Well, a couple days removed from the END of the series I guess I should say SOMETHING...Yeah, yeah, yeah congrats to the White Sox blah blah blah…the fact of the matter is, that out of the two teams in this year’s series – they were the one’s that were SUPPOSED to be there – so good for them for doing what was expected of them…(and yes, I’m a little bitter)

Anyway, that being said, I thought – though short – it was actually a pretty decent set of games…14 innings here, a shut out through 8 in another, all one and two run games that EITHER team could have won…the Sox just got it done – plain and simple

While everyone is pointing the finger at Phil Garner for leaving Roy Oswalt in too long or for not pinch hitting for Willy Taveras – whatever…Roy was his guy and Roy just collapsed – he pitched brilliant and then the wheels just came off – it happens – that’s why they play the games…wow that’s cliché…as for Willy – you don’t pinch hit for your teams hottest hitter – period.

Fate is a tricky little character and it was clearly on Chicago’s side throughout the postseason…there’s little one can do to challenge fate and this year’s Astros did all they could, alas it was not enough…honestly though – they’re still the Champions of the National League and while they didn’t win in their first ever World Series appearance remember – Rome wasn’t built in a day (unless you ask young Mr. Bush).

If you MUST lay blame however, it can be squarely put upon the shoulders of one Morgan Ensberg (which honestly ended up being apart of one of the weirdest aspects of the series – we were beaten by a guy who can’t even spell his own name right “Geoff” while our hopes were let down by a dude with a girls name “Morgan”) He came up to bat with a chance to win the game with nothing more than a base hit at least three times in that 14 inning game and left more runners on base than I care to count over the course of four games…if anybody shoulda been getting pinch hit for it shoulda been Morgan…but I digress…

I’d also like to point out that while past World Series headline stories slammed fans for interfering with the play by either reaching in to the field of play or not allowing the players to reach in to the stands to play a ball, this year “sports people” are slamming the Houston fans for not giving the business to Uribe when he ventured in to the stands to make what would prove to be one of the final outs of the series…and they’re right I remember watching and immediately asking my Korean homie “where the hell is the FAN INTERFERENCE jeeze-us”…some may call it good sportsmanship but I’ll call it lack of payin’ freggin attention to the game…It’s something I’ve said about Houston fans since the days that the Rockets won a title in the NBA – their fans are some of the weakest in the country…while they do rally around the Astros teams of the last two years, they’re still just lazy, half-hearted fans…(I’m speaking of the majority, of course there are the few that care and the few that will forever cherish just having the opportunity to take their kid to a World Series game with the hometown team playing)

That being said, another great example of the feeble fan support in Houston was in the 14 inning game the ‘Stros and Sox played…game three and a game that could get the ‘Stros back in the series (a rather big game right?)…up and down – up and down…a great baseball game…9th inning-tie game…10th –tie game…now look, I’m all the way in freakin South Korea, I’m watching this game during work (it started at 9:30a.m.) and at this point I’m in this game for the long haul…lunch pssht whateva…bring me something back…can’t leave – this is a great game and I’ve invested too much into it at this point…11th inning…12th....i’ve got work to do, COME ON SOMEBODY HIT THE BALL! 13th…14th – ahhhh crap…back to work…the point is – I STAYED WITH IT EVEN HALF A WORLD AWAY…the stands in Houston though were quickly emptying from the 9th inning on – absolutely unforgivable…don’t believe me? – look at the tape…

Word on the street is though, that the Rocket is coming back next year, Biggio signed a one-year extension, and Bagwell may have a shoulder by then…Berkman will be back, Taveras, Pettitte, Backe, Lidge(bless his soul), Everett, Ensberg, Burke, Ausmus, Lane, Palmero – Hell the whole squad should be back next year! Shit – Who’s up for another RUN AT IT? Go ‘Stros!...

MLB & Bud Selig pull the roof from over the 'Stros heads..

In yet another example of why Bud Selig is the worst commissioner in all of sports - he has stepped in and made HIMSELF a part of this year's World Series by ordering the Houston Astros to open their retractable roof at Minute Maid Park...with the roof closed Minute Maid is deafening - with the roof open it's an inconsistant, wind swirling mess...
This time of year each team's home field advantage is critical (ie: the home teams have won about two thirds of the games this postseason) and now in the biggest stage and the most important game of the Astros' season, someone who shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with the outcome of the game itself has stepped in and basically changed the rules in the middle of the series...I don't recall Selig forcing the games in Chicago to be played during the day because it's too cold for the Astros at night in the Windy City...

