MegAnne
The musings of a Midwestern New YorkerArchive for November, 2009
Like George Michael, You Gotta Have Faith
I’m a Colts fan. I bleed blue and white, live for game days with Addai, Saturday, Vinatieri and the crew, and wholeheartedly believe Peyton Manning is the Grand Supreme Ruler of football. He is, without doubt, absolutely the magic man. Tom Brady who?
Recently, our 11-0 team has given fans a little more than we bargained for, and a little more reason to remain on the edge of our seats. Did you watch the Miami game? Did you watch the New England game? I know in regards to the Patriots game, many will say it was the Call Heard ‘Round The World that put Indy over the top in the end, but something must be said for the Colts in overcoming the massive deficit Brady racked up in the first three quarters of the game to even bring the score close enough to make the call a deciding factor.
Somehow, the Horse has turned into a comeback team in many of its games this season, as opposed to hitting the ground running and leaving no room for doubt as in games past. With the Colts hanging on by the skin of our teeth, you’ll find many in Peytonville losing faith very early in our team, myself included. We’ve been down by much more and remained victorious, yet early in Sunday’s game against the Texans, my Twitter feed was filled with doubt and consternation for our boys in blue.
Sure, if we were fans of just any team it would make sense to be disheartened to be trailing 17-0 in the second, but dang it all, we are the Colts, and we all need to start behaving as such. I believe in the power of positive thinking, it’s time to remember who runs things and keep that blue pride alive, even when we’re down to a team like the Dolphins.
Welcome to Peytonville.
Donnie agrees with me
Entertainment Weekly.com: How much do you think Monday’s freestyle dance had to do with your win?
Donny: Everything. That was the breakthrough.
I’m just sayin’…
Click here for the full interview.
It all comes down to the freestyle
I’m not allowed to watch Dancing With The Starts this season, Brennan won’t let me. Okay, that’s not entirely true. Yes, he made fun of me, but many others did the same, and the show honestly just didn’t hold the same excitement for me that it once did.
My (our) first season was the 5th, the season of Helio Castroneves, Mel B and Marie Osmond. Yaw and Brennan, being the amazing friends that they are, would come over every Monday and Tuesday to enjoy whatever vegetarian delight I could come up with and sit through two hours of dancing festivities. Since beginning my following of the show in season 5, I have seen every single minute of every single episode through season 8 and the triumph of Shawn Johnson. Every sequin, every bangle, every dip, slip and trip for four seasons straight I witnessed.
Then this season was announced. Outside of Donny Osmond – who, by the
way, has my full support for tonight – I really wasn’t interested in most of the cast, and as my obsessive behavior for the show had reached an all-time high, I realized it was time for a break. While I haven’t watched an episode of Season 9, I have seen bits and bobs about the progression as the weeks went on, including comments on last night’s freestyle routines. There really are no words for how devoted (obsessive, crazed) I have been to this show, and as such, I am fully confident in making the following assessment: The decision of who takes home the mirror ball trophy, and the sparkly glory that goes with it, all comes down to the freestyle dance.
Let us certainly not overlook the fact that there are nine weeks preceeding the finals and that one must knock off 7, 10, (or this season) 12 other competitors to even have the chance to uninhibitedly shake what yo momma gave ya, and I will absolutely give credit to all those performances that got the final three into, well, the final three. But let’s look at the tape as to what the competition really boils down to.
Gilles Marini, Season 8 Runner-Up Previously known only as the naked dude on Sex and the City, Marini came out of nowhere to be the front-runner in season 8. Pelvic thrusts, undeniable chemistry with partner Cheryl Burke, that French accent and oh so obvious good looks made this ‘star’ a fan favorite early on. The very partner that turned him into the Don Juan of the Ballroom completely screwed him over though by choreographing a lack-luster freestyle, focusing more on her and less on him; you know, the star. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba didn’t let that go unnoticed, and the judges’ scoring accurately reflected the audience’s take as well.
Melissa Rycroft, Season 8 Second Runner-Up Jilted on national television by her super-tool fiance, Jason Something-or-the-other, Rycroft jumped into the competition only two days before the start of the season, replacing an injured Nancy O’Dell. America’s new sweetheart already had ballet training and a few years as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader under her belt, and she made good use of those skills to dazzle the audience at every turn. I was a Melissa fan, and I’ve always been a huge Tony Dovolani supporter, but what was supposed to be a freestyle turned out to be ‘see how many lifts we can do in a minute and thirty seconds.’ Poor judges remarks and scores were earned, immediately followed by being announced as first out in the finals.
