Friday, November 29, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Be a Receiver, They Said
I think we got a tight MVP race in the NFL and it's coming from second year guy.
Not enough can be said regarding Lamar Jackson's phenomenal play this year. The Baltimore Ravens are enjoying one of their best years in a long time and last year's first round pick is the quarterback that is lighting up the field. The running game is through the roof and being led by him followed by veteran back Mark Ingram. Both have combined for over 1500 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns. Gus Edwards even has over 400 yards. You never know who is going to get it.
But the improvement in throwing the ball has been a highlight for Jackson. And some thought he would be better as a wide receiver. The numbers speak for itself. Leading the league at the time of this blog with 24 passing touchdowns and just over 2400 yards. Completing two thirds of his passes helps because the defenses have to be honest and figure out Baltimore's power. Plus, he hasn't turned the ball much. Only five picks and five fumbles. There is still room to keep improving, but you are looking at a potential Super Bowl winner.
Baltimore is back in good form and the defense's mix of young and veterans keep themselves in the game. Only their opponents can figure out the codes to make them vulnerable.
Not enough can be said regarding Lamar Jackson's phenomenal play this year. The Baltimore Ravens are enjoying one of their best years in a long time and last year's first round pick is the quarterback that is lighting up the field. The running game is through the roof and being led by him followed by veteran back Mark Ingram. Both have combined for over 1500 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns. Gus Edwards even has over 400 yards. You never know who is going to get it.
But the improvement in throwing the ball has been a highlight for Jackson. And some thought he would be better as a wide receiver. The numbers speak for itself. Leading the league at the time of this blog with 24 passing touchdowns and just over 2400 yards. Completing two thirds of his passes helps because the defenses have to be honest and figure out Baltimore's power. Plus, he hasn't turned the ball much. Only five picks and five fumbles. There is still room to keep improving, but you are looking at a potential Super Bowl winner.
Baltimore is back in good form and the defense's mix of young and veterans keep themselves in the game. Only their opponents can figure out the codes to make them vulnerable.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Console Buyer's Guide 2019
Black Friday and the holiday season begins very soon, so there is the look of what game systems are out on the market. For 2019, it may mark one of the last big years for the current ones out there.
Starting with the dead systems, it's safe to say you can't find many PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, and Vita games on store shelves. Your best bet is going to be the used local stores or having to use online to get the games. Everything but the Vita can still be found easily at a GameStop, but how much longer they will have these games, I'm not sure. Until PS3 and 360 stop using servers for good would be my guess or when the new systems come out in November.
I'm surprised to still see the 3DS on store shelves. Nintendo stated that it will still be supported heading into 2020, but I don't buy into it fully. Not any big releases and being eight years old is not healthy. I guess milk it until the cows come home. For what it was able to do, it stabilized and did very well following a disastrous launch due to the high price. You can find 2DS XL's and some games, but the selection is not the greatest at most stores. Used local stores and online may be the ultimate way to get the titles you may want that aren't the usual suspects.
This year will be the last very huge year for PS4 and Xbox One. I don't think there's one advantage over the other except in exclusives. It comes down to what you like more. Do you like Halo, Gears of War, and a couple others? Uncharted, MLB, Ratchet and Clank? I still think the edge goes to PlayStation, but I don't think either one is a bad choice. They're cheap and you can get games at good prices everywhere. Not much else to say.
Last is the Switch. The Lite model should entice some for the holiday season, but will they like that it's portable only? That I'd ask because it being a hybrid prior to the release may be the only incentive. I think there should be a price cut for the original model. Beyond the first party games, there is relatively good support still and plenty of releases from older games and new ones. It's a way to make up for some of Nintendo's blunders. How well this does beyond this year and 2020 is a question in itself and if the novelty sticks or fades away.
Shop safe. Shop smart. And shop carefully for these systems and games.
Starting with the dead systems, it's safe to say you can't find many PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, and Vita games on store shelves. Your best bet is going to be the used local stores or having to use online to get the games. Everything but the Vita can still be found easily at a GameStop, but how much longer they will have these games, I'm not sure. Until PS3 and 360 stop using servers for good would be my guess or when the new systems come out in November.
I'm surprised to still see the 3DS on store shelves. Nintendo stated that it will still be supported heading into 2020, but I don't buy into it fully. Not any big releases and being eight years old is not healthy. I guess milk it until the cows come home. For what it was able to do, it stabilized and did very well following a disastrous launch due to the high price. You can find 2DS XL's and some games, but the selection is not the greatest at most stores. Used local stores and online may be the ultimate way to get the titles you may want that aren't the usual suspects.
This year will be the last very huge year for PS4 and Xbox One. I don't think there's one advantage over the other except in exclusives. It comes down to what you like more. Do you like Halo, Gears of War, and a couple others? Uncharted, MLB, Ratchet and Clank? I still think the edge goes to PlayStation, but I don't think either one is a bad choice. They're cheap and you can get games at good prices everywhere. Not much else to say.
Last is the Switch. The Lite model should entice some for the holiday season, but will they like that it's portable only? That I'd ask because it being a hybrid prior to the release may be the only incentive. I think there should be a price cut for the original model. Beyond the first party games, there is relatively good support still and plenty of releases from older games and new ones. It's a way to make up for some of Nintendo's blunders. How well this does beyond this year and 2020 is a question in itself and if the novelty sticks or fades away.
Shop safe. Shop smart. And shop carefully for these systems and games.
Sunday, November 24, 2019
New YouTube 2020
Only in the last week or two have I seen any of this, but it is one that leaves many in worry. Kind of a sequel blog to one I made last week. But if you are new to this, here it is. Google and YouTube were forced to pay a fine of 170 million dollars regarding data to children under the age of 13 back in September this year. They violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which was implemented in 1998. Sweeping changes are going to be made once 2020 starts. Now, users have to answer whether their stuff is made for kids or not. Tons of channels will be affected, regardless of activity or inactivity.
