146 thoughts on “March 21, 2012: So Close”

    2. Less than five minutes after I typed this, unprompted, my wife tells me her Kinky vodka froze in our freezer. We need higher-proof, less fruity vodka, too.

        2. Vodka says "30% obj." which I assume means 60 proof (in the American figuring)

          Edit: Google Translate says "obj." means volume.

          1. That's a cold freezer you got- my Googling shows me 60 proof should freeze at 5 degrees F (ooh, I should probably leave that in Celsius for Mags- that'd be -15 degrees C).

            1. Here they use a 24-hr clock (ie it's currently 15:45 here), Celsius, meter/kilometers, and all your other metric measurements. I have a pretty good handle on everything except temperature. I haven't been able to yet get Celsius to stick.

                1. I know all the conversions: lb = 2.2kg, km = 0.6m, cm=2.5in, but I just can't do f=c very well. Something about hearing "It's so warm out, it's almost 20" just short circuits my brain.

                  1. Yeah, I'm not really good at guesstimating the temperature conversion either. I've found that a response of, "it's cold" works well.

                  2. Something about hearing "It's so warm out, it's almost 20" just short circuits my brain.

                    That's all well and good, but I don't see what Minnesotans talking about the weather has to do with Celcius.

                  3. I struggle with this too. I try to keep all my weather widgets on my phone & my computer in both Farenheit & Celsius, and I've found even if I can't do a quick conversion, I've started to kind of get an idea of what it'll be like if I'm given a temperature in Celsius.

    3. And are we transitioning to ESPN or staying with Yahoo? I don't know how complicated it is to move from one to the other, though I get the feeling it would be difficult.

      1. We're drafting with yahoo, since ESPN doesn't support keepers at a certain draft position. If we want to move to ESPN for the regular season, we could do that and just supply the results via an off-line draft. It'd be kind of time consuming, but not impossible.

        1. Hmm, which would mean if we decided to keep the keeper rule for next year, it might not be possible with ESPN. Seems like going to be using Yahoo for the indefinite future. Which is fine by me, since I didn't have many issues with Yahoo's platform.

          1. the other option would be to just go back to yahoo to draft every year, or to do an offline draft. I personally an happy with Yahoo because I have another league there, but am open to switching if that's the majority opinion.

    4. What style is the draft? Also, is the league Rotisserie? These are things I probably should have known, right?

      1. It's a snake draft, rotisserie league (6x6 with Holds and OPS as the additional stats). Did you manage to get into the league, or do you need an invite still?

        Also, given the general confusion, should I reopen the keeper picks until closer to the draft?

        1. Another invite would be nice.

          K/W/ERA/WHIP/S/H
          R/HR/RBI/AVG/SB/OPS ?
          Average, HR, and OPS? So those big value guys are very big value guys now...

          My other league this year transitioned to OBP instead of Average and Net SB for batters and OBP against instead of whip an Net Saves. I'm excited to see how it plays out.

          This LTE should not be seen as an objection to the stats you guys have. Just an excuse for me to talk about the stats in my other league.

          1. I'm going to give you the moonlight grahams (freealonzo's team last year) as he had to drop the league last year. The invite should be in your inbox.

    1. The Wolves are mentioned mid-way through the PDF. I think having sound would really help explain everything.

      2. Kevin Love being listed as a "Scoring Paint Protector" with Blake Griffin made me laugh a little bit. I'd really expect him to be a "Scoring Rebounder", with Aldridge and Nowitzki, but the stats must tell a slightly different story.

    2. I'd like a better description of exactly what the image means. It looks cool, but I don't know what exactly to take from it.

      1. The colors are explained in the first link: red means more scoring, blue less. The rest of it, especially the edges, I don't understand. The PDF explained a bunch of stats were used, so perhaps an edge means the two players were within some epsilon of differences.

    2. Heh, I just sent that to my wife as her mom was denied a job because the person who was going to hire her looked her up on the book of faces and she was all upset about it. That much (just looking it up to see the publicly available stuff) I don't have a problem with, but I'd assume punch the interviewer in the face before giving out login info.

