158 thoughts on “June 7, 2012: Thunderous Comeback”

  1. Greetings from United Methodist Annaul Conference! Last night, at the full clergy session, I received final approval for ordination. So, unless there is a natural disaster of some sort or I pass away between now and then, I will be ordained Friday night.

    2. Congrats! That is awesome; it has been great hearing about the process a little bit in everyone's favorite mom's basement.

    9. you know that quote from goodfellas? where henry says that tommy getting made is like all of them getting made? yeah, it's kind of like that.

      congrats, padre. you're now one of the godfellas.

        1. i'm sure the padre didn't take out another full elder. pretty sure, at least.

      1. hey, now. You'll be welcome in my little corner of hell. I plan to have a kegerator of Surly

      1. Yes. I hope to stay a long time, but it's pretty much out of my hands. I can let the conference know that I want to stay, and so can my congregations, but the decisions are made by the cabinet, which is comprised of the District Superintendents and the Bishop. This will only be my second year there, so the chances are I'll get to stay a couple of years yet, but appointments are always made on a year-to-year basis, so there's no guarantee.

        What I tell the people in charge, whenever I get the chance, is basically, "Look, I'm in a place most people would not want to be (a three-point charge that's pretty much in the middle of nowhere), but I love it there. Let the people who want to be in bigger places go to bigger places, and let the guy who loves it here stay here." As I said, though, it's out of my hands.

    20. Way to go, Jeff! I was hoping to be able to attend the ceremony, but my work schedule is set for 2 PM to 10PM on Friday.

      1. No problem. I really don't know how I'm going to have time to visit with all the people who are coming anyway. There's family coming from a ways away, there are people coming from the last two places I've been, there's at least one of my seminary professors coming, and there are people coming from my current parish, which is about four hours from Sioux Falls. I want to spend time with all of them, but I doubt that it's going to happen that way.

    21. Congrats, jeff. It's always nice to hear about someone reaching a goal that they've worked hard to achieve.

  2. So are the NBA finals actually going to be on network tv then? I found it basically impossible to watch on TNT's online feed because the cameras made no sense and there was no display showing the frickin game clock. I'd just assume not watch on a less than scrupulous feed because the quality isn't that great. Seriously, though, TNT blows.

    Anyway, I'm extremely happy that Manu Ginobili isn't going to be in the finals, though disappointed that Derek Fisher is. Still, I'd rather watch Fisher for a few minutes than Ginobili flopping all over the place. Also:

    KEVIN DURANT

    That is all.

    2. Anyway, I'm extremely happy that Manu Ginobili isn't going to be in the finals

      I've watched very little basketball in my time, but I cannot stand Ginobili's game.

      1. Absolute boo. I wanted to see The Big Fundamental and Coach Popp win one more title.

        1. Considering that SA tanked to get Duncan in the first place, I'm plenty good with their run being over.

          1. The Spurs only did half the dirty work. The league had to rig the lottery too, don't forget.

        2. I don't have any real positive feelings towards the Spurs, but I can't live in good conscience in Seattle and feel anything but contempt for the Thunder. The Sonics going to the NBA Finals would have been absolutely huge around here, but instead the only NBA talk around town is that a hedge fund manager might be able to poach a team from somewhere else in the NBA. Fan-tastic.

          1. Crappy franchise relocation stories are a fact of life in all professional sports. Yeah, the Thunder story blows chunks for Seattle, but not any more so than, say, the North Stars to Dallas*, the Ravens to Baltimore**, or the Expos to Washington***.

            * Won a title in Dallas
            ** Won a title in Baltimore
            *** Look like a contender this year.

            1. They are a fact of life, but they are a crappy fact of life and one that makes it hard for me to root for the relocated teams.

              1. I agree with that for the most part. But the cast of characters for each teams still leaves me favoring OKC. I'm ready for Kevin Durant's NBA and don't care to see Ginobili flopping all over and the Duncan face anymore.