Lance Bass, Season 6 Second Runner-Up Oh, Lance and Lacey. Rebels of the ballroom they certainly were, and after a roller coaster of early performances, they finally hit their stride. After all that hard work to make it into the finals, they went for a full-on hip hop freestyle and in their minds, that meant no lifts. No lifts in DWTS Finals world means no points and no votes. They also threw in some random Cha Cha steps, which instead of showing that they tried to incorporate some things Lance learned throughout the previous 9 weeks made the dance entirely disjointed, and the judges certainly did not enjoy.
Mel B, Season 5 Runner-Up With a partner like bad boy of the ballroom Maksim Chmerkovskiy, in addition to her feisty personality and undeniable flash, no one saw two-time Indy 500 champ Helio Casotroneves pulling ahead in the final lap for a victory over Ms. Brown. On the first few beats of her freestyle, I was prepared for a mind-blowing exhibition to Timabaland’s ’The Way I Are’. Alas, I was bored from the beginning, and Mel B seemed to stumble almost as though she had no idea where she was or why she was in a tight red corset with all those lights shining on her throughout the dance. I wasn’t alone either; judges remarks reflected my thoughts and Mel went home empty-handed.
Marie Osmond, Season 5 Second Runner-Up Okay I’ll admit it, Marie was not really one of the top three dancers from this season, though I loved her from the start. Her fans, and not her footwork, kept her going week after week, but nothing could save her from the Bride of Chucky-like baby doll freestyle to the Rolling Stones’ tune, ‘Start Me Up’. I love Marie, I love Jonathan (seriously, if I’m ever on DWTS, I want him as my partner), and I love the Stones, but this collaboration was an absolute nightmare. The doll thing was cute for a couple of seconds, paying homage to fans who buy her line of dolls, but it was way too much, way too creepy, and way not enough dancing for anyone’s taste. Her freestyle is still talked about to this day as one of the worst in series history.
Now let’s look at who beat them.
Shawn Johnson, Season 8 Champion In a final three lovingly made fun of for being the ‘who’s that’ of the ballroom instead of ‘who’s who’, Shawn Johnson took home the mirror ball in spectacular fashion with a freestyle that left even the hearts of the audience racing. The girl’s an Olympic Gold Medalist in gymnastics for crying out loud, and Mark Ballas squeezed out every last drop of energy within her for the 1:30 minute performance. It is possible for one to argue that, as I mentioned before, none of the last three standing had much of a fan base and that, being fresh off an Olympic victory, Shawn had a bit more of a following. I’m telling you without question though, it all came down to her freestyle, and a lack of freestyle finesse from her competition.
Warren Sapp, Season 6 Runner-Up I wanted Warren to win so badly I could taste it. For some reason, I couldn’t stand Brooke Burke and I absolutely loved the idea of a former defensive tackle channeling Fred Astaire. He was amazing throughout Season 6, particularly in the smooth dances, and his freestyle was what pushed him ahead of Lance into the final two. Warren Sapp in a silver sequined vest? Priceless. Of course, his freestyle wasn’t fawned over by the judges like Season 6 champion Brooke Burke’s performance, which leads us to…
Brooke Burke, Season 6 Champion I wasn’t the biggest fan of this freestyle, probably because I wasn’t the biggest fan of Burke, but the judges absolutely ate it up. Carrie Ann said it was one of the best ever, and the fans agreed by crowning Burke Season 6 champ.
Helio Castroneves, Season 5 Champion Yes, Helio had Julianne Hough, fresh off her Season 4 victory with Apollo-Anton Ohno as a partner. Believe me, it wasn’t her fan base that got them first place, it was the ridiculous choreography in the freestyle. Every second was jam-packed with passion, excitement, lifts that tiny little Castroneves should never have been able to pull off, and oh Helio, that smile. True, they didn’t get a perfect 30 with fussy pants lift policewoman Carrie Ann’s 9, but the dance was beyond spectacular.
Obviously I don’t know the results of tonight’s Finale, and it’s quite possible all my theories and conjectures could be thrown right back in my face, but I’ll be durned if Donnie Osmond doesn’t take home the trophy based on Kelly Osbourne’s stumble and Mya’s iffy performance. Of course, Donnie’s 8 million-strong Mormon fan base doesn’t hurt either…
*Notable exception: Joey Fatone and Apollo-Anton Ohno, Season 4. Either could (should) have won that season. Interesting though, Laila and Maks took home third after receiving only 26 points to the fellas’ perfect 30′s. Coincidence? I think not.
