PH4H Blog

Sixth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em Results

2011-04-05T11:59:00.000-04:00

The winner of the Sixth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em Contest -- and the only one to correctly pick Connecticut -- is Andy.

Here are the final standings:

Andy: 344 points, 31 correct picks
Dara: 274 points, 36 correct
Aaron: 202 points, 39 correct
Inbal: 185 points, 38 correct
Dan: 179 points, 34 correct
Rachel: 163 points, 32 correct
Justin: 154 points, 32 correct
Jeff: 141 points, 28 correct
Steve: 91 points, 22 correct

If you had picked all the higher seeds, you would have wound up in 6th place overall with 168 points and 38 correct picks. Conversely, if you had picked all the lower seeds, you would have wound up in last place with 77 points and 7 correct picks.

Sixth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em

2011-03-14T10:38:00.002-04:00

The PH4H Tournament pool is back for the sixth straight year!

To make things random and exciting (allegedly), it utilizes a scoring system that uses a point multiplier based on seeding, which (allegedly) encourages participants to pick upsets. (We also encourage making picks based on loyalty to schools, or because you happen to like their mascot.)

And, in our inimitable fashion, the winners are the people with the highest and lowest scores (i.e., even if your picks stink, the only way you're not in the running is if you don't play).

So, if you played before, all you need to do is log in with the username and password you used before, and you should automatically be back in the user group. Then just make your picks before the tournament begins (for real, none of this "First Four" b.s.) on Thursday.

If you haven't played before, or if you want to invite others, go ahead. Just go to the league's website (http://ph4h.mayhem.sportsline.com), and enter the password "reverse."

Good luck!

Karaoke on H Street NE!

2011-01-13T17:21:00.003-05:00

Two places do karaoke up there, and this month there's a karaoke championship ... read more: H Street NE becomes D.C.'s karaoke capital.

PH4H Team of Destiny

2011-01-07T12:10:00.003-05:00

The Seahawks are in the playoffs with a 7-9 record. The Onion is on the story:

Seattle Coach Pete Carroll: Seahawks Only Need 3 Losses To Reach Super Bowl

Post column on panhandling

2010-11-30T11:38:00.002-05:00

In today's Metro section—Panhandlers and guilt: Dealing with uncomfortable truths and lies.

Jose Guillen in the news

2010-10-28T21:27:00.000-04:00

Hey, did you hear the story about former National Jose Guillen being left off of the Giants' post-season roster because of a drug investigation?

The last Cristian Guzman post?

2010-07-30T15:59:00.001-04:00

The Washington Post reports that the Nationals have traded Cristian Guzman to the Rangers.

Miguel Batista in a swimsuit?

2010-07-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

Two words: No thanks. But it's a funny exchange he has been having with Miss Iowa. (Look for the second brief.) I do think we should go support Batista if he gets the start on Sunday, though.

Former National League Comeback Player of the Year . . .

2010-07-07T16:35:00.001-04:00

Dmitri Young was arrested for marijuana.

It's where they make lawnmowers. Right.

2010-06-15T16:29:00.001-04:00

Nice headline on Nationals.com today:

Hot-hitting Nationals take a spin in Mowtown

Lost in Stephen Strasburg's start Sunday was a Nats offense that scored nine runs on 16 hits. Washington will try to keep swinging hot bats today at 7:05 p.m. ET in Detroit. Preview >

Cristian Guzman's triple play

2010-05-20T10:57:00.008-04:00

If this blog has any life left at all, we must note that Cristian Guzman hit into a triple play last night (see it here). Of course, the blame lies mostly with the overeager baserunners, and perhaps a little with the umpires (who initially did not clearly rule that the ball was caught), but still.

ESPN's news crawl noted that he hit into an "inning-ending triple play." You heard it here first: If there's ever a triple play that does not end an inning, I'll open an empanada restaurant. (I'll keep some recipes handy, because any Missouri football fan knows that the rules don't always work.)

Wesley Willis Goes to School

2010-03-29T14:34:00.003-04:00

So a few weeks ago my class was doing some arts and crafts work (yeah, I know, I teach English but sometimes you need to mix it up with the activities.) Anyhow, I thought it would be fun to listen to music at the same time. So for a while I played some of my own music but then I thought it would be interesting to see what my students are always listening to on their ipods. After telling them it must be school-appropriate, one boy plugged in his Ipod and proceeded to play Wesley Willis' "Rock and Roll McDonalds" I was shocked! I let it run, and surprisingly the students liked it. I must say that was one of the weirdest moments of the school year. I thought you guys would like to know that the younger generation also digs Wesley.

