More to come this week, but I am back, people.

May 4, 2015 Filler

Read it, don’t read it, I don’t care…just needed to get some things off my chest.

In no particular order of chronology or importance…

On the clock but only because I have two full legal papers (back and front) FILLED with the last week and a half and only a two hour flight. Semi speed (depending on the hook) version. Airplane rant. Afternoon is the time (with minor editing and photo adding done after my drive from New Orleans to Biloxi and my work). Let’s turn and burn.

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Greetings and salutations, people. Thanks for coming aboard (the boat). Back in the saddle. Forgive minor stat inaccuracies, absentee hooks, grammatical errors, and whatever else. I was out of the country, and the only thing I checked for ten minutes each day was my work email and the series score of the Clippers and Spurs. Let’s move.
More of a pain for me, but to help YOU utilize YOUR time the best, I am leaving all exclusively non sports Punta Cana hooks and pics for AFTER my pure sports hooks. Of course, things without pictures will be muddled in the sports part. I am overexplaining this. I am just so happy to be blogging again, and it is my blog. I will break the rest of the blog up…however the hell it turns out.
AND I am traveling for work this week again, so VERY limited time of “catching up on my love of sports time.”
The fight. I still haven’t seen anything but analysis, still frames, and some short segments, so I will just comment on what I know. First, about it being boring. Listen, people. What the HELL did you expect? Floyd is mathematical in his approach to each fight, adapting to each fighter’s style, and WINNING. He is like saying Bach is exciting but not beautiful. Said here Manny would win ONLY by knockout, and that Floyd WOULD win a decision. You can’t knock someone out if you can’t get clean hits on him. Once again, I haven’t seen the fight yet, but it SOUNDS like exactly like I envisioned it. Floyd simply outboxed him after making the necessary early adjustments. Second, I noticed Stephen A Smith picked Floyd in a knockout. Even IF you thought Mayweather would win, it is NOT going to be a knockout against a more powerful punching fighter. Money is too smart to even GO for that. Third, I noticed that Holyfield still thought Manny won after the fight, and maybe he has been hit in the head a couple more times than he should, as everyone else it seemed was pretty clear on the result. Fourth, we don’t need a rematch. Floyd has one more fight on his Showtime ticket contract, he beat Manny bad enough that there is no conspiracy, he fought who everyone else WANTED him to fight, and he might as well cruise into 49-0 and then maybe 50-0. Fourth.5, how adorable is it that he will TIE Marciano after his contract and then MAYBE go for 50-0 on his own? Fifth, those press conferences were WELL worth to stay up really late for. Since I missed the fight, I am glad I caught those in full length (and seeing Floyd literally walk out and kick Manny off the stage for his hour long press conference was classic). Sixth, SHOULDER problem? Ok. Whatever. Announce it when it HAPPENED in training so we have a heads up, or don’t announce it at ALL. Seventh, when the HELL does Manny have time to be a Congressman in his country? Eighth, I have MUCH more to say but will marinate on it more. Eighth.5, you can not like Floyd for his portrayal of money and how he spends it, but never doubt his work in the gym or his boxing smarts. Color coordinated cars on each coast are just the beginning if you know anything about him like I do. MAD respect. And this is part of his WHITE collection.
I need to do some research on how he does on the longer course, but I was pretty impressed with American Pharoah, and glad we have a legitimate Triple Crown contender as opposed to some lesser horse who we are pretty sure can’t do all three. Listen, people. WHEN a horse does it for the first time since 1978, we will have witnessed the greatest horse outside of Secretariat. Why? Because back in the day, the horses all had to race all the races. Now, they don’t, meaning horses can aim for ONE of the races if they want and hope to catch the favorite tired.
Personally, I think we should make them run all three and eliminate the parity.
Lindsey was sick last night on our rest day after being gone on vacation, so I admit to not watching Game of Thrones last week OR this week. I want to catch up WITH her on the show, and if anyone says or writes anything that is a spoiler, you might feel the wrath of the Fillerbuster in SOME way. KNOW this and be quiet.
