratory.
4. Superman
Any time I hear the Man of Steel's theme song I instantly think of those blue letters zooming through space telling the audience you are about to watch a movie that made an entire world believe a man could really fly.
3. Jaws
What boy hasn't thought of this hugely popular theme song while underwater slowly swimming toward a sibling? The monstrous shark's theme helped begin what is now known as the summer blockbuster and it also kept a large number of frightened moviegoers out of the water.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
While Indiana Jones' theme song might not be quite as famous as Jaws' "Dun Dun, Dun Dun, Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Doodoodoo," it certainly reminds me of my adolescence and brings to mind my childhood hero whipping his way through temples of doom and fighting off Nazis during the last crusade. The personal touch this theme song has helped it move up one notch on the list.
1. Star Wars
What's there to say about this theme song? Williams did such a good job with the Star Wars series, he created two famous theme songs decades apart (The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from Episode V and Duel of the Fates from Episode I), but he also established that any time the 20th Century drumroll is heard it brings to mind George Lucas' hit film series. This is his most recognized work and will most likely be what he is known for by the largest group of people.
Two movie themes that get honorable mention and just missed the cut were Jurassic Park
and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Williams' theme for Jurassic Park immediately takes people back to the moment the scientists (and audience) see the dinosaurs for the first time roaming the plains of the island.
Obviously Williams' theme songs are products of the great movies they go along with, but it is his music that helps shape the films into classics. John Williams is a genius at his craft and deserves the 34 Academy Award nominations, five Oscar wins and countless other musical accolades for his talents and contributions to the film industry.
Well, I have narrowed down his top five theme songs and here they are. The following selections are the most recognizable pieces of music that any person would be able to identify whether they had seen the movie or not.
5. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Those famous five notes might not immediately remind people what sci-fi movie they saw in 1977, but it certainly has become an oft-repeated hummed tune. It was even used in 1979's Moonraker as a passcode for a secret laboratory.
4. Superman
Any time I hear the Man of Steel's theme song I instantly think of those blue letters zooming through space telling the audience you are about to watch a movie that made an entire world believe a man could really fly.
3. Jaws
What boy hasn't thought of this hugely popular theme song while underwater slowly swimming toward a sibling? The monstrous shark's theme helped begin what is now known as the summer blockbuster and it also kept a large number of frightened moviegoers out of the water.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
While Indiana Jones' theme song might not be quite as famous as Jaws' "Dun Dun, Dun Dun, Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Doodoodoo," it certainly reminds me of my adolescence and brings to mind my childhood hero whipping his way through temples of doom and fighting off Nazis during the last crusade. The personal touch this theme song has helped it move up one notch on the list.
1. Star Wars
What's there to say about this theme song? Williams did such a good job with the Star Wars series, he created two famous theme songs decades apart (The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from Episode V and Duel of the Fates from Episode I), but he also established that any time the 20th Century drumroll is heard it brings to mind George Lucas' hit film series. This is his most recognized work and will most likely be what he is known for by the largest group of people.
Two movie themes that get honorable mention and just missed the cut were Jurassic Park
and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Williams' theme for Jurassic Park immediately takes people back to the moment the scientists (and audience) see the dinosaurs for the first time roaming the plains of the island.
Obviously Williams' theme songs are products of the great movies they go along with, but it is his music that helps shape the films into classics. John Williams is a genius at his craft and deserves the 34 Academy Award nominations, five Oscar wins and countless other musical accolades for his talents and contributions to the film industry.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
My Personal Rank Of The James Bond Girls
When it comes to the 007 films, there are certain elements that will always be seen. This includes over-the-top action sequences, exotic locations, and beautiful women paraded throughout. For my third (and fourth) list I have decided to spotlight the girls of James Bond's world.
You can check out my first two Bond lists here and here.
For the following lists, I have broken down the main girl of the picture (excluding supporting females who are mostly eye candy for a scene or two and henchwomen) into two categories. The first list is made up of the actress' beauty alone. The second list factors in their overall contribution to the film, which ranges from how good her acting is to whether or not she enhances the scenes she is in or just stands around looking pretty. The woman's beauty is also factored in for the second list.
So here we go.
