CHICKEN SALAD, ON RYE, UNTOASTED
CHICKEN SALAD, ON RYE, UNTOASTED
The Cast 061219
FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN
BACKGROUND: This started as a long-winded numbered blog years ago. It transformed into an organized long-winded category blog more recently. Now, as of next time and kind of today, it is a quick-hitter to ease your pain. I lack time basically. So, the preparation of the blog actually made me procrastinate from writing the thing, even though the time I spent writing it was joyful. Let’s streamline moving forward. Let’s see which stories make the cut each time. Barely edited as usual unfortunately, so please excuse any mistakes during my stream of consciousness. I feel the need…the need for speed. Let’s turn and burn.
(I allowed myself a little more flexibility on length since it has been a week and a half. Some items are “multi-tiered” for this round. It will be more quick-hitter for future ones.)
SETTING: Written during first period and first break of Game 7. Released before second period.
- EVERGREEN:
- Do not discount the most recent, straight-set outcome of Federer-Nadal. I hope you were able to enjoy it live or on replay. Know this. This doesn’t indicate that Federer is done, although it is quite a chore for someone his age to hold off all of the fantastic youthful up-and-coming groundstroke geniuses from across the pond or south of us. This is simply not Federer’s territory. Actually, the fact he made it there for the demolition was impressive enough. But, that tournament, which I call The Nadal Open, is Nadal’s until he tells us otherwise. It is a very rare upset or unfortunate injury that can beat Nadal on clay historically, so do not forget the brilliance of this rivalry for a second before it vanishes. For you non-tennis fans, watch the next one, where we will marvel not at Federer’s mastery, but at Nadal’s ability to transform his game to grass, the quicker surface.
- There are so many levels to the Kevin Durant story. One, the series has not gone how anyone envisioned it, even if you bet on the Raptors (the Warriors should have won Game 4). Two, if they lose, KD’s importance will be even greater than we knew it was when he joined the Warriors as the #1 or #2 ranked player in the league. Three, the ruptured Achilles sends shockwaves through the league. Some teams might even back off now, wondering if he will be his old self. But, with technology, science, and hard work, he will rebound. Wherever he lands, he will change the dynamics of the NBA playoffs next year, and it is hard to find players who can do it. Four, if they lose, will he stay with the Warriors? Probably not, but their future is in his hands too, as teams have figured out the Warriors without KD (slightly). Five, this changes what the Warriors are in history if they lose. They suddenly go from one of the most dominant teams ever, to a team that won a bunch in the 2000-teens. Six, HOW can a group of people, outside of Philly, all think an injury is GOOD and cheer??? It blows my mind that the masses’ immediate reaction is not “man, we wanted to beat you all full-strength.” Toronto’s reaction was scary.
- Game 7’s are great in every sport, but they are extra special in hockey to me. One, the history is greater in the NHL. You have different formats, different eras, and different rules in other sports, but it is really just hockey in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two, the announcers are the best of any sport, and I will argue until my death on this note. Three, it is the hardest team sport title to win. Hockey is the toughest sport of the big four, and winning the best of seven FOUR times in that sport has to be respected. Four, the refs LET them play the game. Penalties are called, but only really bad ones have to occur late to get the whistle. They respect that, at a certain point in the game, they have to WIN the game. Five, Game 7’s are cool, but when the CUP is in the house for the winning team, that is ridiculously pressure laden and reward driven. Six, the handshakes are immaculate and almost religious. College basketball is my favorite sport, but I will take the genuineness and history of the final handshake line over One Shining Moment any day of the week. It is special. I hope you tuned in.
- Love the Game 7, but remember that tomorrow is the US Open in golf. Of the four Majors, it demands the straightest drives, and the best short game. The rough is the longest, the exactness is the most needed, and mistakes are not as loosely paid for as places like Augusta. The golf is not full of birdies, which won’t excite a non-golf fan base, and sometimes just being below par is a victory. You won’t see many hole-in-ones, you won’t see eagles, and it is merely which player struggles the least, because they all will struggle. It is like a late 80’s Pistons title game. It won’t be pretty or flashy, but it is the greatest test to every player on the course. Make a paradigm shift and enjoy the beauty of the ugliness.