I don’t have time for a full breakdown of the NFL Draft. Go read the people who have full time jobs covering it. As always, I was happy with the Steelers draft, as it is one thing they ALWAYS do well. I didn’t care which round they went CB and which one they went OLB, as long as it was in the first TWO rounds. Never crazy, always solid, and we got a couple guys to play the pass.
What a cool story of the weekend for Rory. He gets pub for winning in extra holes in the Match Play semi’s AND missing the fight that night. Then, just as we are laughing about nice it would be to be able to jump on a personal jet and zoom to Vegas to catch a fight at the MGM, he comes out the next day and destroys his opponent…to just win the whole damn thing. Life sucks. How are YOU, Caroline?
Weren’t the Yankees 3-6 before my vacation?? And then I come back, they sweep the Red Sox IN Boston, are 15-9, and A-Rod is leading the way. Maybe I just pulled a Punta Cana version of Rip Van Winkle.
Speaking of Rip and missing some stuff while away, I guess that the plan IS working for the SI appointed 2017 World Series Champions in Houston, as they appear to be getting that going a year early. SOOOOO much young talent on that team, and props to those fans who were TOLD the plan and that they had to be patient.
Keep on TRUCKING, Blackhawks, and that is coming from your pre-playoffs shotgun person on the bandwagon. Listen, people. The numbers suggest they will have to at least get rid of one of their core guys (due to needed raises but cap issues) and probably a forward or two. They KNOW that THIS is the window and it might semi close.
Kind of fun to snuggle together and work out together when you are injured, but not so fun to spend 5-6 weeks apart at a time because you are both the best at your craft (or WERE for one of them). Tiger and Lindsey Vonn broke up. I am happy. Tiger was doing better banging Perkins waitresses and porn stars. Go back to your roots, buddy.
Sometimes you see it, and sometimes you don’t. I already came clean and admitted I personally didn’t see it THIS year. I thought the Spurs A) had ONE more year of dominance left before letting the young kids take over and B) was VERY surprised they had the Clippers in THEIR crib for Game 6 up 3-2 and couldn’t close it out. I guess we now officially might be looking at the Griffin/ Paul OR Harden/Howard coming out party. Well, mini party. Before either of them get smoked by the Splash Brothers. The Spurs were the one team that would have given them a run.
If you look at my preseason blogs, I had the Clippers losing to the Cavs in the NBA Finals. I second guessed myself though in final predictions adn apparently might be wrong ALL over the place. ANYWAY, the Cavs ain’t winning anything and MAYBE not the series with the Bulls without Kevin Love.
And I will bow down to LeBron if he takes them all the way THIS year and wins the whole thing without a PRIMARY weapon not at his disposal and half the reason their offense is able to spread defenses out (on editing at night, they just lost Game 1-HA).
And the Bulls are drooling right now after being outed by LeBron on two different teams over the last 5-6 years or so.
The Wizards became the first team to win four consecutive road playoff initial games. What an odd stat. They will beat the Hawks and then play a very tired Bulls or Cavs. And anyone out West except the Griz without Mike Conley can beat any of these teams left in the East.
SO weird to keep saying Mike Conley is a key component of anything these days-he is like Jamal Tinsley reinvented.
Steve Kerr became the first new coach to win his first 5 playoff games, and with the Memphis lacking Mike Conley, that streak might go to 8.
Dammit. I mentioned Mr. Conley AGAIN!
WITH Conley (AGAIN-ugghhh), the Griz lose in 6 maybe. WITHOUT him, they might be swept. You can’t guard both Splash Brothers with guys from the bench. Forget that “next man up” shit.
The Seahawks signed a 34 year old former Green Beret. Great story, especially since I have seen their draft ranked from a D- to an A-, indicating they just made some weird, Pete Carroll is smarter than all of us picks.
I live 2000 miles away, but I think I am even interested in the Jets QB competition after they got another high pick for the position in the draft. Have FUN, Bryce!
Brett Hundley is landing in a PERFECT situation under Aaron Rodgers (assuming he is planning on starting in about 6 years), and I assume Aaron will be nicer to him than Brett was to him during this learning process.
