I'm amazed Trey Parker and Matt Stone haven't been assassinated yet. Outdated pop culture incidents make South Park very dated and forgotten in a week or two. Their latest regarding China is something I wouldn't have mocked and wouldn't label as brilliant. I wonder if they know where the line is drawn. They also took a knock on the NBA for the incident with Daryl Morey and his thoughts on Hong Kong protesters. I question when their comedy stops being comedy. How much longer until it turns into very bad consequences?
Regarding the NBA, giving them too much of a voice is an incident like this waiting to happen. I understand freedom of speech, and the league allows a lot more than other sports organizations. That being said, there has to be fine lines with what these players, coaches, and staff can say. People like Mark Cuban and Gregg Popovich are too focused on other things instead of their teams. Plus, we're almost two years removed from the UCLA incident where three of their players shoplifted. You don't think this will make the NBA think twice about the market over there?
The question I would ask Parker and Stone: Is it worth risking your lives? The NBA: Do you think too much of a voice is a lot more consequential?
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Twins Killers
I have never seen dominance that much between two teams. The regular season is one thing, but to keep losing in the playoffs, I present the Minnesota Twins.
Sixteen straight games they have lost. All but three against the New York Yankees. What gives? I attribute it to the thrashing they get from the Yankees and finding ways to mess up in the most critical moment of a game. Case in point: the 2017 Wild Card game. Up three to nothing in the first. Lose it that same inning on a three run home run. A number of extra inning games where they blow it. No power at the plate. No strong effort from their starters or relief pitchers. A recipe for disaster.
And it's not like it's a bad group of players. Decent pitching. Good bats in the lineup. Plenty of home runs. This is how you cobble together a good team from a mid-tier baseball group. The sad thing is that the Twins have had a lot of regular seasons success since 2002. The fans are loyal. Target Field is liked. What can more can you ask for? But they haven't been to a World Series since 1991 and in a competitive American League where things change in the Central, you don't know if you can hold on to a Wild Card spot or get the divisional crown.
Minnesota as a sports town has successful regular seasons. But the playoffs is a different story. The Vikings either get embarrassed or find ways to lose at the last minute. The Twins can't shake off the Yankees. With the Wild, the Western Conference of the NHL is loaded with very good teams. And the Timberwolves haven't been relevant in a long time with one playoff appearance in the last 14 seasons. What can it take for them to get past the hump in their own leagues? I don't know. Only time will tell, but all with the exception of the Timberwolves look primed to have strong years for a while.
Sixteen straight games they have lost. All but three against the New York Yankees. What gives? I attribute it to the thrashing they get from the Yankees and finding ways to mess up in the most critical moment of a game. Case in point: the 2017 Wild Card game. Up three to nothing in the first. Lose it that same inning on a three run home run. A number of extra inning games where they blow it. No power at the plate. No strong effort from their starters or relief pitchers. A recipe for disaster.
And it's not like it's a bad group of players. Decent pitching. Good bats in the lineup. Plenty of home runs. This is how you cobble together a good team from a mid-tier baseball group. The sad thing is that the Twins have had a lot of regular seasons success since 2002. The fans are loyal. Target Field is liked. What can more can you ask for? But they haven't been to a World Series since 1991 and in a competitive American League where things change in the Central, you don't know if you can hold on to a Wild Card spot or get the divisional crown.
Minnesota as a sports town has successful regular seasons. But the playoffs is a different story. The Vikings either get embarrassed or find ways to lose at the last minute. The Twins can't shake off the Yankees. With the Wild, the Western Conference of the NHL is loaded with very good teams. And the Timberwolves haven't been relevant in a long time with one playoff appearance in the last 14 seasons. What can it take for them to get past the hump in their own leagues? I don't know. Only time will tell, but all with the exception of the Timberwolves look primed to have strong years for a while.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Callahan Takes Over Gruden
Ain't it ironic? In 2002, Bill Callahan took over as head coach for the Oakland Raiders, replacing Jon Gruden, who went to Tampa Bay. Both faced each other that same season in the Super Bowl with Tampa winning. Now Callahan is replacing Jay Gruden, who just gotten fired from coaching the Washington Redskins.
I'm not sure if firing is the easy solution. Going to Colt McCoy was not going to work. Obviously, Dwayne Haskins is not a viable option. You got an overpaid secondary that can't do squat. Issues with the running game. Not any worthy receivers or ends. All my life, I have seen a franchise go down the toilet since 1993. A handful of good seasons, but nothing that gets them past the bigger teams. Since 93, five Super Bowls have been won by the NFC East (Dallas in 93 and 95, New York 2007 and 11, Philly 2017)
I don't know if it's the way Daniel Snyder runs the team or if its an incompetent general manager, but football in DC is not anything to be proud about. Only two playoff appearances this decade, and nothing gets fixed for the long term. Thank goodness for fans around that area they have the Capitals and the Nationals. Add in the Wizards when they are good.
