Monday, December 31, 2012

Thoughts on Green Bay - Minnesota


The best part of the game yesterday for Packers fans was that Green Bay did not play well. I say that because if the Vikings would have beaten the Packers with Green Bay playing at its peak, I would be very worried heading into Saturday's rematch at Lambeau. But Aaron Rodgers wasn't sharp, the defensive line didn't look great and the secondary wasn't making the plays that they usually do. Christian Ponder did indeed play very well, but it will be very interesting to see if he can replicate that performance this Saturday. It'll be his first taste of the playoffs, whereas Rodgers has been there before. I think the 8-point spread that Vegas put out is a little too high for the Packers to cover, but I do think Green Bay wins the rubber match, 27-21.

Monday, December 17, 2012

AP for MVP

I'm a huge Packers fan. There's nothing more I like seeing than their rivals lose. But as I was sitting at a bar yesterday watching Green Bay take down the Chicago Bears, I couldn't keep from glancing over at the Vikings-Rams game, for one reason and one reason only: Adrian Peterson.

Watching what I did yesterday only confirmed my belief that Peterson should the the NFL's MVP this season. The argument basically comes down to Peyton Manning vs. AP, and in my opinion, here's the tale of the tape.

-COMING OFF INJURY
I don't think you can give the edge to either here. Peyton Manning's neck injury was certainly career threatening, and continues to be to this day, but in terms of a purely football sense, AP's knee injury he suffered (still less than a year ago!) was just as devastating.

-PRODUCTIVITY
Peterson wins here. He's got 1,182 yards and is just 293 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's all-time record. That's 147.5 yards per game over the last two. Peterson is capable of going off for 200+ any given day, much like the 212 he racked up yesterday. I think he's going to break it.

Manning on the other hand, is having a heck of a season in his own right. He's topped the 4,000-yard passing marker, has 31 touchdowns and has a passer rating of 103.5. Those numbers are impressive, but as of right now, he sits in 3rd place in TD passes, 4th in passer rating and 6th in yards.

-VALUE TO TEAM
This is the part that I feel has been overlooked in the MVP debate so far. The Broncos were a playoff team in 2011-12, and they needed a Tebow miracle, but the did still win a playoff game. They have an elite defense, talented WRs, and a running game. The Broncos would have still been good with a replacement-level quarterback.
I thought the Vikings were going to suck this year. I didn't think Adrian would be back and healthy, but he's been nothing short of spectacular in surprising us all. Without Peterson, I can comfortably say the Vikings are 4-10 right now, rather than 8-6.

In my mind, and it's hard to come to terms with defending a Vikings player, but AP is unquestionably the NFL MVP.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

UW-L men's basketball's hot start



I continue to be impressed by the balance that the UW-L men's basketball team has shown throughout its 8-1 start to the season. In nine games, the Eagles have had five different players lead the team in scoring, proving that there is no one player that opposing teams are forced to key in on. Rather, they're forced to guard the entire floor. This could come back to bite UW-L in the backside down the stretch, if one player doesn't emerge as the go-to player in key situations but then again, do they really need one? Jeff Heiden, Braden Tice and Luke Tweed all have very pure outside shooting strokes, shooting a combined 45% from 3-point land. Lucas Collom and Lucas Morrissey know their roles inside, averaging 15 rebounds a game between them. Plus, 6-8 wing Cale Zuiker adds a tough-to-guard 6th-man scoring-spark that Ken Koelbl's team will need to compete in the WIAC. With other contributors like Michael Barrett, Derek Braucht and Johnny Coenen, it's no surprise that UW-L is in the position it is at this point of the season. (Photo courtesy of the LaCrosse Tribune)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Copyright


It was refreshing to read this article that outlines how Psy, of Gangham Style fame, was able to make a hefty profit off of his song without getting all worked up about copyright infringement. Some of the  knockoff versions/mashups are quite good, with my favorite being the Space Jam Style. The parodies only made his version more popular, allowing him to rake in $8.1 million online from YouTube royalties and iTunes downloads. Encouraging to see that when artists do something that becomes popular (whether you think the song is actually good or not is a different story), there is still a chance for them to make a profit.

THE FROZEN TUNDRA


Sunday night was an awesome experience. I had been to a few Packers games in my life, but never a night game at Lambeau where the snow was flying. It really wasn't cold either, as there wasn't a strong wind at all. Just a spectacular night in Green Bay, made even better by a Packers win.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Ah...Political Correctness

FROM: Patty Lewis, HR Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 1, 2012
RE: Gala Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols... feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 PM. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts
easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Patty


FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: All Employees

DATE: December 2, 2012

RE: Gala Holiday Party
 In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on,
we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Patty

> Company Memo

> FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3, 2012
RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only", you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody? And sorry, but forget about the gift exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

> Company Memo

> FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

> To: All Employees

> DATE: December 4, 2012

> RE: Generic Holiday Party

What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each group will have their own table.
Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress, the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing be allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms. Sorry.
We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food . The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first. There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "no sugar" desserts. Sorry!
Did I miss anything?!?!?

Patty

> Company Memo
> FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
> TO: All Fucking Employees
> DATE: December 5, 2012
> RE: The F****** Holiday Party

I've had it with you vegetarian pricks!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your ****** salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!
The rest of you ****** wierdos can kiss my ass. I hope you all have a rotten holiday!
Drive drunk and die,

The Bitch from Hell!!!

> Company Memo

> FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: December 6, 2012
> RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
> I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

Joan

Monday, December 3, 2012

LINCOLN


I went to go see "Lincoln" at the Marcus Theatres - La Crosse last night, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I knew plenty about Abraham Lincoln going into the movie, you know, everything that we all learned in history class. Was President during the Civil War, freed the slaves, got shot at Ford's Theatre. So basically, I thought that's what the movie was going to be about. While I was correct (not really a spoiler there), it was an extremely well done movie. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays Lincoln phenomenally, and the costumes and settings needed for a 1860s period piece were also spectacular. To base the plotline on Lincoln's entire life would have made the movie much much much longer than it already was, so I'm glad that Steven Spielberg chose to focus the plot on a much narrower timeline in Lincoln's life. It's extremely dialogue heavy and comes off as very authentic. Very solid movie, and I full expect to hear much more about it come Oscar time.