(AP) HOUSTON -- Major League Baseball pulled the roof out from over the Houston Astros' heads.
Over the objections of the Astros, the commissioner's office ordered the roof open at Minute Maid Field for Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night and said all games in Houston this week are likely to be played outdoors.
"It is a gorgeous day," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "In Milwaukee, you don't get a day like this until July Fourth…"
…The Astros like playing with the roof closed because, among other things, it increases the noise. They were not thrilled with the decision.
"They had the opportunity to close it in the division series, they had the chance in the championship series, they didn't say anything then," shortstop Adam Everett said. "It surprises me they're saying something now."
Solomon said that the forecast is favorable for the rest of the week and that the roof is likely to be open for all games in Houston. The Astros played their first five postseason games this year with the roof closed. Solomon said the temperature was over 80 degrees for all except Game 3 of the first-round series against Atlanta.

Quality Television...

Clicking through the TV before heading off to sleep I came across CNN just as the hurricane of the week was blowing through south-Florida...I have to say that while you're not really learning ANYTHING from these idiots "braving" the storm it's great fun to watch...
It's like a new sport or something - Hurricane Reporting - and the teams are already broken down - CNN, FoxNews, the other people...it's great...
I've got two guys on a roof holding onto each other in their red-CNN team jackets while their homie is hangin' in the split screen out in some open grassland...basically just praying...literally holding on to a sign for a bit of leverage…
The camera swirls and we’ve lost the shot on the roof…wait, we’ve still got audio…
"He's fine he's fine," they say - "he's just adjusting, he'll be fine, just give us a minute."...
So we've lost CNN team1 and the lone member of team2 is borderline scared shitless and has given up his position...this should be negative points or something
...The best part is that the guy back in the studio is giving out directions to these poor bastards - FROM THE STUDIO! –priceless…
I guess he's like the coach...yeah that fits...
"You guys should really try and get to your fall back position..." he instructs them…
"No, No we're fin---sdlafjdslkajfsdkjfalsdjkfa (static)"
Team1 is down - are they throwing in the towel here?
"I think we may have to head inside..."
Coach just instructed them all to "take a 10minute break" too which they responded by with a weak "OK"
What's great is that every now and then these guys keep saying – “yeah I think this may be the worst of it right here” and then the signal goes out - you can't see or hear them so the coach just tries to go to the other team...What if one of these bastards blows away or gets diced up by some debris?
Coach don't care bitches - MUAHAHAHAHA!
This is great - coach is such a trip shouting instructions and asking "Am I gonna need to get you outta there?" I wish one of them would yell back - "yeah dickhead - come on down and get me outta here...you bastard..."
And then the inevitable coach moment – “Are you crying? ARE YOU CRYING? There’s no CRYING!... You make me sick!” followed by a thunderous bitch slap – talk about must-see-TV!

Gibberish...