Post-Startup Weekend Syndrome
Is there a medical case study done on Weekenders after completion of Startup Weekend? If not, there certainly should be. I can’t possibly be the only one needing a steady IV drip of caffeine-ridden tea just to make it through the day. (Lord help me, it’s only 10:15am.) I awoke this morning in a haze, certain that it had to be Saturday morning, in utter disbelief that I actually had to crawl out of bed, hop in the shower and make the 30 minute train ride to the Financial District. I don’t believe you, it can’t be true. I really don’t get to sleep in until Thanksgiving Day? Oh yes, thank you Jesus Startup Weekend was scheduled directly before a short work week. That helps.
In all honesty, I’m really not complaining. I just spent the most unbelievably surreal weekend I’ve had in my short professional experience. I pitched a company Friday night and by Saturday morning, I was running a team of 11 professionals who all saw a great future in working on building my idea into a reality. Founder and CEO at 24? Anything’s possible in this magical world. It’s like playing dress up for super nerdy kids.
Now that I’m back in the real world, it’s quite hard to pull myself entirely back and focus on my actual job in recruiting. I keep thinking I need to run to check on my developer (Gib rocks!), head to the conference room to meet with the biz dev team, or give approval to the home page copy our marketing team just created. Not helping in the matter are the emails I keep seeing come in on my iPhone from fellow Weekenders following me on Twitter, adding me to LinkedIn, and other points of contact from members of my team.
I always knew I wanted to participate in a Startup Weekend. Many of my friends have done West Lafayette and Indianapolis and enjoyed it, and New York was certainly a great jumping off point for my involvement with the group. With my first Weekend wrapped up, I’m continuing on with planning next steps with the rest of the SUMU kiddos. For now though, it’s off to the kitchen to make another cup of Earl Grey to keep from passing out on my keyboard at my regular 9-5. (Ha, I mean 7:45-7:30.)
Check out our splash page for our Startup Matchup website. We’re working on the backend, but I’m in love with the design. (Elizabeth is professionally awesome!) http://www.thestartupmatchup.com/ Shaka pow.
Please, let’s don’t go to the video tape
France cheated in the World Cup qualifying football match against the Republic of Ireland. I know it, Ireland know it, French gym teachers know it. In one of the worst showings of sportsmanship since Elizabeth Lambert tried to single-handedly take down the BYU Women’s Soccer team, striker Thierry Henry somehow managed to sneak an incredibly blatant hand ball past officials in overtime, allowing defender William Gallas to head in the ball in the 103rd minute of the match to set France ahead 2-1.
Had it been any other game, we all would have scoffed at Henry’s bush-league stunt, rolled our eyes at the continuation of diva-like behavior demonstrated by many pro-footballers, and shaken our heads at the deteriorating level of sportsmanship exhibited in the game as time soldiers on. This, however, was not just any game; it was the game that determined which team moved on to next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and you had better believe Ireland are fuming at the results.
Besides national outrage from both countries – Ireland for getting the short end of the stick, France for being thoroughly embarrassed – we come into another debate; video replay in soccer matches. I am 100%, unequivocally opposed to this idea. Replay works in sports where pause in play comes naturally; American football has downs, tennis has a greater frequency of points scored which result in halted play. Soccer is meant to be seamless for two 45-minute halves, save for the occasional throw-in, corner- or goal kick. It’s possible for intentional dives, shoves in the back, and the occasional ponytail yank to occur during play without disrupting the flow of the game. Requiring immediate stoppage for review would completely distort the playing (and viewing) experience.
Let’s think of a better solution. I’m on board with the ‘more officials’ movement. Having more eyes on the players would enforce more honest play while not disrupting the flow of the game.
*Warning: High school flashback ahead* Why, when I was a senior in high school, I once scored a goal on, if I may, a pretty spectacular header, only to have the keeper knock the ball back out after crossing the goal line. The line judge thought she saw it go in, but since the head official didn’t call it, she allowed play to continue. Imagine how broken my poor 17-year-old heart was after that moment.
I am fully aware that a new rule of additional officials might not make its way down to the high school level, as extracurriculars are already taking a hit in this economy and paying for more refs more than likely wouldn’t make it in the budget. I also know that had there been another line judge, my goal still might not have been counted. However, I’d like to think at least one additional set of eyes would have been able to call Mr. Henry out on his faux paux, and certainly could have stopped Ms. Lambert from inflicting further physical -and apparently emotional- distress upon the unsuspecting Lady Cougars. (Although let’s be honest, where were the officials at the New Mexico v. BYU match? Seriously.)