I know now that either all of my friends just read my blog and knew I was away, and that I still don’t break records with the amount of texts I receive. While I was gone, for 8 days, I received three texts upon wheels down in the country again. My mom, Verizon, and Perfect Teeth. Gotta love it. Thanks, Mom!
I get that you wanted to “be the same as everyone else” without the headband, LeBron, but I personally miss it. Why don’t you just suddenly start wearing a face mask and let that be yours? Oh, Rip Hamilton owns that. How about a polka dot mouthguard? That is dumb. How about an eyepatch? THAT would be epic.
It has become public that the Bucs deal with Winston says “no baseball.” There were other things not allowed, but they wrote those things in MUCH smaller writing, even though it took half the contract paper.
(Hold on a second-I am trying to picture Bruce Irvin’s face when writing his angry option year tweets)
I got sad TOO when Dale Earnhardt, Jr won this weekend, as the ONLY full NASCAR race I have EVER watched in my 42 years of life was honestly the one where Dale, Sr. died. Never tuned in again to a car race, except the last two laps of the Indy or NASCAR when Danica is in it.
That is technically a lie as I was on an airplane and couldn’t roll off my seat, but the cliché is what I used. Let’s move on.
I am not joking about watching that race back in the day, but I am joking about having emotions come over me during the interview THIS race also.
If you live in Denver and try to go through main security without first peeking down the hall at the A gate lines, then you are just shooting yourself in the foot and I hope you wait a long, long time and miss flights.
On our way from Denver to Atlanta (way there), we circled around storms and then had to go to Birmingham FOR GAS. I never had this happen to me before. Kind of like the boring, non action packed, daylight version of Diehard 2.
I hear Lady Gaga won an icon award of some sort. I am pretty sure I couldn’t sing one of her songs. Well, I am not aware if it is her if I AM singing along with them. Hope not. That sounds awful.
I have read enough on this new Russell Crowe move, The Water Diviner, that I am waiting to rent it. He is the star in a top three movie for me in Gladiator, but I still have pain from spending movie theater money on Master and Commander.
Real pain, people. Almost as bad as seeing Alexander in the theater, but at least that one had this chick naked having sex…so I got by.
Not her best picture I decided. Let’s do one more.
Pretty damn good run for David Letterman. Too bad also half his run was when I was in bed by the time he came on the tube.
I hear the 50 Shades of Gray sequel is being written by the husband of the chick. I obviously must be in the section of blog hits from when I was reading the Life part of USA Today on the way to the DR (Dominican) and don’t know what the hell I was going to say on that. I am sure I thought it was funny at the time.
How come I had to hear ALL about the Mets when they were winning, and now that they have lost 7 of 10, it is crickets.
If you find yourself in Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta and are hungry, walk the extra distance to the Juke Joint and get some really, really good chicken.
I was perusing a Bill Simmons mailbag a week ago, and he compared Jamie Lannister to LeBron James, and I almost rolled off my seat.
Must be the personality or back of house stuff. I was not surprised the Brewers started this slow, and thought they were just keeping the Phillies company. Brewers fired their manager.
One of my self-acknowledged weaknesses that is odd but apparent is that oddly I have a REALLY tough time telling who the famous actor or actress is when they are doing voices for a cartoon flick. Maybe if it was Patrick Warburton.
I HAD to get the “plus” seats for my work trip as they were the last ones left on the plane, but damn my legs are liking it right now. I also don’t have to type this with the screen bent down, which is more enjoyable and looks more normal.
I missed lots of stuff while gone. I have no internet on this flight. Is Donovan going to OKC? Did I miss an announcement or are we just in rumor phase? I remember when Donovan was really happy to coach forever at Florida, and I think those years were right after the amazing Mike Miller run to the championship game loss, or coincidentally somewhere in the 2006-2008 years. Just ballparking though.
I admit to not having enough info on the whole Jon Jones to write anything substantial or meaningful about it. Moving on.
