The other one was getting big, so I decided to make a new November OFFTOP. We can carry on somewhat from the old one.

Subjects:

1) People you respect the hell out of, even though they probably aren't that talented.

2) People who are really famous, and you probably should recognize, but you don't care about them and wouldn't recognize them or their work if they punched you in the face.

3) Usual random subjects: MIP's, beer, baseball, football, the thing the Washington state colleges call football, etc..

Link: http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/archives/210076.asp 

No charges were filed, and he was released with a warning. I love Coach's response though!

Now on to the questions this raises.

1) Why was Mr. Golden Tate going for doughnuts at 3:00am?

2) This sounds like theft, why is this being taken and treated so lightly?

3) Possible scam to generate publicity for the new Top Pot sponsorship at Seahawks games?

Interesting...

Hello from Seahawk Land. Let me begin by apologizing for taking TJ from you, but we really needed his help out here in Seattle. That being said, I'm participating in a mock draft, and I drew the Bengals as my team. I know very little of the Bengals needs/wants/desires.

Would anyone here be willing to give me a hand with this mock draft? It begins later this week, and I need your opinions on who might fit with your team. No trades are allowed at this point, so the picks have to be made at their assigned spots.

Any help would be most appreciated, as not only am I unfamiliar with the Bengals, but this is my first time participating in a mock draft.

Hello Lion's fans. I'm here from the land of coffee and Seahawks, looking for some help in a mock draft we're doing here in Seattle.

I drew Detroit out of the hat as the team to pick for, so can anyone give me some help as to what the team's needs, wants and desires may be?

Looks like we're going about four rounds, following whichever picks the teams actually have. As far as I know, no trades are allowed.

So you have the 1st and 20th picks as far as I know. What do you think?

It seems like nobody else wants to post an off-topic for today, and there is actually wonderful Mariners news, so there probably won't be much action, but here it is anyway.

Suggestions for things to discuss... Lets see..

Subway vs Quiznos vs (insert sub shop here)

Most annoying ads (radio or TV)

The usuals: Xbox, electronics, food, beer, etc.

Speaking of beer, has anyone tried Wingwalker? I had some last night, and although it has a hint of bitterness in the middle, it has a wonderful creamy finish.

Is that enough words yet?

Opened my new M's calendar today, and they list the career leaders in several categories. I thought some were interesting, so I figured I'd share:

Batting average: Ichiro .333

Hits: Edgar 2,078

HR: Junior 398

RBI: Edgar 1,175

Stolen Bases: Julio Cruz 290

ERA: Jeff Nelson 3.26

Wins: Moyer 145

Saves: Sasaki 129

Strikeouts: Randy Johnson 2,162

Games Played: Edgar 1,913

Now the fun part. Try to figure out who is second in all those categories, without looking it up!

Happy New Year everybody!

EDIT: Apparently Ichiro has passed Julio Cruz on the SB list since this calendar was published.

I honestly don't have any great ideas for this post, but the one from Friday was getting crazy long and hard to load.

So let's see what I can think of:

Looks like our winter storm never really arrived, just got crappy weather instead.

I have to bowl in playoffs tonight missing two of my team, that should be exciting.

Company Christmas parties, your feelings?

Laptops hurt my eyes and wrists.

Survivorman is going off the air, bummer!

And now I'll try some tags.

Since it looks like nobody else is here (or willing to post an OTFPOTD today), I'll go ahead and take care of it.

Subjects for discussion:

1) Doing more or less x-mas shopping this year?

2) How slammed are you at work after a (hopefully) four-day weekend?

3) How annoyed do you get when other people call in sick to work on a busy day?

That's all I have. I might try some tags, but probably not.

Okay, so I'm up at 12:40am because I had another coughing attack, so here's my post:

Bowling kicks ass. Jack In The Box should never be out of any kind of food. I'm trying hot citrus tea as a last resort (I don't care for tea all that much). I'm probably going to the LL bowling on Friday. My cat forgot how to pee in the litter box and I'm pissed. You all don't get no tags because I'm coughing too much and have to be to work tomorrow.