The Oaken Bucket Game
There’s a tradition in the fair state of Indiana that dates back many-a year. Better known as a basketball state, the rivalry between the Boilermakers and the Hoosiers on the gridiron is, well, not really the stuff of legends. In recent history, it’s been a day where Purdue sees just how high they can run the score up on IU in four quarters, while the Hoosiers try desperately to squeak in a field goal here and there. Last year’s score: 62-10 Purdue. (Yes, Brennan, I know Indiana won in 2007.)
This year however, my excitement is all but gone. I had anticipated being upset by the fact that I’d be at Startup Weekend this Saturday and wouldn’t be able to join the usual Purdue Alumni crew at Dorrian’s Red Hand on the Upper East Side to watch my Boilers beat down an admittedly improved Crimson and Cream-puff team. This was, of course, before last week’s losses to Michigan State and Penn State by PU and IU, respectively. Now, instead of being the clash of the State Schools to see who goes on to a (pathetic) Bowl Game and who goes home crying, it’s more of a battle to determine who is less of an embarrassment.
Thanks Startup Weekend, for giving me an excuse to not sit and cry into my Green Dragons and quesadillas while watching what could be the most depressing three hours of the season. (Yes, a loss to IU by any score is worse than a shutout to Wisconsin.) I was in Bloomington with beau Brennan Knotts in 2007 when we lost to IU by 3, allowing them to move on to their first bowl game in Lord knows how long. I don’t think I could handle watching it even from my favorite sports spot in Manhattan with him again, even with the support of my NYC Boilers.
Boiler Up, fellas. It’s too late to save the season, but it’s not too late to add another P to the bucket.
LeBron James sheds ’23′ in honor of Michael Jordan
I have to say, I’m impressed by LeBron James’ attitude and initiative in his current undertaking. In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t follow the NBA very closely. While most Americans could easily point out James in a lineup, I can’t go much further than to say that I know he plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, came to the NBA straight out of high school, and that I saw him play slaughter the Indiana Pacers in the 2008-2009 season at Conseco Fieldhouse.
I suppose a guy with such a story could easily be though of as cocky and conceited, only looking out for number one. It has come to my attention, however, that Mr. James has actually put out a petition to remove the honor of wearing the number 23 from all NBA players, including himself, in homage to the great Michael Jordan.
Wow, what a statement. Being a child of the 90′s, back when the NBA was more widely followed by the masses, we all wanted to be ‘Like Mike.’ Everyone’s favorite team was the Bulls, we all knew that Jordan was 6’6″, many had the ‘Wingspan’ poster that covered half a bedroom wall, and we all ate Wheaties and drank Gatorade in attempts to be as cool as the King of the Courts.
It comes as no surprise to me then that many NBA pros of this generation still see Jordan as an icon, as the one who really set tone for the NBA in the 90′s and early aughts. LeBron is quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times to have said, “There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn’t Michael Jordan first.” Well said, Mr. James.
It turns out that many teams are currently without a number 23 as it is, so perhaps LeBron James will get his way in the near future. He’s already requested his own jerseys be switched to 6, the number he dons for the Olympics.
I’m very interested to see how this will play out. Lofty goals are often hard to accomplish but if anyone has the chance to pull this off, I’d have to say a kid who had pro teams fighting for him before his 18th birthday has a pretty decent shot at it.
Colts v. Patriots 2009 – Best Game Ever
The distinction of ‘Best Game Ever’ is probably going overboard. Let’s call it the ‘Best 4th Quarter Ever,’ since the Colts didn’t really start playing until somewhere around 45 minutes into the match. My roommate and I were absolutely on the edge of our seats, as was, I imagine, any Indy fan who actually kept the game on past the half. For those who didn’t, I’m sure they are kicking themselves this morning.
The game was nothing short of painful for Indy fans after our first touchdown. Interceptions, turnovers, and a total lack of defense left me wondering where my team went and why someone called upon the Browns come and play for them on this, the showdown of all showdowns in the 2009 season. I know our secondary is mostly in the infirmary, but I really thought we’d have a better showing than what I saw for most of the game. As with many fans at Lucas Oil Stadium, I had all but given up on our undefeated season.
