Justin's Random Thoughts

Reflections on Spring Training

2010-03-09T17:20:00.000-06:00

As I’m sitting here reflecting on the tidbits I’ve heard so far from Kissimmee, the Astros are currently sitting at 3-3 through spring training. But what can I take from that?

Not much.

If they were 1-5 or 0-6 so far, then maybe I’d be concerned. I feel for the nine teams with just one win and the Nationals, who are sitting at 0-7 right now.

It’s still pretty early on in the game. Starters are throwing only two or three innings and surely don’t have their best stuff going yet. Everybody else is still shaking off some rust from the winter months. Nobody’s anywhere close to the top of their game, though I suppose hitters would have a little bit of an advantage as it shouldn’t take them nearly as long to find their groove.

There’s really not, in my mind, a huge window where you can look at teams during spring training and judge how good they’re really going to be. That window falls towards the beginning of the last week of spring training. I’d say the whole week, but the last two or three games there are players in the games that are fighting for that 25th roster spot.

So, realistically, you’re talking about a five-game window in my mind.

If they go 1-4 or 0-5 through that window, THEN I’ll be worried.

Video of the day: 2012

2010-03-08T09:39:00.000-06:00

From SNL:

Please tell me I’m not an emo one, because that would just kill all the badassery of being a vampire.

2010-03-07T09:36:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

You Are A Vampire

You have a real thirst for bliss, and you consider yourself a true hedonist.
And you're not afraid to walk alone in life, if it means getting what you truly crave.
You truly enjoy entrancing people. Not to mention the ensuing pleasures of the flesh.
Your tastes have been called decadent and bizarre. You usually give in to your temptations, no matter how primal

Your greatest power: Your flawless ability to seduce and charm

Your greatest weakness: Human flesh

You play well with: Werewolves

What Kind of Monster Are You?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

(Wild) Dog Blogging

2010-03-05T07:25:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Well, ok, not really a dog. More like a Mexican Wolf:

Yes, I’m starting in on my photos from the Phoenix Zoo. I did eventually find the card. Two weeks later, after I’d ordered a replacement.

It’s a good thing we’re here to help nature!

2010-03-04T20:10:00.001-06:00

So today Obama lays out plans to restore the Gulf Coast from:

…the catastrophic dangers of rising sea levels, hurricanes and erosion on the Gulf Coast, and backed efforts to invest in restoring barriers islands and wetlands in Mississippi and Louisiana.

A thought on the barrier islands and wetlands that I’ve always wondered…

Hurricanes have “always” happened, right? And they’d do damage to the wetlands and barrier islands in the past, right?

Logic would say so.

And didn’t those same barrier islands and wetlands eventually restore themselves without our help?

I’d think so…

So why are we doing anything?

I’m also the guy gunning it hoping the lightdoesn’t turn red…

2010-02-28T16:25:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

You Are a Yellow Light

You take life at a sustainable past. Fast enough to do a lot, but not fast enough to leave everyone behind.
You are open to whatever may come your way in life. You're very receptive.

You are quite thoughtful and knowledgeable. You have the perfect mix of reflection and experience.
You think before you act. You like to know some of the facts before you make a decision.

What Color Traffic Light Are You?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

But… but… SCOTT BROWN’S A TRAITOR! Or not…

2010-02-27T09:55:00.000-06:00

I’ve always thought the fuss about Scott Brown voting for the jobs bill was way too much.

Dean over at Beers With Demo agrees.

My take: The man voted his conscience instead of the party line. Who can’t admire that in a politician?

The lone prairie dog

2010-02-26T08:13:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

This is a cleaned-up version of a cell phone pic I shot at the Phoenix Zoo.

Of course, since it’s a cell shot, it still looks kinda lousy. But I still thought it was kinda cool.

Wicked WIN of the day…

2010-02-23T12:35:00.000-06:00

see more Epic Fails

I post this because they’re talking about us getting snow tonight AND I’ve got to drive to Houston in the morning. But I’m cancelling if it’s bad, so don’t worry.

