So close…

So close.  Going to go like three nights in a row…

The Cast

Date: 29 April 2022

FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN

BACKGROUND:  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.

SETTING: Started at a bar HH at Ginger Pig, and cleaned up and finished Saturday morning at home.  Yes, these are speed hooks once again.  Sorry.

1. NFL: 
   1. I get asking to get traded, but from a team that was just in the NFC Championship?  You were knocking on the door, Deebo, and you just need to knock louder.  Plus, even if your beef is that your team runs it too much, you are BOTH a RB and WR.
   1. Kyler Murray does all this social media negation of the Cardinals, then stays put, and then gets gifted with Marquise Brown.  Please stop complaining, bro.  And maybe not throw ugly playoff interceptions from the end zone.
   1. Someone needs to pick up the phone and give Earl Thomas a call.  I would take him as my LB calling the shots any day.  I am talking to you Kevin Colbert.
   1. Peyton Manning is already beloved and funny and now just did something that makes us love him more.  He worked with Georgia Tech to create a Demaryius Thomas scholarship.  What a thoughtful gesture.  Where does he find the time?  He is like my buddy, Anthony P., who I am convinced has found a way to stop time to watch every single show and movie ever made.
   1. If I had a dime for every time in the next 5 years I am going to hear the media quote “Let’s ride” by Sir Russell.
   1. I am still learning what the heck an NFT is, but good for Mr. Tunsil for selling his gas mask video for some NFT something.
   1. The Steelers were cute and took Kenny Pickett, the small-handed guy who just is down the hall from the team.  The Steelers probably have seen enough of him to know.  It is adorable, and I hope they made the pick because of game film and not because they had the chance to draft Dan Marino and missed in 1983 too.  I also enjoyed the explanation post-pick about how his FLAT hand/thumb is smaller than his curved, football-holding grip hand.  Weird.  Can’t believe that Malik Willis, their second choice, lasted until the third round.  Other teams made a mistake.
   1. I feel like Aaron Rodgers just became Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop 3.  Suddenly, and very suddenly, he became unlikeable and not funny.  I feel like we loved Aaron Rodgers, and even though he stayed with the Packers, we now laugh at his playoff failures a little louder.  But, he is a little aloof, not funny, and weird.  Seriously, have you SEEN Beverly Hills Cop 3?  It is horrible.
   1. There must be more to the story.  I can’t believe a guy who has a chip on his shoulder, was the #1 pick, lived in the Browns stadium, and has a statue that looks nothing like him doesn’t have a job yet.  He was HURT, folks, and took the Browns to their first playoff game in a 100 years.
2. COLLEGE BASKETBALL:  
   1. The NIL thing is changing the game.  Kids are coming back that would be making pretty good money.  At some point, some kid will stop playing in the middle of the season because he doesn’t have enough NIL, but let’s not put the cart before the horse.
   1. It is called NIL, but it is actually the OPPOSITE of nil.  It is something.  Ironic.
   1. Tshiebwe is coming back.
   1. Dickinson is coming back.
   1. Caleb Love is coming back.
   1. Bacot is coming back
   1. (log me in for UNC to win it all next year)
   1. (then UNC got 2023 GG Jackson too)
   1. Pancho left.  Actually, most of Duke left, so that isn’t a story.  Apparently, Duke people don’t like NIL.
   1. I was sad Jay Wright retired, but thought it was for the right reasons.  He built an empire on balance and trusting the guys with you on the court.  Then, he recently teased the NBA.  I got sad hearing that.
   1. Great transfer pickup by Memphis with Kendric Davis from SMU.
