A couple early thoughts on: Syracuse

Do you remember when we scheduled this series with Syracuse? It was five and 1/2 years ago, and the final game won't be for another 5 years. Back then, we kind of feared this series, but now it's just one of four hopefully-probably-crossyourfingers winnable non-conference games to start the year.

I'll have a pick, and hopefully some other content in advance of Saturday's season opener, but there's two guys on the Orange that I worry about:

Ryan Howard (Senior, CB) - Will we have to contend with the home run champ and league MVP? Or will we get to take a few shots at the strike out leader with a Mendoza-approaching batting average? Or possibly the once-pleasant, now-jackassish temp-turned-manager.

Maximilian Leo (Junior, Long Snapper) - Leo was his father's favorite pope, and Maximilian was his mother's favorite pope. Except, I don't think there was a Pope Maximilian, but it's too good a joke. Plus, we all know that the LS is the smartest guy on the team, so watch out!

2008 Fan Preview

With 10 days to go until the 2008 incarnation of the Wildcats kicks off against Syracuse, it's time to look at things from a broad perspective. As the games approach each weekend, I'll try to consider them individually, but for now I want to bask in my general optimism.

If you want an in depth season outlook, you should definitely check out this place, and also this place. And I'll do some of that stuff too, as the games come and go. But not today! Today, I just want to talk about how fans should approach this fall.

Patience
Most Northwestern fans are well-schooled (groan) in patience. We're used to wait-til-next year platitudes -- after all, some of you are also Cubs fans -- and we tend to expect long-term program development rather than flash-in-the-pan success. However, the big story coming into the 2008 season is the slew of veterans, particularly at offensive skill positions. My advice is to be patient if we don't put up 35 points/game right away. Remember that the offensive line is inexperienced, and will take time to gel.

Expectations
BUT! Just because we're patient doesn't mean we shouldn't expect to win. We should be able to win a majority of the non-conference games that start the season. They might not be blowout victories (Miami in 2006 or Northwesteastern last year) but we should prevail more often than not. We have better coaches across the board than we have in recent years, and it should show in the form of results as they compliment and improve the Wildcat athletes.

The Future
There are two things for which it is never too early: clock management & thinking about the future. The former is mostly in the hands of Fitz, so I will just worry about the latter. It's important for every moment of every NU home game to be spirited moment. Why? Because there are recruits at every game, and whether we're thrashing someone in September or ruing the end of a rough loss, those high school juniors and seniors need to see a great place to play. So combine those top two things, patience and expectations, to give every play of 2008 energy and vitality. We expect no less from the team, after all.

But enough of this profundity. Check back in next week for picks, weather, and hopefully some funny!

Hey! Look over there!

I have a new blog up and running. It's called Seldom Welcome, and the conceit is that it is an unsolicited advice column. Well, "column" might be a little generous. Whatever it is, it encompasses advice to The World At Large. So take heed, The World, because apparently I know what's best for you.


Also, it is green.

So, go over there and enjoy it! And then come back here. And go back again. Whoa, I'm letting this advice thing go to my head. Sorry.

Things you should be reading

Another list of things you should be reading, because they are (or promise to be) entertaining. Eventually this space ought to be back to being interesting in and of itself, as we're about 2 weeks from the Wildcats' 2008 kickoff!

• @SlateOlympics - The Twitter feed on the Olympics from Slate. It's great for when you're watching NBC and don't have anyone around to snark with.

• @CobraCommander - Another Twitterer, and it's exactly what you think it is. Sample from this past Monday: "Excited for new week. Destro delivering first blueprints of potential "weather manipulator device" today. Oh and how bout that Phelps?"

• Ephener of Mind - A new blog from friend-of-Josh, Michael. Yay! He finally succumbed to the alure of blogging!

• @joshwss - Enough with the Twitter already! But this one is me, so feel free to follow me. Just try and be a real person and not a robot, kay?
  

The end of an era

This morning I had to change my email alias at work. Why would I do that? Wouldn't it cause people who I work with to not be able to reach me?

