Thought for the Day: No good tale to tell

Thought for the Day: No good tale to tell
February 23, 2009

First things first:
Today's theme is "Don't get around much anymore".

For any number of reasons: lack of interest, lack of time, lack of clever things to say, (oh and hateful trolls in the comments), there probably won't be much of anything here for a while. This isn't to say I'm gone. If you need to find me, you know where I am.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, on hiatus.

Thought for the Day: December in Pennsylvania, January in DC

Thought for the Day: December in Pennsylvania, January in DC
January 20, 2009

First things first:
Today's theme is "The Crisis then for our Crisis now".

So I won't go on about how profound and historic today is, except to note, as one of my colleagues reminded me, today again marks the peaceful transition of power between rival political factions, one of the great things about America, and something that is probably happened less than 1,000 times in the entire history of the world.

However, I did want to note how much I enjoyed this passage from President Obama's Inaugural Address:

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

President Obama was drawing from Thomas Paine's "The Crisis, Vol. 1", a document which all Americans should take some time to read. Though the specifics have changed, many of the sentiments have not.

I hope that America can meet the lofty challenge set forth in today's address. The wonderful thing about America is that there's always hope.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, taking this consolation with him.

Thought for the Day: All's Well...

Thought for the Day: All's Well
December 30, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "That end's well".

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Cut-Throat winner is Mark Coen, of Beverly, MA with 59 points. He joins this illustrious wall of fame.

Cut-Throat Winners:
2002: Lauren Arestie and Mike Burger (55 points)
2003: Brian Hight (63 points)
2004: Adam Kittle (57 points)
2005: Tim Young (66 points)
2006: Jason Zuffranieri (59 points)
2007: Tim Woodward (66 points)
2008: Mark Coen (59 points)

A thanks to everyone who played. Enjoy the attachment and we'll hopefully see you again next year.

Thanks and happy new year.

CDB

Your final standings:
Mark Coen Beverly, MA 59
Kristan Watson North Billerica, MA 58
Jason Keller Highland Park, NJ 56
Brian Long Livonia, MI 55
Delano Barnes Manchester, CT 54
Noel Erinjeri Haslett, MI 54
Adam Kittle East Liverpool, OH 54
Greg Long Lincoln Park, MI 54
Mike Burger Ann Arbor, MI 53
Mike Philpy McLean, VA 53
Tim Young Baltimore, MD 53
Craig Barker Northville, MI 52
Tyler Johnson Bryan, TX 52
Joe Wright Playa Vista, CA 52
Bryan Dunphy-Culp North Andover, MA 51
Matt Taylor Atlanta, GA 51
David Wallace South Lyon,. MI 51
Gordon Berman Ithaca, NY 50
James Quintong Bristol, CT 50
Tim Woodward North Billerica, MA 50
Gregory House Princeton, NJ 50
Elliot Fooksman Columbia, MD 49
Ray Mencio Wolcott, CT 49
Andrea Reiher Chicago, IL 49
David Bykowski Edgewater, MD 48
Brian Hight Brookfield, WI 48
Rob Long Sterling Heights, MI 48
Mark Urciuolo Alexandria, VA 48
Ryan Blay Chicago, IL 47
Matt Bruce Alameda, CA 47
Michael Nathan W. Bloomfield, MI 47
Phil Castagna Philadelphia, PA 46
SA Hutchinson Charleston, SC 46
Chris Rodgers Columbia, SC 46
Jon Couture New Bedford, MA 45
Tim Kulhanek Croswell, MI 45
Geoff Zmyslowski Grand Rapids, MI 45
Jessie Bykowski Edgewater, MD 43
Joel Gluskin Houston, TX 42
Nick Ellies East Lansing, MI 41
Dwight Kidder Bridgeville, PA 41
Brigid Laurie Alexandria, VA 41
Kevin Olmstead Ann Arbor, MI 40
James Dinan Atlanta, GA 39
Jason Zuffranieri Albuquerque, NM 39
Shawn DeVeau Boston, MA 37
Chris Driver Falls Church, VA 33
Paper Clippy Redmond, WA 27


That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker,

Thought for the Day: Something New

Thought for the Day: Something New
December 1, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Picking Away". 

ESPN's College Bowl Mania Game is back.
This game challenges you to select the winners of each of the NCAA college football bowl games. You can play with a Confidence scoring system (assign confidence points to your picks) or Straight scoring system (just pick the winners!). Best of all, the game is FREE to play!

Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/bowlmania/group?groupID=356

Game Front: http://games.espn.go.com/bowlmania/frontpage 

Group: The Barker Gang
Password: Barker

And Justin, I don't know how you got in to pick 'em before you had my class, but since you beat all of the regulars, you're more than welcome to play again.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, not that kind of College Bowl.

Thought for the Day: One Advantage of Christmas Creep

Thought for the Day: One Advantage of Christmas Creep
November 11, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "It's really more of a Thanksgiving food".

Let us thank Canada Dry for bringing their Cranberry Ginger Ale back earlier in the year than ever.

And on a serious note, let us also thank our Veterans for their service and sacrifice to keep this country safe as we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, thankful.

Thought for the Day: Spicing Up the First Tuesday of November

Thought for the Day: Spicing Up the First Tuesday
October 22, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Like it's not already important enough on its own?"

Presenting the 2008 Barker Election Night Challenge
Very simply, like in 2004, it's a two layer game. As with all of my games, this is only for entertainment, please, no wagering.

Layer 1: Predict the Electoral Map
Here, take this map, save it, change the name to include your last name, and start filling it in red for Senator McCain or blue for Senator Obama (or, hey, OK, green for Bob Barr.)

For each state (and colony) you get right, you get that state's (or colony's) electoral vote total. I'll then take the total number of states/colony you have right, divide by 538 and multiply by 50. That will be your point total for the first half.

Layer 2: Prop Bets--Ten simple questions
Please answer each of the following questions. Each question is worth five points.

For Questions 1-5, name the winner of each of these U.S. Senate Races:

1). Minnesota (for Norm Coleman's current seat)
Al Franken (D) vs. Norm Coleman (R) vs. Dean Barkley (Independence)

2). Alaska (for Ted Stevens' current seat)
Mark Begich (D) vs. Ted Stevens (R)

3). North Carolina (for Elizabeth Dole's current seat)
Kay Hagan (D) vs. Elizabeth Dole (R)

4). Georgia (for Saxby Chambliss' current seat)
Jim Martin (D) vs. Saxby Chambliss (R) or Run-Off (Neither Candidate Reaches 50%)

5). Kentucky (for Mitch McConnell's current seat)
Bruce Lunsford (D) vs. Mitch McConnell (R)

For Questions 6-10, answer the following:
6). Will the Democratic Party (counting independents Sanders of Vermont and Lieberman of Connecticut) control more or less than 57.5 seats in the United States Senate in the 111th Congress?

7). Among these four Senators, which one will receive the largest percentage of the popular vote in their state's U.S. Senate race:
Delaware Senator Joe Biden
Iowa Senator Tom Harkin
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry?
Michigan Senator Carl Levin

8). Who will receive a larger percentage of the popular vote in their state's U.S. Senate race:
Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner
or
New Mexico Democratic Senate candidate Tom Udall?

9). Will the presidential candidate who wins the electoral vote earn more than 349.5 total electoral votes: Yes or No?

10). Will the Democratic Party control more or less than 251.5 seats in the United States House of Representatives in the 111th Congress?

Assemble in an email the answers to these ten questions, attach your fully colored map (or alternately list the states you have going to each candidates), and email the whole thing to me by Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 7:00 AM EDT.

As soon as I actually can legitimately call the races, I will, even if I have to use Tim Russert memorial white boards to do the math.

And remember, even if you don't want to play the game, if you can, no matter whom you support, on November 4, get out and vote. The choice is yours.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, making the horse race a little more exciting.

Thought for the Day: Nostalgia is a lie

Thought for the Day: Nostalgia is a lie
September 15, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "The Good Old Days".

I have been pondering the whole "next decade of my life" thing a bit lately.  I'm not doing too much of it mind you, because I had already sort of started it when I got engaged and also, there's the whole revising the World History curriculum as we go along thing, but yeah, I've been thinking about what I would like the future to look like and part of that means looking back at the past and figuring out what I want to carry forward and what I want to leave behind.

Maybe that's what makes it easier to decide you're no longer interested.  Maybe that's what makes it easier to make a semi-clean break via the means of apathy.  Maybe that's what makes it easier to know that the people you want to see will still be there, while excising those whom your life is likely better off without, and certainly less frustrating without.

