A couple of interviews for promotions that would take me to Minnesota are coming in the next week or so. This may finally be happening.
61 thoughts on “January 6, 2015: Feigning Apathy”
Please don't tell me you'll be out of town between 1/14 & 1/19...
Could happen, but I have no idea.
Good luck with the interviews Spoons.
Full disclosure: I am a 36-year-old dude who bores easily, drinks I.P.A.s and wears sports-themed T-shirts, especially ones with faded, nostalgic logos that suggest better times.
...
I try to keep up with the usual cultural things — documentaries about conflict in South Sudan, Netflix binge shows, memes — but whenever I find myself awake in the early morning and there is no email to answer and no news to track, I watch SportsCenter, or I scan the previous night’s N.B.A. box scores to check up on Porzingis, or I read some dissertation on Johnny Cueto’s unusual ability to hold runners on first base. It’s not the most glamorous way to spend my time, but what can I do? My mind, at its most aimless, obsessively seeks out sports information. I am, in other words, the target demographic for the daily fantasy sports industry.
An excerpt from the intro of Jay Kang's NYTMag article on daily fantasy sports. It made me smile because I'm sure there are a few here who can identify with his self-description. On the other hand, I spend about $40 per year between fantasy football dues and March Madness brackets, but I'm financially risk-averse (and have very little discretionary income), so daily fantasy has never really been up my alley. Kang's article was interesting to me for a lot of reasons, but the part I found most compelling related to the "... rampant exploitation in D.F.S.’s betting economy."
“The idea that these sites exist so that regular guys can make a lot of money playing daily fantasy sports is a lie,” Harber* told me. “FanDuel and DraftKings are optimized for power players to rape and pillage regular players over and over again.”
Fun read if you have a few minutes.
*"Gabriel Harber, a well-known D.F.S. podcaster and writer who has worked in the D.F.S. industry since its inception..."
I've enjoyed some of Kang's writing at Grantland.
Ditto.
I dropped the ball yesterday when I had an opportunity to point out my HS friend's latest book, A Treasury of Old Souls, where he relates growing up and interacting with elderly people.
nad - agreed. That is very cool! Thanks for sharing.
How long until Rhubarb Runner figures out he can negotiate that deal in Fort Myers?
!?!
That reminds me, when are you going to be in Fort Meyers Rhu-Ru? I think I will be there ~Feb 19-25.
Aw, bummer: March 4th - 12th. Don't wreck the place!
Where will you be hanging at?
My parents have a place in Estero which is just down the road from the training facilities. It's like a 20 minute drive. I might try to find a bike and ride over one day as my dad is finding it harder to move around.
20 minutes isn't bad; it takes me that long just to get off Fort Myers Beach and onto mainland. I'd attend more practice session mornings if it was easier to get to, but as it is, I usually get to one practice session and one ballgame. Which reminds me, tickets are on sale today...
Tickets purchased -- March 8th Cardinals vs. Twins
Pepper, think you could forward the tickets again this year? Please?
Sure! Funnily enough, I was thinking of this yesterday because a bus drove by me with an ad for the ticket place.
And I dropped the ball (egg?) yesterday when I forgot to wish AMR a happy National Bird Day.
AMR, while you're here, another article that might interest you:
Ooh, another Helen MacDonald article! Thanks for the tip!
And I missed the one after the mushroom one!
Alex Gordon is staying in Kansas City; the contract is 4 years/$72 million with no opt-out. Even considering the move negates a draft pick, this seems like a pretty good deal for the Royals.
And a bad one for the Twins, considering it strengthens the team most likely to be in the way for a division title for the next four years (or at least the next 3) and Gordon has killed the Twins over the years.
.297/.372/.512/.884 career slash line in 592 PA (140 games)
Eff me. I've already basically stopped listening thanks to way too much Jade, but this is about the final straw.
And co-host with Jill Riley? The pretentiousness will be intolerable!
I blame my lack of new music exposure on The Current's DJ decisions.
I've never disliked Oake, though we'll have to see what free-form, not-corporate Oake sounds like...
The highlight of my trip to the dentist in December was that they were piping Christmas music rather than his morning show like most other visits.