      1. yeah, if i was an HR manager, the first thing i would do is search out an applicant's profile. if they're stupid enough to have any compromising information public, that's their own fault. however, that's the line.

      2. I'm right there with you. I'd laugh in their face if they asked me for it. They don't need to see how much I love rap music or how I feel about politics or whatever. It's completely irrelevant. But I dunno, I have issues with a lot of the different things they do at the beginning of employment, especially for the types of jobs I've held.

        1. Maybe the engineering world is different, but I've never had anything done outside of a basic background check and drug test for the jobs I've gotten over the years. (I was surprised that they could get immediate negative results when I went in a couple weeks ago for a pre-employment drug screen. It was pretty nifty.) But I long ago stripped as much as possible out of my profile and rarely put anything in it anyway, it just seems obvious at this point.

          1. I've had background checks done, but for one of my jobs (doing data entry) they had to fingerprint me. That felt a little excessive to make $8.50.

            1. I had to be fingerprinted once, but it was because I would be handling millions of credit/debit cards. I wonder how often they even needed to use them.

        1. Believe me, we tried. We were met with surprising resistance and an attitude that its "unfair" that someone would base a decision like that (it was a nanny job) on a FB profile.

    3. I wouldn't have a problem with them (at least trying to) look up my Facebook info, but if they asked for userid/password, I would flat tell them that my account contains age and/or medical info which they have no right to due to discrimination issues.

      1. I think somewhere along these lines as well - if they look up what anyone can see, fair game. But when they want access that is beyond what is publicly available, they might as well fill out a 3T form cuz it ain't happening.

      2. Right, but the issue is more about the fact that there are folks who can't say no because they need the job in question.

        1. the obvious solution is to have a "professional" BoF page, and a "personal" one. I've seen others do this.

          1. Even if you've gone to that length, are you really willing to give up a password to an HR stooge? (That is, a complete stranger.)

            1. My guess is he's saying have one "professional" page that is viewable by the public and one "personal" page that is only viewable by friends so when the company looks you up, they find the professional one. Because I, for one, would not give up login information regardless of how many pages I had.

                1. Isn't the issue here about asking for the password? Whether they're asking for the password to a "professional" page or a "personal" page, they're still asking for a password. I wouldn't give them a key and I wouldn't give them a password. Having a "professional" page isn't a solution to HR asking you for a password.

                  1. I could conceive of a world where giving out passwords like this was common place, and in such a world you would create a crappy little business profile with a crappy little password (might I suggest "password"?), and protect your true identity and true password habits, so that, in effect, you would not be giving them a key.

                    I could also see though that, in such a world, HR would want access to your real profile and password, so even a fake business one wouldn't serve it's purpose.

                    I think this raises a question though (and trying not to be too forbidden topicy here), that maybe the real big brother threat is from employers/corporations?

                    2. aye. Of course, to hear some folks, corporations should be free to include whatever contractual requirements they like in an employment contract and whatever conditions they like to obtain employment. It's Just Contracting, right? Freedom of association!!!!111one111!!!

                      Ok, yea, I should stop.

                  2. If you leave your professional profile open to the public, they'd have to reason to ask for the password.

      3. I wonder how much this is actually happening. I saw a story on the local news where they interviewed some college students and an employer. The college students said they wouldn't give out their password, and the employer said he wouldn't ask for it. The story never even provided an example of an employer that was actually asking for that information. It left me wondering what the story was.

    4. I've gotten to where I just assume that anytime I put anything on the internet, including here, I've just made it public information. That's not to say that I agree with this procedure, just that ideas of privacy in the internet age are still evolving and will continue to do so.

    5. In the past month I have cancelled my Google account and a couple of other website accounts because of privacy issues. Call me paranoid, but I feel my concerns are legitimate, even more so with the trend of every website on Earth trying to force you to link your account and online activity to Facebook. That makes building a mosaic of online activity a can of corn. If I'm ever in a job search situation again, I'll also cancel my Facebook and Twitter accounts (even though I never use Twitter). I have a PI buddy who says the internet takes a lot of the legwork out of his job.

  7. good sports day today: Twins on TV at noon, EPL action at 2:30, Gophers at 6, Wolves at 7:30.