Well, that might actually be a benefit (just kidding Jim!), but I had to escape the spam-sending nogoodnik who decided my address would look nice in his reply-to field. So my 10-year reign as "j-held" is over. I will now begin a new reign as "josh" -- although hopefully this one will be slightly shorter.

Unless you work with me, this should not impact you at all. Carry on. If you do work with me, take note. And why are you reading my blog?

An Open Letter to The Person to Whom My Apartment Was Shown Yesterday

Dear Person,

Sorry about the state of my apartment. The piles of boxes probably obscured some highlights, and the place is kind of dusty. I guess I could clean, but the boxes are permanent until I move. I'm sure you know how that is, because you yourself are probably preparing to move. Unless you sprang, fully-formed, from the brow of that lady from ApartmentFinders.com and now you need a place to rest your corporeal form. Something with easy access to the bus and the red line! In that case, call me; I'd love to write a myth about you.

If you do decide to take the place, here are some simple warnings, from my experience:

• Don't use the microwave and the AC at the same time. It blows up the living room.
• Don't use the dishwasher and anything else at the same time. It blows up the dishwasher.
• Don't set anything on the floor of the laundry room. That includes your feet.

I hope your search for an earthly home is ultimately successful.

As ever, your humble pre-tenant,
Josh

HMS Sabathia, or The Cats that Loved a Starter

Should the Phillies have gone out of their way to get pitcher CC Sabathia before he went to the Brewers today? What do I know? Let's say yes, because I love the Phillies -- look me up Sunday in section 419! -- but there's only one real question that this blog will address:

Should the Wildcats have traded for Sabathia?

Let's see where he fits in. The obvious fit is on the Cats' struggling baseball team. The Northwestern Nine went a disappointing 21-28 (14-18 Big Ten) in 2008. The overal ERA was 6.91, with the best starter at 4.17 (Eric Jokisch). It seems likely that CC would be a welcome addition to next year's staff.

Exploring a little more, so that we can get our money's worth on him, the 6'7", 290 lb Sabathia might be able to step in on the ApostroCats' rebuilding offensive line in the fall. With Camp Kenosha starting in a few weeks, and the former Indian in his midseason stride, he would likely be ready by time the Big Ten rolls around, if not earlier. In high school, he was a TE with interest from USC and Hawaii, and we all know you can't teach size.

And just to keep him in shape between sports, I say start a club hockey team for men (if there isn't one) and throw him between the pipes. He's no sumo goalie, but it's a start.

Josh eats bird

Google "josh eats birds". I'll wait here...welcome back.

Happily, the first listing is me, and the first-and-a-halfth is also me. That is basically as it should be, yes? Disturbingly, the next listing is a YouTube clip called "Josh eats bird." I haven't watched it, and I don't necessarily encourage anyone to do so. BUT it should be noted that, whatever happens in that video, it is in no way endorsed or engaged in by this blog. This Josh only eats birds in the metaphorical sense.

Hey, a Northwestern blog in purple! What novelty!

OK! New color scheme, and a new logo!  If I broke something while I was messing with Blogger templates, please give me a heads up.  Thanks and enjoy!

Things you should check out

Good morning, my lusty readers! On today's agenda is a discussion of whether you exist. Can I get someone to make a motion to approve the agenda? No one? OK. While we wait, why don't you check out these websites:

• Amie Street is an independent music download site. Everything's mp3, so it'll play on your PMP of choice. The songs are variously-priced, including $free! I'm making great use of this since I heard about it.
  
• Hexagonal Close-Packed is a new blog by friend-of-Josh Jason. It's allegedly going to be quite nerdly, so please to enjoy.
• Air Toxics Analysis Services is small business owned by Joann Held. It's my mother! And my website design for ATAS should be live (or quasi-live) by the time I post this.

Is nothing sacred?

Because a blog just isn't a blog anymore until it has a lolsomething. And because it's looking like a slow morning. Please welcome the first (and hopefully only) installment of Willie the Lolcat.

