Goodbye Sky Harbor

Long time no see...

So it's almost been a month since I posted something on here. Mainly because since then I've actually been keeping myself busy rather than sitting in front of my TV in my underwear playing Madden all day.

I'd ask if you missed me, but I'm probably the only one who ends up reading these anyway.

And yes, I have not won shit since the last "How to Lose Pro Line" post. In fact, I haven't even played since, and it's probably saved me money, time, and frustration.

Around this time of year, you see a lot of "Best/Worst of the year" type things. Since I have about an hour to kill I'll write one of my own.

So as you may know, I still avidly buy CDs from music stores.

I can already feel you shaking your head.

So naturally through purchasing all these albums, I get a taste of what I like and what I don't like.

More specifically, what I'm glad I picked up, and what I wished I would have kept on the shelf. I'll start with the ones I'm still listening to.

#1 - Kanye West - My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy



No surprise here. I love Kanye (or Conway as George W. Bush calls him). However, I was really disappointed when he put out 808's and Heartbreak. I just wasn't feeling it. Graduation was good, but nothing amazing. Late Registration had some shining moments, but none of his albums came close to even touching the masterpiece that was College Dropout. That album is one of the rare ones that I can listen to all the way through without even thinking about touching the skip button. I'm THIS close to giving My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy the nod over it. It's absolutely incredible. I could write 9000 pages on why it is sex for your ears, so I'll cut it short and just tell you that you NEED to hear it. Not just one song, let it run all the way through. DO IT NOW.

#2 - Jimmy Eat World - Invented



Probably my favourite band. And just like above, close to being their very best album. If you're anything like me and are a sucker for anything acoustic (10 points to whoever gets that reference), I'd recommend the deluxe edition just for two of the four extra tracks, You & I and the acoustic version of Coffee & Cigarettes. They both feature Courtney Marie Andrews on vocals who has a killer voice.

#3 - Linkin Park - A Thousand Suns



I'm tired of all the "they're not as good as they used to be" or the "they should have never changed their style" comments I hear from fans of artists. Fuck you. Artists mature and refine their sound. If you don't like it, then just listen to their old shit. No one is forcing you to listen to the new stuff. Same thing goes for Linkin Park. Yes we all loved Hybrid Theory and Meteora, but that was years ago. Shit changes. A Thousand Suns is an incredible musical experience. The only knock I have on this album is it's not one that you can listen to song by song, you have to listen to the whole thing at once. But once you hit the last song, The Messenger (finally an acoustic LP song!), you'll agree with me.

#4 - Bedouin Soundclash - Light the Horizon



Root Fire was terrible, that's all I have to say about that. Sounding A Mosaic was a solid album, it was a good listen all the way through, but I felt like nothing really stood out on it. Street Gospels was one of those albums where the first half or so were all stand out songs, but the second half just fell off. So I had high hopes that Light the Horizon would combine what was good about the last two. No complaints from me. Easily their best album. What I like so much about this album are the highs and lows in terms of sound. A Chance of Rain is a song I can picture being played at a family barbecue (my family is Guyanese), while a song like No One Moves, No One Gets Hurt makes me feel like I got captured by some lunatic who wouldn't mind slitting my throat (yeah I'm fucked up, but you knew that). Go get it.

#5 - Jack Johnson - To The Sea



Ah, Mr. Jack Johnson. Here's a man who never disappoints. If you're a fan, I don't even have to convince you to pick this one up. Another great album by another great artist. This album was the soundtrack to all my bike rides along the lake (yes I exercise sometimes). I still can't believe I just didn't call in sick to work so I wouldn't have to sell my ticket to see him play at Molson Ampitheatre. If there's one thing you learn from wasting your time and reading my non-sensical ramblings that I call my blog, it's that lying will set you free.

Honourable mentions: Trapt - No Apologes, Damian Marley and Nas - Distant Relatives, MGMT - Congratulations

Now for my disappointments of 2010...

#1 Weezer - Hurley



I was pretty surprised when I heard that Weezer was releasing a new album not even a year since they put out Raditude. I hadn't even gotten my feet wet listening to that. I should have expected a pretty shitty album. It seems with any artist, that the longer the wait between albums, the better it sounds, and vice-versa. Other than a few songs like Ruling Me, Where's My Sex, and I Want to Be Something (Deluxe Edition only), the album was an actual piece of shit. So to the boys in Weezer (I know they read my blog regularly), just chill for a few years then put out something awesome like I expect from you. Maybe don't fuck for awhile again Rivers?