Somehow I thought Crittenton pleaded guilty a WHILE ago. Like years ago. Maybe he has new charges. Maybe it was a long trial. Maybe I am still coming into normalcy from vacation. You be the judge.
As far as the MVP being Stephen Curry, there better be no one outside of Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, or Oklahoma City complaining (and New Orleans-sorry, Mr. Davis). He was the most consistent player on the best offensive and defensive team in the league. When in doubt in a close race, just take the best player on the best team. And they WERE the best team by far.
If you like pizza, you need to go to Sliceworks on Colfax at some point. I have told you this before and I just went again a couple Fridays ago. Go upstairs on a weekend and tell Joe I sent you (he probably will act like he doesn’t know what you are talking about (which he won’t as i am a regular nowhere these days)). Denver is not a pizza haven (is that the right usage of that word-no spell check, so I THINK i am ok), but that place is pretty dope on their selections. Order the potato pizza.
(Hold on-noticing I must have been going backwards on my blog list as some ancient stuff is popping up-I will streamline)
Did the Canadiens just fall asleep for their first two games against Tampa Bay in the second round? I am sure their master plan is to go TO Tampa down 2-0 and take those two games on the road. Sounds rock solid.
I am pretty sure I am used to the St. Louis Cardinals STARTING slow and then turning it on at the end. An 18-6 start has to make the rest of their division feel a little nauseous. Aren’t they like the baseball version of the Spurs? Except for when the Giants are stealing people’s thunder?
Does Nelson Cruz KNOW he is looking a little suspicious with his RIDICULOUS start on the home run category?
I think many people will be watching Nick Marshall in Jacksonville to see if THEY should have drafted him for a defensive back position. Might be a hidden treasure. Or maybe I just think athletes who switch positions going to the highest tier of football is interesting.
I am pretty sure I will not be spending any of my time tracking down the Diane Sawyer-Bruce Jenner interview tape.
Is Josh Hamilton back with the Rangers? Everything was kind of foggy being on spotty resort internet and I didn’t really care being on island time. I am so confused on many things.
Must be a nice life when you can win the Super Bowl for the fourth time, and decide you have met the President enough times and blow it off. Yes, YOU, Tom Brady.
The rest is done accidentally during the trip in the standard Seinfeld naming convention. So, for those of you who tuned in for sports, please sign off now. I don’t do Facebook. I write a freaking blog. The rest are one sentence hooks and many pics on my trip. Or, that is it. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, I am getting the flock out of here. Talk to you tomorrow or Wednesday. Peace.
Before I do that though, here are 11 interesting facts about Seinfeld that my buddy, Ben, passed along to the biggest Seinfeld fan he knows.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/29/behind-the-scenes-seinfeld-stories_n_7157680.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592#.yrdqsm:izbV
The Video Game-yes, the iPhone works in Punta Cana.
The Pullover-the UVA pullover Lindsey got me is the most gangster thing I have ever own and breathes ridiculously in ridiculous heat.
The Casino-for a guy who sells to casinos for a living, I sure am an idiot when it comes to ones where they don’t speak English.
The Shows-somehow The Simpsons was on a LOT, along with Breakfast Club (again on a trip), Glee, and other things where we were just glad they were in English.
Seriously, Molly literally oddly OWNED the 80’s. SO weird.
The Voiceover-Lindsey actually thought I didn’t understand the concept of a voiceover when I was watching a Spanish version of Rules of Engagement. Guess she hasn’t heard the old school kung fu jokes.
The Spanish Restaurant-My favorite restaurant at the resort was actually one that I thought I would HATE.
The Potato Sauce-at that Spanish restaurant, some kind of white sauce was on the potatoes, and it was delicious.
The Saona Trip-random pics and a place you HAVE to go to someday.
The Starfish-stopped by a natural place where these things…just hang OUT.
The Passed Out Guy-his buddies lifted him OUT of the pool three hours before I noticed the lad at the Beach Party. Props, buddy. Not for passing out, but for rallying. I eliminate the first step in my later years, but know what it is about as I pretty much was Stiffler from American Pie as a younger one.
The Fountain-just the resort fountain. Nothing too special. Very resorty.