And really, for the first time in my life, I am OK without it.  I don't miss it and maybe that was the last sign I needed that I no longer needed it.  Because it certainly no longer needed me.  I just need to tell myself that things weren't so much better in the past, they were just a different kind of frustration.  Things change, people change, and the world continues on without you, very likely not even noticing you were gone.  Maybe that's what I have gained from this last year, I am learning to say no to things without feeling guilty about it.

So that's it.  I'm not making some big declaratory about it, I'm not saying never, I'm just saying, I'm done for now and the foreseeable future.

So I will learn to live without it. Because I can live without it. I can live without it...

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, moving forward

Thought for the Day: The Rule in Favor of Perpetuities

Thought for the Day: The Rule in Favor of Perpetuities
August 19, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Linking and thinking".

Hey gang, welcome back to another year of NFL Cut-Throat Pick 'Em, brought to you by well, me.

So, as a reminder, here's how it works (and if you have friends/siblings/spouses/etc. who would want to play, just give them my email address and forward this post to them and if you want out, just email me and you won't hear from me again, at least on this.)

For 16 of the 17 weeks of the NFL season, you pick two NFL teams to win their football games. If one wins, you get two points, if both win that week, you get five points. Here's the catch, you CANNOT pick those teams again during the season, win or lose. By picking two teams a week, you're down to having a grand total of two teams to pick from for Week 17. So, as always, it will be VERY interesting. This also means that, like the NFL, you'll have to survive a harrowing bye week, which no one enjoys. The catch is that you can either use the bye by not picking any teams one week, or by only picking one team in two weeks. The catch with that catch is that you forfeit your bonus point for that pair of picks if you split them.

Oh and for those of you who like to plan ahead, here's the NFL Master Schedule for 2008:
http://www.nfl.com/schedules

To play:
Send me the following in an email no later than Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM EDT (unless you want to take the Redskins or Giants on Thursday, Sept. 4, I'll need it before that game's kickoff):

Your name
Your hometown
Your email address (OK, that will be pretty apparent)
Your week 1 picks.

I'll send out results the following Tuesday and then you can just email me your next week's picks off that, etc.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Enjoy, good luck, and hey, let's be careful out there

---

Mike's still taking entries for the 2008-09 Ted Marshall Open.

---

College Pick 'Em:
Game Front: http://games.espn.go.com/cpickem/frontpage
Group: Barker Gang
Password: Barker

Pigskin (NFL) Pick 'Em:
Game Front: http://games.espn.go.com/pigskin/frontpage
The Group name is: Barker Gang
The password is: Barker
(Far fewer people have signed up for the NFL one than the college football one, I suspect due to the popularity of cut-throat.)

I'm sure there are other things, but for now, there it is.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, not wanting to battle from beginning to end.

Thought for the Day: Gonna be some changes made

Thought for the Day: Gonna be some changes made
August 14, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Who's Your Puck Daddy".

So, at Puck Daddy, Yahoo's awesome hockey blog, they are working on the dog days of summer by having hockey notables, and average fans, submit their top five ways they would change the NHL.  As I am currently house-sitting at my parents and watching USA/Greece in Olympic Basketball, I thought I would put together my top five list.  I'm eschewing "clever" for "best ideas, even if someone else has already said it".

1). White jerseys at home.
This is the traditionalist in me (and yes, I know, the Original Six era had colored jerseys at home), but even after four seasons of dark jerseys at home, it still takes me a good five seconds of watching to get my bearings during a regular season game.  Wear the whites at home and don't worry about the third jerseys, if they look good, they will market themselves.

2). No touch icing.
This is the college hockey fan in me, but I know it would be safer for the players and would likely discourage icing if teams knew they were likely to incur both the faceoff and the no line change on a dump in.

3). Treat U.S. Hockey Fans like Football or Baseball Fans
Hockey broadcasters on national television games seem to have this feeling that every person watching the game is watching hockey for the first time.  Give us strategic breakdowns, show us why a play worked, or why the transition broke down and the like.  John Madden proved that you could analyze a football game with tactical and strategic talk and the average fan would follow.  The CBC crews do this with a pretty decent frequency, U.S. hockey fans deserve no less.  In fact, if you could figure out a way to, every so often, throw a straight Hockey Night in Canada feed to an American audience, it could be a huge win.  American soccer fans will watch the straight English feed of EPL games on Fox Soccer Channel, why not have a straight Canadian feed of an NHL game on Versus?  (Yes, I realize they did this at least a couple of times in the playoffs.  I just think they should do it more often and include the CBC studio shows.)