    1. Saints lose two second round picks, Williams suspended indefinitely, will meet with Commissioner after the season.

      I'm not surprised at all. Goodell can't tolerate this stuff.

      Take back the trophy!!!!

        1. Yeah, I think that definitely should have happened, but there's no precedent for it and it could open up some dangerous floodgates, so I understand his trepidation, assuming it was discussed (and it had to be, right?).

          I wonder just how much "NOLA needed this championship" figured into the discussion.

          1. They got it when they needed it. Now we take it back. I understand the trepidation too, but they cheated, and in a big way. Without injuring Favre, do they even get by the Vikings? I guess they don't. So you can say that this major scandal lead directly to their Super Bowl championship.

            1. Oh, I'm with you. If the title remains in New Orleans, then no matter what else is done, the NFL has made it loud and clear that cheaters prosper.

                1. The martyr complex I encountered during my visit last weekend was quite annoying.

                  Also, I went to a bar in the Quarter on St. Patrick's Day and they were showing the entire Super Bowl again (I'm sure not for the first time). I was thinking about sending a letter to the NFL that the game was being rebroadcasted without their express written consent just to laugh if they actually investigated and punished the bar (the NFL hatez New Orleans!!!eleventy!!!11!!).

        2. I understand the second rounder in 2012 since they traded away their first rounder, but they should've taken away their 2013 first round pick. With the coaching staff gutted, Drew Brees still unsigned (he hasn't signed the franchise tender, and I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to walk away from this circus), and a fairly tough schedule, I wouldn't be shocked if they were drafting in the top 10. It would be pretty sucky if they got an awesome pick as a result of this. Still, this is a very massive punishment.

      3. I think this took a little courage on Goodell's part. The know-it-alls were saying that, at most, Williams would get a year and Payton would get a few games.

        Also, it had to be really tempting for Goodell to sweep this under the rug, and the major media outlets would probably have let him do it. Good for him that he realizes this sort of thing has no place in his sport.

        1. Counselor, the league had to do this. They already know that they will most certainly face litigation over head injuries in the future. Not coming down hard on these guys was not an option.

          1. I agree that the threat of litigation is strong. I just think you underestimate the power of the temptation to sweep things under the rug and hope they'll go away. Not that it would've worked, but if I made bets I'd bet that Goodell was getting a lot of advice to do exactly that. I'm pleased that he was strong enough not to take that advice.

        1. I loved the tweet from Warren Sapp I saw in my timeline saying that Jeremy Shockey was the "snitch." Oh boy. Yes, let's talk about snitches. Ugh.

          2. Conflicted about feeling respect for Shockey.
            Assuming he's not the real whistleblower.
            Probably the kicker or punter. Kluwe convinced him with the lyrics to a metal song.

  9. Tebow to the Jets. Good, because now that he's in a big media market, Ol' Tim might finally get some badly needed publicity.

    3. Not a bad move by the Jets. Now their fans will likely not be clamoring to bench Sanchez when he inevitably sucks next season because the backup is clearly worse.

    4. have you seen the interwebs meme running, about Tebow asking God for help getting to the Super Bowl? Next frame shows Peyton and Tebow, with Tebow asking "what are you doing here?" and Peyton responding with "God called me."

          1. i saw one recently saying the broncos want a super bowl win so bad that they're sacrificing a virgin.

    5. From the AP story that everyone uses to make it look like they're doing work:

      Tebow is expected to complement starter Mark Sanchez...

      If I'm not mistaken, the writer is doing a pretty good job insulting Sanchez.

    7. I assume the Jets have some kind of plan, but I'm darned if I can see how this works for them.

  10. Howard Sinker repeating the parochial b.s. from 1981.

    Austin was ranked second in the state for much of the year and was undefeated going into the game against defending champion Mpls. North.

    North was the favorite, to be sure. But "no chance"? Pretty obvious hyperbole. Austin matched up well with them, moved the ball better, rebounded better, and played better defense.