- Father’s Day is Sunday. I love how my Dad brought me up. I listened early on enough to become a good kid with morals. I then didn’t listen to him so much as my mid-part of life sort of went off the tracks a bit. Now, I listen to him, and enjoy and follow all (most) of the lessons he taught me. He sacrificed SO much of his time for all of my various activities and sports loves that seemed to change like a pinball. He recognized when I did something good. He blocked my basketball shot until I could shoot over him, making me better. He used his teacher career to assist in my school learnings. He used fool’s mate on me at chess to teach me a harsh lesson, and beat me until I could beat him. He would invite me to play horseshoes with him, but then threw ringers over and over until I became a player myself who could do the same to my friends. And, he took me fishing ALL THE TIME and I loved those days. Whether watching the line at 5am when they dumped the trout in a lake, or on the bay or ocean water catching weakfish or flounder (once a baby shark and a sea turtle when I thought it was a big one), I loved those days. He is not a fisherman, he is an angler. And he was not a good dad, but the best dad. Thanks, Dad. Happy Father’s Day.
- NFL: How did Le’Veon Bell’s story not get more pub with the stolen jewelry? $520k was stolen, and the robbery happened because his “girlfriends” took the stuff. In his own house. I will try not to write about my wishes for AB and LB to fail TOO much, and I know Big Ben had a hand in this whole thing, but it still won’t stop the smirk I get when reading stories like this.
- COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Kevin Warren is the COO of the Minnesota Vikings right now. He just got named Big Ten Conference Commissioner as of January, 2020. He will be the FIRST black Big 5 commissioner ever. HOW have we let this happen in today’s society? How has someone else of color not been given the chance to lead a conference? I feel like we just time warped back 20 years, but SO happy he is getting a shot that blacks have deserved forever. He will be great at his new job.
- COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The NCAA will move back the three-point line to the international line next year. This has taken too long. The fact that there are three different distances in a game where the rim is always 10 feet high is ridiculous. Glad they are finally doing it, and making it closer to the NBA range, but why can’t we unite the three distances? I get everyone has their opinions and rules and beliefs, but the fact that the three parties can’t agree that shooting from deep anywhere should be the same anywhere is beyond me.
- NBA:
- TonyParker is retiring at age 37. Four titles, six ASG appearances, two-time FIBA player of the year, one NBA Finals MVP, and a class act to boot. Think the 27 teams who drafted ahead of him in 2001 kick themselves every once in a while? 28. Wow. Swing and a miss.
- The Raptors are showing that a position-less defense CAN guard a position-less offense, and that defense wins championships. They might not have the flash of other types of teams, but they have locked down the Splash Brothers about as well as you can. What a script Kawhi can write if they can pull this off. Also, you play the season to get this home court advantage that has been so important for the Raptors.
- NHL:
- I am releasing this after the first period. I have the Blues winning this game 3-2. Can’t stop a team of destiny, and Boston has had enough title happiness in the last few years. Gloria!
- MLB:
- Really, really sad that David Ortiz got shot IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. Glad he will be OK, and that was one of the more surreal stories I could imagine, considering his legendary status in that country. I guess some people really want $7.8k that badly.
- Get mad and throw stuff, but don’t let it hit the wall, come back and hit you in the face, and need stitches, Mr. Brett Gardner.
- MISCELLANEOUS: Sir Winston won the Belmont Stakes, proving again that I can’t pick horses to save my life. My dark horses were in the bottom 3. One thing I will say about the last race of the Triple Crown. I LOVE the longer length, and I really think it makes the back stretch that much more exciting. I don’t know the horse world enough to know if it is feasible, but I really wish they could lengthen the season we watch racing. Maybe put another week in between each race to get full fields. But, I don’t have a farm, and have no idea if that idea works.
- THIS AND THAT (with liberties):
- Billions swayed this way and that way throughout the season, but ended on a drop-the-mic episode only rivaled by a Season 2 episode in twists. I had the same feeling I did after Usual Suspects, the ultimate compliment.
- The Jeopardy guy lost, and we will never know how much he gambled on him to lose in that exact episode, but, like any good gambler, I assume he hedged somehow.
- If you like Game Of Thrones, the documentary on the making of it is quite solid. Instead of only following the main characters, it made an art of following the not-so-big people.
- My wife got stuck in Saving Private Ryan over the weekend. That movie is not only a well-written, GREAT movie. That movie is a walk down memory lane as far as now big-time or semi-big time actors.
- Radiohead got hacked and the hackers wanted $150k to not release the hidden material. Showing again how cool that band is, the band just released it for everyone, with a special of $23 for the next “eighteen” days.
- The Family Guy where he is stuck in the elevator with God was hilarious and was one I hadn’t caught yet.
- THE FILLERBUSTER (with slight liberties):
- I caught myself watching MacGyver this weekend. Cheesy show, but man it teaches you to think outside of the box and be mad you didn’t pay more attention in science class.