Fifth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em

2010-03-17T16:38:00.005-04:00

The PH4H Tournament pool is back for the fifth straight year! As in the past, it utilizes a scoring system that uses a point multiplier based on seeding, to encourage picking upsets.

As usual, the winners are the people with the highest and lowest scores (i.e., even if your picks stink, the only way you're not in the running is if you don't play).

So all you need to do is log in with the username and password you used before, and you should automatically be back in the user group. Then just make your picks before the tournament begins on Thursday.

If you want to invite others, go ahead. Just have them go to this website (http://ph4h.mayhem.sportsline.com), and enter the password "reverse."

Good luck!

(Oh, and as a side note, I can't run the NIT Challenge this year, seeing as I will be unable to keep score manually while on the road. Anyone want to take over?)

Help Wanted: Wienermobile Driver

2010-02-22T20:11:00.005-05:00

Anyone looking for a career change? Oscar Meyer is looking for people to drive the Wienermobile.

Puns are apparently an extra added bonus.

In case of winter storm warning

2010-02-04T21:56:00.004-05:00

Snow in the forecast! Preparedness is the best defense ... YOU need http://snowpocalypsedc.com/.

Empanada sighting

2010-01-21T10:44:00.002-05:00

Empanadas de leche and empanadas de piña at Castro's Bakery, which has locations in Arlington (on Wilson Blvd.) and Falls Church (Wilson Blvd. at Seven Corners, even though the address suggests Rt. 50). The empanada de leche was mostly hollow but very good.

The president vs. the Super Bowl

2010-01-19T09:53:00.002-05:00

This is awesome. As reported in the New Yorker.

Jiffy Lube Live

2010-01-11T16:44:00.003-05:00

Doesn't that sound exciting? Well, it's the venue formerly known as Nissan Pavilion. I think they should offer free oil changes while you're waiting to get out of the parking lot. I also think they should serve oil change stout from the Flat Branch brewery in Columbia, Mo. (the first drink I had upon turning 21).

He should have bet an empanada

2009-12-11T09:46:00.004-05:00

I thought about offering to sing "Hail to the Redskins" backwards if the Redskins had beaten the Saints on Sunday. As noted by the Washington Post, a New Orleans man let his Facebook friends bring over their guns and take out his flat-screen—because the Saints won.

Oops!

2009-12-04T16:51:00.001-05:00

Empanadas are in the news!

2009-11-20T17:43:00.002-05:00

There's a whole article devoted to our favorite betting currency in the Express.

Rock on!

2009-10-28T12:31:00.002-04:00

Yeah! It's a music video of ... the Society for Neuroscience meeting I covered Oct. 17-21? Yeah. It's not even very informative—recording is prohibited at most sessions.

Premeditated Mascoticide

2009-10-08T16:41:00.001-04:00

Even Mets fans agree: Mr. Met must die.

Anyone interested in Nationals playoff tickets?

2009-09-24T12:20:00.004-04:00

Someone might want to tell Stub Hub that they have made a grievous error:

Ummmm.... maybe I should avoid Nationals Park for a while...

2009-07-15T14:56:00.002-04:00

At least according to this potentially not-safe-for-work Onion article.

The All-Ryan Team

2009-07-09T17:50:00.003-04:00

Did anyone else catch Dave Sheinin's All-Ryan Team? Reminded me of many ballpark conversations about themes for fantasy baseball teams . . . .

How Bad are the Nationals

2009-07-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

They can lose to Alan Embree when he doesn't throw a single pitch.

Jeff Suppan for Sale on Ebay

2009-06-30T09:52:00.001-04:00

Should we pool our PH4H resources and buy him?

Arlington: The Rap

2009-06-12T09:28:00.001-04:00

I'm speechless.

All PH4H Ballot

2009-06-01T14:52:00.006-04:00

Usually, this time of year, at least one of us is sitting at the baseball stadium, filling out an All-Star Ballot with the All-PH4H team. I plan on doing that this Wednesday (while likely watching Randy Johnson get his 300th victory against the team that I usually root for, but am now just hoping that they don't screw up getting the number one draft pick for two years in a row).

So I did a little research. If I were to fill out my PH4H ballot today -- based on a complicated mathematical formula involving general ineptitude, propensity towards committing errors, and presence on the ballot -- my teams would likely be:

American League
C -- D. Navarro
1B -- C. Davis
2B -- J. Lopez
SS- O. Cabrera
3B -- A. Beltre
OF -- D. Murphy, A. Rios, B. Upton

National League
C -- J. Kendall
1B -- J. Cantu (even though I'd like to pick A. Dunn for the sheer awfulness of his infrequent play at 1B)
2B -- D. Uggla
SS -- R. Furcal
3B -- K. Kouzmanoff
OF -- A. Soriano, C. Young, J. Francoeur

Beware the sausages

2009-05-21T13:59:00.001-04:00

If you're tired of watching the Nationals, perhaps a sausage-cannon fail will distract you.

