Early on in the race, Carl got into a little bump-em-up with Brad Keselowski, and ended up sitting in the garage for some 150 laps while his car was being pieced back together.  Now Brad is a Carl starter kit..young, good looking, strong racer, and in good position for a promising career.  However, also like Carl, he doesn’t have the best reputation amongst other drivers.  He is a really brash rookie, more than willing to put someone in the wall when it suits him.  So…a couple of disclaimers (as I can see PGTerrill’s head about to explode).  All good drivers have the knack of “moving” other cars out of their way, and won’t hesitate to do it when push comes to shove.  The difference here is that Brad 1) Is a rookie; 2) Doesn’t have an on/off switch for such driving.  He will wreck you on lap 20, just as quickly as on lap 200.

True to form, Carl says all the right things to the media…Geeze louise, I sure thought that was deliberate..but watching the replay it doesn’t look that malicious (or something to that effect).  And the race goes on..with Brad actually up in the top 10 or so with virtually no laps left.  The fandom will surely be siding with Carl after the race, afterall, the young rookie wrecked ol’ Cousin Carl..and went on to score a good finish..poor Carl.

So now we have Carl’s dilemma…once he get’s back on the track (with very little to gain by being out there)…what does he do?  He could choose to finish out the race as a non-factor and pay the kid back in a couple week (where it is expected to rub a bit more..given a slower more physical track).  NOPE…in a “what were you thinking?” moment, Carl takes not 1 BUT 2 runs at wrecking a top 10 car (so obvious that the camera shows his shiny white gloves jerking the steering wheel to the right each time).  The second time, he got what he was looking for (kinda).  Unfortunately for Carl, unlike his wreck, Brad ends up flying through the air, upside down and smashing into the wall.  RED Flag….safety crews rushing to the scene, Brad comes over the radio “I don’t know if I am ok or not”..and the crowd holds their breath, consider the sympathetic figure now reversed.

NASCAR promptly invites Carl to park his car and visit the principal’s office for a thorough tongue lashing, as Brad, in a dazed stumble, jumps into the back of an ambulance for the mandatory ride to the infield care center.  As he is being ushered to the woodshed, Carl continues to display his ass-ness, by rationalizing that Brad knows how they race and if that is how it is going to be, then that is fine…oh but I didn’t plan for him to fly through the air..and I am glad he walked away.  CARL…YOU FREAKIN’ MORON….SHUT UP!!! Dude..in two weeks you have a perfect track for payback…hell it is why they practically built the damn track..and you can’t hold your tongue any more than that……what is wrong with you!?!  To be clear, this type of thing happens all the time..but as most veteran drivers will tell you..there is a place and time for payback.  Atlanta Motor Speedway (where they regularly reach over 200 miles per hour) when you are a non-factor in a race AND where your enemy is a top ten car just isn’t it.

This should make for great theater in a couple of weeks in Bristol…something tells me NASCAR is going to tell both these gentlemen that if they so much as think about racing the other in something other than a gentlemanly fashion, they will find themselves in a world of trouble.  I guess time will tell.

~Cheers

PGBryan

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We have set up a PubGuys tournament bracket at: http://pubguys.mayhem.cbssports.com/e
Password: beer

Come join our tourney, and show us just how brilliant you are!

~Cheers

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10. An Education: I don’t think this picture even deserves to be in this list. Any movie that doesn’t show at a theatre within 100 miles of my house, can’t be a contender for Best Picture.

9. The Blind Side: I’m a Sandra Bullock fan. I really am. But, really? Do we need a weepy, sports sob-story as a Best Picture winner? Especially since it did such an incredibly poor job of actually, you know, telling the true story?

8. Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire: Didn’t see it. Didn’t want to see it. Shouldn’t win.

7. A Serious Man: Really? Are you serious? Why is this movie in this list?

6. Up in the Air: I liked this movie. I think both of the actresses in the film were outstanding and George Clooney did a fine job (but, I would imagine it’s not so much of a stretch for him to play a womanizing hard-ass). The girls deserve their nominations for their roles. The movie is most definitely not an Oscar contender.

5. Up: Rave reviews all over the place. But, there’s only been one animated movie ever to take Best Picture, and let’s be frank, this is not Beauty & the Beast.

4. The Hurt Locker: Never came to my hood. I wanted to see it. I’ve heard excellent things about it.

3. Avatar: The most expensive B-movie ever made. Weak, predictable, rehashed plot with some seriously kick-ass special effects. It should win in the special effects category, or possibly in the “Most Overdone Theme” category, but Best Picture? Nah. Not really.

2. Inglourious Basterds: Seriously. This was the 2nd best movie I saw all year and probably sits well inside my top 10 of all time. Even with a mis-spelled title, this movie has some serious chops. Great direction, superb acting (if Christopher Waltz doesn’t take Best Supporting Actor, I’m giving up on the Academy completely), brilliant plot & message and an overall enjoyably kick-ass piece of celluloid. Definitely deserves to be in the list and I wouldn’t be too upset if it wins.

However.

