The Lions are killing me

Geez.

Last week, I wasn't really expecting a win heading into the weekend. But the Lions really put on a show. They just couldn't hold on when they lost their starting quarterback. I don't think they had more than 3 first downs without him. And without him, they went from a resounding win against a good Jets team to a loss that stung from the hope that was dashed.

Fast forward to this weekend where I though that they had a chance to put together a win on the road (it has been a few years since we had one of those) but alas they still couldn't put it together till the very end but then it was too little, too late. I was shocked to listen and hear what a conservative game plan they had put together. Was it that Shaun Hill was just back from a broken arm or what, but it felt like they could have moved the ball if only they risked some shots down the field.

Maybe next week will be better.

Political season almost over...

Just thought I would mention that we have received 15+ calls today. On Friday, we had 13 messages on the answering machine, and who knows how many just hung up when they got the machine. Ah, irritation.

Political Grumblings

This year's ballot felt more painful than previous ballots. Usually we have one or two initiatives and then a handful candidates to look through. This then takes about an hour to sift through the initiatives and then look at the history and credentials of the candidates. This year however we have a plethora of initiatives. Plethora! Luckily for me, the candidates made it a little bit easy for me in their selection. Basically if they called me, I didn't vote for them. I would rather write in myself than to vote for someone that has some frakkin' recording call me just to smear another human being.

Seriously don't call me. I vote and I can do my own research. Our phone normally receives one call a week. In the last two weeks, we have received 18 calls.

Nothing new on the home front

September is finished and I am trying to get back in the habit of blogging. Seems that I knew this would happen at some point, but really not much I can or care to talk about. Work is work... and I can't talk about it. Home is good, but I don't feel like talking about it. Many of my hobbies feel pretty small potatoes (gaming and music) and therefore haven't got any writing time. Same goes for football (other than my pain of being a Lions fan).

So that does not leave me with much. Maybe I will find some inspiration to actually put some meaningful words on paper.

On other notes, if you are interesting in writing a novel, November is nanowrimo. It is quite the challenge if you haven't tried.

NFL season starts

Well... it already started, but today is the first Sunday. As per usual, I am going to be placing a bet against my team of choice, the Detroit Lions.

My prediction for the season is 4-12. If they can beat that, I will buy some Lion's slippers. If they can get a winning season, I will grab a jersey.

I do like the fact that they have continued to improve. It is a slow process and it is hard as a fan to remain patient. Especially after years of having to do so. They have to have a winning season again, right? It's only been 9 years.

As for last Thursday game, I thought that both teams played well and definitely enjoyed watching the game. It was kept really close and even though AP didn't get me a lot of fantasy points, definitely gave me a little bit to talk about the next morning.

Alright, are the games on yet?

PAX 2010

I have now completed PAX 2010. This is the 6th year in a row I have attended the gaming party/convention in Seattle. I have some really great memories from the years of going and this year was no different. This year I was able to go with my good friend Jason as well as Scott who I worked with in the spring. The first day was a little tough as I spent time remembering Ben who went with me to 3 of these, but they were great memories.

So what happened? What did I see? What impressed me?

This year had a completely awesome line-up of sessions and talks. There were more good talks than time to hit them all (especially when you consider the lines). Normally I spend a lot of time playing board games and card games with random awesome people, but with all the talks and still needing to hit the expo hall, I was only able to spend a little time doing that.

The keynote by Warren Spector was fantastic and really brought up excellent points about growing this niche community into something large and more welcoming. He mentioned the close knit behavior of the community has lead to to be a bit exclusive and that would not help it. He talked about legislation that we should fight that would limit the ability of developers and visionaries in the industry from creating and expressing what they want to tell in stories, where authors and artists and actors have protections of freedom of speech. We should welcome those that play Farmville as gamers and help introduce them to the fun they can have with all games. Great talk. Great points.

The Penny Arcade Q&A was great. Normally I have to leave those due to some pretty awkward lines of questions, but the questions this year were smart and pointed. The responses from Mike and Jerry were funny and insightful as well. The proposal during the Q&A was very sweet as well.

Perhaps my favorite session was the Acquisitions Inc. D&D live show which involved Mike, Jerry, Scott Kurtz, and Wil Wheaton along with DM Perkins. It was hilarious. Sometimes the players were so funny, that I wondered if it was completed scripted. There is just a good quick wit that it created a wonderful funny story. I have heard rumors they will post the audio from the segment at some point soon and I recommend checking it out.