Advancements in Panhandling

2009-05-06T10:04:00.002-04:00

Ok, so it's not exactly Panhandling FOR the Homeless, but it's the next best thing... making better, and much more amusing, signs for the panhandlers.

At least they lose in novel ways

2009-05-01T09:37:00.003-04:00

An empanada for all regular readers of this blog (a shout-out to both of you) if the following happen in a single half-inning another time this baseball season: 2 walks, a hit batsman, an error, a relief pitcher balks in a run before throwing his first pitch, a player steals third. They do not have to happen in that order.

Unsubtle enough?

2009-04-27T22:27:00.000-04:00

Has Manny Acta Been Fired Yet?

Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em -- Final Results

2009-04-19T19:11:00.003-04:00

This is a week and a half late, but I have a very good excuse.

Anyway, the winner of the Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em is Dan.

Here are the final standings:

1. Dan: 267 points, 46 correct picks
2. Steve: 258 points, 40 correct picks
3. Aaron: 239 points, 44 correct picks
4. Andy: 223 points, 39 correct picks
5. Rachel: 216 points, 39 correct picks
6. Jason: 203 points, 40 correct picks
7. Jeff: 193 points, 37 correct picks
8. Dara: 180 points, 37 correct picks
9. Inbal: 157 points, 34 correct picks
10. Caroline: 154 points, 27 correct picks
11. Bo: 139 points, 35 correct picks

If you had picked all the higher seeds, you would have wound up in 6th place overall with 210 points and 45 correct picks.

Stoopid Nats News

2009-04-19T19:01:00.004-04:00

Anyone catch this on Friday? From D.C. Sports Bog and NBC News:

At last night's Marlins versus Nationals game, the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn wore uniforms with their team misspelled. Look closely, see that? You see it's Nat-in-als? Where's the 'O' everybody? Anyway, later in the game both players changed into correctly spelled uniforms.

Empanadas in the news

2009-04-15T13:13:00.005-04:00

Yes, that's right. For Chileans, Passion Translates to Empanadas, reports the New York Times. Kudos to my sister for passing along this gem. I now totally want to travel for 10 days eating empanadas. Hmm, how could I raise money for a trip like that?

Fourth Annual PH4H NIT Pool Winner

2009-04-01T10:58:00.004-04:00

The winner of the Fourth Annual PH4H Men's NIT Pick'em contest is . . . Jeff, with 16 correct picks for 22 points. No one picked Baylor vs. Penn State in the finals, so the scores did not change at all since last week.

Here's the final tally, in case anyone still cares.

1. Jeff: 16 correct picks, 22 points.
2. Justin: 15 correct picks, 21 points.
3. Dan: 14 correct picks, 17 points.
4. Dara: 13 correct picks, 17 points.

For the record, I keep the NIT score sheets in my office -- in a yellow manila file in my desk file drawer. One of these days, someone is going to need something, and I'm going to tell them to look in my desk, and they are going to find this file of old NIT brackets. I'm hopeful that it'll be someone with a good sense of humor, or at least an appreciation of the absurd.

Some competition for PH4H

2009-03-31T10:09:00.004-04:00

Someone has taken our idea and made it a reality. Courtesy of the guys at Freakonomics:

Does panhandling work better through the web? A Houston father and son team thinks so. They gave a homeless man named Timothy Dale Edwards a sign to hold while panhandling; it directed passersby to his website, PimpThisBum.com. In less than two months, the site has garnered $50,000 in pledges and donations. The project’s creators believe its success has to do with the sign’s humor and the faux-tactless domain name. We’d like to suggest another reason: appeals for money encouraging credit card use are far more effective than appeals calling for cash, according to a a recent study. Somebody please notify Gay Talese.

Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em -- Third and Fourth Round Results

2009-03-30T13:07:00.002-04:00

The third and fourth rounds of the Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em Contest are over. Here are the standings:

1. Aaron: 239 points, 44 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
2. Andy: 223 points, 39 correct picks, 48 possible points remaining
3. Dan: 219 points, 44 correct picks, 48 possible points remaining
4. Rachel: 216 points, 39 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
5. Steve: 210 points, 38 correct picks, 48 possible points remaining
6. Jason: 203 points, 40 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
7. Jeff: 193 points, 37 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
8. Dara: 180 points, 37 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
9. Caroline: 154 points, 27 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining
10. Inbal: 141 points, 33 correct picks, 64 possible points remaining
11. Bo: 139 points, 35 correct picks, 0 possible points remaining

If you picked all the higher seeds, you would be in 7th place overall, with 194 points, 44 correct picks, and 16 possible points remaining.