Then the fourth quarter came, and everything boiled down to the ‘Call Heard ‘Round The World’ with 2:08 left in the game. What was with Belichick’s decision to go for it on 4th and 2? I will never understand why the Pats didn’t punt. I will admit that I ‘sports hate’ Bill Belichick, but I certainly do respect him as a coach, as well as his vast amount of experience. Why, then, did it not make sense to drive the Colts back as far as possible on the fourth down instead of trying for the last two yards? Indy’s defense had more than shown it was fired up during the possession, making the conversion all but out of reach. Even with the renewed vigor, after all of the errors the Colts made, they were anything but sure to make it to the end zone on the next possession. I just don’t get it. I don’t have to though, because no one is paying me to analyze NFL games (yet), the Colts won and Belichick looks like the fool.
To note, I don’t want to take anything away from our boy Manning and the spectacular showing of the offense in coming back from such a deficit with so little time remaining on the clock. As previously mentioned, our defense was also burning it up in those final minutes. Had the Patriots’ punt team driven the Colts back into their own territory, there was definitely a chance of clenching the game with another touchdown. I’m just sayin’ Belichick made our team’s job much, much easier.
Adding to my Sunday excitement was the Bengals close win over the Steelers at Pittsburgh, which no New York station showed. Who Dey?! Finally, Drew Brees and the Saints remain unbeaten after a way-too-close-for comfort victory over the less than stellar Rams, which I was also incapable of seeing from my Manhattan apartment. So, a terrible college football weekend was quickly made up for by my favorite pro teams. I’ll take what I can get!
Also worth a read: The article by 13-year Patriots veteran Tedy Bruschi on the message Belichick’s decision sent to his defense. Amazing how our actions have so many unforseen consequences, eh?
Jennifer calls him ‘Ochostinko’
I went all day not without commenting on the Ochocinco bribery incident. I decided that the only statement to be made would be a negative one, and that obviously flies in the face of my positivity training.
I just can’t stand it.
What the…? Seriously Chad, seriously? Did you really think you wouldn’t get in trouble for bribing an official to make a call in your favor, no matter how much you were joking? I’m at a loss for words. What’s wrong with this kid?
No one is arguing (at least I hope not) that this was a ruse. But for all that is holy on the gridiron, did he really think he could get away with borrowing a dollar and trying to hand it to a ref in front of all of those cameras? Did he really think he wouldn’t get a slap on the wrist for his attempt at humor?
Who gave him the dollar to begin with? Maybe we should begin by placing some blame there. Don’t encourage this behavior! Obviously the league is getting sick of his ways as well, as they have gone so far as to charge him with violating “Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (f) of the Playing Rules which prohibits possession or use of extraneous objects that are not part of the uniform during the game on the field or sideline.” Seems a bit ridiculous, but given the circumstances and the player involved, I say ‘bravo’.
First the mustard, now this. No wonder Jennifer (Gardner, the better half of the Megifer pair) calls him Ochostinko. And no, JLG, I honestly don’t think he knows that ‘ocho cinco’ means ‘eight five’ and not ‘eighty-five’.
Seriously?!
(Brennan, Kyle, I’m sorry. I broke. I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.)
Foursquare = Potential Obsession
I was turned onto location-based service foursquare about a month ago. An iPhone app and website dedicated to ‘helping you find new ways to explore the city’ seemed like the perfect pocket guidebook for me, since I’m still relatively new to New York City. Basically, the app allows you to see what restaurants, bars and other spots are in your close vicinity, which helps if you’re an Upper West Sider roving the East Village looking for some sushi and don’t want to ask around for fear of seeming like a tourist.
In reality it’s a game, and it’s addicting. You get points for every ‘check-in’, badges for completing certain tasks, and if you’re a frequent visitor of certain spots you become the mayor of the spot. (I’m mayor of the my company’s headquarters, in case anyone was curious.) It’s crazy; I joined the site hoping to find some sweet deals on drinks or food, and though I have yet to use any specials, I continue to check in. I check in daily at work, hence my being the mayor, and I am constantly searching to see if my next destination is listed. If it isn’t, you had better believe I’m adding it.
This foursquare thing hasn’t become a full-blown addiction yet. There are times I travel to new places and don’t pull out the app, but I do find myself upset at realizing those situations afterward. One day, I hope to use foursquare for its non-gaming purpose of connecting friends and being easy access to great venues across Manhattan.
90′s Flashback: Did anyone ever actually play foursquare in elementary school? It became the thing to do at Slate Run in, I believe, fourth grade. I was a champ, no doubt.