- For Denver peeps, if you are feeding three or more people and don’t mind picking it up, Parisi at 44th and Tennyson has a family dinner with the most magical salad and pasta for $36. Value, value, value, taste.
- Little things make me happy. After my colleague and I made an obscure reference in a casual conversation to The Rye episode, a client actually used “hot and heavy” on a work call.
- TWEET OF THE WEEK
The theme? Seinfeld reference to George doing the opposite of everything for an episode. I want to write a lot. I don’t have time and you probably want it shorter. Let’s do the opposite.
That’s it for today. Writing time in new format was about 30 minutes end to end, as opposed to a couple of hours. Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed. Remember two things. First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf. Second, if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker. Will I blog again? That is a CLOWN question, bro. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, let’s get the flock out of here.
ALTERNATE CATEGORIES NOT MAKING TODAY’S CUT
- THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK (because the best song this week IS the best song ever…for now):
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE
- TRAVEL
- THIS WEEK’S LIST
- MY NUMBERS
- GONE FISHING (the riddle for money):
- PICS BY MY PIXEL (pictures from my phone):
| THROW IT BACK IN THE POND |
| Murray starts comeback doubles |
| college Hof ballot |
| iaaf testosterone rules |
| goodell four preseason games not needed |
| kd Klay taunt drake |
| Ron darling cleared to return to booth |
| Calvin Johnson wants lions money back |
| o’s take rutschman top pick |
| diaz not interested in mcgregor trilogy fight |
| prosecutors don’t charge urias |
| ric flair says ex-agent stole moeny from him |
| lions harrison, slay skipping camp |
| mack brown has knee replaced by former player |
| gurley won’t be workhorse anymore |
| bell says gase relationship great |
| pats release TE seferian Jenkins |
| derozan says he was sacrificial lamb for raptors rise |
| swimming before work |
| colts knew about lb sexual assault when they drafted him |
| ex-usc asst avoids prison after plea |
| zion invited to team usa camp |
| rodgers calls out others on beer chug |
| cousins overcame urges to quit |
| NBA changing owner name |
| obj feels like a kid |
| cuban happier when lakers are screwed up |
| real madrid bid hazard accepted |
| kearse signs lions |
| pats long snapper lt in Navy now |
| nets trade Crabbe for prince |
| Brady vetoes Tom terrific |
| Beyonce ig tears curran |
| pats largest sb rings |
| Dr John dies new orleans |
| tyreek hill case not active |
| gregorius back after 8 months Tommy john |
| bru McCoy xfer to ut |
| Lamont Evans sentenced |
| walt gary dies-bama superfan |
| auburn gymnast walks down aisle after injuries |
| ex-OK state coach three years prison |
| Texans fire gm |
| rockets d’antoni close to extension |
| Texans fire gm |
| solo rips uswnt head coach |
| benches clear in rockies-mets game |
| manziel would join xfl houston |
| a&m player taco assault |
| Joshua ruiz msg not uk |
| ggg wins |
| pels hire swin cash as exec |
| muncy bat flip-bumgarner mad |
| more deaths santa anita |
| ex-gator football player charged murdering wife |
| venezuela destroys usmnt in friendly |
| ferguson-cerrone |
| Former colts player dies in florida shooting |
| Terry Bowden to assist at Clemson interm |
| Cyborg to test waters with ufc and other suitors |
| Winslow II guilty of rape |
| Barrett wants to play for knicks |
| ross-work sign |
| Mt. fuji |
| cats |
| Linds chugging |
| pic wall fuji |
| Winslow mistrial on other charges |
| Jalen Ramsey lay away |
| aldon smith arrested again dui |
| raiders will be hard knocks |
| jags reach deal with terrelle pryor |
| mccoy panthers finalizing one year deal |
| ot Trent Williams skips mini camp wants new deal |
| Wentz 128 mil extension |
| Vic gives broncos field day |
duke msu headline big ten acc challenge
| raptors fans cheer injury pull a philly |
| Barkley blames warriors kd injury |
| durant flies to nyc for mri |
| warriors beat raptors without KD and Klay |
| klay injury |
| kawhi suing nike over klaw logo |
| looney has cartilage fracture |
| KD injury |
| pels listening to davis offers Knicks clip lakers |
| report that kawhi bought home in toronto |
| derrick rose wrote a book? |