#2 - Bad Religion - The Dissent of Man



I'll be honest, I haven't listened to this one very much. But I guess it's for a reason, it's actually not a bad album, it's just nothing stands out to me. I had really high expectations for the dudes rocking the crossbuster but they didn't reach them.

#3 - Matt Costa - Mobile Chateau



All I have to say is: what the fuck happened Matt???

#4 - Finger Eleven - Life Turns Electric



I actually listened to this again this morning, it's not that bad, but it's also not that good. Falls into the "only listen to the first half" category. Meh

#5 Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow



This is a really good album. I'd still recommend you buy it. Far might be one of my favourite songs of all time. The reason it's on the list of disappointments is that all of their previous albums were incredible start to finish. This album has a few filler songs that constantly make me reach for the skip button. And another thing...just 54 minutes??? What happened to 12 minute epic finale that was on all the others? The last song on this album I can't even listen to, it's terrible. Take some time off and bang out another masterpiece that kicks my ass (they read the blog too).

Dishonourable mention: Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare

So there you have it, my list of albums you should buy (who am I kidding, I'm the only one who still legally buys music) and list of ones you should avoid picking up (or wasting your time by illegally downloading) of 2010.

Hopefully the semi-hot, semi-hipster chick sitting to the left of me in Starbucks will think I'm writing a novel/movie script and will approach me with her phone number (UPDATE: Nope).

Enjoy Christmas and I'll see you in the New Year (maybe a few posts).

How To Lose Pro Line - Week 12

Whoever bought this ticket last week, I hate you.

I'm buying two tickets this week.

One for the three American Thanksgiving day games (the only day I ever win), and one for the regular slate of Sunday games.

So without further ado, this is how to lose money for week 12!

Thursday

NE @ DET
Spread: NE - 7.5
My pick: Pats

NWO @ DAL
Spread: NWO - 3.5
My pick: Saints

CIN @ NYJ
Spread: NYJ - 8.5
My pick: J-E-T-S

Sunday

PIT @ BUF
Spread: PIT - 7.0
My pick: Squealers

JAK @ NYG
Spread: NYG - 7.5
My pick: Jags

GB @ ATL
Spread: GB - 1.5
My pick: Pack

KC @ SEA
Spread: KC - 1.5
My pick: I could easily see the Chiefs winning by 1 but hopefully it'll be by a FG instead...

TB @ BAL
Spread: BAL - 8.5
My pick: Ravens win but give up the spread late. Gimme the Bucs.

PHI @ CHI
Spread: PHI - 3.5
My pick: Don't like the spread but give me the birds anyway.

So by Sunday night I'll likely be out 12 bucks (yes I'm laying 10 on the Thursday games). Or I'll miraculously be up $120.

Don't bet on it.

How To Lose Pro Line - Week 11

As expected, my ticket could have gone in the trash the second I bought it. Did that prevent me from buying another one?

Nope.



(Spreads are from Thursday, I've been lazy/busy/sleeping)

ATL @ STL
Spread: ATL - 3.0
My pick: Give me the birds on the road.

TB @ SF
Spread: SF - 3.0
My pick: Troy Smith has the Niners rolling but I like what Josh Freeman has been doing this year, Bucs will cover, if not win.

IND @ NE
Spread: NE - 3.0
My pick: Every thing points to the Pats beating the injury infirmary known as the Indianapolis Colts. Which is exactly why I'm taking the Colts. You love the logic.

NYG @ PHI
Spread: PHI - 3.5
My pick: Thought the spread would be much larger since the Eagles tore the Redskins a new asshole, but I guess the line makers didn't prematurely blow their load like the entire sports media. I think the Eagles win but the Giants will score a meaningless last minute touchdown to make it close. Giants cover.

DEN @ SD
Spread: SD - 9.5
My pick: If I miraculously make it to Monday night, this is probably the pick that's going to make me tear up my ticket and wipe my tears with the shreds, but for a prime time game I think the Broncos keep it close by just airing it out, especially near the end of the game. San Diego will win by like 8. GOOOOOO DENVERRRRRRRRR!

Do the complete opposite of these and...

How To Lose Pro Line - Week 10

So if you know me at all, you'd know that my Sundays consist of me sitting my ass in front of my TV watching football for 11 hours.

All I need for the day is pretty simple: heavily salted snack(s), underachieving fantasy football teams, an absence of pants and my "sure thing winning" point spread ticket.



I say "sure thing" because that's exactly how I feel about it every week I drop my hard earned (not really) money on a ticket.

You'd think after season after season of failure, and the fact that I've only broken even one year (thank you shitty American Thanksgiving scheduling), that I'd have learned my lesson to save money by NOT playing.