Good luck finding me on Facebook, you have until Friday to figure it out, because if I show up for bowling, I'm sure I'll give up my true identity.

Also, I have a sweet south endzone ticket to the Seahawks game this Sunday, anyone interested at face value ($65.00)?

Screw it, I'll try some tags.

Have at it folks.

Okay, so Fantastic Contraption now rules my life. Feel free to post your triumphs, tribulations, and disasters here (I still can't make a suitable catapult, but my tanks kick ass).

Also, y'all are invited to my local pub for Halloween. Big costume contest and cash prizes if any of you are in the north end (also a chance to meet Thingray and Jeanuts). Details to follow if anyone is interested (I won't advertise for them unless someone is interested).

Please reference LL bowling night. I haven't read the post yet, but I'm already excited!

BTW, I didn't jump the gun this time, I was just the only one up late enough to post this thing this early in the morning! HA!!

Lame tags to follow:

Thingray's turn, damnit!!

Yes I'm early, but I've never been able to do one of these before, and Jeanuts (my fiancee) and I were looking at the LL history to try to find Smegmalicious's name, because we remembered him from the LL softball game we attended, but forgot his screen name.

Anyway. MY TURN!!

Topics up for discussion:

Why do women try to pick fights in bars more than men do?

Is it wrong that I jumped the gun on this, just to be able to finally post one of these things?

Blown Away: Good movie?

Halloween Costumes (Tis the season)

Favorite kind of tequila?

Favorite Canadian musicians (mine are Mark Curry and the Crash Test Dummies).

I had i bit too much Jeager and Rumplemiz tonight (not really a topic, just a statement).

Discuss.

(EDIT: I don't know how to do tags)

Did anybody else notice the new bar on 2nd, right by the stadium called the Hawk's Nest?

It's decor is 100% Seahawks, and I heard the food was pretty good. I only went in for one beer after a preseason game, but it's nice to see some places opening in Seattle that actively embrace our sports teams and their history, instead of trying to be a catch-all "sports bar".

I probably should have kept it as my own little "secret", but oh well.

I found their website: http://www.hawksnestbar.com/index.html 

Where do I even start? I know that there are only a few basketball fans here, and even I rank basketball pretty far down my list of favorite sports (especially since the whole Sonics/OKC thing started). But a classic matchup like Celtics vs. Lakers in the Finals has had me watching for the past week or so.

I don't know NBA history well enough to say for sure, but last night had to have been a historic comeback by the Celtics (not too mention a knife in the soul of the Lakers). Eddie House and Ray Allen (who looked washed up earlier in the playoffs) leading the comeback? KG hitting a big shot in crunch time? Paul Pierce refusing an MRI on his knee because he just wants to play?

This has been epic so far, and I missed a good portion of last night's game during my commute (I knew I should have just stopped at the bar to watch the game).

If you're not a basketball fan, I apologize for taking up space with this post. But if you thought last night's game kicked some serious ass, feel free to post your thoughts.

Besides being off to a hot start, the kid seems like a really cool guy. From an Si.com article:

No surprise, Bruce is getting the last laugh. Heading into this season, in many circles he was considered baseball's best positional prospect. Yet, a start that included 16 hits in 30 at-bats is an attention grabber, no matter what the expectation.

Asked to explain his Red-hot start, Bruce said simply "Sample size."

Link to full article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jon_heyman/06/06/heyman.bruce/index.html

Don't know if anyone else is interested, but if any one wants to chat about the NBA finals game one, here's a spot for you.

I'm rooting for the Celtics, but I'm really not sure I like their odds of winning. KG and Ray Allen deserve a championship IMHO (especially KG).

On a related note, James Taylor doing an acoustic guitar version of the national anthem? That seems like a reach to me, and I like James Taylor.

So I played in the softball tournament down in Olympia this weekend.

First the good news:

The Mukilteo Fire Department team won, which is good, since that was the team I was playing for. I scored the winning run in the championship qualifier as a "courtesy runner" (those of you that play organized softball know what that is) in extra innings, and we won the championship game by one run (also in extra innings).