This is what gets frustrating. What is "made for kids?" Because that answer can be construed as anything. It's all about the subject, whether kids are involved or the intended audience, cartoon characters and figures, and a few other things. That doesn't please me, because it is vague, which is one of YouTube's biggest issues. They never explain anything in detail and if you have a question, it's usually some dipshit robot with an automated response. But what's damaging is if content is mislabeled. You could face a 42,000 plus dollar fine. That's not good at all.
The problem with some channels is that some of their stuff may have the look of something for kids, but not intended for them. Are my game videos of 90s games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Home Alone, Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Pac-Man World, and a few other kids games going to hurt me because they have the look of something kids might see? My audience ranges from teenagers to age 55, with mostly young adults and ones up to their mid 40s. The FTC is allowing responses about this, as they are looking to expand on COPPA. YouTube also suggests seeking a lawyer, which is impossible considering costs.
Another thing is that if you label something for kids, a lot of features get removed, making the video in question almost non-existent. That's to be expected, but you lose a good audience. There's YouTube Kids, which is an app that doesn't allow advertising, but I doubt many use it. Parents will have nothing but inappropriate stuff kids will watch if all the kids content is gone.
My advice is to archive your videos. Get them all, put them on a flash drive and potentially take them to another site if people start getting fined on YouTube. It's not worth having thousands turn into millions in fines. And for YouTube and others, explain stuff. Staying vague does not help your situation.
This is what gets frustrating. What is "made for kids?" Because that answer can be construed as anything. It's all about the subject, whether kids are involved or the intended audience, cartoon characters and figures, and a few other things. That doesn't please me, because it is vague, which is one of YouTube's biggest issues. They never explain anything in detail and if you have a question, it's usually some dipshit robot with an automated response. But what's damaging is if content is mislabeled. You could face a 42,000 plus dollar fine. That's not good at all.
The problem with some channels is that some of their stuff may have the look of something for kids, but not intended for them. Are my game videos of 90s games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Home Alone, Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Pac-Man World, and a few other kids games going to hurt me because they have the look of something kids might see? My audience ranges from teenagers to age 55, with mostly young adults and ones up to their mid 40s. The FTC is allowing responses about this, as they are looking to expand on COPPA. YouTube also suggests seeking a lawyer, which is impossible considering costs.
Another thing is that if you label something for kids, a lot of features get removed, making the video in question almost non-existent. That's to be expected, but you lose a good audience. There's YouTube Kids, which is an app that doesn't allow advertising, but I doubt many use it. Parents will have nothing but inappropriate stuff kids will watch if all the kids content is gone.
My advice is to archive your videos. Get them all, put them on a flash drive and potentially take them to another site if people start getting fined on YouTube. It's not worth having thousands turn into millions in fines. And for YouTube and others, explain stuff. Staying vague does not help your situation.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Thursday, November 21, 2019
No Good Movie Angels
Last weekend's movie performances are not what you think for mid-November. If I'm Elizabeth Banks, I'd be keeping my mouth shut instead of being an idiot. Her take on Charlie's Angels failed in its opening weekend and more than likely will be a big flop for Sony. She puts blame on sexism and saying men don't want to watch female led action movies. It's a lazy excuse for why it failed.
From what I read, the movie had a tough time getting made the last few years. I believe it went through a number of screenplays and re-writes. That's not exactly good. To put this in perspective, the show debuted in 1976. What are you trying to aim it towards? Because most that aren't in the 40-55 range aren't going to see it. I doubt teenagers want to see it. I doubt young adults want to, male or female.
Not to mention the cast of your group. It's not a bankable group compared to the 2000 adaptation, which did very well beyond just a recognizable cast. Kristen Stewart is not A-list material. Although fantastic in Aladdin, Naomi Scott is not recognizable yet. She is not a draw, but she could be one day. And the other girl I keep forgetting is not recognizable either. It's not a panned movie (the 2000 adaptation wasn't either, but it wasn't well regarded by critics) , but I heard the marketing was not strong.
That's the gist of what I'm writing here. I like to look at the numbers of what films do. And that there is more to why Angels failed beyond the cop out sexism excuse. The idea of girls kicking ass is not foreign. Like any movie, it depends on the quality of it and how moviegoers feel about the quality. I think people were able to ignore some of the flaws of the two movies made in the 2000s. And that says a lot because there was plenty of action films around that time. To a number of people, they probably felt like this adaptation wasn't good enough and didn't reach that high bar. You could say the same thing with the new Men in Black that came out this past June despite a reasonable cast.
I think politics does play a role as well as feminism. If it's not shoved down your throat constantly, then I don't think audiences would be turned off, regardless of what the movie they're watching is. Overall, I'd be more careful if I'm Sony. Reboots have become too common. There has to be room for more original films in Hollywood along with better quality sequels. An old 70s program is not good enough for an adaptation in today's world. If that can't happen, then moviegoers are going to not be in the theater more often.
From what I read, the movie had a tough time getting made the last few years. I believe it went through a number of screenplays and re-writes. That's not exactly good. To put this in perspective, the show debuted in 1976. What are you trying to aim it towards? Because most that aren't in the 40-55 range aren't going to see it. I doubt teenagers want to see it. I doubt young adults want to, male or female.
Not to mention the cast of your group. It's not a bankable group compared to the 2000 adaptation, which did very well beyond just a recognizable cast. Kristen Stewart is not A-list material. Although fantastic in Aladdin, Naomi Scott is not recognizable yet. She is not a draw, but she could be one day. And the other girl I keep forgetting is not recognizable either. It's not a panned movie (the 2000 adaptation wasn't either, but it wasn't well regarded by critics) , but I heard the marketing was not strong.
That's the gist of what I'm writing here. I like to look at the numbers of what films do. And that there is more to why Angels failed beyond the cop out sexism excuse. The idea of girls kicking ass is not foreign. Like any movie, it depends on the quality of it and how moviegoers feel about the quality. I think people were able to ignore some of the flaws of the two movies made in the 2000s. And that says a lot because there was plenty of action films around that time. To a number of people, they probably felt like this adaptation wasn't good enough and didn't reach that high bar. You could say the same thing with the new Men in Black that came out this past June despite a reasonable cast.
