So here are Kyle's Preseason Predictions:
Big Ten Champion: Wisconsin #2 Illinois #3 Michigan #4 Ohio State
Pac Ten Champion: USC
Big East Champion: Louisville
ACC Coastal: UNC
ACC Atlantic: Clemson
ACC Champion: Clemson
Big 12 North: Nebraska
Big 12 South: Texas
Big 12 Champion: Texas
SEC East: Florida
SEC West: Alabama
SEC Champion: Florida
Conf. USA East: East Carolina
Conf. USA West: Rice
Conf. USA Champion: East Carolina
Mid Amer. East: Bowling Green
Mid Amer. West: Western Michigan
Mid Amer. Champion: Western Michigan (Definitely possible..............and local allegiance)
Mountain West Champion: BYU
Sun Belt Campion: Troy
WAC Champion: Boise State
Top 5 BCS predictions:
5 Clemson
4 Wisconsin
3 USC
AND THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
#1 Florida vs #2 Texas
Texas 31
Florida 28
THE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPION: TEXAS LONGHORNS
MICHIGAN: 9-3
Michigan 24 - Ranked: 12
Ohio State 17 - Unranked: Falling out after losing to Illinois and Michigan
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monopoly AHH Check this out
Monopoly is an all-American game centered around the American desire to get more and more through a bigger and bigger business. I enjoy this game and I must say I am pretty good and, trust me, I will mortgage everything to get boardwalk. In real life this would not be an option, I will just have to wait a few more years to purchase a real-life boardwalk. Some people call it greed, some call it business but the game is clearly American and proves that down-deep people really want there there business to be like Walmart.
But how about Bibleopoly. This is a game that takes the general principal of Monopoly and incorporates the building of a church in a biblical city. With Jerusalem taking the ever so prestigious boardwalk spot. There is a key difference though. While Monopoly is how about taking advantage of your competitors and, if your playing me, bankrupting them, Bibleopoly requires that you help and work with your opponents. If you don't do this you will not successfully build the church.
The game of Monopoly is all about greed and selfishness, Bibleopoly is all about teamwork and cooperation. In real life business is not like Monopoly, and competitors walk a fine line between winning over a consumer and crossing that line that will push the consumers to the other guy. Real business may not work like bibleopoly but there is a lot more respect and benevolance than in Monopoly. Walmart demonstrates this generously regularly as the top giving corporation in the U.S. in 2006. Even the largest companies, sometimes considered monopolies, need to be generous and unmonopolized.
This post definitely went a different direction than originally intended so back to the originally intended idea. Bibleopoly is a very unique monopoly game that takes an already fun game and creates another fun and original game. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Yooper Creation Story
Yooper Creation Story
In da beginning dere was nuttin, see
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven , God was missing for six days.
Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call
it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?", inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth, "For example, northern
Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern
Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot.
Over here I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a
con tinent of black people," God continued, pointing to different countries.
"This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold
and covered in ice."
The Archangel , impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass
and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God. "That's Michigan , the most glorious place on earth. You'll
notice that it is made in the fashion of my hand, the Hand of God. There
are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets and rolling hills. ; The pe ople from
Michigan are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they are
going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable,
hard working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the
world as diplomats and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about
balance, God? You said there would be balance!"
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting around them
in Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Wisconsin and Canada
In da beginning dere was nuttin, see
Den on da first day God created da U.P., eh?
On da second day He created da partridge, da deer, da bear, da fish, an da ducks ya know
On da third day He said, "Let dere be YOOPERS to roam da U.P."
On da fourth day He created da udder world down below and on da fifth day He said," Let dere be TROLLS to live in da world down below."
On da sixth day He created 'DA BRIDGE' so da TROLLS would have a way to get to Heaven, see.
God saw it was good and on da seventh day He went huntin!!
Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven , God was missing for six days.
Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call
it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?", inquired Michael, still confused.
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth, "For example, northern
Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern
Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot.
Over here I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a
con tinent of black people," God continued, pointing to different countries.
"This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold
and covered in ice."
The Archangel , impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass
and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God. "That's Michigan , the most glorious place on earth. You'll
notice that it is made in the fashion of my hand, the Hand of God. There
are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets and rolling hills. ; The pe ople from
Michigan are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they are
going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable,
hard working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the
world as diplomats and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about
balance, God? You said there would be balance!"