New addition to the family!

From left to right: Dad (Al Powerbook), Son (new iMac), Mom (Dell desktop)

That's him the in middle there. He got his dad's OS, his mom's CPU manufacturer, and a combination of his parents' form factors.

OK, that was dumb. But I'm copying some user info, and I've time to kill until I get to really use him.

A New Direction for NU Basketball...Up?

According to IllinoisHSBasketball.com, the basketball Wildcats have picked up one more player for the class of 2008-9. Kyle Rowley, from Lake Forest Academy, marks the 5th in this year's line of recruits. He seems like an excellent recruit and a decent dude, but I don't think it's just me -- there's something that ties this class together. Let's look at something:

Class of 2008-9

• Kyle Rowley - 7'0", 280 lb
• Luka Mirkovic - 6'11", 225
• Davide Curletti - 6'9", 225
• John Shurna - 6'8", 205
• Nick Fruendt - 6'5", 190

Returning significance, 2007-2008

• Coble - 6'8", 190 (190? really?)
  
• Williams - 6'3", 190
• Moore - 6'3", 190 (No way he's 6'3")
• Thompson - 5'10", 185

Now, I don't think that these veterans have to worry about playing time next year, but are we looking at a change in direction? Maybe to a more physical, more defensive, less Princeton-y, more post-oriented team? Josh Eats Birds is looking forward to finding out.

Monday Night Sports Roundup or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Dancing With the Stars

The plan was to watch a little arena action -- Soul vs. Desps in a battle of unbeatens -- and a little NHL -- the Flyers taking on the Habs in game 3. That was before I remembered that my friendly neighborhood dual-tuner DVR is already pretty well taxed on Monday nights. So, even though I won't be doing a guest blog for the gents at It's Still Football, I'll give you a little insight into what I did watch!

First, what I missed:

Think the Pats still have those 19-0 shirts? The Philadelphia Soul moved to 9-0 on the season with a nice win over the previously undefeated Dallas Desperados. Just a couple hundred yards from our next item...

Some say the world will end in Flyers, some say on ice. That doesn't even make any sense! If the Flyers' 3-2 win over Montreal had ended the world, it would have been both anyway. As it was, it just allowed the Flyers to take a 2-1 series lead with game 4 at home.

Now your glimpse into my TV proclivities:

Look at me. I'm as helpless as a baby up a tree. Bones: Brennan and Booth find a baby up in a tree, following a car accident. What follows is a fairly boilerplate miss-matched non-parents have-to-take-care-of-the-kid episode of any show. Also included? Small-town folks who hate the gub'mint. And? Temperance is using her fancy author money to save the town (yay!) and for some reason Sealy thinks he automatically gets to live in any house she builds. Huh? Please don't become Maddie and David or something here.

Clap on. Clap off. House: Ok. It was syphyllis and not gonorrhrea, but we'll get there. The patient of the week is diagnosed with a terminal case of niceness. Apparently he saves the children AND the British children. First they think he has syph. Then they think House has syph. Then they think no one has it! All in all, Kumar is kind of awesome this week, and Wilson and Cutthroat Bitch are really annoying.

It takes 2 to tango (or samba, or mambo...) Dancing With the Stars: All the couples did two dances last night. For the most part the all did one pretty well and one very well. I don't feel like looking up the scores or anything, so I have no idea how they all placed. A couple of highlights include:

• Christian racking his arm during their samba. I don't know when he hurt it, but honestly, it was no great shakes from the beginning. Hope he's OK.
  
• Jason did my least favorite dance, the paso doble, to, I think, the ESPN NFL Monday Night Football theme. No really. It was completely un-musical, but somehow the judges loved it.
• Kristi slipped down the leader board for the first time, largely because Len didn't like their non-traditional choreography. NOTE TO PROS - Len hates, HATES, non-traditional choreography and non-dancy intros and codas. You've had 98 episodes to figure this out. Start getting a clue or start brushing off your seats in the front row.

