In hindsight

This is what I didn't say, didn't know, or happened subsequent to my most recent posts. 

1.  Kissing Suzy Kolber has a lot of funny running jokes, including one about Chad Ochocinco and Bengals coach, Marvin Lewis.  The most recent entry is, What Happens When You Call Ocho’s Phone Sex Line? (NSFW)

2.  The incident that inspired the name "Kissing Suzy Kolber" is one of the funniest moments in the history of television. 

3.  The Supreme Court is hearing a case based upon Westboro Baptist Church protests at military funerals.  This is an extremely interesting case.  I can't move off the view that as despicable as the actions of the protesters are, they are protected by the First Amendment.  How does this balance with privacy rights, places and times when protests are regulated, and responsibility for the results of one's speech?  Free speech exists, but certain content such as slander and yelling "fire" in a movie theatre will get you in trouble.  I am interested in how the court rules.

4.  The Ryder Cup was something special.  There were some great performances.  It was decided on the final singles match, with Graeme McDowell defeating Hunter Mahan to win it for the Europeans. 

5.  I had never watched Jersey Shore.  Stopped for about one minute when I saw it was on the other day.  I'm pretty sure that nose picking constitutes foreplay in the Jersey Shore.  My curiosity is satisfied.  I've seen enough.

6.  They say pitching wins championships.  I hope so, because my World Series picks (Phillies and Rays) had some serious hitting problems over the course of the season. 

7.  Apparently, I now take submissions.  They will be posted under the heading, "put this in your blog and smoke it".  It made me take the time (approx. 2 minutes) to learn how to add pictures and videos.

8.  "Four Days In October" was a good documentary.  Liked the camcorder footage. 

9.  It didn't take long to reveal my loyalties are to the New England sports teams.  Too much going on not to comment.  I will try not to focus too heavily on it.  No, I didn't just become a Liverpool fan.

10.  Texas and Florida are two of the most overrated college football teams this season.  They simply lost too much talent from last year.  Betting against them helped redeem my college football picks.  Moving the picks from Friday to Thursday, as suggested. 

11.  Oregon's win over Stanford was a fun college football game to watch.  Alabama and Oregon are the two best teams in the country right now, and the national championship match up I would most like to see.

12.  Not sure if I can or should keep up the theme of song lyrics as column titles.  My guess is that it has been done before (and probably better).  I have seen articles centered around movie quotes, but there is no intent to steal unattributed content or ideas.

Weekend Watching

I certainly won't watch it all, but I will pay attention to The Ryder Cup, starting today.  The Ryder Cup is a team golf event matching the USA against Europe.  It is played every other year, and alternating venues between the USA and Europe.  This year's Ryder Cup is being contested at Celtic Manor in South Wales.

Normally, golf is an individual sport, where one plays for and by oneself.  Professionals, and some country clubbers, rely on a caddie to carry their bags and provide guidance, but the game is played individually.  The Ryder Cup asks the best golfers in the world to play for and as a team.  There are foursomes, fourballs, and singles play; each match offering one point to win, lose or split.  The team with the most cumulative points wins the Cup.

I rarely watch golf and stopped playing in college.  I tell people I gave it up because it was too easy, but that has probably never happened in the history of man.  I'll watch some of the Masters and the Ryder Cup, but that's about it. 

I have attended golf tournaments twice (at East Lake and Sugarloaf) and, in both cases, had a great time.  I highly recommend going if you have an opportunity.  Watching the best in the world make a difficult game look easy (but sometimes they look just like the rest of us), and seeing the landscaping and layout of the golf course make for a good day.  Watching Tiger Woods drive a golf ball while I stood 10 feet away (then getting him to chuckle at a joke as he headed to the tee-side porta john) rates as a unique experience.  Both times, beer was available to the gallery.

I am also interested in anything representing a high level of international competition, where the competitors are motivated by playing for their country (or, in Ryder Cup, continent).  To be on the Ryder Cup team, golfers accumulate points based on performance leading up to the event.  Eight qualify, and four are chosen by team captains, making for 12 man teams.  Players are honored to earn a spot on their Ryder Cup squad. 

I root for Americans to win.  I root for all to perform well, regardless of nationality.  Same with the Olympics, World Cup, FIBA Championships, and other international competitions.  I want to see something special.  The Ryder Cup is not routine, like a normal four round golf tournament or a 162 game baseball season.  The spectators tell you all you need to know.  That it's the best golfers in the world playing as a team for a title they truly care about.  It is a chance to see something special. 

And yes, Tiger Woods is playing.