The Michael Jackson Show-best free show I think I have ever seen, and this was the first night, so I wasn’t EXHAUSTED all inclusive drunk at this time. And I LOVE break dancing. Look through these, and that IS a chair he is break dancing with.
The View-two views from our patio.
The Coco Bongo-more of an inside joke with a work buddy who may or may not read this blog. Yes, it relates to Seinfeld. No, we didn’t go, because outside the resort is a little like Atlantic City casinos without the jungle. Shady.
The Flamingos-just…resorty.
The Resort Beach-the walkway is a narrow walkway in between seaweed you can walk all the way out and still have the water at your ankles.
The Watch-I just simply liked the bouncer’s watch. Nothing more.
The Spanish List-I studied on plane ride out, but gave up about 15 minutes into trip. I just made hand motions or let Lindsey talk. Hell of an effort though, and there IS a back to this.
The Picture-not showing it, but I had a picture taken of me that…will expedite my workout progress on my human flag goal.
The Afternoon Jogger at the All Inclusive-no photo, and you don’t have to be a drinker, but if you are not, do you HAVE to work out at 4pm at the resort, and are you eating enough FOOD to get your dollar’s worth?
The Older Couple that Matched my Aging Process-there was a couple that was 41 that I am now in contention with as far as aging and looking young. Damn.
The Sunburn-got it on the third day. And just like buying batteries at a dollar store, you should probably buy the more expensive sunblock in a third world country.
The Handwriting-no pic, but let’s just say I skipped ten items on my list after a long day at the pool.
The Songs (Happy, Who let the Dogs Out, Move it, anything from 80’s set to Caribbean groove)
The Protest-our Saona tour originally got cancelled because of a human protest. Guides were protesting. Wish we got the call BEFORE waking up at 530am.
The Word “Excursion”-they pronounce everything else in Spanish dialect, but can say “excursion” PERFECTLY.
The Hat-not sure what I meant by this, but my hat went everywhere with me?
The Long Island-run drinks are cool, but you confuse all inclusive bartenders when they have to pour four liquors in one glass. It was my go to after the second day.
The Quest (not Corey, but exactly same humor)-Nelson DeMille is my favorite author, and I thought only the John Corey books were with my type of humor. I am reading The Quest. Basic, not splitting the atom, and MOM! You should have told me his books were all the same. I really need to have a beer with this author.
The Bed on the Beach-there were beds on the beach, and you had to get out there at 8am to get one.
The American Percentage-I thought it would be about 60%. It was 30% tops, and I could talk a lot of hockey with the Canadians.
The Saona Beach
The Goggles-I brought goggles because I am a master packer, but put them in my main backpack and not my “trip” backpack. I forgot them EVERY single day.
The Water Color
The Beads-I bought new beads, which excites me as always. Bought them on the island of Saona. They were $5. I don’t feel like taking a picture, saving it, and showing you. Just check out my future photos.
The UVA Guy-Tomas went to Saona with us independently, and not only went to UVA, but UPenn also. Aside from his cool ass accent, I think we were the same person.
The Speed Boat-I was hoping someone would throw up.
The Catamaran-To get the record straight, I personally was the first person to go out and start dancing. Go figure. Yes, they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean apparently there, and there IS a pirate in one of these photos. We skipped the photo opp.
The Comparison (with British Virgin)-second tier. The British Virgin experience is beyond comparison in my inexperienced travels.
The 72 Year Old-I met a guy who looked 50 and was 72. Goal is set.
The Hot Dogs-everything named sausage is a hot dog in the DR. My only problem was that where the HELL was the mac and cheese with HOT DOGS????
The Buffet with a Kids Section-It should have been in THIS section.
The Coconut Drink-On my last attempt to speak Spanish with a bartender, I said my lady needed something with coconut in it. I got THIS. Ugghhh.
The Not Quite a Lazy River-I ALWAYS want a lazy river. Close, though.
The Absolut/ Stoli Price Differential-I like Stoli more actually, and in the San Juan airport, one was $26, and the other of same size was $15. Weird.