I think politics does play a role as well as feminism. If it's not shoved down your throat constantly, then I don't think audiences would be turned off, regardless of what the movie they're watching is. Overall, I'd be more careful if I'm Sony. Reboots have become too common. There has to be room for more original films in Hollywood along with better quality sequels. An old 70s program is not good enough for an adaptation in today's world. If that can't happen, then moviegoers are going to not be in the theater more often.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Geeks and Jocks Episodes 20 and 21
Last week's episode of Geeks and Jocks, focusing mostly on Medal of Honor
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-20-Medal-of-Honor-e8ve39
And yesterday's brand new episode, focusing on sports, especially the Houston Astros cheating scandal.
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-21-Malice-at-all-Sports-e930j5
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-20-Medal-of-Honor-e8ve39
And yesterday's brand new episode, focusing on sports, especially the Houston Astros cheating scandal.
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-21-Malice-at-all-Sports-e930j5
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Electronic Bandage
I didn't know these things existed. Did you? Because it adds another layer to the whole scandal involving the Houston Astros.
I'm not sure if it's sufficient evidence compared to hearing garbage cans, but several sites have discussed this in the last day. From what was said from at least MLB executives, batters would have on electronic bandages. If so, it hides any noise. A way to steal signs and a way to signal what pitch was coming. I'd guess one buzz meant a fastball and two would mean an off speed pitch. I can't imagine what else will be unearthed.
As a fan of the sport, this is a huge disgrace for baseball. With how toxic the organization is, some are calling for life bans. I can see owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow getting those. Maybe manager AJ Hinch depending on how much he knew. I may have been a little lenient on my suspension ideas last week. What do you do with Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran? That I can't answer because I have none. But I could see Cora getting banned, but not necessarily for life (don't rule it out). Maybe suspend players that knew fully what they were getting into for maybe half a season? But commissioner Rob Manfred will have to come up with something soon. Spring training is three months away and it would be better if he got the punishment out of the way.
For what it stands, it happened. Things got way uglier at the moment. The Astros will not live it down for a very long time.
I'm not sure if it's sufficient evidence compared to hearing garbage cans, but several sites have discussed this in the last day. From what was said from at least MLB executives, batters would have on electronic bandages. If so, it hides any noise. A way to steal signs and a way to signal what pitch was coming. I'd guess one buzz meant a fastball and two would mean an off speed pitch. I can't imagine what else will be unearthed.
As a fan of the sport, this is a huge disgrace for baseball. With how toxic the organization is, some are calling for life bans. I can see owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow getting those. Maybe manager AJ Hinch depending on how much he knew. I may have been a little lenient on my suspension ideas last week. What do you do with Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran? That I can't answer because I have none. But I could see Cora getting banned, but not necessarily for life (don't rule it out). Maybe suspend players that knew fully what they were getting into for maybe half a season? But commissioner Rob Manfred will have to come up with something soon. Spring training is three months away and it would be better if he got the punishment out of the way.
For what it stands, it happened. Things got way uglier at the moment. The Astros will not live it down for a very long time.
Monday, November 18, 2019
Prototype the Hedgehog 3
The story of prototypes is always interesting to hear about. This Sonic the Hedgehog 3 one that was found this past weekend is the talk of the town and it tells a lot regarding its troubled development.
Sega was keen on keeping the game very private. Competing against the SNES was not an easy task in 1993. Neither was seeing the new 3DO and Atari Jaguar that fall. Courtesy of The Cutting Room Floor and community Hidden Palace, there was a prototype from November 3, 1993. More than likely, stuff that was made around October or even September. It's very incomplete. Tons of graphical stuff that hadn't been implemented. A number of Sonic and Knuckles levels still in the code. Bonus stages in the alpha parts of development. A drop dash that was dropped until Sonic Mania did it two years ago. Sprites that still came out of the second game. Ton of stuff.
Of course, the main focus is the music. When Sonic 3 and Knuckles appeared in a compilation for Windows 95 in 1997, music in some zones and areas were replaced with different tunes. What is now confirmed in this prototype is that those different tunes were originally thought of back in 93. Was Sega through with Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer? I'd like to hear Buxer's take on it. But also, were Jackson and Buxer not pleased with doing Genesis hardware? If so, was this before the molestation scandal that June?
If Sega wants to re-release for modern systems this game, I don't see the problem with taking those different tunes and putting them in the stock game. I know some are comfortable with the Jackson tracks, but I doubt the estate of his would bend down and neither would Buxer. Would it hurt to get some answers from either side? Give us something that doesn't become an unsolved mystery.
I think we'll get a conclusion soon.
Sega was keen on keeping the game very private. Competing against the SNES was not an easy task in 1993. Neither was seeing the new 3DO and Atari Jaguar that fall. Courtesy of The Cutting Room Floor and community Hidden Palace, there was a prototype from November 3, 1993. More than likely, stuff that was made around October or even September. It's very incomplete. Tons of graphical stuff that hadn't been implemented. A number of Sonic and Knuckles levels still in the code. Bonus stages in the alpha parts of development. A drop dash that was dropped until Sonic Mania did it two years ago. Sprites that still came out of the second game. Ton of stuff.
Of course, the main focus is the music. When Sonic 3 and Knuckles appeared in a compilation for Windows 95 in 1997, music in some zones and areas were replaced with different tunes. What is now confirmed in this prototype is that those different tunes were originally thought of back in 93. Was Sega through with Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer? I'd like to hear Buxer's take on it. But also, were Jackson and Buxer not pleased with doing Genesis hardware? If so, was this before the molestation scandal that June?
If Sega wants to re-release for modern systems this game, I don't see the problem with taking those different tunes and putting them in the stock game. I know some are comfortable with the Jackson tracks, but I doubt the estate of his would bend down and neither would Buxer. Would it hurt to get some answers from either side? Give us something that doesn't become an unsolved mystery.
