December 2, 2016: In Case I Didn’t Have Enough to Think About

Skim has a boyfriend. He's a friend of hers from Arizona and they only see each other via Skype. This is the ideal situation, as he can't distract her while they're at school.

62 thoughts on “December 2, 2016: In Case I Didn’t Have Enough to Think About”

  1. I think I mentioned my great-nephew, who made it to the Junior National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in bareback riding. After the first day, he's in twelfth place. He'll ride again this morning. Go get 'em, little cowboy!

    1. I think it's been under-reported how many celebrities have survived the first 11 months of the year:
      Kenny Rogers (musician)
      Kenny Rogers (athlete)
      Keith Richards
      Dr. Dre
      Snoop Dogg
      Emeril Lagasse
      Three of the original TV "Friends"
      ... I'm sure there others.

      1. I think Bolt has a legit case. His accomplishments are incredible, but I think from the standpoint of a news provider, it's easier to give the award to someone who competes more often throughout the year. You could also argue that this year more than in LeBron's other championships, his team depended on his individual contributions in the playoffs, whereas just looking at the times, you could say that Bolt is not as fast as he used to be and compared to his other gold medals this wasn't as impressive an individual race. Like, is Bolt repeating more of a credit to him or an indictment on the rest of the field not being able to catch him as he slows?

            1. I'm fine with some countries excelling at one thing athletically.
              Jamaica has sprinting.
              South Korea has complaining.

        1. I read AMR's comment as an attempt to revive the Bolt v. Phelps discussion of four and eight years ago.

          1. I thought there might be some of that as well, but I do think Bolt has some merit. As I believe you've pointed out in Bolt v. Phelps, Bolt competes in an event that anyone can participate in provided they can at least walk. To double in the 100 and 200 in three consecutive (or non-consecutive) Olympics is pretty legendary and there's a good chance no one will ever do it again. Of course, I also think that LeBron is an amazing athlete.

            What I like about his career is that he actually lived up to the hype. With sports media hyping players earlier and earlier, I find it more impressive when players are able to live up to those sorts of expectations.

            Phelps is just troll bait, though.

            1. I think Bolt is on the very short list of greatest Olympians, ever, as you know. And LeBron is on the short list of greatest basketball players, ever and this championship was his greatest achievement to date (73 wins!!!!!11!!!!1).

              'Spoiler' SelectShow

              As much as I love what Bolt did, 2016 is LeBron's.

              1. I agree, I think I'm mainly trying to make the point that LeBron's deserving win is made all the more impressive since Bolt sets a high bar in the first place.

            2. Bolt competes in an event that anyone can participate in provided they can at least walk

              by that logic, anyone can participate in the events that Phelps competed in too, provided they can find a pool. 😉

              If I actually cared about Sportsman/Sportswoman/Sportsperson of the Year (cash grab!), I might point to the IAAF nominees for World Athlete of the Year (which is really a track&field award--"Athletics"), the winner of which will be announced today.

              Or I would mention Katie Ledecky. Because Awesome.

              but I'm cool with LeBron.

          1. Maybe it will be good for the birds in the long run. The birds that can sense the glass will live and the other birds will die, leaving future generations of birds more fit to live in a built environment with transparent surfaces.

            1. I think this might happen for the city-dwelling species like House Sparrows and Rock Pigeons.
              My hunch is that it's unlikely to apply selective pressure on passage migrants.

          2. I remember the big uproar earlier this year about it, but since the windows have been installed has this been an issue? I haven't seen or heard any followup stories.

              1. At my college dorm, there was a big two-story window in the stairwell as you went down to the cafeteria and I remember more than one instance of a bird repeatedly slamming into that window while we were waiting in line, but I don't remember any birds that definitely died from it.

              2. Just had our 1st floor windows washed this morning! And I am constantly telling Mrs. Runner that I don't want to replace the double-panes which are leaking because as soon as we do, another bird will break the seal again.

            1. I've heard anecdotes, but I wonder how easy it is for regular folks to walk close to the building and pick up dead birds.

      1. Among other things, yes. He was also their media relations director for many years. He also filled in on radio broadcasts sometimes in the 1970s.

    1. RIP. I went to high school with his grandsons (one of whom played in the DBacks system and married my neighbor).

  2. Maybe the Wolves should have kept Sam Mitchell.

    *this blazing hot take courtesy of a few bacardi lemonades

    1. I'd like to have kept Landa. He's got a pretty good record so far, although he's still in A ball. On the other hand, I have to concede that a) the Twins know him a lot better than I do, b) the odds are against any Class A player making it, and c) I don't know what plans they may have for the roster spot. Still, I expect someone else to give him a shot.

  3. Adam Brett Walker II is on the move again. He was waived by Milwaukee and claimed by Baltimore.

Comments are closed.