The Discoteca-didn’t make it, but it exists at Catalonia Bavaro. It is not like we started at dinner time on drinks.
The Rum-DONE with rum for a long, long time.
The $1 Problem-It was like going into a strip club and the bartender not having change. You SHOULD tip, and we DID tip minimally, but getting a $5 bill or less was next to impossible without motivation. Weird.
The Blue Hole-Easy walk, half day, and worth it if you are like me and just LOVE water.
Go see it on the early trip like we did. The second group got darker blue because the sun goes away from the little canyon that was formed.
Take goggles TOO.
The Nap-I love naps, but always am too busy for them. I had one of THOSE naps at 11am one of the days, and it was glorious.
The Pool Bar Conversation (44-42)-this is about some dude who LOOKED old who was surprised talking to me I graduated high school two years after him.
The Pizza-the “snack bar” that was open to 3am each night had pizza at all times (some with sausage/ hot dogs). Considering I have invented the “pizza stomach,” It was all good with me.
The Beach Party
The Sushi Place-Yup, my 12 year old stomach had some. I still selected very, very carefully.
The Levels of “Dirty”-Let’s just say that high heat and a small suticase make you pick and choose on these trips.
The Bathtub and Hot Tub-never used them. It was either too hot, or I was afraid to swallow water.
The Privileged Wristband-$25 a night to get your own beach and own eating area? Come ON.
The Poker Chips-I forgot them, and it took until the LAST day for the maid to figure out what we were doing late at night.
The Caddyshack Routine-my favorite 5 minutes of the trip. First picture is people doing water aerobics. Second one is the CLASSIC that older people KNOW.
Like I could coordinate THAT with people of 7 different languages.
The San Juan Visit (yup-definitely going backwards on the blog list as we went there for a night first before Punta Cana)
We need to talk to them about their digital signage.
The Parrot Club-Lindsey had eaten here on a previous trip. Good food. I was down with stopping because I was about to pass out from heat.
The Barrachina Restaurant-Go see the Flamenco show. We missed it by 20 minutes, but Lindsey has seen it and apparently it is cool.
The Aquaviva Restaurant-Ate a mofango. Had a mojito in San Juan. Check, check.(pic wouldn’t load-is there a LIMIT on WordPress?)
The Nuyorigan-that was the salsa place I showed above. Getting tired, people.
The El Gato Bar-we went there. No pics of note.
The Basketball Games on TV-Puerto Rico likes bball, Punta Cana doesn’t care.
The Brickhaus and 18 and Life-I heard Skid Row at a Puerto Rican restaurant and I thought it was cool. No pics.
Café Berlin-I think I wrote this down because it sounded like a Bourne movie. BUT, this street in San Juan DOES LOOK like a street Bourne would have ridden a small car or motorcycle down, right? (Wouldn’t load. My pics are taking FOREVER to load, hence my tiredness. Maybe my blog has a limit on pics.)
OK. Saving everything BELOW for tomorrow. Mom, I have many more pics with me actually IN it, although that is always a lowest priority for me. Saving everything in italics plus my “this and that” pics (about 20 of them) plus my “me” pics for Mom for tomorrow. Plus, it gives me another day to put two funny Demon Kitty videos on here. Goodnight.
The Forts
The Cathedral
The Ponce de Leon Memorial
The San Juan Traffic/ Streets
The San Juan Bourne Street
The San Jaun Fountain
The Blackjack Comeback San Juan
The Seaborne Airline (high school)
The Hammock
The Beer (Presidente)
The Blond Hair Blue Eye Couple
Biloxi
No blog is complete without a few pics of the Demon Kitten. Thanks to Avery and Kristin for watching the little guy while we were gone. Somehow they even got a flower on the one plant of two that hadn’t blossomed, and that is taking into account that Demon Kitty’s number #1 non bathroom or food related mission is killing those plants I have noticed.
The SNL Game of Thrones Skit
As far as Baltimore or Nepal, I obviously send my thoughts and prayers, and will not say more as I am still catching up on everything that went down.
Never been so happy to be back in Denver
NOT going to Miami next week.