This last movie was hand’s down the best movie I saw all year and is my 2nd favourite movie of all time (sitting behind Danerous Liaisons). This is an incredible movie from start to finish and well deserves to be in the list and take it all home.
1. District 9

There you have it.
Let the indignation begin…now.

~PGK

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PubGuys: Sports Edition #5

In this episode of The PubGuys: Sports Edition

Sports talk, PubGuys style:

We revisit our (wrong, but close) predictions for the Olympics.

We recap the Winter Olympics – with a focus on Hockey and the incredible US run.

PGBryan grudgingly admits a growing like for soccer courtesy of his young son (a Barcelona fan!) and the Fox Soccer Channel

…and, the Great Debate headed by PGBryan: What defines a Sports Town?

Trivia Question:

What was the first US hockey team to join the NHL?
Congratulations again to our onsite winner: KristenM

A PubGuys trinket (provided by The Haines Agency) to whomever posts the correct answer first in our comments section!

Thanks to those who sent in their questions. We had two excellent questions we addressed in this show:

1. Who is your favorite sports analyst? By sport? By media?

2. If you had the influence and could eliminate one sport event from the Winter Olympics, which would it be?

Listen in to hear our opinions.

Don’t forget: You can send in your questions to have the PubGuys discuss during a show. Send your questions to questions@pubguys.com.

all this and more!

The music heard in this episode is released under a CC license and played with permission:

A Russian Circus Story by Freak Fandango Orchestra

Forbidden by STEEP

This episode of the PubGuys: Sports Edition was proudly recorded at Firehouse Grill & Brewery in Mansfield.

The PubGuys are sponsored by:

The Haines Agency

East Wind Games

Texas Poker Experts 5th Annual March of Dimes Charity Tournament

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As most of you know I am a proud Texan. In fact, I am a 7th generation Texan. I can honestly say that my family gave blood for this land. So I hold today in particular honor and proudly spread the word to those of you who may not have been born in or grown up in the Great State of Texas. Today, March 2nd, is Texas Independence Day!

Now a lot of you may not understand and perhaps you find it silly or arrogant that Texans celebrate an Independence Day other than July 4th. If you do, I think it is because you don’t know the story about how Texas was born and what was endured to secure its freedom. I encourage everyone to read up on this fascinating history or even better… ask me about it at the next PubGuys.
To leave you with just a taste I present you the famous Alamo letter written by Colonel William B. Travis on February 24, 1836.

To
The People of Texas
and
All Americans

Commandancy of the Alamo—
Bejar, Fby. 24th 1836—

To the People of Texas &
all Americans in the world—

Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man—The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls—I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier
who never forgets what is due to
his own honor & that of his
country—  Victory or Death
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt

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1) With my lovely bride out of town, I was granted the gift of a no-holds-barred session with my lovely little girl.  Grace kept me plenty busy, and just a tad distracted.  Plus, with the delay in the Nationwide race, there were too many things working against me.

2) I had the pleasure of getting back to  basics with (semi-local) Dirt Track Racing.  This weekend brought the joy that is the Texas Motor Speedway World Dirt Track Championships.  In this case “world” meaning Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and maybe Mississippi, Arkansas, and Nebraska.  Nonetheless, what a great throwback to good ol’ fashion dirt track Saturday nights.  PGTerrill and I took our boys, and a few associated friends and family out to these great races.  Unless you have had the opportunity to enjoy a Saturday night of racing, y0u really can’t appreciate the fun that can bed had.  For a mere $15 (for adults) you can enjoy about 10-15 races in a single evening.  This is 15 different opportunities to share with my son and his friends the fun of picking a winner for this heat race.  How do you pick?  HELL, I don’t know..he looks fast, I like his number, I think his name is cool…OMG…Look..It’s freakin’ Batman out there (BTW..Batman was fast as HELL).  Regardless, I love this night…a great chance to give the next generation an opportunity to learn what real local racing is all about

3) USA vs Canada for the Gold Medal.  I won’t lie..I tried to watch both..and play sports trivia at one of our local haunts.  It worked..for about 2 periods..then it was all hands on deck for the remaining hockey game.  While the USA lost, I am so proud of our team.  Canada won, and God bless them for it, they deserved it.  Truly a great team, and for a country that so desperately wanted (needed) this victory, I do wish them well.  I think the USA Hockey future is bright.

Nonetheless, NASCAR was in Vegas this weekend, and SURPRISE, your reigning Sprint Cup Champion was victorious.  I am not sure what it is going to take to dethrone the mighty 48 team.  Jimmy Johnson and Chad Knaus are simply better than everyone else.  I think it is going to require them “losing” it rather than anyone else “winning” it.  BTW..this weekend brought the end to act 1 of the Danica experiment.  She wrecked in her final run through early season Nationwise.  I was amused that her crew chief actually used the word “babe” when talking to her on the radio.  Before you get all worked up about a redneck being…well…a redneck, you should know that he was trying to “talk her off a ledge” after her wreck.  Danica is extremely passionate, and perhaps a wee-bit hot headed whenever she is dis-serviced by a mistake from another driver.  She is definitely going to have to learn how to check that emotion…at least enough to get the proper experience in the big cars.  The fact is that in racing, accidents happen, people misjudge closing speed..and even the vaunted Danica will one day have to say..yeah I am sorry about that…just a racing deal.  Nonetheless, we will pick this discussion up in a couple months.