Wil Wheaton presented later on at his Awesome Hour. He told a short story about playing games with his wife and how as a "non-gamer" and a gamer it was really about spending time together that makes the games we play so absolutely special. Even when we lose on a word like "vux" or "vix".

Bill Amend covered more of his favorites from the FoxTrot collection of comics. What I found to be the best part of the talk was the Q&A where we got to see how he looks at the creative process, love of games, treading into other artists' territories, and also how to almost blow up your house by starting a very old furnace.

Our final session was listening to the XBOX live enforcement team talk about how they wield their banhammer to try and keep Live a place that people want to go to. It was interesting and very, very Microsoft in feel.

My biggest beef with this years PAX was the main theater being at Benaroya hall. The space was just too limited in space and wonder if by extending into the Convention Center Annex we could bring it back up to the old keynote/concert hall. Normally I love to catch the concerts, but this year, I was unable to get in. I barely got into the keynote and I arrived 1 hour early. It seems like we had 2x the space last year that we did this year just so they could expand the expo hall. Hmmm.

As for the expo hall, there were a couple mega exhibits built around Duke Nukem Forever (didn't check out), Portal 2 (didn't check out), Dragon Age 2 (didn't check out), and Deadspace 2 (didn't check out). The lines at these locations were ridiculous. What I did get to do hands on was to take a look at 3D gaming technologies and play a couple of games that had shorter lines. First off, 3D gaming was absolutely incredible. It looks absolutely gorgeous and I truly believe that this is the future of gaming even with the ridiculous glasses. But it definitely isn't now. It doesn't really add anything of value and is mainly like the move from standard def or EGA to high def or SVGA. I checked out Trine and Guild Wars 2 in 3D and in both cases I was floored at their beauty, but felt that something was just missing from the experience and that doesn't even include the massive price tag. I also played Fallout New Vegas which should be a blast when it comes out (and very much like Fallout 3). NBA Jam was lots of fun, but I am not sold on the wiimote and nunchuk form of playing it. The new Mortal Kombat was very pretty and gory. War of the North was really awesome looking. Torchlight 2 was also very impressive and brings much needed multiplayer to an already incredible game.

On the table top front, thank you Steve Jackson Games for Zombie Dice which turned out to be the best line game of all time as it is quick, fun, and easy to pack and move when the lines shift. Otherwise, I didn't really get a chance to do more :(

3 days are gone. I miss it a little already even with the aches and pains from hiking with a loaded backpack. I miss most the really great folks that go and can interact and not be complete jerks about it.

Some memories are the best memories

Good bye my friend...

The internet is about cats

I also get the feeling when I lay on the floor, that the cat is planning to rip my throat out.

NFL draft 2010 revision

Unless there are any trades leading up to the draft, this is my last revision. I tried to predict trades, but as I went through, I didn't see where any team was so in love with a player that they would jump up and grab that player, but that could be related to fact that my news for football is sparse without ESPN or FoxSports. Instead, I make mention of teams looking to move up or down, but I think I am more likely looking at the position that the players will go.