Illinois State Makes the Final Four!

2009-03-30T09:41:00.001-04:00

... of the Women's NIT. But it's still the first time they'll be playing in April.

Fourth Annual PH4H NIT Pool Update -- Quarterfinals

2009-03-26T12:05:00.003-04:00

The NIT final four is now set: San Diego State, Baylor, Notre Dame, and Penn State. Accordingly, the scores from the quarterfinal round of the 2009 PH4H Men's NIT pool are in:

1. Jeff: 16 correct picks, 22 points, 0 possible points remaining.
2. Justin: 15 correct picks, 21 points, 8 possible points remaining (if San Diego State wins).
3. Dan: 14 correct picks, 17 points, 0 possible points remaining.
4. Dara: 13 correct picks, 17 points, 0 possible points remaining.

The next round takes place on March 31. And, as in the past, our competition will be decided before it gets to the actual NIT championship game.

That fireball there in the river—just ignore that

2009-03-24T15:35:00.003-04:00

Says an Arlington Alert message today:

“Tomorrow March 25 between 9:30 and noon, CBS Paramount pictures will be filming a TV scene on the Potomac River near the Key Bridge in which special effects (loud noise and fire) will simulate a small water vessel being blown up. This will be a heavily monitored and controlled event lasting only a few seconds. There is no cause for alarm.”

Thought you might want to know. And it's kind of funny.

Fourth Annual PH4H NIT Pool Update -- Round 2

2009-03-24T12:18:00.002-04:00

The scores from the second round of the 2009 PH4H Men's NIT pool are in:

1. Jeff: 15 correct picks, 18 points
2. Dan: 14 correct picks, 17 points
2. Justin: 14 correct picks, 17 points
4. Dara: 13 correct picks, 17 points

The second round ends on Thursday, and the points will again double. For the record, the only team left in Jeff's final four is Notre Dame. Dan and I both have St. Mary's and Florida in our final four. Justin also has two teams left -- San Diego State and Penn State.

Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em -- Second Round Results

2009-03-23T14:07:00.004-04:00

The second round of the Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em Contest is over:

1. Steve: 178 points, 33 correct picks
2. Rachel: 176 points, 34 correct
3. Aaron: 175 points, 37 correct
4. Andy: 159 points, 33 correct
5. Dara: 156 points, 33 correct
6. Jason: 155 points, 33 correct
7. Dan: 147 points, 34 correct
8. Caroline: 130 points, 25 correct
9. Jeff: 129 points, 31 correct
10. Bo: 115 points, 30 correct
11. Inbal: 105 points, 27 correct

Of course, everyone knows this contest was designed to encourage picking upsets. If you picked all higher seeds, you would have gotten 146 points with 36 correct picks -- which is statistically better than any of us, but only 8th place in terms of points. On the other hand, if you picked all upsets, you would have gotten 108 points with 10 correct picks -- and would be unable to get any more points. Both illustrate that favorites generally win. But I'm also considering this as statistical validation that the scoring system is, indeed, achieving its desired result -- and that you can't game the system by "picking chalk."

Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em -- First Round Results

2009-03-21T10:33:00.003-04:00

The first round of the tournament is over. My heart is already broken, and my bracket is already busted. Still, life goes on. Here are the current results of the Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em:

1. Andy: 121 points, 23 correct picks
2. Jason: 119 points, 24 correct
3. Dara: 116 points, 24 correct
4. Steve: 116 points, 23 correct
5. Aaron: 113 points, 24 correct
6. Rachel: 112 points, 23 correct
7. Caroline: 106 points, 20 correct
8. Jeff: 85 points, 21 correct
9. Dan: 83 points, 20 correct
10. Inbal: 77 points, 19 correct
11. Bo: 69 points, 19 correct

By way of comparison, if you picked all higher seeds, you would have gotten 82 points with 22 correct picks -- and if you picked all lower seeds, you would have gotten 108 points with 10 correct picks.

Fourth Annual PH4H NIT Pool Update -- Round 1

2009-03-19T14:13:00.004-04:00

The scores from the first round of the 2009 PH4H Men's NIT pool are in:

1. Jeff: 12 correct picks, 12 points
2. Dan: 11 correct picks, 11 points
2. Justin: 11 correct picks, 11 points
4. Dara: 9 correct picks, 9 points

The second round ends on Tuesday. As usual, point values double.

Fourth Annual PH4H NIT Pick-em

2009-03-16T23:17:00.002-04:00

This is what everyone's really been waiting for: The Fourth Annual NIT pool.

Here's the bracket. Get me your picks before the first game tips off tomorrow evening.