Next week is in Atlanta…so we’ll see what the next round of goin’ fast and turnin’ left brings.

~Cheers

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When: March 3rd, show starts about 6:30p

The PubGuys will once again be saddling up to talk all things sport!

This should be an action packed show. Likely to be discussed:
- Olympics Recap
- Bryan finds his way to Soccer
- NASCAR quick chat
- Pondering question of the day: Why isn’t Los Angeles (or SoCal in general) a good sports town? And what makes a good sports town?

Come join us, and let your voice be heard!

~ Cheers Sports fans

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PubCast #18

In this episode of The PubGuys PubCast, the PubGuys take on Atheism & Governors. While definitely hot topics the PubGuys still managed to deliver on their promise of Content, Controversy & Comedy.

• What causes the angry response when religion (or non-religion) is challenged. The PubGuys & several PG1s weigh in. Feel free to air your opinion in the comments.
• PGBryan gives poll results for the Gubernatorial Primary race in Texas
• PGBryan & PGKyle wish “safe passage” for:
  • Captain Phil Harris
  • Alexander Haig
  • Lionel Jeffries
  • Kathryn Grayson
  • Doug Fieger
  • Alexander McQueen
• PGBryan takes a growth opportunity and orders the Fox Soccer Channel
• PGTerrill talks about Church burnings and the connection with Norwegian Black Metal

The Word of the Day for this episode is: Religion

This episode’s trivia question:
In 2004 what country produced the most beer? (Production not Output – Listen to the PubCast to understand)
Bonus: How much beer did that country produce?
Be the first to leave the answer(s) in the comments section to win a PubGuys church key, provided by the Haines Agency.

This episode of the PubGuys was proudly recorded at Big Shots in Bedford, TX.
Sponsors:
The Haines Agency
East Wind Games
Texas Poker Experts

All music played during the recording of this PubCast is available under a Creative Commons License or the PubGuys have received explicit permission to use it.

Il Passo Del Caciurdo by Combat Circus
Little Man by The Dada Weatherman
Addicted by November11

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Speaking of this past weekend, the racing was at Auto Club Speedway in SoCal.  I am not sure whether it is an indicator of the economy or that fact that SoCal really isn’t a very good sports area..the stands were MAYBE half full.  I know many will say that NASCAR is just too redneck for SoCal and THAT is why nobody was there..but let’s face it, the NFL isn’t even in SoCal because they fail to support the teams that do come there well enough.  I chalk it up to having too many other options to occupy their time, and therefore, the pool of fans is depleted quickly.

Remember in last weeks blog, I said that you can’t really project the rest of the year based on Daytona..I have 3 examples of how that came true.  Jimmie Johnson went from finishing 35th to winning the race.  Dale Earhnardt Jr. went from a surprising 2nd place finish at Daytona to 32nd in Cali.  Maybe more telling was Danica Patrick.  While she performed very competitively in Daytona, she struggled hugely in Cali.  She was never really comfortable in the car, and looked like someone who just doesn’t quite understand how to drive that kind of car yet.  Not her fault at all…but it does show that Daytona is really all about the car.

Thats it for this week…they are in Las Vegas this week..should be a good show!

~Cheers

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And before we get too far..let me state that…I GET IT!  Hockey IS Canada…that is all they have..that and BEER.  And the government was so worried that the Canadians wouldn’t be able to handle the outcome of this game that they decided to close all liquor stores 4 hours early today (insert joke here ey).

If the USA wins, it will surely be viewed as a fluke, or a stolen victory..and the Canadian Mounted Police will be put on high alert for possible invasion.  If the Canadians win…it will be seen merely as God’s will, and another step in the predestined outcome of this blessed Olympic triumph.  It will be lauded and cheered by a simultaneous raising of a cold Molson beer by any Canadian over the age of 13.

SOOOOO…for this American (sitting in my USA hockey sweater, drinking my Bud Light) I would LOVE to see the USA beat the hosers from up North.  Because in reality..the Canadians SHOULD win..they have Sydney (freakin’ ) Crosby..the second coming of Wayne Gretzky.  They are clearly the winners on paper..but can they handle the pressure of the expectations of a nation desperate to win the gold medal of the game THEY invented at the Olympics in THEIR country.  So I am a brash American..OH WELL.  If the US loses..I like many Americans will shrug my shoulders..mutter something like “Well what do you expect..they were clearly the better team” and go about my business.  BUT…if the US wins…well that is an entirely different story (queue Star Spangled Banner).

GO USA! (incidentally..as I have been writing this the US has taken a 2-1 lead. ) My prediction  before the game (as seen on Twitter was) “ …My prediction (as I hang my head) 6 – 2 Canada wins….but I am gonna cheer my ass off anyway! USA — USA — USA..”

POSTGAME UPDATE: USA  — USA  –  USA! The Americans pull a 5-3 victory!  What a game!  Both teams really played hard, and it showed in the end.  These teams can still meet later for a more meaningful game…but for now.. DAMN I am proud of that team!

~ Cheers

PGBryan

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