I guess I'm new to the Current, so I don't know anyone specifically, but I tend to be OK with the people there.
Of course, I've got a pretty short leash for how long people talk. I'll gladly switch over to anther station if you talk too long. Also, I only listen to the radio about 30 minutes a day while I get to work and back.
Brian Oake blathers more than it seems humanly possible.
I have slowly been switching to all NPR, all the time, and this might be the final step for me.
I'd put former Current DJ David Campbell up against Oake for blather...
Also...
There's an irony to you hating all the DJ talking but switching to NPR because of it.
It used to be a no-brainer for us to flip the rental to 97.1. This last year (maybe longer) they have changed their style and it is not to our liking. And because Adele.
Funny, over the holidays she switched stations 3 times and hit the same Adele song.
I can tolerate talk, just not mindless Brian Oake garbage.
David Campbell rambled, but I always liked him because you could tell he wasn't taking himself too seriously and his "weather reports" were phenomenally half-baked.
Getting rid of Barb Abney was a big issue for me. She was my favorite. Mary Lucia isn't terrible otherwise, but talks far too much about her pets. Otherwise, the DJ's all pretty much bore me, and when I'm tuning it in on the radio, I flip stations. I've gone to Pandora almost all the time at work now, to avoid the DJ's.
Well, we survived Diane yesterday, but she was just a Category 4 storm and all we really had was a steady soaking rain, which is just perfect for ending a drought. Unfortunately, Eugene is on the way today and is a Category 5. Sounds like the coast could get a few small tornadoes and/or water spouts. And Francis is coming right behind Eugene. It may be a while before Junior gets to finish the second half of his baseball season and Trey is in co-ed softball at his school, which plays doubleheaders Saturday mornings.
Oh, also, we had an earthquake this morning. Sounds like a 4.5 centered about 40 or 50 miles from my house. Not a huge deal, but one jolt at the end of it was enough to wake me up. There was another one that was close to that big that was just a few miles from my house while we were in Vegas, so that's 2 that most people felt within 2 weeks.
Anyone been to Midway Pro Bowl on University in St. Paul? I'm thinking I wanna go bowling.
Ran-Ham is the go to place for bowling in St. Paul.
That's option two for me. Midway is just closer. But I'll take your advice, maybe bump it up the list.
Bryant Lake Bowl is my go-to spot in Mpls for bowling. Shoes and balls are quite beat up, takes the pressure off. Tofu pad thai not bad either.
I went to Bryant Lake Bowl for the first time last weekend and I had to think back to 8th grade when I learned how to keep score. Cool place
Automatic bowling scoring computers are ruining this country, just sayin. And they are showing you a graphic on WHERE TO ROLL THE F'ING BALL! Who is this helping?
Y'know, the Russkies aren't going to give us a graphic on WHERE TO DEFEND RHODE ISLAND.
My favorite is the radar gun that gives you your roll in MPH. We may just sometimes go and see how fast we can throw.
I once rolled with a dude that did that. The ball was upwards of 180 clicks vertical, and then he would sling it down the lane. Usually gutter balls...
I already know where to roll the ball. I just can't always roll it there.
I've just got to say NBB is right on this.
It's like how sometimes it's harder to find a regular plush animal in a certain shape, than one with lights or sound or something.
I used to take my student employees there when I was working at Macalester. It's perfectly fine.
Writers only elect Griffey and Piazza. Griffey not unanimous but did surpass Seaver's record. Bagwell will have to wait till next year (over 70%). Hopefully, Raines will go in next year as well (just shy of 70%). Hoffmann might have to wail till after Rivera is elected.
I don't care as much about the Hall of Fame as I do the Half-Baked Hall, but I do really want to see Raines get elected.
Next year is his last on the ballot. Fortunately, Raines came pretty close this year and garnered his largest vote increase yet – 14.8% over last year. The trend line is positive.
Yeah, I think the BBWAA getting rid of those who hadn't covered baseball in over a decade probably helped Raines.
I feel the same way about Bonds.
How did Clemens get a few more votes than Bonds?
Maybe I'm just biased against Clemens because of the frosted-tips hair he sported at one point.
Or I just found Bonds to be the kindof asshole I appreciate, while Clemens the kind I don't.