Fourth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick 'em

2009-03-16T11:22:00.002-04:00

The PH4H Tournament pool is back for the fourth straight year! Like the last few years, it utilizes a scoring system that uses a point multiplier based on seeding, to encourage picking upsets.

And, in our inimitable fashion, the winners are the people with the highest and lowest scores (i.e., even if your picks stink, the only way you're not in the running is if you don't play).

So all you need to do is log in with the username and password you used before, and you should automatically be back in the user group. And once the brackets are released, all you need to do is make your picks before the tournament begins.

If you want to invite others, go ahead. Just have them go to this website (http://ph4h.mayhem.sportsline.com), and enter the password "reverse."

Good luck!

PH4H Mr. Teen Baseball

2009-02-20T14:04:00.004-05:00

The inaugural award goes to ... Carlos Alvarez Daniel "Esmailyn Gonzalez" Lugo (whose name, but not DOB, has been corrected on the linked site). He gets the award even though he "may have been duped as much as anyone"—at least that's what his agent says.

PH4H Game of the Year?

2009-02-19T09:04:00.002-05:00

As I told Dan last night, the good news for me is that Illinois held Penn State to 38 points last night. The bad news is Penn State held Illinois to 33.

Dan is wondering when the second half starts.

Ummm, seriously?

2009-02-18T23:19:00.002-05:00

It's a Snuggie Pub Crawl!

http://www.snuggiepubcrawl.com/Locations/DC/

Fail blog

2009-02-06T23:23:00.002-05:00

Since it has been awhile since the last post, and since some hadn't heard of this site when I mentioned earlier, check out failblog.org.

Second Annual PH4H Empanada Bowl Results

2009-01-10T13:04:00.006-05:00

The results of the Second Annual PH4H Empanada Bowl are in. (Actually, they've been in since late Thursday night, but I've been lazy.)

(names partially redacted to protect the mostly-innocent)

Congrats, Bo. You should be proud.

Bitter Over Bridge Closings

2009-01-09T15:16:00.002-05:00

Apparently Northerners have not forgotten the Civil War and they are subversively taking it out on the South through the Presidential Inauguration. I think I overheard the Secret Service saying "They tried to split off of our country in order to continue slavery, causing some 600,000 casualities...how can we exact our revenge? I got it! Close four bridges for a day! That'll do it."

Alright Confederacy, we're even now.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803900.html?hpid=topnews

We're so proud. Now board up your windows.

2009-01-09T13:36:00.005-05:00

So I get this e-mail from the "Arlington Alert" system:

Subject: Inauguration Alert from Arlington County
To: "Arlington Alert Subscribers"
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 3:21 PM

Arlington is proud to be an important part of the Presidential Inauguration and celebrations. Arlington is expecting record crowds during the entire inaugural weekend January 17-20. Crowds and events during this weekend will affect all residents.

To prepare for this event, pretend a hurricane is coming during that weekend and expect large crowds, congestion, traffic and many delays. Getting around will be difficult at best so a common sense approach will be important. Be informed, make a plan, be prepared.

For tips on preparing for this historic event, road closures, and other information about the inauguration activities, visit www.arlingtonva.us search for 'inauguration."

My sister's comment: "Large crowds turn out for hurricanes where you live? That seems like questionable risk management."

Snuggie vs. Slanket: An Investigation

2009-01-06T18:06:00.006-05:00

Sunday night, I was watching football with Andy and it was very very cold. I told him that I wanted one of those blanket things with sleeves -- a Slanket -- which had been recommended to me by a friend. But then we saw a commercial for another version of it -- a Snuggie -- for less than half the price, plus a free book light.

So, being me, I decided to investigate. Before I went to bed, I sent an email to the Slanket people:

I am trying to decide between buying a Snuggie and a Slanket. I have a friend that recommended your product, but yours costs $44.95 -- whereas I can get two Snuggies and a book light for $19.95, plus shipping. So why should I buy yours instead of the other one? What makes yours worth the extra money?

Thanks.

The creator of the Slanket wrote back, less than 7 hours later:

Jan 5, 2009 06:31:25 AM, gary@theslanket.com wrote:

Hello!

Thank you so much for reaching out to us and The Slanket. We appreciate your interest and you for taking the time out to drop us a note.

The facts are: We are the original for this type of product and have been making a quality Slanket backed with attentive customer service and appreciation for a few years now. This knock off is an extremely poor quality product. It is smaller, the material is half the weight, and is overall not something you would want laying around your living room.

The Slanket is much larger, and is 310gsm, which refers to the weight. This knock off is 170gsm. Besides the blatant product differences, I can assure you that the other company could care less about their customers and you will see this through the service you get, if you get any. We will always take care of you, from today on to the future. Having contacted us now, we now consider you part of the Slanket family and will always be available for anything you might need.