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting around them
in Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Wisconsin and Canada
Monday, August 11, 2008
200 Freestyle
Wow, Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer. He just won gold in the 200m Freestyle event and he did it shattering his world record and beating his competition by more than a body length (I don't know what the actual time was). I would look this up or link to something that tells you but that is not the point of the story. The 200m freestyle means a lot to me because of my time on the swim team in Junior High.
I joined the team because I loved swimming, still love swimming, and was decent at that particular sport. I however was and still am a sprinter swimming 50's, 100's, and relays. My personal best event was the 50 or 100 backstroke. I was such a sprinter that I trained exclusively for these shorter events. Overall I was successful finishing in the top three most of the time, including a couple 1st place finishes in relay races, one of which I swam butterfly, and the other, freestyle and anchor. It is fair to say I was a good swimmer and the only reason I didn't go on with this sport was turns. I am terrible at turns. Enough about that, I like talking about things I'm good at.
In eighth grade I went to the swimming meet signed up for (4X50) freestyle anchor in a relay, and 50m backstroke. I was confidant I could compete in all events and happy with the plans but my coach had different plans. He didn't take either event away, he added an event the morning of the meet. Here is the conversation in general:
"Hey Kyle, Geoff is not able to be here today so his spot is open in the 200m freestyle event, why don't you take it."
"200m freestyle? I haven't swam that far before."
"I know, but you've swam 100m thats only four more laps (25m pool), you can do it."
"Ok, I'm in."
Well that had me nervous. Suddenly I was swimming the 200m freestyle in a competition having never swam more than 100m. My first event, the relay, went fine resulting in second place. My second event was the 200m freestyle:
I setup in the middle lane between the other two swimmers and waited for the start.
BANG
And we were off..........
After 50m (2 laps) - I was even with my competitors swimming strong and ready for a charge.
Halfway (4 laps) - Half way done and I swam strong, the race was competitive and any one of us was setup to win in the second half.
After 6 laps - The race is still close between the top two performers, the suspense was great and the cheers were loud from all the parents, grandparents, teachers, and workers.
The Finish - The race is done, the winner is decided, and the cheers are loud but wait the race isn't done. The third swimmer still has two laps to go. Yes you guessed that swimmer was me.
All alone in the middle lane of the pool. Tired, drained, sinking, oh wait lift arm, lift other arm, remember to kick, but I'm tired, I have to finish everyone is cheering for me.
"Go Kyle! Only One lap to go! You can do it come on!" -Coach
"Go Kyle! You can do it, don't give up! - Teammates
"And the crowd goes wild!" - Crowd
Must finish, I will do it.....halfway there.....keep swimming.......lift...lift.....kick....lift....kick....lift......grab wall......FINISHED, THIRD PLACE! I DID IT!
That was an amazing experience that I will never forget. The crowd and the coaches cheer when you win but there is something different about the cheering I received. Everyone was cheering for one man, me, to finish the race. I got more applause than anyone the entire day and that feels absolutely amazing and is indescribable. I finished the day with a second place in the 50m backstroke and yes sometimes I wonder if I would have won that final race had I not swam the 200 but in the end I wouldn't trade my 2nd and 3rd place finishes for just one first place backstroke.
The memories just wouldn't be the same.
I joined the team because I loved swimming, still love swimming, and was decent at that particular sport. I however was and still am a sprinter swimming 50's, 100's, and relays. My personal best event was the 50 or 100 backstroke. I was such a sprinter that I trained exclusively for these shorter events. Overall I was successful finishing in the top three most of the time, including a couple 1st place finishes in relay races, one of which I swam butterfly, and the other, freestyle and anchor. It is fair to say I was a good swimmer and the only reason I didn't go on with this sport was turns. I am terrible at turns. Enough about that, I like talking about things I'm good at.
In eighth grade I went to the swimming meet signed up for (4X50) freestyle anchor in a relay, and 50m backstroke. I was confidant I could compete in all events and happy with the plans but my coach had different plans. He didn't take either event away, he added an event the morning of the meet. Here is the conversation in general:
"Hey Kyle, Geoff is not able to be here today so his spot is open in the 200m freestyle event, why don't you take it."