Bad news:

I completely removed all the skin on my left knee (from one side of the kneecap to the other) sliding into third base on a force play, which means every time I move my left leg even slightly it hurts like hell. I also tore the entire palm out of my new batting glove on the same slide.

The horrible news:

I wasn't able to make it to any of the places you guys suggested due to the combination of our extended playing schedule (four games each day plus extra innings and breaks between games) and the "team" wanting to go watch the UFC fights. We ended up at a place called "Charlies" and hung out there all night. Try as I might, I couldn't convince anyone to wander around downtown looking for any of the other places you suggested, even though it was a beautiful evening. Charlies wasn't horrific for the most part, but after the fights ended and the "dance club crowd" moved in, that was when I really regretted not being more pushy about seeing some of the other places that were suggested.

Side note: The Red Lion in Olympia is in about the weirdest place I've ever seen for a hotel. Really off the beaten path. Plus they have a parking lot the size of a postage stamp. Also, the Applebees about 2 blocks from Yauger Park has the worst service I've ever experienced, and the food sucked too.

Hey guys, I'm playing in a charity softball tournament this weekend in Olympia at Yauger Park. It starts early Saturday morning and ends Sunday afternoon.

I'm staying overnight Saturday at the Red Lion (looks like it's a little east of the park) rather than driving back and forth from Everett. I'm looking for ideas on good places to eat and/or hang out in the area that night (any good microbreweries?).

Any suggestions from people familiar with the area? I haven't spent any time down there since my brother was attending Evergreen State about 18 years ago, and I wasn't 21 at the time, so my experiences were geared more towards underage stuff then.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Odd info note: Yauger Park was designed not only as a park, but also to serve as a stormwater retention pond during storms. I always thought it just flooded everytime it rained. 

This just reminded me how dissapointed I am in the M's right now, c/o Jason Stark on ESPN.com:

(Mariners get Erik Bedard from the Orioles for CF Adam Jones, LHP George Sherrill, RHP Chris Tillman, RHP Kam Mickolio and LHP Tony Butler.)

<!-- INLINE HEADSHOT (BEGIN) -->

Bedard

Here's another trade that's tough to measure. Outside of a short DL stint, Bedard has been terrific, allowing a total of only seven earned runs in his five starts. But maybe this deal proves there's only so much of an impact one starting pitcher can make. His team is 11-19 when he doesn't start.

Meanwhile, Sherrill is second in the league in saves; Jones is working his way toward stardom; the upwardly mobile Tillman is limiting the Eastern League to a .198 batting average against him. And maybe the biggest impact on the Orioles, said an official of one club, was the culture change: "After 10 years of being stuck in a short-term mind-set, just the commitment to trade Bedard and [Miguel] Tejada, and to bring back some young talent and finally rebuild, is a really important step they had to take."

Scout's View: "I love Erik Bedard. But honestly, I thought Baltimore kicked [Seattle's] butt in this deal. Sherrill has done an unbelievable job. Adam Jones has star potential. And Tillman … I mean, wow. Now if they take Sherrill and move him at the deadline and turn him into something else that can help them, the Orioles made a tremendous deal."

Link to the full article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3386182&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

Can anyone give me any helpful tips on the good/bad points of the Terrace Club? I have tickets up there tonight. I'm just wondering about concessions, bathrooms, best way to get up there (we're on the third base side looking straight down the right field line), etc..

Any advice y'all might have would be great.

I'm fifty-nine words long, hopefully when my mid-life growth spurt hits I'll grow to the minimum of seventy-five.

It's coming down like crazy in Shorline. What is this, Cleveland??

Character limit fact: Oh geez, I got nuthin'.

75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 757 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

Link: http://www.coedmagazine.com/entertainment/7358 

I hear there's some kind of length requirements for these new fangled "fanpost" thingies, so here you go:

Haystack Rock is a 235-foot (72-meter) tall monolith (or sea stack) on the Oregon coast in the northwestern United States, the third-tallest such structure in the world. A popular tourist destination, the rock is adjacent to the beach and accessible by foot during low tide. Haystack Rock tide pools are home to many intertidal animals, including starfish, anemone, crabs, chitons, limpets, and sea slugs. The rock is also a refuge for many sea birds including terns and puffins.