I hope I have answered your questions.

We wish a happy and healthy new year to you and your family,

Gary H. Clegg
SlanketLounginLLC
www.theslanket.com

This kind of customer service should be rewarded -- or, at least, noted.

The Festivus Kiosk

2008-12-22T09:12:00.001-05:00

Read about folks' grievances—not just of the "Seinfeld" variety—here.

The Second Annual PH4H Empanada Bowl

2008-12-16T15:19:00.001-05:00

What a guy

2008-12-09T18:06:00.006-05:00

OK, so this morning they arrested the governor of Illinois. Seems he allegedly "conspired to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat in exchange for financial benefits for himself and his wife." Well, at least ... what's that? The FBI says he also thought about "appointing himself to the Senate seat, saying he was 'stuck' at governor and might have access to more resources as a senator than as a governor." Good, then. Did you know that a friend of ours — wait. Huh? The guv and his chief of staff also apparently dabbled in the efforts of the Tribune Company (that fine, financially something institution) to sell the Cubs, not to mention the financing or sale of Wrigley Field? And said "that state assistance would be withheld unless members of the Chicago Tribune's editorial board were fired," because Blago "saw them as 'driving discussion of his possible impeachment'"? This is starting to sound serious. Anyway, our friend interned for Blagojevich when he was a member of the U.S. House. And ... hold on. The attorney says the governor "was looking to pull $8 million in funding for a children's hospital after the hospital's chief executive officer did not give a $50,000 contribution to the governor's campaign." Well, that's a winner.

There is one heart-warming note to the story. Tomorrow is Blagojevich's birthday. (I hear bail money is big in gift-giving circles these days.) Also, the Trib might sell some extra newspapers. And, last but not least, I know how to spell "Blagojevich."

I say, bring back the last guy. Oh, crap.

Merry Hanukkah

2008-11-26T16:26:00.002-05:00

Someone organizes a Christmanukka party, and the next thing you know, the White House puts a Christmas tree on its Hanukkah invitation.

Eww

2008-11-19T10:25:00.003-05:00

Sign in the elevator in my building: "Please do not pour holiday grease down your kitchen drain, as it may potentially back up your kitchen drain and your neighbors."

Here's to not having clogged neighbors.

Who I might see at the neighborhood mall

2008-11-18T09:52:00.002-05:00

Gaggles of annoying 8th-graders. Younger children with harried-looking parents. The prime minister of Italy.

We're funding what?

2008-11-13T13:21:00.003-05:00

According to a Washington Post article about jobs that will be vacated when Bush leaves office, "Many of the positions are highly specific, such as assistant secretary for terrorist financing at the Treasury Department." Shouldn't that be against terrorist financing?

Gone South

2008-10-29T10:15:00.004-04:00

Time to end the PH4H hiatus with news that North Carolina is the new Virginia (look for the map about 2 minutes in).

The Great Schlep

2008-10-05T15:50:00.001-04:00

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Neighborhood non-emergency of the month

2008-09-25T15:31:00.001-04:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/25/AR2008092501773.html

What will happen next month? Stay tuned! In the meantime, it seems as though you may want to stay away from me this week.

Abnormally fast vibrato

2008-09-24T09:34:00.002-04:00

About 7:45 last night, running about 5 minutes late for orchestra rehearsal, I was behind this guy on 395.

I mean that literally: I flashed my headlights at him because he was driving without his lights on. Then two police cars sped past, soon to be joined by about two dozen more. I could see the first couple officers get out, guns drawn, and take cover behind their cars, which were probably 100 feet in front of me with a couple of civilians' cars between us. The suspect's car was also in my line of sight, which was a bit disconcerting, seeing as how I was not taking cover behind my car.

Eventually the police at the back of the, um, convention? directed those of us who were stuck to get off on the GW Parkway going south, so I turned around at the airport and eventually got to rehearsal ... only about 25 minutes late, and without getting shot. It was a good day.

WTF?

2008-09-18T12:10:00.001-04:00

Former Mets minor league pitcher turned actor on trial for killing his girlfriend's cat.

The annual Ricky Williams update

2008-09-12T12:51:00.002-04:00

Clearly we've been ignoring Ricky Williams, the original PH4H poster-boy, for too long. To get our attention, he's gone ahead and negotiated his own contract extension.

Tip: Do not wear around neck

2008-08-20T10:50:00.004-04:00

Washington Post, page 1 of the Sports section:
Cejudo Done Grappling With the Past
Freestyle Wrestler Puts Hardscrabble Life Behind Him, Wins 55-Kilogram Gold Medal

(This one's for all you heavy medal fans out there.)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

2008-08-14T15:44:00.002-04:00

Here's why lunch lasted 2 and a half hours. 15th and I streets NW? Say, that sounds remarkably like the front of my office.