I think we'll get a conclusion soon.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Super Smash Helmet Brawl
With how bad the Pittsburgh Steelers were with injuries, I wasn't expecting a win for them against the Cleveland Browns. I missed out on the end of the game that should result in hefty fines on both sides and a suspension that could potentially be very lengthy. It's a bitter rivalry and this is one they won't forget.
Less than 15 seconds left in the game, the Steelers run a play. Mason Rudolph throws to his running back just before getting hit by Myles Garrett. They are on the ground and Rudolph starts the scuffle. Garrett rips off his helmet. Rudolph, with no helmet on, tries to get back at him. Garrett hits him in the head with the helmet. A brawl ensues. Several Steelers kick at Garrett, including center Maurkice Pouncey. Ugly scene. Obvious ejections. So what happens now?
If you're Cleveland, you're looking towards a few defensive guys not dressing up in a couple weeks. Damarious Randall may be fined, but not suspended. They lost Morgan Burnett to an Achilles injury. How severe that is is another story. Garrett will have at least a month's suspension. There is no way that he can defend himself with that. One heck of a year and to blow that opportunity. Especially with the two game winning streak. Don't be surprised either if he's suspended the rest of the year and maybe some games next season. (Suspended indefinitely) They are not far off from the wild card spot, but plenty of competition is around them. At least four teams have better records.
If you're Pittsburgh, I'm expecting Pouncey to be suspended. Yes, he was trying to protect Rudolph, but it's ridiculous. If not suspended, then a big fine. (Three games) I don't expect Rudolph to be suspended, but the NFL should fine him. Why charge at Garrett? Especially when he has had concussions this year? That is stupidity on his part and that's what will be lost. What Garrett did was atrocious, but Rudolph needs to be blamed a little bit, too. If it weren't for charging and losing his composure, he would not have gotten hit in the head by his own helmet.
These teams meet again on December 1. There will be revenge in mind for Pittsburgh, which that game will be at Heinz Field. But the NFL should give out big warnings. I got a feeling we are going to see another big fight if it comes down to another ugly scene. Good drama for Thursday Night Football, but a bad stain for the NFL.
Less than 15 seconds left in the game, the Steelers run a play. Mason Rudolph throws to his running back just before getting hit by Myles Garrett. They are on the ground and Rudolph starts the scuffle. Garrett rips off his helmet. Rudolph, with no helmet on, tries to get back at him. Garrett hits him in the head with the helmet. A brawl ensues. Several Steelers kick at Garrett, including center Maurkice Pouncey. Ugly scene. Obvious ejections. So what happens now?
If you're Cleveland, you're looking towards a few defensive guys not dressing up in a couple weeks. Damarious Randall may be fined, but not suspended. They lost Morgan Burnett to an Achilles injury. How severe that is is another story. Garrett will have at least a month's suspension. There is no way that he can defend himself with that. One heck of a year and to blow that opportunity. Especially with the two game winning streak. Don't be surprised either if he's suspended the rest of the year and maybe some games next season. (Suspended indefinitely) They are not far off from the wild card spot, but plenty of competition is around them. At least four teams have better records.
If you're Pittsburgh, I'm expecting Pouncey to be suspended. Yes, he was trying to protect Rudolph, but it's ridiculous. If not suspended, then a big fine. (Three games) I don't expect Rudolph to be suspended, but the NFL should fine him. Why charge at Garrett? Especially when he has had concussions this year? That is stupidity on his part and that's what will be lost. What Garrett did was atrocious, but Rudolph needs to be blamed a little bit, too. If it weren't for charging and losing his composure, he would not have gotten hit in the head by his own helmet.
These teams meet again on December 1. There will be revenge in mind for Pittsburgh, which that game will be at Heinz Field. But the NFL should give out big warnings. I got a feeling we are going to see another big fight if it comes down to another ugly scene. Good drama for Thursday Night Football, but a bad stain for the NFL.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Signs of Stealing Electronically
I don't think sign stealing is that bad for baseball, though I feel it could be curbed a little bit. The amount of toxicity surrounding the Houston Astros may be even worse.
Now the news is that they may have cheated during their 2017 season that ended with them winning the World Series. From an exclusive from The Athletic, former Astro pitcher Mike Fiers discussed about how at Minute Maid Park, a camera would be situated at center field, aimed at the catcher. Monitors in a dugout would be looked at by members of the Astros. If a sign meant a breaking ball, a metal garbage can would bang. In the story, he also talked about explaining it to teams he has been on the last two years about being very careful and changing it up.
In a way, Fiers is looking out for teammates. Some of them have one chance make an impact. If they fail, they are going to be in the minors for longer time or forever. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that. There is a video of a game from September 2017 where Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar heard bangs and talked to his catcher. They managed to strike out pinch hitter Evan Gattis. Still, it is evidence that Houston is trying to gain an edge. Who knows how many games they cheated in. Who knows if the Yankees keep Joe Girardi as manager or they go to Aaron Boone last year. It impacts a lot of teams and players. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and newly minted Mets manager Carlos Beltran are also in the mix of this controversy.
What's sad is that the Astros have a good batting group. Altuve, Springer, Bregman, Gurriel, Reddick. Some of the young guys like Alvarez. And the pitching is above average compared to most. I don't think the team cheated all the time, but cheating is cheating. The Yankees have a right to be pissed about what happened two years ago. Cleveland and Boston have a right to be pissed about last year. It's a good thing the Astros didn't win a World series last year or this year because it would paint a darker picture. Combined with the Brandon Taubman issue, it is a recipe for what could be a very harsh punishment.
The best MLB can do is take away draft picks and give hefty fines and suspensions to the front office. Maybe suspend AJ Hinch for a month or two if he knew. And the thing with Houston is that prior to the last six years, they were a mediocre franchise, borderline decent. With the exception of 2000, they had winning records from 1993 through 2006 with six playoff appearances. What was great in 2017 and a feel good story for the city is now a disgrace. You would think Rob Manfred will think deep about this because who knows how many stories we will hear and how much it can affect the Astros. This is worse than the tainted New England Patriots dynasty and all their controversies. And there is no doubt that Manfred will have to impose stricter policies or get rid of video and monitors in the dugouts. It's one thing to figure out the signs on your own, but electronically, it hurts the sport a lot more.