I know this is a baseball blog, but as a Seattle native the Sonics mean a lot to me (even if they rank about 4th on my sports list).

Here's two great links to Bill Simmons articles:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080229&sportCat=nba

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080228&sportCat=nba

If your a Sonics fan, or even a sports fan, you should read these and realize it could happen to you too.

Great picture to start the year with, courtesy of ESPN.com:

Also, he's wearing Jeremy Reed's glove.

300 character note: Safeco Field has a unique retractable roof that only acts as an "umbrella" for the stands and field rather than forming a complete climate-controlled enclosure.

The only other covered baseball stadium in the world with permanent openings is the Seibu Dome in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan, home of the Seibu Lions.

According to The Seattle Times, Jim Zorn is leaving to take the offensive coordinator job in Washington.

This sucks.

Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2004145565_webzorn25.html

One-line diaries are prohibited on Field Gulls. I've now given my diary more thought. And after all of that thought, I've decided that I need a minimum of 300 characters.

Update: Just to put this into perspective, the reaction around Hogs Haven is generally negative. I don't get it. I mean, I understand Seahawks fans sad to see a hometown favorite departing, but whether this is a good or bad move for either franchise - well...

I always have a hard time making "top ten" lists, because I can never narrow it down that far, but I'm just going to list my top ten right off the top of my head (in no particular order) and see what happens.

1. Big Lebowski
   
2. Shawshank Redemption
   
3. Forrest Gump
   
4. Singles
   
5. Office Space
   
6. Animal House
   
7. Ghostbusters
   
8. Stripes
   
9. Bull Durham
   

I'm missing about 100 movies off that list, but oh well. My honorable mention list would go on for miles.

Anyone else care to comment or post their own list?

I wrote an email to the M's begging them not to trade the farm for Bedard, and here was the response I received:

"Thanks for your email regarding the possible trades for Johan Santana or Erik Bedard. It is clear that you are a passionate baseball fan. Our fans make a substantial investment of time, money and emotion in the team, and we recognize that we have to keep earning that support each year. Despite the reports you have heard, let me assure you that we are committed to bringing a World Championship to Seattle. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for your passion and your commitment.

Seattle Mariners Fancare"

I personally love this line: "Despite the reports you have heard, let me assure you that we are committed to bringing a World Championship to Seattle"

Did anybody else watch any of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90's" that was on last night?

I didn't see the final episode, only the first few hours. I'm not here to argue about what was listed where, but more to mention that I had forgotten some really good songs/artists (or just forgetten how much I liked them, like Radiohead "Creep") from the 90's, and remember quite a few they listed that I wish I could forget (Deee-Lite "Groove is in the Heart", all Spice Girls).

Vague link to the list: http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_greatest/127761/episode.jhtml

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!

I have a holiday lunch for work at Buca Di Beppo in Seattle next week. I'm looking for advice on the best way to get there from Shoreline, and trying to find out if parking is horrible or not.

I'm guessing the parking is probably very limited, and the best way to get there is I-5 south then take the Mercer St exit.

Any advice?

For part two, I'm also trying to decide what my drink of choice will be once I hit the watering hole tonight, and I'll take suggestions and advice on that as well.

Charlie Murphy!!!!!!!

I remember having Evel Knievel toys growing up. Not surprising he died fairly young though.

Link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110ap_obit_knievel.html

300 character snippet: When he failed in his attempt to jump the fountains at Ceasar's Palace, Knievel suffered a crushed pelvis and femur, fractures to his hip, wrist and both ankles and a concussion that kept him in a coma for 29 days.

Did anybody catch Family Guy and American Dad last night?

What were your thoughts on the "ending" for FG?

And did American Dad have the funniest "activation code" ever?

300 character requirement: The tunnel that carries Interstate 90 under the Mount Baker Ridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.