4). Pep Bands, Yes!  Spirit Squads, No!
Admittedly, this is a tough sell because you would lose a 50-75 seat block in your arena to it, but one of the best things about college hockey is the minimum of piped in music during stoppages of play.  College hockey also has the advantage of a built in fight song and pep band repertoire, but if the Whale can have Brass Bonanza, it can be made to work.  The live band wouldn't need to be there for every game, it would be a tough sell, but once or twice a month, bring in the band.

By the same token, we must work to eliminate the following scourges: "Game Day Hosts", the one CD of music that is distributed to every NHL team at the start of the season, scoreboard encouragements to "get loud" or "get rowdy", any encouragement to bring sexy back, anything that involves fat guys running on the ice while shirtless, and anything involving the words "Cha-Cha Slide" or "Cottoneyed Joe".

5). The Original Six Trophy and the 1967 Cup
Like English soccer (or college football), having extra cup/trophy competitions throughout the season could add some spice to the regular season.  Figure out a way to have the Original Six play each other home and road (designating specific games divisional games as Trophy games) and the team with the most points in those games gets the Original Six Trophy.  Do the same for the 1967 Expansion Teams (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and San Jose (filling in for Oakland/California), the 1970s expansion teams (Vancouver, Buffalo, Calgary, Isles, New Jersey, and Washington), a WHA Trophy (maybe they could find the Avco World Trophy), and the like.  Perhaps the Canadian teams could play for a regular season trophy.  There are any number of possibilities, people would likely embrace them, and if properly sponsored, teams might appreciate a small "winner take all" bonus check should they win one of those trophies.

On some level, I'm just happy to have hockey (and the Stanley Cup) back.  The NHL has made some mistakes, but there is nothing fatal in them.  Identify them, fix them, and commit to continuous improvement, but not change for the sake of change.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, hockey fan who cannot skate.

Thought for the Day: That time of the year again, Part I

Thought for the Day: That time of the year again, Part I
August 13, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Pick 'em Time".

Sign up for another year of College Pick 'Em:
http://games.espn.go.com/cpickem/group?groupID=2292
Group: The Barker Gang
Password: Barker

Sign up for another year of NFL Pick 'Em:
Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/pigskin/group?groupID=284
Group: The Barker Gang
Password: Barker


Also, Mike Burger's TV Dead Pool, now with new, non-restraining ordered name, is accepting entries until August 31.

I'll have news on Cut-Throat very soon.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker,

Thought for the Day: Letters, Letters, Sacks and Sacks of Letters

Thought for the Day: Letters, Letters, Sacks and Sacks of Letters

August 5, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Recommendations".

Basically, I am hip deep in writing letters of recommendation.  Why?  Because apparently I write well and I'm a sucker.  So I've now finished ten, leaving me only eight more to do before school starts back up.  That's pretty good.

Also, we're bringing back the TFTD Fantasy College Football League, so if you're interested, leave me a note, but do so quickly, as the draft is Thursday night.

And, it's back again.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent, but Mike has brought back his annual Television Death Pool.  You can join through August 31, 2008 by clicking on http://www.mikeburger.com/tedmarshall/ and following all of the directions there.   Enjoy!

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, giving his fullest recommendation.

Thought for the Day: Sac Fly

Thought for the Day: Sac Fly
July 16, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Safe at Home".

Thank you Michael Young for keeping the streak alive.
Thank you Michael Young for putting an end to a 2,500 comment night.
Thank you Michael Young for helping me win a very foolish bet.
Thank you Michael Young for standing up for the designated hitter.

Now if I could just get those darn AP scores, I'd be all set.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, designated blogger.

Thought for the Day: Dramatic Reveal!

Thought for the Day: Dramatic Reveal!
June 30, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "The clock is ticking".

It's going to be a great 362 days.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, pressing engagement.

Thought for the Day: These Banners Go to 11

Thought for the Day: These Banners Go to 11
June 5, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Hoisting the Cup".