First off... I Love the fact that two teams like the 'Stros and White Sox are playing in the Series...seriously...it's very refreshing...two great stories of teams succeeding in years that NO ONE IN BASEBALL ever gave them a chance to even make the playoffs...Hell every five minutes on Baseball tonight Kruk is reminding us that he called for the Astros' to be "disbanded" early in the season...
Then you've got two teams with REAL baseball players...quality players like Bags, Biggio, Everett, Ausmus - Podsednik, Pierzynski, Crede...and the pitching - ohhhhh the pitching - is it possible for every game to end in a tie and for the series to be ruled a "push?"...honestly...any starter on either team could walk out and be a starter at an All Star Game...Hell with this year's series there's a shot that any one of these guys could throw a no-no, shut out, or the dreaded perfect game...dun-dun-duuuuuuuhhhh (maybe excluding Backe but he's still a great young gun)
And then you've got two managers who are as much a part of their teams as they are managers of their teams while still being complete polar opposites of each other and have both done things that were thought impossible with teams made up of guys who supposedly couldn’t win you a championship - it's great...you've got the low-key Phil Garner who is as much a part of the TEAM itself as any player there (biggio and bagwell of course, are on a different level of astrodom) but you gotta remember that Garner came in last year in mid-season and managed to somehow, with a little trade help, turn around a team that was playing horribly and had them one game away from the World Series...he's done something in that dugout to get these guys to believe and to come together and just "buy” into his system…
Then you’ve got Ozzie who I will profess my love for right now…I think he’s awesome…throughout the season he’s been great…when skeptics in Chicago started acting surprised at the Sox’ winning and good play he took it in stride basically giving the bastards one of those “yeah we're winning – duh!” responses – “we’re good – stupid” that’s great…he is who he is – a baseball guy through and through and that’s great for the game – Bud Selig’s punk ass could stand to learn a few things from Mr. Guillen…the great thing about him (being a TRUE baseball guy) is that even as arrogant as he seems/sounds/looks/is he respects other teams, other players, other organizations as a whole…and more so he respects and understands the game…I just watched him gush for five minutes about Andy Pettitte – while Clemens is being touted all over ESPN Ozzie knows the deal – Pettitte is arguably the best postseason pitcher in a long while – we’re talking consistency here…he shows up… (i'm sorry Roger - you know i love you! - i can just see my uncle's jaw dropping when he read that last thought that seemed like i ws nocking Roger...i'm not nocking him - i''m just sayin')
And honestly I love the contrast of this series…as far as the confidence factor goes you’ve got the back to back to back to back complete game pitchers and the loud confident arrogant manager going up against the low key grandpa figure type manager with a group of players who almost seem to be treating each game with an “alright let’s get back to work” type attitude…all season the White Sox were SUPPOSED to be here while the ‘Stros were 15 games under .500 to start the season…they lost the bats (and defense for that matter) of Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent (both sell-out punks who are sitting at home watching this on TV – just thought I’d point that out)…and yet here they are…
I can’t believe that I just spit out 600 words of nonsense here – it took me almost day just to write a simple counseling statement for one of my Soldiers today…
Anyway, now for my predictions, which for the record, I should have been RIGHT ON with my Cardinals v. Astros series prediction-damn you Pujols. If you look back a few posts you’ll see that I had the ‘Stros winning 4-1 with Pettitte closing it out at home…fucking Pujols…
Honestly though, this series is weird…neither team has really seen each other which makes the pitching that much more insanely great…but, I’ve said this all day and will stick by it…Astros in 6 with Pettitte closing it out on the road in Chicago…Go ‘Stros…

for more on the 'Stros check out the Sports Guy's take and being the accredited(sp) journalist that he is - i feel as though his take gives a bit of validation to my earlier post regarding the fall of the 'Stros...for all intents and purposes it SHOULD have happened...alas it didn't - and we're (i'm) much happier...Go 'Stros...

Houston, we have a Pennant...

Did you hear that?...Yeah that was my huge sigh as I leaned comfortably back into my chair - arms raised and smiling like an eight year old...
Yes, I'll admit it - I'm an idiot...after watching last year and now going through nearly the exact situation I didn't want to put myself through it again...
But it’s like crack man, and there I was watching every pitch...every swing...every freggin' Pujols homer highlight…every why Houston CAN’T win...and just kept hoping...
And it feels sooooooooooooo goooood...
It wasn't the erupting-jump around-screaming happy...the joy is more inward - more heartfelt maybe - it feels good...
This is kinda the way it SHOULD feel with this Astros team...more reserved, less in yo' face - more heartfelt...these guys came from 15-30 at the start of the season...they hung in, played fundamental baseball and took the entire National League by surprise...
Did I mention how good this feels right now?
To sum up the Astros - Bagwell and Biggio - class acts...and it really seems like their quiet, unflashy demeanor's have rubbed off on the rest of the team...They were standing next to each other in the dugout when the final out was made...now remember in these days of free agency and the go where the money is philosophy that is baseball, these two guys have stayed in Houston through all the good and more of the bad...more than 2,000 games they've waited...so now, headed to their first World Series ever, how do they react...
A bright smile, a handshake, and a hug...
Ladies and Gentlemen...I present the National League Champion - Houston Astros
Awesome!

Word up Maryland...