Two, two, two Greg(g)s in one!

I haven't blogged for a while, so when the following thought occurred to me, I figured I should the seize the opportunity.

Is it just me, or does Phillies first baseman Greg Dobbs look a lot like phormer* Phillies first baseman Gregg Jefferies? You be the judge:



Dobbs


Jefferies

Separated at birth? Even though they were born 11 years apart? I think you know what I think.


* F -> Ph? Never not phunny.

Maybe we can all kick in our stimulus checks?

Sad news today in alterna-football. According to ESPN.com, The All American Football League may have to postpone its inaugural season for a year due to extreme financial iffyness. I don't know how much the league needs (other than a TV deal) to get and stay afloat, but I'm thinking it needs more than the $300-600 per person ($600-1200 for married couples!) each of its coaches and players will be getting this spring.

Fortunately AFL and MLS are starting up. Oh, and baseball too, if you count that as a viable football replacement.

At least I may not have to weigh the pros and cons of the AAFL Sunday Ticket package (watch all 35 games!).

All-American Football League may scrap season for lack of funds [ESPN.com]
All American Football League [allamericanfootballleague.com]

Synergy!

Just wanted to give the Josh Eats Birds bump to a guest post I wrote for the guys over at It's Still Football. If you are (a) a person who reads this blog, and (b) not one of the guys who writes ISF, you should go over and check it out.

Also, you should introduce yourself in the comments, because I didn't know you existed!

Guest Post! In Re: Chicago Rush Sartorial Choices [It's Still Football]

Cat wins!

No, I'm not referring to the kitten-filled halftime show for The Puppy Bowl. This is my official pick for tonight's Super Bowl. I just want to get this on record, so that if it turns out that I'm right I get to gloat (more) fully.

I'm picking Giants 31, Patriots 27.

Exotic picks:
First TD: Barry Cofield - NYG (fumble recovery)
First Offensive TD: Barry Cofield - NYG (receiving)
MVP: Barry Cofield - NYG

Hmm. I can't remember where he went to school. Little help?

Terminator: SCC

I have a confession to make: I have never seen any of the Terminator movies. "I'll be back" - I know of it. "Hasta la vista, baby" - I think it comes from one of them, but if you told me it was from Total Recall, I wouldn't be so sure.

Does this make me less of a man? Maybe. Less of a techie? Almost certainly.

Here's the point. I just watched the pilot episode of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and you know what? It was kind of awesome. Here's what I thought, roughly in order of thinking things:

• Pretty exciting action
• Decent dialogue
• Occasionally funny
• Pretty hot chicks.
  
• John was Claire's friend Zach, from Heroes

I'll watch the second ep tonight, and we'll see what that brings.

I'm sure that Terminator movie fanatics (terminuts? termaniacs?) will have a million problems, but I couldn't tell you for one second if this show fits well with the mythology of the films. If it stays interesting, I've got one more show to add to my vast menagerie.

The one that got away?

So, it's my first Cats hoops post of the year. I think. Let me start by saying that I think Carmody et alii are doing a pretty good job of recruiting. There's a really decent mix of foreign players (always looking for the next Vedran) and US talent (Coble, Moore), and there's a special emphasis on competing for the best guys in Illinois.

But, in watching some highlights for the UNC/UNC-Asheville game, I can't help but feel like we missed out on someone. See if you can pick him out of this picture.

Yes, that's junior center Kenny George in the middle. He's 7'7", 360. I'm not doing the math, but I think he weighs more than any two Wildcats combined. He averages over 5 blocks per game for the Bulldogs, and I swear he blocked 10 shots in the one-minute highlight I just saw on ESPN. Against North Freaking Carolina!

AND he's a Chicago native, having attended Chicago Latin HS. I have no idea if he was recruited here. Maybe he's a bad shooter, and a bad fit. Or maybe the academics aren't there. Or maybe there's a personal connection to UNC-A.

Mostly, though he's really big, and I wanted to write about that!