.	1. STL	Sam Bradford	There seems to be a number of teams that are targeting Sam Bradford, but that will likely to fall to the number 1 overall slot. Cleveland would be the only team willing to make the jump to this pick, but historically Holmgren brings in his quarterbacks, instead of drafting them.
.	2. DET	Ndamukong Suh	Suh is the best DT in the draft. Partly I would love to see this pick take place because it makes the Lions a better team, but I would like to see them try to move down if someone becomes enamoured with Jimmy "Pickles" Clausen.
.	3. TB	Gerald McCoy	As with all the top picks, there is a gigantic please trade me sign on them. Unfortunately the top few picks are really a poison on a team where it is not a perennial pro-bowler. I am sure the Bucs would like to trade down to take one of the many defensive linemen that are available and grab a few more picks. But barring that, they will grab some defensive help with McCoy.
.	4. WAS	Russell Okung	There is an obvious void in the offensive line position in Washington and they are going to want to protect their new acquisition. Historically, Shanahan rarely picks a tackle in the draft, but when he does he spends a fairly high pick on him.
.	5. KC	Dez Bryant	If a trade happens early, it will likely be here. KC could use receiver help (Bowe and Chambers haven't helped much) but could also use some help on their linebacker corps. This will likely be made by one teams draft darling or a specific need where there is a high degree of separation between the top player and the next players. But I cannot find the player that will drive a team to move up.
.	6. SEA	Derrick Morgan	With the loss of Patrick Kerney, the Seahawks are in desparate need to upgrade their DE position. This was a need even before losing Kerney.
.	7. CLE	Joe Haden	Sheldon Brown moves from CB to safety to replace Pool. This opens up a hole at CB.
.	8. OAK	Dan Williams	My first thought about what the Raiders would do in this draft would be to pick Tim Tebow given his traits around winning the game. It seemed in character for the Raiders. However I took a more serious look at needs (which QB is definitely on the list), but feel they would like to replace some of the older DT's they have had over the last few years.
.	9. BUF	Trent Williams	Here is a team in shambles. They need a gigantic DT to support the switch to 3-4 but it is too early to go for any of the sizable guys. I also don't think they have given up on their cadre of quarterbacks, and will got deeper again to pick a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round. Instead they are going to shore up they O line which has suffered by grabbing an OT.
.	10. JAX	Rolando McClain	Jacksonville needs help pretty much at every position on defense. Whether for depth or to get a start that can disrupt their opponents. Rolando McClain would be able to help immediately at the MLB position.
.	11. DEN	Jason Pierre-Paul	No Dez? No problem, Denver will go the same route that the Patriots have gone in years past and build a strong core on defense.
.	12. MIA	Eric Berry	Parcells is pretty tired of being burned deep and will attempt to address this with a fast, mobile safety. Pass rush is another need and they could go with Sergio Kindle or Brandon Graham here.
.	13. SF	Bryan Bulaga	Strengthen the o-line or find some depth at cornerback to aid the old guys sitting out back. I think SF will spend the money on o-line which is generally a safer bet and tackle the secondary later with multiple picks.
.	14. SEA	C.J. Spiller	Fast and shifty seems to fit the Pete Carroll mold of running backs.
.	15. NYG	Carlos Dunlap	6'6" and 277 could be a good fit to upgrade the d-line. He has the frame that he could add the additional weight and slide inside or try to stay outside if he can get good burst and low push.
.	16. TEN	Brandon Graham	Tennessee's biggest needs that warrant this high of a pick is either LB or DE. There is some talk of getting a blocking tight end, but it is way too early for that.
.	17. SF	Kyle Wilson	With Kyle Wilson still on the board, the 49ers will select this CB to help with their aging secondary.
.	18. PIT	Sergio Kindle	Pittsburgh could take a WR to help bolster the team, but with the work of Mike Wallace, they will hold off and see if they can get another good one later. Instead they will focus on o-line and defense. Namely Sergio Kindle to help bolster the OLB position.
.	19. ATL	Brandon Spikes	Atlanta will pick this 240lb LB to help with run defense.
.	20. HOU	Earl Thomas	While Houston loves to draft RB, they will do so later in the draft while managing to grab a player who could help at CB or move to S in case of injuries.

.	21. CIN	Jimmy Clausen	One of the few teams where I disagree with the other draftniks for team needs. Did anyone else watch their offense play last year? Palmer has looked shaky and teams are disrupting him easily. Looking at their backups, I think they will take Clausen to put some pressure on Palmer and maybe take his job.
.	22. NE	Jared Odrick	New England loves to trade. I could also see them dealing themselves right out of the first round. I think they see that there are quite a few DT, or LB opportunities in the early second. I don't see them trading with anyone else at the end of this round and they expect to see them in the playoffs. Would love to see Lions moves here to grab Iupati
.	23. GB	Mike Iupati	I don't think Rodgers is as durable as Favre, and hopefully they will look to protect him instead of grabbing another CB which they could use to groom.
.	24. PHI	Jahvid Best	Brian Westbrook part two. They have some other needs but look for Andy Reid to give his new quarterback some extra west coast style firepower.
.	25. BAL	Jermaine Gresham	Adding this big TE could help shift their offensive run calls.
.	26. ARI	Sean Weatherspoon	Paris Lenon is our starting LB? Oh noes.
.	27. DAL	Anthony Davis	Flozell is out and they need someone to compete at LT.
.	28. SD	Terrence Cody	This is a team I could see moving up to Terrence Cody is they get nervous. They deeply need a big body NT and Cody is the best fit for that in the draft. They could even get nervous enough when Buffalo is on the clock.
.	29. NYJ	Everson Griffen	Additional offensive weapons? Check. Defense is solid? Check. Let's just add more of a pass rush.
.	30. MIN	Devin McCourty	Injuries from the previous season will force Minnesota's hand to pick a CB. They would be willing to move in order to find the CB that tickles their fancy.
.	31. IND	Kareem Jackson	Indianapolis needs cornerbacks since they seem to change them like people change their underwear.
.	32. NO	Ryan Matthews	Replacing Mike Bell with another running back seems to be the best fit at this pick.