                  1. hahahaha.

                    Teams in the Major Leagues that have never relocated cities:

                    Diamondbacks
                    Cubs
                    White Sox
                    Reds
                    Indians
                    Rockies
                    Tigers
                    Astros
                    Royals
                    Marlins
                    Mets
                    Phillies
                    Pirates
                    Padres
                    Cardinals
                    Rays
                    Blue Jays

                    1. Very happy to see the Angels are not on this list.
                      LA to California to Anaheim and back.

                    4. per b-r's franchise encyclopedia page only.

                      and yes, the Angels' exemption was quite conscious.

            2. ***would have won one had they been able to keep Pedro, Larry Walker, etc. They were on the cusp of a long dominant run.

          2. I don't have any real positive feelings towards the Spurs, but I can't live in good conscience in Seattle and feel anything but contempt for the Thunder. The Sonics going to the NBA Finals would have been absolutely huge around here, but instead the only NBA talk around town is that a hedge fund manager might be able to poach a team from somewhere else in the NBA. Fan-tastic.

            FTFY

                1. It's definitely my favorite city. I was with them with the Sonics thing, but being away and being able to watch OKC has sort of ended that. Plus, Durant talked about how much he misses Seattle at one point, so it's pointless to take the crappy move out on the players.

    2. That's really awesome if nobody else gave him a heads-up. That's way funnier than a shaving cream pie to the face.

      1. When I saw it my first thought was that another one of the players had pulled off a great prank, better than a Blyleven hotfoot, even. The first suspect on my list was Trevor Plouffe, for no apparent reason.

      2. Everything is way funnier than a shaving cream pie to the face. But, Mansihp? That's funny.

    3. "So, the question is: After being so dominant pitching in a jersey with his name misspelled, will Manship have it fixed? Or will he be superstitious about it?"

    1. The homer in me mostly cares about this series for the simple fact that, winning a cup now may make Parise to Minnesota more likely. Of course, I have no idea if that really matters in his calculus, but it seems a good argument, no?

      2. That's still coming. Dazzle was saying last night on the broadcast that the Twins aren't going to use Joe as a pinch hitter or runner because then they can't backdate when they put him on the DL. He was making a general point, for sure, but given this club, it was practically a prediction.

        Also, Dazzle was saying how Blackburn does a good job of holding runners. Indeed, no stolen bases against and only one attempt this year. Then, Dazzle said that Blackburn and... PAVANO!?!?! do a really good job of holding runners. Pavano.

        2. Pavano, Liriano -- all those names sound the same. He had to have mispronounced it, because he's GOT to know that you can't easily direct a pitching machine quickly towards first base.

        3. My hope was "off day = another consecutive day of rest" was the theory for holding him out last night. It's a meager hope, I'll admit.

      3. I was spookying that as well, and refused to follow the link. Hence, the probability wave was unable to collapse to realize the state in which Mauer went to the DL. Winning!

  6. From the PP:

    Burnett was still cheesed off at Denard Span a day after the center fielder threw him under the bus during a television interview on MLB Network. In an interview given before Tuesday's 1-0 loss, and watched by the entire team in the clubhouse soon after, the interview included the question: Who is your worst-dressed teammate? Span said, "Alex Burnett."

    "That was freaking stupid," Burnett said. "Even a couple times he said, 'Hey Burnie, you're looking sharp. You going to the club?' And I'm like, 'Nah,' and then he tells me I'm looking good. And now he's calling me out on national television? Unbelievable. I told him he needs to buy me a suit."

    2. Huh, I always figured Burnett was a mute. Likely by choice, occasionally breaking his silence to drop deep-sounding things like Silent Bob or something.