You ever been threatened with a broken bat piece? You wouldn't be asking this.
Well, I can think of one big difference between the two. No sportswriter ever called Bonds "gritty" for the same reason.
B/C Clemens is from Texas and self-made* while Bonds is from Cali and the son of a Hall-of-Pretty-Good player and grew up around the pro game?
*Imprecise, but you get the idea.
Please don't tell me you'll be out of town between 1/14 & 1/19...
Could happen, but I have no idea.
Good luck with the interviews Spoons.
An excerpt from the intro of Jay Kang's NYTMag article on daily fantasy sports. It made me smile because I'm sure there are a few here who can identify with his self-description. On the other hand, I spend about $40 per year between fantasy football dues and March Madness brackets, but I'm financially risk-averse (and have very little discretionary income), so daily fantasy has never really been up my alley. Kang's article was interesting to me for a lot of reasons, but the part I found most compelling related to the "... rampant exploitation in D.F.S.’s betting economy."
Fun read if you have a few minutes.
*"Gabriel Harber, a well-known D.F.S. podcaster and writer who has worked in the D.F.S. industry since its inception..."
I've enjoyed some of Kang's writing at Grantland.
Ditto.
I dropped the ball yesterday when I had an opportunity to point out my HS friend's latest book, A Treasury of Old Souls, where he relates growing up and interacting with elderly people.
Also related to yesterday, I thought this was a cool concept.
http://www.drake.edu/artsci/news/index.php?article=14497
nad - agreed. That is very cool! Thanks for sharing.
How long until Rhubarb Runner figures out he can negotiate that deal in Fort Myers?
!?!
That reminds me, when are you going to be in Fort Meyers Rhu-Ru? I think I will be there ~Feb 19-25.
Aw, bummer: March 4th - 12th. Don't wreck the place!
Where will you be hanging at?
My parents have a place in Estero which is just down the road from the training facilities. It's like a 20 minute drive. I might try to find a bike and ride over one day as my dad is finding it harder to move around.
20 minutes isn't bad; it takes me that long just to get off Fort Myers Beach and onto mainland. I'd attend more practice session mornings if it was easier to get to, but as it is, I usually get to one practice session and one ballgame. Which reminds me, tickets are on sale today...
Tickets purchased -- March 8th Cardinals vs. Twins
Pepper, think you could forward the tickets again this year? Please?
Sure! Funnily enough, I was thinking of this yesterday because a bus drove by me with an ad for the ticket place.
And I dropped the ball (egg?) yesterday when I forgot to wish AMR a happy National Bird Day.
AMR, while you're here, another article that might interest you:
So they don't eat us?
Ooh, another Helen MacDonald article! Thanks for the tip!
And I missed the one after the mushroom one!
Alex Gordon is staying in Kansas City; the contract is 4 years/$72 million with no opt-out. Even considering the move negates a draft pick, this seems like a pretty good deal for the Royals.
And a bad one for the Twins, considering it strengthens the team most likely to be in the way for a division title for the next four years (or at least the next 3) and Gordon has killed the Twins over the years.
.297/.372/.512/.884 career slash line in 592 PA (140 games)
The Current just got a lot less DPWY friendly.
Eff me. I've already basically stopped listening thanks to way too much Jade, but this is about the final straw.
And co-host with Jill Riley? The pretentiousness will be intolerable!
I blame my lack of new music exposure on The Current's DJ decisions.
I've never disliked Oake, though we'll have to see what free-form, not-corporate Oake sounds like...
The highlight of my trip to the dentist in December was that they were piping Christmas music rather than his morning show like most other visits.
I guess I'm new to the Current, so I don't know anyone specifically, but I tend to be OK with the people there.
Of course, I've got a pretty short leash for how long people talk. I'll gladly switch over to anther station if you talk too long. Also, I only listen to the radio about 30 minutes a day while I get to work and back.
Brian Oake blathers more than it seems humanly possible.
I have slowly been switching to all NPR, all the time, and this might be the final step for me.
I'd put former Current DJ David Campbell up against Oake for blather...
Also...
There's an irony to you hating all the DJ talking but switching to NPR because of it.