I have a feeling we are going to hear more in the future.
Now the news is that they may have cheated during their 2017 season that ended with them winning the World Series. From an exclusive from The Athletic, former Astro pitcher Mike Fiers discussed about how at Minute Maid Park, a camera would be situated at center field, aimed at the catcher. Monitors in a dugout would be looked at by members of the Astros. If a sign meant a breaking ball, a metal garbage can would bang. In the story, he also talked about explaining it to teams he has been on the last two years about being very careful and changing it up.
In a way, Fiers is looking out for teammates. Some of them have one chance make an impact. If they fail, they are going to be in the minors for longer time or forever. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that. There is a video of a game from September 2017 where Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar heard bangs and talked to his catcher. They managed to strike out pinch hitter Evan Gattis. Still, it is evidence that Houston is trying to gain an edge. Who knows how many games they cheated in. Who knows if the Yankees keep Joe Girardi as manager or they go to Aaron Boone last year. It impacts a lot of teams and players. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and newly minted Mets manager Carlos Beltran are also in the mix of this controversy.
What's sad is that the Astros have a good batting group. Altuve, Springer, Bregman, Gurriel, Reddick. Some of the young guys like Alvarez. And the pitching is above average compared to most. I don't think the team cheated all the time, but cheating is cheating. The Yankees have a right to be pissed about what happened two years ago. Cleveland and Boston have a right to be pissed about last year. It's a good thing the Astros didn't win a World series last year or this year because it would paint a darker picture. Combined with the Brandon Taubman issue, it is a recipe for what could be a very harsh punishment.
The best MLB can do is take away draft picks and give hefty fines and suspensions to the front office. Maybe suspend AJ Hinch for a month or two if he knew. And the thing with Houston is that prior to the last six years, they were a mediocre franchise, borderline decent. With the exception of 2000, they had winning records from 1993 through 2006 with six playoff appearances. What was great in 2017 and a feel good story for the city is now a disgrace. You would think Rob Manfred will think deep about this because who knows how many stories we will hear and how much it can affect the Astros. This is worse than the tainted New England Patriots dynasty and all their controversies. And there is no doubt that Manfred will have to impose stricter policies or get rid of video and monitors in the dugouts. It's one thing to figure out the signs on your own, but electronically, it hurts the sport a lot more.
I have a feeling we are going to hear more in the future.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
What's Kid Friendly, FTC?
That's the question I'd ask to the Federal Trade Commission. I've been doing YouTube for over eight years, almost seven with the current account I have. I'm all for wanting to make sure kids get protected via the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). But with Google and YouTube paying 170 million in damages because of personalized ads and a couple other things back in September, this is a pure overreaction and I'm not sure if people are going to risk using the site to make videos.
At the very least, you can voice your opinion to the FTC about it. But the explanations that are given out are either very vague or so broad that I can't make heads or tails of the whole thing. I don't use ads unless a company puts content ID on a video. But people will lose money. And the FTC and YouTube's machine to judge what could be for kids is a big danger. Potentially fines will go for over 42 thousand dollars, which is overkill and could hurt very small channels. Big channels are hurt, but aren't in danger... yet. I wonder about the thousands of dead channels because most won't know about the issues and they will have no idea that they could be fined six figures or more.
I do video game videos, but not stuff like Fortnite and Minecraft. Are games from Crash Bandicoot, Home Alone, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Chex Quest, and various sports games going to be considered made for kids? Those examples are what I've uploaded since 2013. It's a hobby to me. But I've also done adult games like Medal of Honor, Doom, and GTA games. They could label old NES, Genesis, SNES, and PlayStation games as being made for kids. And what I dread also is that regardless of age, they are going to ignore adults and teens and say they are below 13 years old watching a Sonic Genesis game or an NFL video game.
People are not stupid. They know how bad this situation is. This is what happened with the SOPA bill back in 2012. When a government intervenes, the Internet takes action. What's happening now is a bit different, but that doesn't mean people are not going to be mad. Unless changes are made to alter the new propositions before the start 2020, you could be saying goodbye to a lot of channels and a lot of viewers because of the vagueness and broad terms. One thing that is bothersome is parents aren't always keeping eye on what their kids do.
I feel many parents don't care what their kids watch. I feel like that's been the case for a very long time. YouTube has an app for kids. No ads, no bullshit. I don't know if any of this will affect me, but I'm not taking any chances. The FTC wants to expand on what COPPA does, and it could make many quit. This is what I think the FTC should do.
1. Explain what is kid friendly. Leaving it vague and broad will leave creators confused and worry about what they can make.
2. Understand that because it's colorful or has cartoon characters, it doesn't mean creators are always targeting kids. Just because people play the original Super Mario Bros. on NES doesn't mean kids are searching for it exclusively.
3. Drop the 42 thousand fine. Pure overkill. Go the suspension way with three strikes. One that lasts a week, two weeks, and the last one being a month. Making it a money thing will make things way worse.
4. Don't play babysitter. The FTC has no clue of what they are doing. Let parents do their jobs and police the use of content their kids watch. Intervening as it is right now will hurt a lot more than they realize.
That's my long winded thoughts. There's a petition on Change.org and you can express your thoughts to the FTC about this via regulations.gov.
https://www.change.org/p/the-federal-trade-commission-youtubers-and-viewers-unite-9045ee7f-f6f0-460e-b088-3429209dd7c6?recruiter=1015502725&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FTC-2019-0054-0001
Protecting kids is necessary, but this is not the way it should be done.