  8. I am actually taking a couple of days off work today and tomorrow, as the Boy grajeates on friday evening, and the grand-foursome comes to town today. I will be spending much of my day today tending the fire, smoking two pork butts for a pahhhty at the S house. You're all invited, of course 😉

    2. Speaking of, I just loaded up the 'pot with carnitas. We're hosting the only folks in town we care to see for dinner tonight, and they've agreed to look after our house cat while we find a place to live in New Orleans.

      1. This is as good a time as any to tell everyone that they're pre-invited to a St. Patrick's Day party at Sheenie's in New Orleans next year. I can't think of any reason Sheenie and I wouldn't go back down there for the holiday. Meat, I'll definitely let you know down the road to confirm we're coming. I hope nine months is enough time for one of you to maybe be persuaded to join us.

        1. Dude, I'm still raving about that party. After I said goodbye to y'all some doctor (or med student..?) offered me a shot of his punch. I didn't need the extra alcohol, but who boy was it delicious.

  9. For those of you with a free afternoon this Saturday - may I suggest BEER & BASEBALL in Saint Paul? I only wish I'd learned about it sooner (I'm all booked for Sat)...seems like the perfect setup for a mini caucus.

    1. I'm almost certainly going to end up at the crapTwins v. poopCubs game on Saturday. Anyone else?

      1. I will be bringing the boy.

        I am not sure where our seats will be but they are courtesy of Rob Antony. I am hoping for something good but will be happy with in the ballpark.

        1. I am not sure where our seats are either. My B.I.L. was "given" them, but still doesn't possess them. May or may not be bringing Aquinas.

    2. $35 ticket package includes:

      Outfield Reserved Ticket to the Saints Game
      5 oz beer tasting glass (real glass)
      Unlimited Samples of 20+ Minnesota craft beers
      Access to the exclusive Craft Beer & Baseball Festival area

      Hot dang. I would love to go, but I have this wedding. Actually, this would be 3rd on my list, after the wedding and Jeff's ordination.

      1. I know, right? I have a veterans golf tournament and a BBQ which already overlap during that timeframe. "First Annual Craft Beer & Baseball Festival"! Next year I'll be there for sure.

        1. Yeah, I hope first annual means there will be a second annual. Maybe with more time to plan for it, I can even try to get up there.

          1. just as long as they don't also distribute mini-bats or allow people to bring disco records to a pyre. "unlimited samples" of beer + ijiots == danger.

            I presume they are requiring samplers to be in line with their own "genuine glass" tasting glass and are depending on the length of the lines to limit inebriation.

                1. That's the benefit of college kids playing with wood bats, cheaper admission. We've never actually done the deal, though, since regular tickets are only 10 bucks and parking/tailgating is free. The baseball isn't always great, but the games are still fun. In fact, they would probably be just as much fun for a WGOM convention as a Snappers game.

      1. He served his purpose well enough. Without looking at the numbers I'm guessing he performed at or above replacement level.

  11. By this time next week I will be on my way to Russia (Moscow and the Black Sea) for twelve days assuming, of course, that the Russian consulate approves my visa (still maddeningly waiting). My previous foreign travel and answers to questions like "Do you have training with firearms, explosives, or nuclear technology?" might have something to do with that.

      1. And expensive, holy crap. They get to decide how long I can stay, and it cost me 250 bucks. First time I've ever needed a visa for foreign travel.

        1. I've been to dozens of countries overseas and the only one I don't have a desire to return to is Russia. Here's to hoping your experience there beats mine and is worth the hassle. I just found everything about Moscow and Sochi to be dour - especially the two guys who tried to con me on a snowy sidewalk with the "lost wallet" scam:

          http://www.watchforscams.com/russian-scams.html

          1. I'm going over for an engagement, so hopefully it will be a bit better than dour. My best buddy grew up in the USSR and met the girl when he was over there visiting family a year ago (he's been back to visit her several times since, of course). We're going over for their engagement party, to visit his family (now living in Sochi), and then we're bringing her to the States. The wedding (Armenian Orthodox) will be in Seattle in August.