   1. Naasir Cunningham, #1 recruit for 2024, is going to Overtime Elite.  This is not a passing trend, folks.  NIL will alter it a little, but kids will just punt HS and know they need pro training.  We get it.
3. NBA: 
   1. I think Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter, Jr. are working on forming a “I really just don’t want to play” Super Team.
   1. Devin Booker came back from a hamstring anything injury faster than most mortals.
   1. Chris Paul went 14-14 on Thursday and might be a man on a mission.  Not sure how he has time to be so funny in State Farm commercials, but at least we know he is on the opposite trajectory as Aaron Rodgers for likeability and funniness.
   1. The playoffs are already better as of Thursday with Luka in the next round.  Folks, if you are not a fan, climb on.  I said he should have been the #1 pick in his draft after watching film, and he is just improving and improving.  Reminds me of LeBron’s career thus far.
   1. Middleton’s injury just pissed off Giannis more.  They might not need him against the Celtics, but they need him to win it all.
   1. Joel Embiid’s injury puts more pressure on James Harden.  That is just what he needs, where he already has the “I don’t play well in the playoffs” rap.
   1. I hated the sleep gesture by Steph, but loved the Draymond Green praise of future MVP Jokic. 
   1. I really, really like Kendrick Perkins on all of his shows.  But, anyone else notice he is getting a little cocky?  He DEFINITELY does not like guys who never played the sport.
   1. I think the Jazz have realized either A) Mitchell and Gobert aren’t a championship solution or B) Quinn is the problem.
   1. Ja Morant is doing some special stuff, folks.  He will develop his skills, just like Giannis is doing as we watch.  If he gets a three-point stroke, he is unstoppable.  That dunk in Game 5 was incredible.
   2. Not changing my prediction. Miami over Golden State.
4. NHL:  
   1. Quietly, Ovi had another 50 goal season.
   1. Quietly, the Avalanche are looking a little get-able.
   1. The playoffs are about to start.  I have said it since I was about 8 years old.  The Stanley Cup is the toughest trophy to get and it isn’t even close.
   1. Happy trails, Guy LaFleur.  You were a stallion.
5. MLB: 
   1. One of these years, the cautious optimism on the Rockies will translate into road wins.
   1. The fact that the Capitol had to evacuate for a parachutist at the Nationals game made me smile.
   1. Not a lot of people in that club, Miguel.  Congrats.  3000, 500.
   1. I missed the boat on collecting baseball cards.  And I get that they sell for a lot.  But, $1.5 mil for a damaged Honus Wagner card baffles me.
   1. Never saw it coming.  So, Trevor Bauer was exonerated for his sexual violence but then got the harshest sentence in baseball in the last few years??? (TWO years???)  I don’t get it.  He is probably wrong to some degree, but the chick sounded crazy to some degree, and you are robbing fans of two years of his prime.  Yes, I know there were rumors of another chick with same complaints, but I have a feeling he got screwed to some degree.  Ha!  I made a funny accidentally, because he DID get screwed when committing these violations.
6. MISCELLANEOUS:  
   1. Tyson Fury might not be Ali or Tyson, and maybe we the masses don’t care about heavyweight fighting anymore, but man, did he go out in Elway style.
   1. Hate the war, but banning Russian athletes is wrong.  They aren’t following Putin orders.  That is the most political statement I will make in this blog, which is ironic since I was a Political Science major.  Weird.
   1. So, Mike Tyson makes cannabis that looks like his ear, and then gets in a fight on a plane. Perfect.
   1. Maybe Mickelson has reached the Eddie Murphy Beverly Hills 3 level too.
   1. Boris Becker is going to prison.  Dude.  Really?  Don’t believe in savings accounts?

