Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Sega On Your Mobile

See for yourself.


If they unleash 94, I am going to call my insurance company and let them know I will be rear ending five cars, smashing into three trees, and scoring 15 with Mogilny against the Whalers.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

He's Drinking a Frappe Down Cellar

I found myself at a sub shop the other day deciding whether I wanted an Italian or a Meatball parm. After weighing the pros and cons of each decision, I decided to go with the Italian. I put in my order and ask them to load it up. I turn around to start the same selection process at the chip rack and realize that the guy behind the counter is not done with me yet. He asks me if I want a roll or a wedge. I reply “a what”, he says “a wedge”… I am pretty puzzled at this point, but in an effort discover what the hell is occurring and end the current stand off I was in, I go with the wedge. Turns out it is just a sub, which I got me thinking about the whole sub category in general. Is there any other food group that has so many aliases? I thought I had heard them all, then “Wedge” gets thrown at me. Are there more variations beyond this that I have yet to come across? Well, hopefully some of you here can help me avoid any future situations where I stand in front of a sub shop employee feeling like Paris Hilton in a monastery.

I have now come across:
-The Submarine (Sub)
-The Hero
-The Grinder
-The Hoagie
-The Po’boy
-The Wedge

Furthermore, what other food/drink names are dependent on their geographic resting point. Well, after doing some google research I found myself at this website that compiles surveys analyzing dialect dispersion around the country. Some other categories I found entertaining are listed below

Thick drink made with Milk and Ice Cream:
-Frappe
-Milkshake
-Cabinet
-Velvet
-Thick Shake

Now, here at 10CFP it is a Frappe and it will always be so, but more than 96% of the people surveyed call it a Milkshake, which is just chocolate syrup and milk in our book. And I have never heard of it being called a Cabinet and Velvet.

Sweetened Carbonated Beverage
-Soda
-Pop
-Coke
-Tonic
-Soft Drink
-Cola
-Fizzy Drink
-Dope
-Other (2.5)

These are all familiar with the exception of Dope and if you are calling it Fizzy Drink and are over the age of 8, then you have some issues to deal with.

I guess the difference in dialect always intrigued me because I did not know I had such a distinct one until I was in college. Instantly after I arrived people began asking me what the hell everything I said meant. Words like cellar, rubbish barrel, elastic, bubbler (the fountain water you hippie), rotary, clicker, packie, jimmies, breakdown lane and hoodsies all rendered looks of confusion. It is a great moment when you first start to realize that you know very little and will be learning so much.

Friday, February 23, 2007

More Globe Archive Stuff (Tom Glavine, Hockey Player, Edition)

Couple more teasers from the Boston Globe archives. These are all from March of 1984 and serve as testimony to Tom Glavine's hockey ability. First teaser is from the recap of Billerica's 10-2 win over Weymouth North in the EMass Quarterfinals...

DIVISION 1 HOCKEY\ BILLERICA WALLOPS WEYMOUTH NORTH\ BYLINEBY JERRY HIGGINSGLOBE CORRESPONDENT
Published on March 10, 1984

It was supposed to be a showcase of two of the better centers around in Weymouth North's Kevin Heffernan and Billerica's Tom Glavine.

What it turned out to be was a good old fashoned whupping as Billerica jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and coasted to a 10-2 romp over Weymouth North in the Eastern Mass. Division 1 quarterfinals last night at BU's Walter Brown Arena.


Three days later the Globe ran this story on Glavine winning the Carlton Award...

GLAVINE WINS CARLTON AWARD\ BILLERICA SENIOR CENTER CITED FOR HOCKEY, ACADEMIC ABILITY
Published on March 13, 1984
Author(s): Larry Ames Globe Staff

Tom Glavine, one of the finest athletes to come out of Billerica High in the past few years, is the winner of the second annual John Carlton Memorial Award.

The award is given by the Boston Bruins to a high school senior who combines exceptional hockey skills with academic excellence. Glavine will receive the award Saturday between periods of the Bruins' game against the New Jersey Devils at the Boston Garden.
Glavine, a center, was the leading scorer in Eastern Mass....

And, finally, here's the teaser from Billerica's loss to my alma mater, St. John's Prep, in the EMass semis....

ST. JOHN'S EARNS FINAL REMATCH
Published on March 14, 1984
Author(s): Jerry Higgins Globe Correspondent

For the fifth time since the Eastern Mass. hockey finals were split into Divisions 1 and 2 in 1972, there will be an all-Catholic Conference final in Division 1 at Boston Garden.