Nope.

Why?

Because of the same lies I tell myself that THIS week is the week I finally cash out. Examples:

"Well I got the early spreads and they're better so I got this."

"I have to win at least once in 21 weeks right?"

"As long as I stay away from [Insert team here] from now on, I'll definitely win."

"If [Insert team here] didn't fuck me last week I would have cashed out, this week I'll get it all back."

"Wow, only a sucker wouldn't take [Insert team here] to cover [Insert spread number here]."

"If I just buy it and hide it until Monday morning, maybe I'll finally win?" (Yes I tried that)

What pisses me off are 90% of the people who win copious amounts of money can't tell the difference between a football and wiffle ball.

Yes, the hot blonde at your work who picked her NCAA tourney bracket by "who has the cutest uniforms" will probably take home the office pot.

But anyways, because I appreciate you reading my useless and nonsensical blogs, I'm going to do you a favour and post my point spread ticket picks every week.

"How is this going to help me win money when you're always wrong?" is probably what you're asking.

Simple, pick the opposite of what I pick and watch the gravy train roll in to the station.

So without further ado...

NYJ @ CLE
Spread: NYJ - 3.0
My pick: J-E-T-S-PLEASE-FUCKING-COVER.

CIN @ IND
Spread: IND - 7.0
My pick: Gimme the Colts at home.

DET @ BUF
Spread: BUF - 3.0
My pick: This might be the only game this season where the Bills are favoured, and no Stafford for the Lions, the Bills have to win at least once right? (See same logic above)

KC @ DEN
Spread: KC - 1.5
My pick: I have no idea why, but give me the Broncos...

STL @ SF
Spread: SF - 6.5
My pick: I'd be a sucker not to take the Rams to cover such a huge spread! (Again, see same logic above)

NE @ PIT
Spread: PIT - 4.5
My pick: You think Belichick and Brady are pissed about getting dry anally raped by Cleveland? It'll be a close game, give me the Pats to at least cover...

And there you have it, don't do what I do and you'll be making it rain in no time.

The spreads will likely change by Sunday morning but whatever I try to catch the early ones (See same logic above).

You're welcome.

Lake Shore

A friend sent me this in an e-mail earlier today:



I'd heard about this a few months ago, but I had completely forgot about it. Now I know what you're thinking, "Oh no, Jersey Shore: Canadian Edition".

That's exactly what I said.

But for some reason that I still cannot explain after two seasons of the abomination in New Jersey and Miami, I'm still compelled to watch this show...

Maybe it's fun laughing at stupid, arrogant people. The fact that I'm not like them is comforting and entertaining.

Or maybe it's simply because my life is just that boring.

I'll go with the second one.

But I digress.

It should be interesting to see how well this show does, my guess is that it'll be just as or more popular than the Jersey Shore, at least on this side of the border.

I also wonder what network is going to pick this show up. My guess is City TV.



You gonna watch it?

Yeezy (and I love brackets)

Almost a month since I've posted anything. Oh well.

So Kanye West's new album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" drops on November 22nd. It will be in my hand before the sun goes down that day.

Just wondering what the cover is gonna look like...could be any of the following:











I personally like the 4th one the best, and I'm guessing the 5th one is the non-controversial Wal-Mart cover.

I got a chance to watch the movie for Runaway the other day. It's pretty long but I'd recommend you watch it.



A fellow Kanye fan and blogger (http://littlemind-bigthoughts.blogspot.com/) [It's 1000 times better than mine] asked me my thoughts about it.

My response was that I had no idea. There were times during it where I said "This is funny", "This is brilliant", "This is weird", "This is stupid".

I guess kudos to him for getting all those responses from me in under 35 minutes.

Say what you want about Mr. West, that's he's an arrogant prick, that he's the epitome of the word douchebag (he is), but you can't deny that he's a musical genius and you can't help but to nod your head to whatever idea falls out of his head.

808s and Heartbreak may have been disappointing to a lot of fans but I still think it was pretty underrated.

That being said, I'm glad he's turning off the auto-tune and slightly getting back to his earlier music.

I don't think this album will come close to College Dropout (one of the best hip hop albums of all time in my book) but since you pretty much hear the entire album in the Runaway film, you can tell that it's pretty dope.

So in celebration of his new album, I've stocked up my iPod with every single Kanye song I can find. Here's my favourite song by Kanye Omari:



"If my manager insults me again, I will be assaulting him. After I fuck the manager up, then I'm going to shorten the register up."

Don't tell me I'm not the only one who's sung that under my breath at work...