Some noticeable absences on my most recent revision that I think will still go in the first round or be highly coveted going into round two...

1. Demaryius Thomas
2. Maurkice Pouncey
3. Brian Price
4. Roger Saffold
5. Taylor Mays

NFL draft

I am currently working on my final set of picks, but I thought I would post my first drafts up...

.		4/11/2010		4/13/2010
.	1. STL	Sam Bradford	1. STL	Sam Bradford
.	2. DET	Ndamukong Suh	2. DET	Ndamukong Suh
.	3. TB	Gerald McCoy	3. TB	Gerald McCoy
.	4. WAS	Russell Okung	4. WAS	Russell Okung
.	5. KC	Rolando McClain	5. KC	Rolando McClain
.	6. SEA	Bryan Bulaga	6. SEA	Derrick Morgan
.	7. CLE	Joe Haden	7. CLE	Joe Haden
.	8. OAK	Tim Tebow	8. OAK	Dan Williams
.	9. BUF	Trent Williams	9. BUF	Trent Williams
.	10. JAX	Eric Berry	10. JAX	Eric Berry
.	11. DEN	Derrick Morgan	11. DEN	Dez Bryant
.	12. MIA	Dan Williams	12. MIA	Earl Thomas
.	13. SF	Bruce Campbell	13. SF	Bryan Bulaga
.	14. SEA	C.J. Spiller	14. SEA	C.J. Spiller
.	15. NYG	Jason Pierre-Paul	15. NYG	Jason Pierre-Paul
.	16. TEN	Earl Thomas	16. TEN	Jermaine Gresham
.	17. SF	Kyle Wilson	17. SF	Kyle Wilson
.	18. PIT	Anthony Davis	18. PIT	Demaryius Thomas
.	19. ATL	Sergio Kindle	19. ATL	Sergio Kindle

.	20. HOU	Ryan Matthews	20. HOU	Ryan Matthews
.	21. CIN	Taylor Mays	21. CIN	Jimmy Clausen
.	22. NE	Brandon Graham	22. NE	Brandon Graham
.	23. GB	Mike Iupati	23. GB	Mike Iupati
.	24. PHI	Maurkice Pouncey	24. PHI	Maurkice Pouncey
.	25. BAL	Jared Odrick	25. BAL	Jared Odrick
.	26. ARI	Jimmy Clausen	26. ARI	Brian Price
.	27. DAL	Roger Saffold	27. DAL	Anthony Davis
.	28. SD	Terrence Cody	28. SD	Terrence Cody
.	29. NYJ	Brian Price	29. NYJ	Everson Griffen
.	30. MIN	Devin McCourty	30. MIN	Devin McCourty
.	31. IND	Everson Griffen	31. IND	Roger Saffold
.	32. NO	Sean Weatherspoon	32. NO	Taylor Mays

February update

Well not much new to report from the Pacific Northwest. I continue to enjoy my job most of the time and Miranda is getting bigger while still maintaining her stubborn nature about using the potty. Michelle continues to be involved in the preschool. We have had a couple of firsts lately for Miranda such as roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. She really liked it but was also pretty afraid of the fire (which keeps me pretty happy). Also Miranda has been eating more and more different foods, even liking sushi.

I have gotten some reading and gaming done during the last few months. Really enjoyed Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. It was good to read a classic and also remember some scenes from Bladerunner. Also read Monday Night Jihad, which I really can't recommend to anyone. The writing and character building felt a bit juvenile. Just didn't grab me. Also read Super Freakonomics which is more of what the first one was.

At this point, really don't know what our upcoming plans will be. Probably won't really have plans and just play things by ear.