| Vince Carter one more season |
| game 2, 3 |
| kd, klay out, curry goes off |
| Serge I block a |
| gasol outside shooting has changed things |
| pushing fan is part owner of warriors |
| Dirk gets Dallas street name |
| warriors lost at home this playoffs total of last three |
| pels open to multiteam deal davis |
| Parker retiring at 37 |
| Fox news Biden health attacks |
| NYC helicopter crash |
| vikings lock up kyle rudolph |
| dbacks, phils hit mlb record 13 hr’s in game |
| griz to hire jenkins head coach |
| chiefs chris jones holding out |
| ufc fighter sues after crane crashes into home |
| mom says i am getting old |
| DL definition of brainstorm with disclaimer |
| anniversary of jordan starting bulls run |
| fenway brawl |
| seager injury situation |
| scuba cert |
| mom’s car xt4 |
| not being able to fix cars |
| rodizio grill |
| magueleta sauce rodizio |
| rob, marty, ross night |
| scott visit |
| the wire-rewatching people |
| Billy’s inn |
| two a days again |
| adding san diego to trip log |
| I hate a,b d only questions |
| pool roepke |
| taco Bell breakfast |
| great clips |
| Linds blond |
| didn’t know what deadhead was when i was 14 henley |
| refinery |
| macgyver-watched an episode sunday |
| Spanish over blog |
| texting in spanish |
| too is demasiado,? too long |
| El chingon with dj |
| missed Garth brooks |
| mike Maya baby shower |
| mt. Fuji dinner |
| cargo shorts roepke phone charger |
| my name play for everyone |
| jersey Pete Springsteen |
| to to Africa dj Cumberland |
| local 46 |
| snarfs |
| phish-pete |
| band rehearsal on a monday morning before 8am |
| chess piece found worth mil |
| trump playing night golf trump doonbeg |
| punky Brewster reboot? |
| Jay z becomes billiinaire |
| Supra commercial pinball wiz no deaf dumb blind kid |
| national cheese day |
| ice cream trucks seized in NYC |
| five things consistent |
| dday anniversary |
| can |
| velvet ropes |
| can dark phoenix have a chance at being good? |
| us Russian warships almost collide 165 ft |
| man busted buying grenades for attack on times square |
| London infinity pool |
| lifeguard entry-patak |
| amazon stuff arriving in one day now |
| pulp fiction |
| road house |
| taste of colorado-freddy jones |
| happy place gilmore |
| eninem greatest? logic song |
| pancho |
| booksmart-wife says the best |
| super troopers |
| troopers he can’t pull over any further |
| shauna visit |
| child’s play again |
| caddy shack Murray chase |
| Avery chat |
| Chloe dancer is brilliant song |
| good boys preview is hilarious |
| last divide |
| full size pool table-game changer men boys |
| grateful gnome songs |
| Cuban billions |
| buttercup kgb-ouor new dog’s name? |
| bears cut blewitt |
| lsu frosh breaks 100m tecord |
| nadal learing every language in country he wins |
| vandy player throws 19 k’s in no-hitter |
| McGregor doesn’t deserve rematch per khabib |
| rich Paul offered asst coach lakers |
| Irving won’t opt in celts |
| chara takes puck to face-broken jaw-not dirty |
| phils mccutchen torn acl-out for season-herrera problem, and bruce acquisition |
| keuchel, kimbrel-where? |
| cubs kimbrel 3 years |
| blue jays draft halladay’s son |
| keuchel-braves |
| Messi tops Forbes list highest paid athlete |
| drake curse joshua |
| ucla ou softball final |
| french open update |
| cricket world cup |
| stephens out french |
| haney and tiger now feuding over social media |
| joshua ruiz rematch? |
| nadal federer |
| sooners-bruins softball title |
| women’s world cup |
| 13-0 us women thailand |
| French rain wednesday |
| ronaldo rape moved to federal court then hat trick |
| neymar rape |
| rapinoe says france team to beat at world cup |
| jamaica beats usmnt in friendly |
| gold cup coming |
| Neymar out copa |
| copa overview |
| halep out |
| keys out |
| Belmont |
| women’s final Google names |
| Barty was up 5-0 40-15 7-6 |
| ex-nascar ceo pleads guilty to dwi |
| us open |
| Barty wins french |
| thiem over djokovic |
| watching replay djokovic |
| horse picks |
| sir winston |
| another shaft? |
Biden’s son secretly married
Cavs hire gottlieb from cal as asst
JuJu no hard feelings towards AB
Nunez sad about DR shooting, talks with Ortiz
Celts-Lakers each talk to Pels about AD
Cousins says .500 QB-needs to do better
Pats tampering charges against Texans
Bieber challenges tom cruise
Balia Principe killing people
Press your luck reboot will suck-wasn’t good back then