When I began this blog back in 2002, the Red Wings' Stanley Cup victory was one of the early topics of discussion here. Now, six years later, I get to discuss another Cup. But the thing is, I sort of got it all out on Tuesday. Last night's game was fun (this Stanley Cup featured the heroics of a Mule, but in the end, it was won by an ass (Marc-Andre Fleury's to be specific). The last 15 seconds were sheer terror. When it was over though, it was twin streams of joy and relief, converging together like the Allegheny and Monongahela do a few miles away from The Igloo. So a couple of quick notes:

As I realized last night, Nick Lidstrom is Tim Duncan's Swedish cousin. They're both essentially the Big Fundamental. Their lack of personal flash, the tendency towards personal humility and team glory and away from trash talk and blatant self promotion make them perhaps underappreciated by the sporting public at large, but the true fans of the games know just how exceptional these players are. Nicklas Lidstrom may be one of the five best players in the NHL today, and becoming the first European-born and trained captain to hoist the Cup is just perfect. Hats off to you Nick.

Henrik Zetterberg earned the Conn Smythe and when I say earned, I mean it. Amazing at both ends of the ice during the whole playoffs, he showed a depth of talent to the entire sports world.

There are other great stories: the redemption of Darren McCarty, Chris Osgood gets another ring a decade later, Dan Cleary being the first Newfie to win the Cup, Dallas Drake likely riding off into the sunset having won the Cup after a over a thousand NHL games without making the Finals, Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper being two of the most unlikely members of the four ring circus, the list goes on.

In the end, however, I can only hope that the "average" sports fan got to see this Stanley Cup Final, to appreciate the intensity, the passion, and the most joyful celebration in all of North American professional sports. I do not need hockey to be a non-niche sport, but as a fan, I hope that others can appreciate why I am so devoted to the cause.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, Lord Stanley's minion.

Thought for the Day: Far Away, So Close

Thought for the Day: Far Away, So Close
June 3, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "30 seconds over Detroit".

I had been hoping, perhaps a little too fervently, though I would have never admitted it, that today's entry would be one of celebration, one of triumph, one of relief. After the first period of last night's game, it did not seem that would happen. Two first period goals by the Penguins, one a fluky own goal as Nicklas Kronwall tried to clear the puck, sending it off Adam Hall's skate and into the Wings net, made it seem less likely. But, as so often happens in sport, a rally ensued. The Red Wings calmly continued to play their game, weather the storm, got their chances and evened things up on a power play marker, and then went ahead on a goal by Rafalski, the local kid. You could feel it, you could hear the fans at the Joe chanting "We want the Cup" and the minutes and seconds burning off too too slowly for anyone's taste. Well, anyone's except Pittsburgh and its fans.

An adversarial system is perhaps not the ideal means of testing one's mettle, but two forces, both aiming for the same goal in which their can be just one victor, often remind us that life is not about being happy all of the time. That sadness, sorrow, anguish, frustration, and other emotions only serve to amply the positive by providing the black backdrop against which the white purity of the joyful emotions may stand out. And there it was. So close, palpably close. The Penguins had pulled their goalie, they were down to their final gasps of air and sips of hope. but, hope dies last. So to overtime we went. And to another. And a third. And there it ended. But not for all time, merely for this time.

It takes 16 victories to raise the Cup. Before yesterday's game, the Red Wings needed one more win this season to do just that. When they awoke this morning, they still needed just one more. They have a margin for error, but that margin is growing smaller.

Now, on the cross-promotional tip:

So, Mark is running another blog based bracket, this one regarding the "Brilliant but Canceled" of the television world. I will not claim to have been a part of the selection committee, but I did look over some of the choices and made some suggestions and I can tell you, if you love lamenting television that came and went too soon, this is the tournament for you.

Here's Day 1

Here's Day 2

So play, don't play, but it's fun!

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, self-inflicted sleep deprived.

Thought for the Day: Little things

Thought for the Day: Little things
May 29, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "The little things".

I usually do not mention work things on this site as they usually involve people's names and well, that isn't good for anyone. But not today, for today was one of the greatest days in the history of my employment at Stevenson High School.

Why?

Play Me!

Replace the word "phonebook" with "copiers" and you will understand.
(One of my colleagues pointed out in my spreading the word that this was my essential reaction.)

Our previous models are no more. The one in the business office that had made 12 million copies, Gone! Gone are the fevered prayers that double siding or collating will break the machine and risk a mob of your fellow teachers coming after you with pitchtorchs and forks. No, the new copiers are here. My 11 page final for World History, 36 copies, stapled: Previously a 20 minute effort, now just 8 minutes! It's whisper quiet! It's actually a joy to copy something now!