            Do you remember which airline you took over there? We're flying Transaero, which we're not excited about, because his fiancée had to get a direct flight to the States due to EU visa regs. We wanted to fly Singapore Airlines, since that's how my buddy usually goes over, but everything was booked by the time the State Department gave his fiancée the go ahead.

            As for the wallet scam, I'm thankful I'll be traveling with native speakers. The chair of our Slavic Department was drugged & mugged in Russia a couple years back - the old roofies in the coffee bit.

        2. My dad went to Russia about 20 years ago with a Minn. agribusiness delegation. His biggest complaint was the number of times they were served beef tongue on the trip. He didn't smoke, but we had him take a couple carton of Marlboros for trading and he came back with some really cool stuff, including a silver fox hat. He said his favorite part of the trip was wandering down to the river when they had free time to talk with the pike fishermen and trade cigs for lures.

  13. The internet is up at the house, just in time for me to be eliminated from a game at my site and for the Twins to have an off day. Oh, for the love.

        2. Well there is that Euro2012 Podcast featuring Mags and myself. I don't know about the wonderment but it is full of splendor.

  14. First and fifth picks have signed, so hopefully Buxton will follow quickly.

  15. I just had a brilliant idea. I should talk to Pepsico and see if they can put a punch out tab on the top of my Diet Mountain Dew cans. Just had a very sad glugging incident. No more glug!

        1. Well I don't know why that didn't work. You can watch the link to the video of guys doing dumb things here.

          1. You had other stuff in the link besides just v=jHW97n4gEVo. That is all that is allowed in the URL.

  17. Why people put carpet over hardwood floors is beyond me. I spent 6 hours today pulling up staples and I am maybe 15% done. Ugh.

    2. I'm more disappointed in people not putting hardwood floors under their carpet. Cos I want this carpet gone without having to pay for the new hardwood floors that could be just sitting an inch below (But aren't). When we pulled up the old carpet at the old place for gorgeous floors, the improvement was immense.

      Shorter AMR: It's worth it Hitman.

      Advice: Remember to put a piece of wastewood under your pliers/pry bar so you don't scar up the floor.
      Also, the tack strips around the edges can cut you quicker and deeper than you imagine. Keep a bucket nearby to collect the blood so you don't stain your new floor.

  18. Keith Law writes where each first round draft pick would rank in each team's list of prospects here. The Twins entry is below.

    Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton

    I'd take him over their current top prospect, Miguel Sano, and that's saying something. The separator for me is that Buxton almost certainly stays in the middle of the field and adds value there, while Sano is already on a corner and may keep moving down the defensive spectrum even as he mashes his way up to Minneapolis.

    woah.

    1. Let's see the kid hit with a wooden bat against professional pitchers first. I hope he's as good as Law is proclaiming, but putting him over Sano at this point seems ridiculous to me.

      1. If I remember correctly, Law wasn't particularly high on Sano anyway. Honestly, I feel like Law tends to color his prospect ratings based on the organization, and the Twins don't fare well as a result.

        1. To be fair to Law the Twins haven't exactly been awash in great prospects in some time. There was a year I believe Baseball America ranked Nick Blackburn as the Twins number one prospect.

          1. Oh yeah, the Twins are plenty to blame for their lack of prospects. But when they've got 'em, he still knocks 'em.

  19. Lebron is going to score 50 points tonight. And people will still call him a choker.

    1. STARTER FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF +/- PTS
      LeBron James 12-14 1-2 5-9 1 5 2 0 0 2 1 +11 30

      Those numbers are at half time.

      1. I don't care what his ears are made of he is giving his doubters a game to forget tonight.

        2. I think he's an incredible player and think the choker thing is bs, but I prefer his team lose because of what his ears are made of.

  20. It is the end of the third quarter and Miami's big three have scored 54 of the Heat's 74. Lebron has 41 of those.

    1. He was something. He single handedly ended a string of terrific ball games in the playoffs.

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