November 12, 2009

Gotta catch up on a few things, so let's go back to the classic Random Thoughts format:

- Other than a picture and a brief mention last week, I've done nothing to commemorate the New York Yankees winning the World Series last week. As a lifelong Yankees fan, it was nice to see another title for the first time in almost a decade. And before any of you accuse me of being a bandwagon-jumper, and cheering for the Yankees once they started becoming successful in the mid-90s, I'll point out that I was a Yankees fan in the lean years...the Andy Hawkins years...the Kevin Maas years...the last place in the AL East years. 1994 was my first sniff of the playoffs, and that was ruined by the strike. 1996 was the first time I had seen them win the World Series, so it was nice to see them get back to the peak again.

Everyone talks about the Yankees' payroll, and I'll admit that it is out of control, and has been for a number of years. But let's remember the players that are the core of the unit that has won championships in the past 15 years: players like Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Bernie Williams. These are the guys that were drafted and groomed in the minors by the Yankees.
Congrats on the 27th World Championship. I'm thrilled that they won again, and I really enjoyed watching the games this year (more than other years). Since I don't like Alex Rodriguex, it's a tad bittersweet since he now has the World Series ring I hoped he would never get. Aside from the fact that he's everything that's wrong with baseball, and a cheater...he's orange. I mean, he's FREAKING ORANGE! He looks like an Oompa Loompa!
- I didn't do a recap of The Amazing Race on Sunday for a couple of reasons. First of all, because it was a pretty lame episode. Why on earth did they bring back such a great challenge like the hay bales if they weren't even going to eliminate anyone? Second of all, I wanted to just enjoy Josh Wolk's final recap at Entertainment Weekly. I've mentioned Josh and his writing numerous times on this blog, but he has left EW and is now the editor at Vulture.com, the Entertainment blog for New York Magazine. While I'll miss his humour (Canadian spelling!) at EW, it's just a short click away for another thing to read. I'll put a link up on the sidebar for those of you that have become fans. Good luck, Josh!

- Survivor has been pretty good the last couple of weeks. Eric's blindside was rather entertaining considering how arrogant he was being at Tribal Council, and when Russell found a second immunity idol this week (again with NO CLUES!) , it put his alliance it a great position. Two weeks ago, they went into the merge down 8-4, and now with Shambo flipping, the two sides are even 5-5. Should be a great finish.
I love how CBS and Jeff Probst built him up prior to the premiere as "the biggest vilain in Survivor history." It seems like they may have been trying to throw us off the trail of just how strong a player he would be. I may even argue that he's the best player in the history of the game.

- I read today that they're making a Saw VII. Really? The first one was great, and very original...but the sequels have been horrible. Is a seventh one really necessary?

- I went to the Toronto Raptors-Chicago Bulls game last night and had a great time. Enjoyed a great day with great company in Toronto, had an awesome dinner on Front Street, and a blast at the game, which saw the Raptors come from behind in the fourth quarter to win. Fantastic day!

The most confusing thing though, was that on not one...but two occasions, I saw somebody wearing a Jose Calderon jersey. Seriously? Who the $%@# wears a Calderon jersey?

And no, one of them wasn't actually Jose Calderon...