Football town, it is not now these days.
I'm not sure if firing is the easy solution. Going to Colt McCoy was not going to work. Obviously, Dwayne Haskins is not a viable option. You got an overpaid secondary that can't do squat. Issues with the running game. Not any worthy receivers or ends. All my life, I have seen a franchise go down the toilet since 1993. A handful of good seasons, but nothing that gets them past the bigger teams. Since 93, five Super Bowls have been won by the NFC East (Dallas in 93 and 95, New York 2007 and 11, Philly 2017)
I don't know if it's the way Daniel Snyder runs the team or if its an incompetent general manager, but football in DC is not anything to be proud about. Only two playoff appearances this decade, and nothing gets fixed for the long term. Thank goodness for fans around that area they have the Capitals and the Nationals. Add in the Wizards when they are good.
Football town, it is not now these days.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Scary Jokers
It should not surprise people that Joker will do well in theaters. If the numbers from Thursday and Friday are an indication, it should have decent legs and do well into the new year. But there is the concern of the film with military warnings and a theater closing due to a threat. Can't say I don't feel bad and you can't blame the warnings.
We're over seven years removed from the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado when people watched The Dark Knight Rises. An insane pyscho murdered a bunch of them and even booby-trapped his apartment. But it is a different situation here. This is about a mentally unstable character who is one of the most prominent villains in Batman and DC Comics. Debates are made on who the best Joker is and looking into what makes the character tick. I'm not saying there will be a shooting, but it's a cautionary thing to understand.
From what I gather, it's not your typical comic book movie. The adaptation from Todd Phillips goes a different route, though it is inspired by some comics. It's not about green screen explosions and 20 million dollar actors in suits. We are looking at what happens when things don't always go right. And at a budget of 55 million, it will make more profit at a bigger multiplier than a Marvel movie. If this is right up your alley, then go see it. If not, then don't. I'm not, and I say that as someone that likes a bit of Phillips work.
We're over seven years removed from the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado when people watched The Dark Knight Rises. An insane pyscho murdered a bunch of them and even booby-trapped his apartment. But it is a different situation here. This is about a mentally unstable character who is one of the most prominent villains in Batman and DC Comics. Debates are made on who the best Joker is and looking into what makes the character tick. I'm not saying there will be a shooting, but it's a cautionary thing to understand.
From what I gather, it's not your typical comic book movie. The adaptation from Todd Phillips goes a different route, though it is inspired by some comics. It's not about green screen explosions and 20 million dollar actors in suits. We are looking at what happens when things don't always go right. And at a budget of 55 million, it will make more profit at a bigger multiplier than a Marvel movie. If this is right up your alley, then go see it. If not, then don't. I'm not, and I say that as someone that likes a bit of Phillips work.
Friday, October 4, 2019
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Horror Appeal
It's that time of the year again. Everyone is in for Halloween and the trick or treating. As always networks and studios are looking towards movies for success and airtime. Same with television as shows try at least one episode around the time of the month if they aren't doing it every year.
Unfortunately, I'm not entertained by horror. The idea of being scared leaves me a bit uneasy. It's not the case with every horror movie, but I don't make an incentive to watch all these films that air. I do like stuff like Jaws, although that's more suspenseful than trying to scare people in my opinion. Zombie stuff doesn't bother me too much. It depends on the level of horror and blood and gore. I can tolerate some blood, but other times, it makes me a bit queasy. Something like Friday the 13th or Elm Street would more than likely want me changing the channel.
I'm more comfortable with video games. Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Doom. Tons of games that have horror elements. Maybe because they know not to go overboard most of the time. Television wise, it depends. Light hearted comedies, I can laugh a lot. Drama, it depends, but I wouldn't be against it fully. I wouldn't mind reading some books. I do have some like The Shining for example.
Take it or leave it, horror isn't something I'm entertained about. Oh well. But I'm not against watching some stuff that airs in October.
Unfortunately, I'm not entertained by horror. The idea of being scared leaves me a bit uneasy. It's not the case with every horror movie, but I don't make an incentive to watch all these films that air. I do like stuff like Jaws, although that's more suspenseful than trying to scare people in my opinion. Zombie stuff doesn't bother me too much. It depends on the level of horror and blood and gore. I can tolerate some blood, but other times, it makes me a bit queasy. Something like Friday the 13th or Elm Street would more than likely want me changing the channel.
I'm more comfortable with video games. Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Doom. Tons of games that have horror elements. Maybe because they know not to go overboard most of the time. Television wise, it depends. Light hearted comedies, I can laugh a lot. Drama, it depends, but I wouldn't be against it fully. I wouldn't mind reading some books. I do have some like The Shining for example.