• THIS AND THAT: 
  • I think Elon Must bought Twitter to stop that kid who was tracking his jet.
  • I think I haven’t finished Ozark because every episode I just don’t know how they will make it out of it and it is repetitive.
  • I stayed at a hotel in Colorado Springs and we always watch Family Guy as background noise.  Did my wife and I miss all of 2021 episodes?  We watch it constantly but caught parts of like 5 episodes we never had heard of.
  • One person won $473 million on Powerball recently.  Dammit.  I have my happiness with wife, family, job, but I want $473 million to get stupid with.
• LOCAL:
  • SCP Hotel is the place to check out if you are traveling with dog and want billiards on the lobby with your dog.
  • They have no grass to poop on, and no pool sticks, but are working on it.
  • If at the Rabbit Hole in Colorado Springs, ask for an adult side portion of mac and cheese.  Trust me.  I am the President of the Mac and Cheese Club.
  • Shrunken Head in CO Springs is a hard to find Vegas night club with expensive drinks in a basement with a nice water feature.  Their attempt at Vegas.  Ask to be sat in the swing seats by the water feature.
  • If in CO Springs, go to Olde World Bagels, wait in the line, and order a build your own bagel with egg, bacon, everything bagel, and chipotle cream cheese.  Mind will blow up.
  • Red Rock Park in CO Springs is fun, but know that seeing a concert at Red Rocks is better.
  • Seven Falls has a hill to climb after the shuttle, and it is a very, very, very dicey 224 steps up to the top.  My dog did it, and so did I (with fear of heights).  Don’t be a pansy.
  • Grab lunch at La Baguette in CO Springs and order the fondue.  Order one serving for two people.
  • Walk around Manitou Springs and drink the fountain water.  Delicious and very Colorado-y.
  • Go to Pub Dog if in the Springs with a dog.  The place has all kinds of beer, food, and a leash-free zone that you enter like you are getting on the space shuttle when coming in from space.  Very organized.  I also realized a new pet peeve of mine…owners who just sit there when their dog takes a shit on the fake grass.
  • Carlos’ Bistro is one of the treasures of Colorado Springs.  We have been twice and will be going many, many more times.  The owner, Carlos, meets people in the parking lot or at the door, and stops by your table for table touches just enough. Our server, Liz, was obviously well-trained and it was stellar service.  The burger was the best burger I think I ever had.  The butter for bread is to die for.  All that being said, it is pricey.  Do the Early Bird special at 4pm where they have a separate, cheaper menu, and some regular menu items are 50% off.
  • The ViewHouse in Colorado Springs does a seafood brunch.  GO.  Lots of other great non-seafood items also.  Do what I did.  Combine the mac and cheese with the lobster.
  • I talked with the GM, and they also do this magnificent event at the Centennial location.
  • Fire On the Mountain in the Highlands is fantastic.  Get the dry rub, raspberry habanero, or the bourbon chipotle.
  • Senor Bear, again, has the best queso and the best mixologist in Denver behind the bar.  They just need to add an IPA to their HH.
  • Ash’Kara has the best fries and aioli around.  GO.
  • I recommend the Winona at Denver Biscuit Company and add an egg.  The Pimento cheese isn’t quite The Masters level, but close.
• TWEET OF THE WEEK
• THE FILLERBUSTER
  • Going to Costa Rica on May 14^th.  More on that in upcoming blogs.
  • My Spanish is coming along slowly.  My vocabulary now is probably above my wife’s, but I have a hard time when hearing Spanish quickly still.  I also can’t roll my r’s.
  • I am back on Instagram, foks, and plan on posting at least one thing a day.  I am justmarkfiller, a name derived from when we were partying, going up the gondola for an alpine slide, and I was the only person who had to sit by myself.  It was really funny at the time.
  • I am back fully on Google reviews also.  Look for me.  I review every place I go to now.
  • Not excited that the name of the band is such a negative thing, Caskets, but the guy’s voice is amazing, it is awesome angry workout music, and I would recommend Signs, remix of Signs, Glass Heart, Hold Me Now, Drowning in Emotion, and The Final Say.
  • I love my dog, Jovie.  I also still hate my black cat, and have even started hating the “cool” cat, Charlee (named after Top Gun of course and I wish I would have kept that one in the holster for the dog.
  • Jovie has become a frisbee dog, my only goal when my wife talked me into driving 7 hours to get a pure-bred English Cream Golden Retriever.
  • I think Little Guitars has suddenly become a top 5 song for me.

ALTERNATE CATEGORIES THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT:

1. THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK (because the best song this week IS the best song ever…for now):
2. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
3. LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE
4. TRAVEL
5. THIS WEEK’S LIST
6. MY NUMBERS
7. GONE FISHING (the riddle for money):
8. PICS BY MY PIXEL (pictures from my phone):
9. LIFEGUARD ENTRY:
10. EVERGREEN 1: 
11. EVERGREEN 2: 

The theme?  May 27^th is the Top Gun release.  The last time I went to see a movie three consecutive nights was Bourne Ultimatum.  That will be duplicated and perhaps surpassed when Maverick comes out.  Yes, I think it is obvious that the only real conclusion to this movie is that Cruise has to pay the ultimate sacrifice even after being known as a cocky pilot rockstar.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8z1rqA8jRw&vl=en

TOP GUN 2: Maverick Final Trailer (2022) – YouTube

That’s it for today.  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.