At the very least, you can voice your opinion to the FTC about it. But the explanations that are given out are either very vague or so broad that I can't make heads or tails of the whole thing. I don't use ads unless a company puts content ID on a video. But people will lose money. And the FTC and YouTube's machine to judge what could be for kids is a big danger. Potentially fines will go for over 42 thousand dollars, which is overkill and could hurt very small channels. Big channels are hurt, but aren't in danger... yet. I wonder about the thousands of dead channels because most won't know about the issues and they will have no idea that they could be fined six figures or more.
I do video game videos, but not stuff like Fortnite and Minecraft. Are games from Crash Bandicoot, Home Alone, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Chex Quest, and various sports games going to be considered made for kids? Those examples are what I've uploaded since 2013. It's a hobby to me. But I've also done adult games like Medal of Honor, Doom, and GTA games. They could label old NES, Genesis, SNES, and PlayStation games as being made for kids. And what I dread also is that regardless of age, they are going to ignore adults and teens and say they are below 13 years old watching a Sonic Genesis game or an NFL video game.
People are not stupid. They know how bad this situation is. This is what happened with the SOPA bill back in 2012. When a government intervenes, the Internet takes action. What's happening now is a bit different, but that doesn't mean people are not going to be mad. Unless changes are made to alter the new propositions before the start 2020, you could be saying goodbye to a lot of channels and a lot of viewers because of the vagueness and broad terms. One thing that is bothersome is parents aren't always keeping eye on what their kids do.
I feel many parents don't care what their kids watch. I feel like that's been the case for a very long time. YouTube has an app for kids. No ads, no bullshit. I don't know if any of this will affect me, but I'm not taking any chances. The FTC wants to expand on what COPPA does, and it could make many quit. This is what I think the FTC should do.
1. Explain what is kid friendly. Leaving it vague and broad will leave creators confused and worry about what they can make.
2. Understand that because it's colorful or has cartoon characters, it doesn't mean creators are always targeting kids. Just because people play the original Super Mario Bros. on NES doesn't mean kids are searching for it exclusively.
3. Drop the 42 thousand fine. Pure overkill. Go the suspension way with three strikes. One that lasts a week, two weeks, and the last one being a month. Making it a money thing will make things way worse.
4. Don't play babysitter. The FTC has no clue of what they are doing. Let parents do their jobs and police the use of content their kids watch. Intervening as it is right now will hurt a lot more than they realize.
That's my long winded thoughts. There's a petition on Change.org and you can express your thoughts to the FTC about this via regulations.gov.
https://www.change.org/p/the-federal-trade-commission-youtubers-and-viewers-unite-9045ee7f-f6f0-460e-b088-3429209dd7c6?recruiter=1015502725&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FTC-2019-0054-0001
Protecting kids is necessary, but this is not the way it should be done.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Redesigning Hedgehogs
I wish I could have been reviewing this movie. But alas, it won't be until Valentine's Day. In regards to the live action Sonic the Hedgehog, I didn't view the original design as being that bad. My only complaint would have been a little bit of the face. Backlash is common on stuff and the need to fix the blue blur was a priority when the design was criticized back in the spring.
With the re-do, it is closer to the games. More specifically, I see more of the Genesis versions of him. More so in my opinion, 3D Blast. There is a more cartoon look to him and it's very obvious that the effort was put into cleaning up the image. How close you are to the games is vital. Whether the film will have versions of Tails and a couple other characters, I don't know. But it is the first big Jim Carrey movie in a few years. Robotnik is tough to even consider for a casting, but the wacky nature does feel in tone with the actor's roles from Ace Ventura all the way to Bruce Almighty.
Even with the redesign, I still would have given the film a chance to see in theaters. The last few video game movies have not been panned and put up good numbers. Maybe studios have learned to understand fans? We'll have to see on Valentine's Day, but Sonic should put up okay numbers. At least better than what Super Mario Bros. did back in the summer of 1993.
With the re-do, it is closer to the games. More specifically, I see more of the Genesis versions of him. More so in my opinion, 3D Blast. There is a more cartoon look to him and it's very obvious that the effort was put into cleaning up the image. How close you are to the games is vital. Whether the film will have versions of Tails and a couple other characters, I don't know. But it is the first big Jim Carrey movie in a few years. Robotnik is tough to even consider for a casting, but the wacky nature does feel in tone with the actor's roles from Ace Ventura all the way to Bruce Almighty.
Even with the redesign, I still would have given the film a chance to see in theaters. The last few video game movies have not been panned and put up good numbers. Maybe studios have learned to understand fans? We'll have to see on Valentine's Day, but Sonic should put up okay numbers. At least better than what Super Mario Bros. did back in the summer of 1993.
Monday, November 11, 2019
The Rise of 2017 Backs
I am taking a look at three NFL running backs from the 2017 draft class who have made an impact this year and have propelled their teams to a bit of success as we hit Week 11 for this upcoming Thursday.
The surprising one of the bunch is Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers. Despite the inconsistency in yards gained a week, his numbers are welcoming sign. Last year was not bad, but this year, he has nearly 600 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns. Add in three more scores in the air and over 350 receiving yards and he is making some big waves. The Pack hasn't had a strong back in five years and to see production from him and Jamaal Williams (five receiving scores and both backs combined have scored 20 times), it's a step in the right direction and a reason they are in first place in their division. MVP for a fifth rounder? Maybe.
The next guy is Minnesota Viking Dalvin Cook. This guy is finally living up to what people expected. A rookie season that ended with an ACL injury and hamstring issues last year, he has put those problems behind him. Just shy of a thousand yards and ten scores, the second round pick has put up over 400 receiving yards to go along with what should be a Pro Bowl year. Minnesota's run game has vastly improved this year and health is a reason why the domination has been seen. More than likely, this is a wild card team if Green Bay wins the North division. And the Vikes can thank Cook for why they have been very good offensively.
Last is last year's snub, Christian McCaffrey. The eighth overall pick had a decent rookie season that saw him more as a receiving back. Last year as the main starter, he was lights out strong in a disappointing season. Now, he is just shy of a thousand rushing with 11 scores. The receiving is still good, just shy of 400 yards and three TD's. With his play, he should be on pace to reach 2000 yards or more from scrimmage. He could be the guy, barring injury, that the Carolina Panthers need as they figure out what to do with their quarterback situation heading into 2020. But it starts and ends with McCaffrey.