But at least it was not an actual emergency. The all-clear came 45 minutes ago, and to look outside my office window now, you wouldn't know anything happened.

Which doesn't mean it wasn't nerve-racking.

This is Not from The Onion

2008-08-13T13:06:00.002-04:00

This is a real headline from the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz:

"Two Jews and a Black Man Help Phelps Fulfill Olympic Dream"

It's not the U.S. News and World Reports rankings, but . . .

2008-07-31T23:57:00.002-04:00

. . . the University of Florida is ranked as the #1 party school in the country.

I am so proud.

How bad are the Nationals?

2008-07-31T22:18:00.003-04:00

Well, apart from the fact that they have now lost 9 in a row, they are the punchline of baseball jokes.

Illinois' Twin Cities in the news

2008-07-23T17:13:00.004-04:00

My hometown of Bloomington-Normal has been in the news the past couple days, one story cool and the other really not cool.

The FAIL blog

2008-07-17T11:01:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Collarbone High for pointing this out today.

Time for Some Campaignin'

2008-07-16T11:29:00.001-04:00

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

They couldn't retake this?

2008-07-13T17:01:00.001-04:00

I nominate the Orioles' Adam Jones for the worst mug shot ever.

Thanks, Jeff and Amy

2008-07-03T16:13:00.002-04:00

... for having an indoor wedding, under the circumstances.

Save the press

2008-07-03T10:20:00.002-04:00

It's not about bobblehead dolls or empanadas, but I agree with this blog about the collapsing newspaper industry. Which, of course, is only available online.

Where empanada bets go to die

2008-06-24T11:35:00.003-04:00

I just came across an article from the NYTimes a couple weeks ago about food at baseball stadiums. Click on the interactive map, then click on Miami. Think we'd make fewer empanada bets if losing meant immediate payoff at the ballpark?

Hebrew Nationals ... and Angelos

2008-06-19T10:22:00.006-04:00

"Peter Angelos" and "American Friends of Lubavitch" have now been mentioned in the same sentence—with "Nationals Park" appearing in between. According to an item near the end of yesterday's "Reliable Source" column in the Post,

"Peter Angelos [was spotted] at Nationals Park, of all places, for the annual American Friends of Lubavitch benefit dinner on Monday. The Orioles owner joined Nationals owners Ted and Mark Lerner to honor team President Stan Kasten; Rabbi Levi Shemtov gave a shout-out for two kosher hot dog stands at the new ballpark."

I heard the Pope gave a shout-out for the kosher hot dogs when he visited Nationals Park, too. But my sources aren't reliable.

Javon Walker

2008-06-18T13:14:00.004-04:00

I would like to move that this year's PH4H football league be named after Florida State alum and recent mugging victim Javon Walker.

Even though he's only been a fair-to-middling PH4H-league player, being found unconscious on a Las Vegas Street after a night of partying is just about as PH4H-worthy as you can get -- without getting arrested.

Pop the champagne!

2008-06-05T12:05:00.003-04:00

A new karaoke record has been set: 39 hours straight! That's a lot of "pour some sugar on me" ...

A very PH4H trade.....

2008-05-27T10:07:00.002-04:00

The Calgary Vipers have traded pitcher John Odom to the Laredo Broncos for....

10 bats.

"They just wanted some bats, good bats -- maple bats," Broncos general manager Jose Melendez said.

Pat Sajak Bobblehead Giveaway

2008-05-22T17:56:00.005-04:00

If anyone's near Bowie on Sunday, they can they stop by the Baysox game to get a Pat Sajak bobblehead.

What this has to do with minor league baseball, I haven't quite figured out.

Ross Hashanah

2008-05-17T17:17:00.002-04:00

This would not be a good day in the PH4H league

2008-05-13T23:39:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to point out that my alma mater has the awesomest baseball player ever:

The Seminoles catcher played all nine defensive positions -- and hit a grand slam -- in a 10-0 seven-inning victory over Savannah State on Monday.

Carlos Delgado's Agent is a 9-Year Old?

2008-05-12T15:35:00.004-04:00

Judging from this email exchange between Carlos Delgado's agent and a reporter, the 9-year old might be more mature.

Only one of these is supposed to be funny

2008-05-08T22:29:00.002-04:00

Speaking of The Onion, have you all seen their article about Ryan Zimmerman hitting a ball into the Capitol Rotunda?

And, speaking of Ryan Zimmerman, has anyone else read his blog?