It used to be a no-brainer for us to flip the rental to 97.1. This last year (maybe longer) they have changed their style and it is not to our liking. And because Adele.
Funny, over the holidays she switched stations 3 times and hit the same Adele song.
I can tolerate talk, just not mindless Brian Oake garbage.
David Campbell rambled, but I always liked him because you could tell he wasn't taking himself too seriously and his "weather reports" were phenomenally half-baked.
Getting rid of Barb Abney was a big issue for me. She was my favorite. Mary Lucia isn't terrible otherwise, but talks far too much about her pets. Otherwise, the DJ's all pretty much bore me, and when I'm tuning it in on the radio, I flip stations. I've gone to Pandora almost all the time at work now, to avoid the DJ's.
Well, we survived Diane yesterday, but she was just a Category 4 storm and all we really had was a steady soaking rain, which is just perfect for ending a drought. Unfortunately, Eugene is on the way today and is a Category 5. Sounds like the coast could get a few small tornadoes and/or water spouts. And Francis is coming right behind Eugene. It may be a while before Junior gets to finish the second half of his baseball season and Trey is in co-ed softball at his school, which plays doubleheaders Saturday mornings.
Oh, also, we had an earthquake this morning. Sounds like a 4.5 centered about 40 or 50 miles from my house. Not a huge deal, but one jolt at the end of it was enough to wake me up. There was another one that was close to that big that was just a few miles from my house while we were in Vegas, so that's 2 that most people felt within 2 weeks.
one of my go-to websites
I never knew BVI was on a fault line...
Maybe it was North Korea.
Only if they were testing in Banning, CA.
Anyone been to Midway Pro Bowl on University in St. Paul? I'm thinking I wanna go bowling.
Ran-Ham is the go to place for bowling in St. Paul.
That's option two for me. Midway is just closer. But I'll take your advice, maybe bump it up the list.
Bryant Lake Bowl is my go-to spot in Mpls for bowling. Shoes and balls are quite beat up, takes the pressure off. Tofu pad thai not bad either.
I went to Bryant Lake Bowl for the first time last weekend and I had to think back to 8th grade when I learned how to keep score. Cool place
Automatic bowling scoring computers are ruining this country, just sayin. And they are showing you a graphic on WHERE TO ROLL THE F'ING BALL! Who is this helping?
Y'know, the Russkies aren't going to give us a graphic on WHERE TO DEFEND RHODE ISLAND.
My favorite is the radar gun that gives you your roll in MPH. We may just sometimes go and see how fast we can throw.
I once rolled with a dude that did that. The ball was upwards of 180 clicks vertical, and then he would sling it down the lane. Usually gutter balls...
I already know where to roll the ball. I just can't always roll it there.
I've just got to say NBB is right on this.
It's like how sometimes it's harder to find a regular plush animal in a certain shape, than one with lights or sound or something.
I used to take my student employees there when I was working at Macalester. It's perfectly fine.
Writers only elect Griffey and Piazza. Griffey not unanimous but did surpass Seaver's record. Bagwell will have to wait till next year (over 70%). Hopefully, Raines will go in next year as well (just shy of 70%). Hoffmann might have to wail till after Rivera is elected.
I don't care as much about the Hall of Fame as I do the Half-Baked Hall, but I do really want to see Raines get elected.
Next year is his last on the ballot. Fortunately, Raines came pretty close this year and garnered his largest vote increase yet – 14.8% over last year. The trend line is positive.
Yeah, I think the BBWAA getting rid of those who hadn't covered baseball in over a decade probably helped Raines.
I feel the same way about Bonds.
How did Clemens get a few more votes than Bonds?
Maybe I'm just biased against Clemens because of the frosted-tips hair he sported at one point.
Or I just found Bonds to be the kindof asshole I appreciate, while Clemens the kind I don't.
You ever been threatened with a broken bat piece? You wouldn't be asking this.
Well, I can think of one big difference between the two. No sportswriter ever called Bonds "gritty" for the same reason.
B/C Clemens is from Texas and self-made* while Bonds is from Cali and the son of a Hall-of-Pretty-Good player and grew up around the pro game?
*Imprecise, but you get the idea.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPFcMPOg86I