These three are early cases for MVP. What do you think? McCaffrey should be given a chance to win it. Same with Cook. I doubt Jones could, but a few votes could go to him. As we enter the second half of the season, let's see if they perform like they did the first half of the year.
The surprising one of the bunch is Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers. Despite the inconsistency in yards gained a week, his numbers are welcoming sign. Last year was not bad, but this year, he has nearly 600 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns. Add in three more scores in the air and over 350 receiving yards and he is making some big waves. The Pack hasn't had a strong back in five years and to see production from him and Jamaal Williams (five receiving scores and both backs combined have scored 20 times), it's a step in the right direction and a reason they are in first place in their division. MVP for a fifth rounder? Maybe.
The next guy is Minnesota Viking Dalvin Cook. This guy is finally living up to what people expected. A rookie season that ended with an ACL injury and hamstring issues last year, he has put those problems behind him. Just shy of a thousand yards and ten scores, the second round pick has put up over 400 receiving yards to go along with what should be a Pro Bowl year. Minnesota's run game has vastly improved this year and health is a reason why the domination has been seen. More than likely, this is a wild card team if Green Bay wins the North division. And the Vikes can thank Cook for why they have been very good offensively.
Last is last year's snub, Christian McCaffrey. The eighth overall pick had a decent rookie season that saw him more as a receiving back. Last year as the main starter, he was lights out strong in a disappointing season. Now, he is just shy of a thousand rushing with 11 scores. The receiving is still good, just shy of 400 yards and three TD's. With his play, he should be on pace to reach 2000 yards or more from scrimmage. He could be the guy, barring injury, that the Carolina Panthers need as they figure out what to do with their quarterback situation heading into 2020. But it starts and ends with McCaffrey.
These three are early cases for MVP. What do you think? McCaffrey should be given a chance to win it. Same with Cook. I doubt Jones could, but a few votes could go to him. As we enter the second half of the season, let's see if they perform like they did the first half of the year.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
A Terminated Outlook
When people think The Terminator, they think the first two movies. A lot has changed since 1991 and the sequels it has had have not surpassed them We live in a time now where in order to do well, studios think bloated 200 million dollar films are going to do it. Dark Fate's performance domestically is a sign on whether or not the franchise will be terminated or be back.
Supposedly the budget was set to near 200 million. When the second came out, it was the most expensive and the first 100 million movie budget ever. I wonder how much they had to pay Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, especially considering the latter hadn't been in any sequels since the second film. Not to mention that people want a story that was set to high level. There was nothing like it back then and I think that's the problem. Terminator has been surpassed in terms of production value and CGI that it has had a rough road.
From a critical standpoint, Dark Fate ranges in the well received to mixed range. Maybe people are burnt out on the on the other Terminator films from the last 15 years. And this is where Fox and Paramount will take a deep look into it. Worldwide, it has made it to roughly where the supposed budget was at the time of this blog. To have Sarah Connor back might have helped a tiny bit and to work alongside the original Terminator may have helped. But this isn't the 90s anymore. And even with that, more people are interested in other types of blockbusters that appeal to a different taste.
An old relic? Maybe. And it is up to studios involved to see if there is a point to keep making them. With Fox owned by Disney, they could refrain from making another one. I think we might have seen the last attempt to revive the struggling franchise. I'll be surprised if another one gets made.
Supposedly the budget was set to near 200 million. When the second came out, it was the most expensive and the first 100 million movie budget ever. I wonder how much they had to pay Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, especially considering the latter hadn't been in any sequels since the second film. Not to mention that people want a story that was set to high level. There was nothing like it back then and I think that's the problem. Terminator has been surpassed in terms of production value and CGI that it has had a rough road.
From a critical standpoint, Dark Fate ranges in the well received to mixed range. Maybe people are burnt out on the on the other Terminator films from the last 15 years. And this is where Fox and Paramount will take a deep look into it. Worldwide, it has made it to roughly where the supposed budget was at the time of this blog. To have Sarah Connor back might have helped a tiny bit and to work alongside the original Terminator may have helped. But this isn't the 90s anymore. And even with that, more people are interested in other types of blockbusters that appeal to a different taste.
An old relic? Maybe. And it is up to studios involved to see if there is a point to keep making them. With Fox owned by Disney, they could refrain from making another one. I think we might have seen the last attempt to revive the struggling franchise. I'll be surprised if another one gets made.
Friday, November 8, 2019
Thursday, November 7, 2019
What is Pass Interference?
Can somebody answer this question? Because I doubt you can. I can't, either.
If baseball has an umpire issue, so does football with their refs. Unlike most professional sports in the States, there are only 16 games. When a bad call occurs on a losing team, most of the time, it's a critical one. This is how teams make or miss the playoffs. Either what is an obvious penalty is missed or one little tap results in a thrown flag. There is no consistency and the rules are not clear. We have seen too many games get determined by the refs and it's only a matter of time.
Obviously, this is the result of what happened in January between the Rams and Saints. Replay has been around for 20 years. Challenges around that time. Many rule changes. And yet, the refs find ways to screw up. I don't buy into Troy Vincent's argument that they are held accountable. I don't think that's true. If it was, guys like Jerome Bogar would not call a game ever again. The fans get a clear view of it on TV. Mistakes are admitted, but not all of them.
I'm going to end with a story I read. There is speculation that North Carolina may lower the number of games played in high school football because of refs. They are afraid of getting visceral hate. With older ones retiring, it's dwindling down. I've mostly learned my lesson on that kind of stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to criticize officiating. The South loves their sports a lot more than most. I honestly expect robots in professional leagues at some point. The human element is not a valuable excuse like it was back before the Internet existed. Either find a way to fix issues or start punishing the bad umps and refs. That one call can be like what happened back in January.