Take it or leave it, horror isn't something I'm entertained about. Oh well. But I'm not against watching some stuff that airs in October.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Geeks and Jocks: Episode 17
A new podcast episode for Geeks and Jocks. A lot to talk about.
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-17-Summer-Recap-2019-e5ntdh
You can find my podcast on these sites:
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84YmFhZTg0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
https://open.spotify.com/show/0ejDLYL3QCQslc1q25pRgF
https://www.breaker.audio/geeks-and-jocks
https://radiopublic.com/geeks-and-jocks-GKzY7Q
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-17-Summer-Recap-2019-e5ntdh
You can find my podcast on these sites:
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84YmFhZTg0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
https://open.spotify.com/show/0ejDLYL3QCQslc1q25pRgF
https://www.breaker.audio/geeks-and-jocks
https://radiopublic.com/geeks-and-jocks-GKzY7Q
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Seeking Sugar Teachers
There's a story recently that caught my interest because I know some people that are teachers. While I don't see them using a monetized dating site, I can't blame the ones that would. Sometimes, these educators don't get the salaries they think they envision.
This is literally the first time I've heard about the site seekingarrangements. I find it to be unique judging from an article I've seen about it on Yahoo Lifestyle. The idea of someone paying another one is not anything original. But from what I understand, the site does not want stuff like prostitution or any of that. The teacher story is interesting and from the few people that were interviewed, they aren't living a life of luxury. It is a call for help. A teacher is typically stressed out. Some say they aren't, but I don't buy that. I can't see a sustainable juggle if one were to hold a couple jobs unless the second job was weekends only, and even that's not always a guarantee.
It's not all sunshine and daisies. But more power to the ones that use the site as long as they are safe with doing it. Can't always be sure on who the person they are talking to will be nice or not.
This is literally the first time I've heard about the site seekingarrangements. I find it to be unique judging from an article I've seen about it on Yahoo Lifestyle. The idea of someone paying another one is not anything original. But from what I understand, the site does not want stuff like prostitution or any of that. The teacher story is interesting and from the few people that were interviewed, they aren't living a life of luxury. It is a call for help. A teacher is typically stressed out. Some say they aren't, but I don't buy that. I can't see a sustainable juggle if one were to hold a couple jobs unless the second job was weekends only, and even that's not always a guarantee.
It's not all sunshine and daisies. But more power to the ones that use the site as long as they are safe with doing it. Can't always be sure on who the person they are talking to will be nice or not.
Monday, September 30, 2019
YouTube Channels I Watch: farfromsubtle
If I have a go to channel, this is one of them. It's been on and off with videos over the past year, but I'll see what they do. For farfromsubtle, I remember them way back.
We're talking 2006, 07. Literally when they first started with their Awesome Video Games show, which was a parody of the 80s and 90s video game shows. It would take a while to load due to slow Internet, but they were very short. Whether it was YouTube or ScrewAttack, loading the videos was a hassle. Then somewhere around 08 or so, I stopped watching them. I think I just lost interest, but not because I didn't care.
What got me back into them was when they did a tribute to the late Harold Ramis and the various films he worked on. My brother showed me the video and then I started looking at other videos from them. A lot changed in five, six years. They were doing a lot of modern games with another show, and fixated on what is going on with the industry. An example of a channel also that does stuff via Twitch and then the content to YouTube.
I would say they are mostly tolerable. At least the reactions aren't forced when they play through games. And one thing I'd give credit is trying out more than the big name titles. Watch some of their four player game videos. It gives me the college vibe of playing games with others and getting very competitive. The cursing does get a little excessive, but it's not fully deliberate. They're not following.
What farfromsubtle should do is keep doing what they are doing. It may not get them every user, but what they have done the last 10 years is something to be pleased in accomplishing.
We're talking 2006, 07. Literally when they first started with their Awesome Video Games show, which was a parody of the 80s and 90s video game shows. It would take a while to load due to slow Internet, but they were very short. Whether it was YouTube or ScrewAttack, loading the videos was a hassle. Then somewhere around 08 or so, I stopped watching them. I think I just lost interest, but not because I didn't care.
What got me back into them was when they did a tribute to the late Harold Ramis and the various films he worked on. My brother showed me the video and then I started looking at other videos from them. A lot changed in five, six years. They were doing a lot of modern games with another show, and fixated on what is going on with the industry. An example of a channel also that does stuff via Twitch and then the content to YouTube.
I would say they are mostly tolerable. At least the reactions aren't forced when they play through games. And one thing I'd give credit is trying out more than the big name titles. Watch some of their four player game videos. It gives me the college vibe of playing games with others and getting very competitive. The cursing does get a little excessive, but it's not fully deliberate. They're not following.
What farfromsubtle should do is keep doing what they are doing. It may not get them every user, but what they have done the last 10 years is something to be pleased in accomplishing.
Friday, September 27, 2019
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