And, for the fourth time, it will mark the third meeting of the year between Matignon and St. John's Prep.

Last night, the Prep got balanced scoring and hot goaltending to ward off Billerica, 5-3, in the semifinals at the Garden.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

From the Boston Globe Archives....

I've been amusing myself no end this afternoon by searching the Boston Globe's online archives. So much so that I went ahead and bought a 25-article pass, by all accounts a horrible bargain, for the right to download a few of my choice. I'll definitely keep the citizens of Freeze Pop Land updated if I come across anything noteworthy. For now, enjoy this teaser for a 1982 column from the venerable Mike Barnicle...

MIKE BARNICLE\ I WAS JUST THINKING . . .'
Published on November 26, 1982
Author(s): Mike Barnicle

Not that it really matters, but:

Nancy Reagan had two turkeys in her house yesterday.

Stewardesses aren't as pretty as they used to be.

Diet Coke is a great drink.

Tab tastes like soap.

Pro football is as exciting as unloading a dishwasher.

John Glenn could be my President.

And things are so bad that even Bob Dole is looking good.

But Alan Cranston looks like E.T.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Of Babies & Brady's

In honor of Tom Brady becoming a father I feel like it's only appropriate to post this...



It's hard to pick a most ridiculous part. Is it the kazoo intro? Is it the outfits? Is it the faux Jan? Is it the synchronized swimming? Tough to say.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Young Shaq Throws It Down

All the Oden/Durant talk lately reminds me that I've been meaning to post this video I saw of Shaq blocking a shot and going coast-to-coast in the 1989 McDonald's All-American game...



I think Dickie V. may have literally had an orgasm after the dunk.

Lyrical Foolishness

I always thought Vanilla Ice was the leader in the clubhouse when it came to most ridiculous claims in a single song. (Witness such lines as, "turn off the lights, and I'll glow" and "if my rhyme was a drug I'd sell it by the gram.") But my sister Amy and I were discussing Air Supply the other night (within the context of someone singing one of their songs on American Idol) and the thought occurred that, with the song Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, they might just have Vanilla licked. I mean, take a gander at these beauties....

MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL (Air Supply)

I know just how to whisper
And I know just how to cry
I know just where I find the answers
And I know just how to lie
I know just how to fake it
And I know just how to scheme
I know just when to face the truth
And then I know just when to dream
And I know just where I touch you
And I know just what to prove
I know when to pull you closer
And I know when to let you loose

And I know the night is fading
And I know the time’s gonna fly
And I’m never gonna tell you everything I gotta tell you
But I know I’ve got to give it a try

And I know the roads to riches
And I know the ways to pain
I know all the rules and then I know how to break’em
And then I always know the name of the game

But I don’t know how to leave you
And I’ll never let you fall
And I don’t know how you do it
Making love out of nothing at all

Making love
Out of nothing at all
Making love
Out of nothing at all
Making love
Out of nothing at all
Making love
Out of nothing at all
Making love
Out of nothing at all
Making love
Out of nothing at all

Everytime I see you, well the rays of the sun are all
Streaming through the waves in your hair
And every star in the sky is taking aim at your eyes
Like a spotlight
The beating of my heart is a drum and it’s lost
And it’s looking for a rhythm like you
You can take the darkness from the deep of the night
And turn it to a beacon burning endlessly bright
I gotta follow it ‘cause everything I know
Well, it’s nothing ‘till I give it to you

I can make the runner stumble
I can make the final block
And I can make every tackle at the sound of the whistle
And I can make all the stadiums rock

I can make tonight forever
Or I can make it disappear by the dawn
And I can make you every promise that’s ever been made
And I can make all your demons be gone

But I’m never gonna make it without you
Do you really wanna see me crawl ?
And I’m never gonna make it like you do
Making love out of nothing at all

Making love
Out of nothing at all...

Friday, February 02, 2007

Will the streak continue


The Celtics are going to hit the hardwood tonight in pursuit for their 14th straight loss. I am not sure which is a more impressive feat, the Suns' winning streak or the Celtics losing one. History tells us it is harder to lose a lot of games in a row. The longest losing streak is 23 games, while the Lakers won 33 straight in the 71-72 season. The best part for us Celtics fans is we actually get to cheer on this puppy. With Oden and Durant in mix this year, I hope they lose 30 straight.

Side note: That Duke/Virgina game was great entertainment last night. Sean Singletary is really exciting to watch and the Cavaliers, in my opinion, have the best backcourt in the nation. Singletary's one-handed fade away over McRoberts for the game winner was great, but the entire game he showed why he has the best handle on the ball in the country.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

They Say I Look Like Hasselhoff


This site is pretty cool. You throw a picture of yourself or anybody for that matter and it gives you a bunch of celebrities that have similar facial features. There is a boat load of other things you can do on the site as well.