"200m freestyle? I haven't swam that far before."
"I know, but you've swam 100m thats only four more laps (25m pool), you can do it."
"Ok, I'm in."
Well that had me nervous. Suddenly I was swimming the 200m freestyle in a competition having never swam more than 100m. My first event, the relay, went fine resulting in second place. My second event was the 200m freestyle:
I setup in the middle lane between the other two swimmers and waited for the start.
BANG
And we were off..........
After 50m (2 laps) - I was even with my competitors swimming strong and ready for a charge.
Halfway (4 laps) - Half way done and I swam strong, the race was competitive and any one of us was setup to win in the second half.
After 6 laps - The race is still close between the top two performers, the suspense was great and the cheers were loud from all the parents, grandparents, teachers, and workers.
The Finish - The race is done, the winner is decided, and the cheers are loud but wait the race isn't done. The third swimmer still has two laps to go. Yes you guessed that swimmer was me.
All alone in the middle lane of the pool. Tired, drained, sinking, oh wait lift arm, lift other arm, remember to kick, but I'm tired, I have to finish everyone is cheering for me.
"Go Kyle! Only One lap to go! You can do it come on!" -Coach
"Go Kyle! You can do it, don't give up! - Teammates
"And the crowd goes wild!" - Crowd
Must finish, I will do it.....halfway there.....keep swimming.......lift...lift.....kick....lift....kick....lift......grab wall......FINISHED, THIRD PLACE! I DID IT!
That was an amazing experience that I will never forget. The crowd and the coaches cheer when you win but there is something different about the cheering I received. Everyone was cheering for one man, me, to finish the race. I got more applause than anyone the entire day and that feels absolutely amazing and is indescribable. I finished the day with a second place in the 50m backstroke and yes sometimes I wonder if I would have won that final race had I not swam the 200 but in the end I wouldn't trade my 2nd and 3rd place finishes for just one first place backstroke.
The memories just wouldn't be the same.
Friday, August 8, 2008
The missing piece to the Favre story
Over the last several weeks the sports media as covered the Brett Favre story with amazing detail and borderline obsession. Favre was retired and Aaron Rodgers was the starting Packer QB and all was good, but then Favre changed his mind, got reinstated, and was in the middle of a QB competition. Story done right.....WRONG......The Packers still don't want the future hall-of-fame Quarterback and trade him to the New York Jets. Now both Rodgers and Favre are NFL starters for their prospective and who knows maybe they will meet in the Superbowl, wouldn't that be something.
The media has now started backing away from the Favre story but their is still more to the story that I haven't heard anyone talk about yet. When Madden 09 chose Brett Favre to be the cover for the newest game yet to be released it was in honor of a great QB having just finished his career, and the Madden curse would get a year off. WRONG! Maybe the Jets should not have released QB Chad Pennington if Brett Favre will fall victim to this infamous curse made most famous when Michael Vick missed most of the 2004 season after appearing on the cover of Madden 04. Vick is not the only athlete to experience misfortune after appearing on this cover with a list of names including:
Shaun Alexander
Donovan McNabb
Vince Young
Daunte Culpepper
Marshall Faulk
I will not go into detail about these athletes experiences as coverman but they all experienced a little trouble in the corresponding year, some even longer. It remains to be seen if Favre will experience this strange, completely coincidental, truth of football.
The media has now started backing away from the Favre story but their is still more to the story that I haven't heard anyone talk about yet. When Madden 09 chose Brett Favre to be the cover for the newest game yet to be released it was in honor of a great QB having just finished his career, and the Madden curse would get a year off. WRONG! Maybe the Jets should not have released QB Chad Pennington if Brett Favre will fall victim to this infamous curse made most famous when Michael Vick missed most of the 2004 season after appearing on the cover of Madden 04. Vick is not the only athlete to experience misfortune after appearing on this cover with a list of names including:
Shaun Alexander
Donovan McNabb
Vince Young
Daunte Culpepper
Marshall Faulk
I will not go into detail about these athletes experiences as coverman but they all experienced a little trouble in the corresponding year, some even longer. It remains to be seen if Favre will experience this strange, completely coincidental, truth of football.
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