If baseball has an umpire issue, so does football with their refs. Unlike most professional sports in the States, there are only 16 games. When a bad call occurs on a losing team, most of the time, it's a critical one. This is how teams make or miss the playoffs. Either what is an obvious penalty is missed or one little tap results in a thrown flag. There is no consistency and the rules are not clear. We have seen too many games get determined by the refs and it's only a matter of time.
Obviously, this is the result of what happened in January between the Rams and Saints. Replay has been around for 20 years. Challenges around that time. Many rule changes. And yet, the refs find ways to screw up. I don't buy into Troy Vincent's argument that they are held accountable. I don't think that's true. If it was, guys like Jerome Bogar would not call a game ever again. The fans get a clear view of it on TV. Mistakes are admitted, but not all of them.
I'm going to end with a story I read. There is speculation that North Carolina may lower the number of games played in high school football because of refs. They are afraid of getting visceral hate. With older ones retiring, it's dwindling down. I've mostly learned my lesson on that kind of stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to criticize officiating. The South loves their sports a lot more than most. I honestly expect robots in professional leagues at some point. The human element is not a valuable excuse like it was back before the Internet existed. Either find a way to fix issues or start punishing the bad umps and refs. That one call can be like what happened back in January.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The Thunberg Fad
This love affair the media has for Greta Thunberg is ridiculous. She hasn't done a damn thing yet in her life and she hasn't changed anything for the better. Celebrities need to stop praising her until she actually does something. I get that weather temperatures and precipitation has changed in some areas, but the opposite can happen or go back to normal. There's no way to predict this sort of stuff. And I'm not sure there is an easy solution to any of this.
All this girl complains about is how the climate is instead of being back in Sweden, furthering her education to deal with climate. That country is hailed as one of the best in learning, and she is wasting her time as a teenager. The reason I call it a fad on her is because it screams attention whore. Teenagers minds change over time and what they care about in the moment may not be the case ten years from now. It might be cool to make a difference, but it's all words.
If Thunberg is that interested in making a difference, then become a scientist. Like any profession, it takes years to learn the craft. And she would have to have a lot of dedication to it. When the time comes, she can either stay dedicated or be nothing more than a pretender who only wanted attention and will fade away like the news on the backside of a newspaper. Only time will tell.
All this girl complains about is how the climate is instead of being back in Sweden, furthering her education to deal with climate. That country is hailed as one of the best in learning, and she is wasting her time as a teenager. The reason I call it a fad on her is because it screams attention whore. Teenagers minds change over time and what they care about in the moment may not be the case ten years from now. It might be cool to make a difference, but it's all words.
If Thunberg is that interested in making a difference, then become a scientist. Like any profession, it takes years to learn the craft. And she would have to have a lot of dedication to it. When the time comes, she can either stay dedicated or be nothing more than a pretender who only wanted attention and will fade away like the news on the backside of a newspaper. Only time will tell.
Monday, November 4, 2019
Going Against Loved Stuff
Like everyone, I have stuff I don't like, but others do. Most of the time, people act like I committed the worst crime if I don't like what they like.
Cartoons is a great example. I hate Animaniacs, and it bothered a handful of people and a couple berating me for having bad taste. Even when I explained my reason (obnoxious characters, tried way too hard to be funny), it was for naught. I prefer other Spielberg cartoons over it. Frankly, I didn't watch kids networks (TV in general ) until 1996/97 and even then, I watched other channels like TBS. I think cartoons get many offended if you don't love them the same way others do. I think part of it is nostalgia and being big fans of said programs. But they are the ones that suffer from age most of the time and don't hold up.
Movies is a bit different. For a lot of the really loved ones, I can see why. Part of it is the high bar that is set for movies like The Godfather Part II, and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. I watch those and I feel underwhelmed. I can find enjoyment and say they are good, but that good? I don't think so. Definitely watchable, though. One I watched recently was the first Gremlins. I like the Gremlin design and set up. It had funny moments, but I didn't find it that scary. Not that good, but still pretty good.
Video games fall in the same thing as movies, but way worse. There is a very high bar set and if I don't agree, regardless of if I love the game or not, it would hypothetically bother many. My big example is The Legend of Zelda for the original NES. A lot of people view it as a masterpiece. I don't see it as being more than just a good game. I think nostalgia is heavily involved as it has its share of flaws like the grinding and the health system as get a bigger life meter. You can't ignore small things that hurt a game, regardless of age.
I don't try to be different for the sake of being different. Just understand that the opposite opinion can occur unless someone is being different on purpose or trying to hate something on purpose.
Cartoons is a great example. I hate Animaniacs, and it bothered a handful of people and a couple berating me for having bad taste. Even when I explained my reason (obnoxious characters, tried way too hard to be funny), it was for naught. I prefer other Spielberg cartoons over it. Frankly, I didn't watch kids networks (TV in general ) until 1996/97 and even then, I watched other channels like TBS. I think cartoons get many offended if you don't love them the same way others do. I think part of it is nostalgia and being big fans of said programs. But they are the ones that suffer from age most of the time and don't hold up.
Movies is a bit different. For a lot of the really loved ones, I can see why. Part of it is the high bar that is set for movies like The Godfather Part II, and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. I watch those and I feel underwhelmed. I can find enjoyment and say they are good, but that good? I don't think so. Definitely watchable, though. One I watched recently was the first Gremlins. I like the Gremlin design and set up. It had funny moments, but I didn't find it that scary. Not that good, but still pretty good.
Video games fall in the same thing as movies, but way worse. There is a very high bar set and if I don't agree, regardless of if I love the game or not, it would hypothetically bother many. My big example is The Legend of Zelda for the original NES. A lot of people view it as a masterpiece. I don't see it as being more than just a good game. I think nostalgia is heavily involved as it has its share of flaws like the grinding and the health system as get a bigger life meter. You can't ignore small things that hurt a game, regardless of age.
I don't try to be different for the sake of being different. Just understand that the opposite opinion can occur unless someone is being different on purpose or trying to hate something on purpose.
Friday, November 1, 2019
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)