Bond Girls - Beauty
22. Melina Havelock (from For Your Eyes Only)
21. Pam Bouvier (from License to Kill)
20. Pussy Galore (from Goldfinger)
19. Domino Derval (from Thunderball)
18. Kissy Suzuki (from You Only Live Twice)
17. Tiffany Case (from Diamonds are Forever)
16. Kara Milovy (from The Living Daylights)
15. Mary Goodnight (from The Man With the Golden Gun)
14. Vesper Lynd (from Casino Royale)
13. Natalya Simonova (from Goldeneye)
12. Dr. Holly Goodhead (from Moonraker)
11. Anya Amasova (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
10. Stacey Sutton (from A View to a Kill)
9. Wai Lin (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
8. Dr. Christmas Jones (from The World is not Enough)
7. Camille (from Quantum of Solace)
6. Octopussy (from Octopussy)
5. Jinx (from Die Another Day)
4. Honey Rider (from Dr. No)
3. Tracy Di Vicenzo (from On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
2. Solitaire (from Live and Let Die)
1. Tatiana Romanova (from From Russia With Love)
Bond Girls - Overall
22. Stacey Sutton (from A View to a Kill)
21. Dr. Christmas Jones (from The World is not Enough)
20. Mary Goodnight (from The Man With the Golden Gun)
19. Melina Havelock (from For Your Eyes Only)
18. Kissy Suzuki (from You Only Live Twice)
17. Tiffany Case (from Diamonds are Forever)
16. Dr. Holly Goodhead (from Moonraker)
15. Kara Milovy (from The Living Daylights)
14. Pam Bouvier (from License to Kill)
13. Domino Derval (from Thunderball)
12. Anya Amasova (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
11. Jinx (from Die Another Day)
10. Natalya Simonova (from Goldeneye)
9. Octopussy (from Octopussy)
8. Camille (from Quantum of Solace)
7. Solitaire (from Live and Let Die)
6. Wai Lin (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
5. Vesper Lynd (from Casino Royale)
4. Tatiana Romanova (from From Russia With Love)
3. Pussy Galore (from Goldfinger)
2. Tracy Di Vicenzo (from On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
1. Honey Rider (from Dr. No)
You can check out my first two Bond lists here and here.
For the following lists, I have broken down the main girl of the picture (excluding supporting females who are mostly eye candy for a scene or two and henchwomen) into two categories. The first list is made up of the actress' beauty alone. The second list factors in their overall contribution to the film, which ranges from how good her acting is to whether or not she enhances the scenes she is in or just stands around looking pretty. The woman's beauty is also factored in for the second list.
So here we go.
Bond Girls - Beauty
22. Melina Havelock (from For Your Eyes Only)
21. Pam Bouvier (from License to Kill)
20. Pussy Galore (from Goldfinger)
19. Domino Derval (from Thunderball)
18. Kissy Suzuki (from You Only Live Twice)
17. Tiffany Case (from Diamonds are Forever)
16. Kara Milovy (from The Living Daylights)
15. Mary Goodnight (from The Man With the Golden Gun)
14. Vesper Lynd (from Casino Royale)
13. Natalya Simonova (from Goldeneye)
12. Dr. Holly Goodhead (from Moonraker)
11. Anya Amasova (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
10. Stacey Sutton (from A View to a Kill)
9. Wai Lin (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
8. Dr. Christmas Jones (from The World is not Enough)
7. Camille (from Quantum of Solace)
6. Octopussy (from Octopussy)
5. Jinx (from Die Another Day)
4. Honey Rider (from Dr. No)
3. Tracy Di Vicenzo (from On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
2. Solitaire (from Live and Let Die)
1. Tatiana Romanova (from From Russia With Love)
Bond Girls - Overall
22. Stacey Sutton (from A View to a Kill)
21. Dr. Christmas Jones (from The World is not Enough)
20. Mary Goodnight (from The Man With the Golden Gun)
19. Melina Havelock (from For Your Eyes Only)
18. Kissy Suzuki (from You Only Live Twice)
17. Tiffany Case (from Diamonds are Forever)
16. Dr. Holly Goodhead (from Moonraker)
15. Kara Milovy (from The Living Daylights)
14. Pam Bouvier (from License to Kill)
13. Domino Derval (from Thunderball)
12. Anya Amasova (from The Spy Who Loved Me)
11. Jinx (from Die Another Day)
10. Natalya Simonova (from Goldeneye)
9. Octopussy (from Octopussy)
8. Camille (from Quantum of Solace)
7. Solitaire (from Live and Let Die)
6. Wai Lin (from Tomorrow Never Dies)
5. Vesper Lynd (from Casino Royale)
4. Tatiana Romanova (from From Russia With Love)
3. Pussy Galore (from Goldfinger)
2. Tracy Di Vicenzo (from On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
1. Honey Rider (from Dr. No)
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
A Reflection On The Dark Knight
I just finished watching The Dark Knight and am pleased at how great of a movie it is. Sure, it has its flaws here and there, but when compared with every other comic book movie so far made, it pales all others in comparison. The action is top-notch. The cast is superb (minus Maggie Gyllenhaal; I never thought I would actually want Katie Holmes back in the role of Rachel Dawes after watching Batman Begins).
One of the subjects of the film is escalation (how Batman has raised the bar for criminals like the Joker), and it is a fitting theme as Christopher Nolan has transformed a kiddie genre of film into an adult drama/action piece that will be the new blueprint for superhero movies to come for many years.
It is hard to believe that nobody who has any interest in film or comic books hasn't seen The Dark Knight, but if you somehow haven't, I highly recommend it. It's not to be missed.
One of the subjects of the film is escalation (how Batman has raised the bar for criminals like the Joker), and it is a fitting theme as Christopher Nolan has transformed a kiddie genre of film into an adult drama/action piece that will be the new blueprint for superhero movies to come for many years.
It is hard to believe that nobody who has any interest in film or comic books hasn't seen The Dark Knight, but if you somehow haven't, I highly recommend it. It's not to be missed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)