How ‘bout that global warming?

I didn’t go cheat and look up any answers, so…

2010-02-21T09:55:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

You Passed High School with an B

You have the brains of a high school graduate... at least!

Could You Pass High School?

Blogthings: We Have a Quiz for Almost Everything

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Reason #14,384,798 why the science isn’t, in fact, settled…

2010-02-19T16:14:00.001-06:00

…is over at Snark And Boobs.

Another one from Houston’s zoo

2010-02-19T09:02:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

I thought I would have scored higher…

2010-02-14T09:51:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

You Are 48% Brutally Honest

Honesty is important to you, but generally, you try not to be brutal about it.
You'll sugar coat the truth when you need to... and tell a white lie when necessary.

How Brutally Honest Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

WIN of the day: Ninja style

2010-02-13T09:17:00.000-06:00

Because we don’t celebrate WIN nearly enough…

see more Epic Fails

More reptiles

2010-02-12T09:58:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Because “Justin” just ain’t 80’s enough

2010-02-07T09:48:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

Your 80s Name Is Joshua Stephen

Totally radical, dude!

What's Your 80s Name?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

They know I was born in the 80’s, right?

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Video of the day: Worse than Demon Sheep?

2010-02-06T09:17:00.000-06:00

Remember the Demon Sheep?

Check this out:

Super Bowl Bingo!

2010-02-05T19:20:00.000-06:00

B	I	N	G	O
A live shot of Bourbon Street	First-year head coach…	A shot of Eli and/or Archie Manning	Any bailed-out company having a commercial	Pierre Garçon's ties to Haiti
Last week’s Pro Bowl	Commercial involving a man taking a shot to the crotch.	Katrina	Roger Goodell	Peyton Manning possibly being the best QB ever
“Uncapped year”	Any reality TV show	FREE SPACE	Brett Favre	Who Dat
Telestrator dong	Concussion(s)	The rain earlier in the week	The Colts’ last Super Bowl appearance also being in Miami	“Bringing the wood”
Going for it on 4th down	Dwight Freeney’s ankle	The Wildcat	Peyton Manning’s ties to New Orleans	Mardi Gras

I’m sure y’all will be sad to hear that I’m no longer going to do predictions for the game. Why? Because I suck, that’s why!

Look at the birdie!

2010-02-05T08:55:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Bonus Video of the day: Say Anything…

2010-02-04T17:42:00.001-06:00

From last night’s Modern Family:

Video of the day: DEMON SHEEP!!!

2010-02-04T09:29:00.000-06:00

You have to watch this:

Best. Video. EVAH!

I’m a bad, bad man… with a bad, bad name!

2010-01-31T10:46:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

Your Supervillain Name is Brain Supernova

Muhahahaha!

What's Your Supervillain Name?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

It’s a bird! No, really, it’s a bird!

2010-01-29T08:33:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Friday Photo, a feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

FAIL of the day: The iPad

2010-01-28T06:32:00.000-06:00

Possibly the worst name ever?

see more Epic Fails

Nah, the “exotic petting zoo” around here has to be worse.

Way worse.

State of the Union BINGO!

2010-01-27T15:49:00.001-06:00

Sadly, I can't play myself. I’ve got choir tonight. But y’all have fun with this:

B	I	N	G	O
Change	“I” (Must be said three times in one sentence)	Any sort of “crisis”	Let me be clear	Wall Street
Green jobs	Banks	Blaming Bush/Cheney (covertly or overtly)	I propose…	Acted stupidly
Bipartisan	Haiti		Main Street	In conclusion…
Created or saved	Hope	National Debt	Stimulus	Any sports analogy
Climate change	Any “shout-out”	Bailout	God Bless America	Understand this…

Of course, i might catch it on repeat and fill out the board just to see what happens.