Oh, and also, the book shelf in the back of my room collapsed in what was later described by one of my AP kids as an "EPIC FAIL", but yeah, honestly, it was pretty cool while it happened.

OK, that's it, back to your every day lives.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, double siding and duplexing to his heart's content.

Thought for the Day: Posted without comment

Thought for the Day: Posted without comment
May 20, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "But feel free to make your own".

Generation Slap

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, X&Y

Thought for the Day: Odds and Ends

Thought for the Day: Odds and Ends
April 28, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "Back in the day".
As I roll towards the 2008 AP Test, here's an old school style links and thoughts roundup.

Pistons scout Will Robinson, the first African-American head coach in Division I, passes away at 96.
Dickie V with a nice tribute. Will Robinson is one of those guys Pistons fans just revered because he had an eye for talent (he "discovered" Joe D and Dennis Rodman) and because he was a 90 year old man who looked like he was 60. He will be missed.

I have no idea what to think about the Lions draft, but I like that the Lions selected Army safety Caleb Campbell. I just hope he can play.

I actually found myself more concerned with where some of the bigger names from Michigan were landing. Congratulations to Jake Long, the first Michigan player since Tom Harmon in 1941 to be selected first overall in the Draft. Chad Henne will also be with the Dolphins next season and he should have a good chance at winning the starting job. It's nice to see that Stephen M. Ross has begun a jobs program for former Michigan football players in South Florida. Mario Manningham to the Dolphins Giants, well, that should be an interesting mix. Mario, meet Tom Coughlin. Shawn Crable, I think, will thrive in the New England linebacking corps. Adrian Arrington probably should have stuck in school this year, but I say that out of selfish reasons more than anything.

The biggest conundrum for me would be Mike Hart going to Indianapolis. On the one hand, I think he has a really good shot to make the team as Joseph Addai's backup, and given the propensity of Colts running backs to get hurt, that would be good for him. On the other hand, it means I now have a vested interest in a team that has Peyton Manning on it. So you know, oy.

I went to the Wings/Avalanche Game 2 on Saturday, and that was a lot of fun.
I will say that Mule is definitely carrying the load for the Wings, but just watching the manner in which teams, not just in the Wings series, but across the playoffs, are using the area in front of the goalie to screen and redirect, makes hockey a little more unpredictable. I have also never heard the arena louder than I did when Mac dropped the gloves in the second period. It was a lot of fun.

Speaking of the Red Wings, I'd like to thank Mike for hooking me up with my new Deadspin avatar.

The Tigers are playing better, but the ship is not yet righted. We'll see, it's still April, the Rays are in first place still, so...

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, buried under it.

Thought for the Day: Another one in

Thought for the Day: Another one in
April 7, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "It happens every April".

No, not the Tigers starting 0-6, that's worrisome on its own. No, TRASHionals was held this weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As is my solemn vow, I no longer discuss or debate quiz bowl in public internet forums, but I will mention the following three things.
1). Three finals in a row for us, but only one win, which is a little humbling.
2). I can still bring it when I need to, but I am not sure that's a good thing.
3). Until one actually runs a tournament of a decent size, it's very hard to appreciate just how difficult it is to pull off.

My congratulations to Dren, Michael, Al, Meghan, and Chris on the victory for The Republic of Dirkadirkastan. My thanks to TRASH for the efforts this weekend. Thanks to Mike, Geoff, and Anne for being tremendous teammates. And thanks to Geoff for putting up with not one, but two Sonic runs in Smyrna, Tennessee. My disapproving clucks to Hertz for giving Geoff and I a small SUV when I asked for a car and for then giving me a car that had what can only be described as one nasty funk. A pox on my house for overpacking my cheap overnight bag and having it explode on the baggage carousel.

So we'll see if we do it again next year. Probably, but you never know. The world changes.

That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, number two with a bullet.

Thought for the Day: Put me in coach

Thought for the Day: Put me in coach
March 31, 2008

First things first:
Today's theme is "To begin the world anew".

Michigan made the Frozen Four for the first time since 2003, and that's a great feeling. But it's also Opening Day, one of the most anticipated Opening Days in Detroit history, and this just has me fired up. So, enjoy!



That's all for today, until next time,
I am Craig Barker, ready to play.