Who Am I

Rollin' With Kid 'N Play

I don't have many regrets in life but one regret I do have is that I absolutely used to pull out the move displayed at the :49 seconds-remaining mark of this video at high school dances....



I'm not proud of it. But it happened.

At least I didn't go for the flat-top...

Mid-Semester Review

I decided to revisit the “what am I watching” post from earlier this fall. I gave a fairly long list of shows that I would try give a shot and now I want to see how the delivered:

Original Post:

Heroes: It seems to be well written. I really liked the opener and will watch it until it loses me. This is what happens every year and by October this list is cut in half.
Lost: No need to explain. Either you watch it or you don't
Studio 60: I loved the opener. I really did. I thought Pete was overacting a little, but lets be honest here... it's Amanda "Can I take my shirt of now?" Pete. Second show was not as good, but we love Sorkin and think this will work.
The Office: If you don't watch it, leave. Ahh, don't speak.. just walk away and never return.
Kidnapping: Not sure why I am watching this one, but I am.
The Amazing Race: The Family Edition almost killed the show. It was awful, but they come back this year with some killer teams (2 already eliminated). They have the couple, 2 years into it and deciding if they should make the next step, that absolutely hates each other. They have (had) 2 groups of very attractive women. Miss New York and Miss Cali are still in it, the spunky cheerleaders are gone. They have a lady with one leg. They have a middle aged giddy gay couple, that provide serious comedic entertainment. They have a father and daughter duo, where the father cries in disappointment about his daughter being gay. Two Country Bumpkins from Kentucky who have no idea where they are. They may win; they think they are still in Kentucky. It is amazing. Good cast, I am in.
Friday Night Lights: Machon liked High School.
30 Rock: Alec Baldwin, enough said.


Watching because of Machonette:
Greys Anatomy
Dancing with the Stars
Gilmour Girls
Desperate Housewives


Well to start off, I picked a fairly good lineup considering how many shows have been axed at this point. Everything is still on or finished the season except Kidnapping, which as you can see, I was barely with it anyway. Now for the mid semester review:

Heroes: It is well written and each show has been had numerous “get the F**k out of here” moments. They found a way to take the comic book concept and make it appealing on a mass level. They came out firing the first half of the season with “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World”, then did something most shows today don’t and answered that question. Now the question is “Are You on the List?”

Lost: It’s tough to say because we only saw the first 6 episodes, but as I have posted before… I thought they were great. That being said, they real party begins next Wednesday.

Studio 60: It has been very blah, but I still watch it. It is becoming increasingly clearer that Amanda Peet can’t act and her value rises drastically when she is taking her shirt off.

The Office: Anyone who reads visits 10CFP on a semi-consistent basis knows how we feel about this show.

Kidnapping: Axed and it wasn’t even that bad. It just wasn’t that good either and without the start power of a Studio 60, it was only a matter of time.

The Amazing Race: Well, it was what you would think. It was a race around the world with some good teams, some annoying ones, but carried your attention for an hour. The gay couple should have stuck around longer though; their final episode may go down as one of the best AR moments ever.

Friday Night Lights: This show is actually very good. The football scenes are poorly done, but the casting, writing and acting have been extremely solid. The thing is, and Hadley and I talked about it the other day, this show and every other show about sports could be significantly improved if they hired a sport analyst to help them out. A couple episodes ago they have the Panthers go for it on 4th and 8 from their own 40. The point of the play and the episode for that matter, is for it to be the QB’s turning point. All they had to do was have someone with a little bit of football knowledge on the staff and have the line of scrimmage be the other teams 40 and it makes sense. 4th and 8 from the opponents 40, that’s a play every team would at least consider going for it. This would avoid pissing off every football fan who watches the show. I mean crap like this happens all the time and drives viewers away and the actual games are not even a major plot mover.

30 Rock: As stated before, Baldwin is in it. Also, one of our pal’s sister will be on the show next week, be sure to tune in. She actually has a speaking scene with Baldwin and as I told him, if she amounts to nothing else after this… she will always be able to say she traded lines with Alec Baldwin.

And of course I watch 24, mostly because I am scared Jack Bauer would shoot my knee caps off if I didn’t.

It’s been a good year on the tube thus far, and I have no longer any obligation to watch the shows Machonette was pushing. This is a huge added bonus.