    1. Crap. I emailed Howard to whine about this and he was nice back to me. I hate it when that happens.

  11. I guess its a good sign for the Twins when I'm disappointed with seven runs in a lineup minus the M&M boys & Willy.

    1. I was kind of hoping the White Sox would say, "No thanks, you keep him" for the humor value

    2. Afterward the Twins talked about how impressed they were with his performance in the Arizona Fall League, but that consisted of just eight starts and a fluky batting average on balls in play vastly overrated how well he actually pitched.

      damn that actual evidence-based analysis!

      1. AG is just so primed to criticize the Twins' FO he can't help himself. Doyle has decent minor league numbers for a starting pitcher. Yeah, he's not young, but he also has fewer than 200 IP at any given level, so he hasn't exactly repeated third grade four times. AFL or not, Doyle's numbers are basically the same as Guerrier's numbers in the miors. For $25K, I'd check that out, especially if there was any reason to beleive he may have improved. Most Rule 5 picks are crap anyway.

    3. I think Gleeman was somewhat unfair to the Twins front office. It's not like Doyle was a bum before the AFL. He's got a lifetime minor league ERA under three, a WHIP under 1.15, and over eight strikeouts per nine innings.

      Yes, there are reasons not to like him, but that's true of pretty much anyone you choose in the Rule 5 draft. That's why they're available in the Rule 5 draft. The fact that he was in the AFL in the first place, though, shows that the White Sox see some potential in him, too.

      It's also not like they made a big investment in him. This ends up costing the Twins a grand total of $25,000. It wasn't a bad gamble. It just didn't work out.

      1. Agreed. Like ubes, I thought it was a reasonable gamble. His strikeout numbers in A+ and AA were less exciting, but he seemed like a useful long reliever.

    1. This one was win-win for me. Parents are from Austin & I currently live about 4 blocks from St. Paul Johnson.

  15. Dear Lawyer-types -

    Recent events at my place of employment have me considering the possibility of seeking out a different job. Do any of you know of good resources for those job-searching in Minnesota?

    Thanks.

    1. I would recommend not using the SBG College of Law's career services office. No one gets paid more to do less work.

        1. I've seen Mark's Towing on the road with a car hooked up behind them twice. That's two more times than I've ever heard of the career services office doing any actual work.

      3. What Pirate said. My interactions with SBG College of Law career services over the past 8 months have been tragicomic and the results have been nothing short of abysmal. I've received more employment from classmates than from "career services".

        1. Heh. Five years ago, Sheenie approached them just prior to her graduation for any hints or tips. They directed her to a classmate and said, "He found a job. You should ask him what he did." Nevermind the fact he was in the top ten in her class.

  17. So, I need a ruling. Forbidden Zone?

    If you were to reclassify Wendy's as a chicken chain, it would be No. 1 over KFC by a wide margin. The entire chicken market I find slightly baffling as clearly Popeye's is better than KFC, and yet the latter is more popular.

    1. the latter is more popular because KFC is everywhere while there is only 5 Popeyes in Minnesota and Iowa combined.
      Myself, I havent been to a KFC in 10 years.

      1. All I know is that I hated Popeyes commercials more than all others when I lived in D.C. Except for maybe a local used car sales chain.

        1. Are you trying to say you didn't like Eastern Motors? Where your job's your credit!

    2. The founder of Popeye's is buried in the same cemetery as Mel Ott. Yes, I decided to pay a visit a few years ago and took this picture:

      Mel Ott's grave

    3. I love Popeyes and can't really stand KFC anymore. Except for their coleslaw. And the Wendy's Spicy Chicken sandwich rules. I used eat at least one a week at my last job, which was only a block from a Wendy's.

    4. I really like KFC, but then I've never lived in an area that had a Popeyes, so I have nothing to compare it to.

    1. Gophers Baseball not very good this year. They've lost to a lot of "mid-major" teams, like NDSU. It's the prime suspect of any bad team: no pitching.

  20. I scanned my twitter feed earlier today, and I thought that Tebow had been sent to the Saints and that Peyton had been banned for a year. Two separate stories... it now makes sense.

    Also, I think the Saints should vacate the NFC and NFL titles. Not that the Vikings should win the NFC retroactively, just that the Saints wouldn't.

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