"30 Years of Man's Life Disappear in Mysterious 'Kansas Rectangle'"

2008-05-08T13:39:00.003-04:00

The Onion features a front-page story about Kansas this week. Makes me think back to wanting to steal the "Leaving Kansas" signs they post as you exit the state—to make you feel good about leaving, I suppose. Other highlights of the drive across the state, which apparently I should be glad I survived:

Billboards advertising the world's largest prairie dog and a six-legged steer. It's a big tourist destination.
A sign at a (closed) western Kansas gas station that read, "This station guarded by shotgun three nights per week. You guess which three."

Professional Panhandler: Girl Pretends to be Homeless to Pocket Cash

2008-04-27T11:17:00.001-04:00

Can anyone say, "EMPLOYEES"???

http://www.breitbart.tv/html/84523.html

I am speechless

2008-04-22T17:08:00.002-04:00

Speechless with pride, of course, for my alma mater has named its first Kenneth Lay Chair in Economics.

Up next: Princeton's Eliot Spitzer Chair in Ethics. No? Not you either, Harvard Law School? I guess you're not as good as Missouri, then.

(If you haven't seen it, watch "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room.")

Bobbleheadedness

2008-04-10T11:33:00.002-04:00

Please use caution when attiring your pope bobblehead. (The ad is pretty funny.)

Third Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick'em -- Final Scores

2008-04-08T00:06:00.005-04:00

So, here are the final results of the Third Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Challenge:

Andy: 242 points, 36 correct picks
Caroline: 227 points, 32 correct
Steve: 223 points, 42 correct
Dan: 204 points, 39 correct
Justin: 191 points, 40 correct
Jeff: 188 points, 37 correct
Aaron: 178 points, 37 correct
Bo: 173 points, 35 correct
Inbal:154 points, 35 correct
Rachel: 142 points, 17 correct
Dara: 140 points, 30 correct

Andy's win is surprising, considering Caroline was in the lead from the beginning. But it's even more shocking when you find out that Andy won the empanada bobblehead for coming in last place last year.

Third Annual PH4H NIT Pick-'em Challenge, Final Scores

2008-04-03T23:24:00.004-04:00

The Men's NIT is now over, and Ohio State is your champion. Similarly, the Third Annual PH4H NIT Pick-'em Challenge is over, and Bo is the winner.

Here are the final standings:

Bo: 61 points, 25 correct picks
Dara: 39 points, 20 correct
Inbal: 38 points, 22 correct
Rachel: 25 points, 17 correct
Andy: 22 points, 16 correct
Jeff: 21 points, 16 correct
Dan: 19 points, 16 correct
Justin: 16 points, 13 correct

Bunson Honeydew!

2008-04-03T17:13:00.001-04:00

Says the New York Times in an article today:

"Vowing to make New York City the center of the scientific universe — as it is for commerce, art and expensive dining — a panel of university presidents, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein of New York, the actor Alan Alda, the Columbia physicist Brian Greene and a Muppet announced plans on Wednesday for a World Science Festival to be held here at the end of May. ...

Popping up from behind the lectern, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, who described himself as being from Muppet Labs, extolled the family-oriented programs. The most important thing they could show, he said, was "that science can be as explosive and violent as any TV program."

Then he sprayed Dr. Greene with a can of silly string."

Third Annual PH4H NIT Pick-'em, Round 4

2008-04-02T19:43:00.003-04:00

The Men's NIT Semifinals are now over, and the championship will feature Ohio State against UMass. Bo is the only one to have picked either of those teams, which is why he's going to be our winner. The only remaining question is by how much -- but that'll be determined after the championship game tomorrow night.

Here are the current standings:

Bo: 45 points, 24 correct picks
Dara: 39 points, 20 correct
Inbal: 38 points, 22 correct
Rachel: 25 points, 17 correct
Andy: 22 points, 16 correct
Jeff: 21 points, 16 correct
Dan: 19 points, 16 correct
Justin: 16 points, 13 correct

Your Brain on Cubs

2008-04-01T09:32:00.002-04:00

You've heard about the book already, but I invite you to comment on it—on Amazon, on your own blog, on George Will's Newsweek column! And don't forget to come to the panel discussion on April 24 ... I just learned that I get to moderate it, which means I get to ask questions of Bobby Thomson, who hit a pretty famous home run.

More Your Brain on Cubs in the news:

NPR's "Science Friday"
Scientific American interview
MLB.com story
Chicago Daily Herald (book gets panned! The guy is clearly a White Sox fan with a distorted sense of humor)
WJBC (Bloomington, Ill.)
WGN news story
CBS 2 (Chicago) news story (video is not posted)
NBC 5 (Chicago) news story (video is not posted)
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Public Radio