Hats off to the great State of Maryland for stepping up to the plate on the whole issue of the government being able to take people's private property.
"Private property is private property," said state Republican Sen. Allan H. Kittleman. "When you own something it shouldn't be taken by the government."
What a crazy idea huh?...If the amendment to the state's constitution goes through, citizens will actually be able to keep the property that they OWN. This comes as a slap in the face to the crazies up in Massachusetts-land where WalMart can sweep in and take your land to build a SuperDooper-grocery/gas/convinience/clothes/shoe-store...right next to the old one of course...and right accross the street from the new Lowe's which now sits on your old nieghbor's house...
This normally obscure issue of eminent domain came to national attention with a controversial decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, which established that government could force the sale of private property for economic development.
"This is encouraging the displacement of low income residents," Kittleman said. "It's a reverse 'Robin Hood effect' — taking from the poor and giving to the rich."
Eminent domain should only be used when a legitimate public use can be demonstrated and when just compensation to the property owner can be paid - ie: public parks, schools, roads, hospitals -NOT ANOTHER MINI-MALL or in Florida's insane case: ANOTHER MEMBERS ONLY BOAT CLUB - seriously...
Can we vote to pass a COMMON SENSE LAW?...

One out away...and other gibberish:
Yep, one out...that's it - that's all they needed to get and they could've punched their own tickets to Chicago for a pitching duel of a World Series...I was leaving the doctor's office when Berkman hit what shoulda been a game winning - series ending - home run...I was the picture of happiness - nearly skipping back to the office to enjoy lunch and the final innings of the game...I wanted to make sure I got back in time to see the final pitch - the final out...I wanted to "feel" IT...
Those of you who know what I mean by IT then you know - and if you don't, that sucks for you, sorry...it's such an excited, happy, eager, joyful feeling...MY team...the World Series(I'm literally jumping around the office now)...one out...beating the "BEST" team in the National League...doing it with their home fans there...two outs(still jumping and now clapping)...how GREAT is this...one more strike and we're home free...damn - base hit...alright no problem(not jumping anymore)...ball four(not clapping)...ok, ok, settle down Lidge...you got this...(Pacing now)
But he didn't...he had nothing...he had a hanging slider down the heart of the plate to the game’s BEST hitter(yeah I said it - screw you Barry, Albert ain't on the juice)...
As Pujols was walking to the plate I looked wearily at a co-worker and commented that “it's almost like somebody was writing this...”
As soon as the pitch left his hands I screamed (yes - in the office) NO WAY...ahhh DAMMIT!
At this point I'm walking outside while pulling my uniform top up over my head...unbelievable...I was a mess - so much so that I was given the rest of the day off...THAT IS HOW BAD I LOOKED...horrible...like a horse just kicked me in the chest...or the balls - whatever...
I hate this...this feeling is one of the worst - yeah, yeah it's just a game blah blah blah - SHUT UP...if you’re a FAN you invest part of your being to trying to help in some way WILL your team to victory...that's why people get caught saying "we" when talking about their teams...it's part of a true sport's fan's identity...going to the World Series is like...well…never mind...I wouldn't know anything about that now would I?...
As for the rest of the series - I honestly think the tide has turned...and we're talking a HUGE tide here...the Cardinals had one foot on the bus headed home while the 'Stros were one strike away from going to their first World Series EVER...at home with the best closer in the league on the mound - they couldn't close it out...just like last year...they left Houston up 3 games to 2...and came back to Houston for yet another disappointing winter...
If I was a betting man I’d have my money on the Cards in seven…it hurts to say, but that Pujols homer just felt like it closed out more than just that game…this sucks…
To top off the copious amounts of suckage...I returned to the doctor's office (on my way to the house) to pick up my perscription and recieve a shot to relieve the tightness/pain in the tendons and muscles in my shoulder and side of my neck...the best part of course, is that the needle was plunged into my ass...that, coupled with the fact that it hurt like wholly hell (and my shoulder is still tight) can simply be described as the perfect ending to the perfect day...

In other news: Apparently the word in the Black community is that the government “blew up the levees in New Orleans.” Now I know I get the news way out here in South Korea land and what not, but someone please tell me that Farrakan’s crazy ass isn’t REALLY peddling this nonsense…someone please tell me that I didn’t REALLY hear this a minute ago on the Bill-I’m a pompous ass-O’Rielly show…insane bastards these people are…

Also: I would just like to take a moment to discuss my only objection/point/argument against this Miers lady being on the highest court in the land…I HAVE AS MUCH EXPIRIENCE BEING A JUDGE AS SHE DOES…that is all…

'Stros v. Cards: GAME II:

Screw it, I'm gonna do it anyway - you're not the boss of me! ha! (see previous post)
This is why it's basically cheating for me to write the game one post - because I already had the outcome of game two - but I had the ump from the Sox/Angels game who said no but then mysteriously saying YES...so I ran with it - ha! lame pun! AWESOME...
I didn’t get to watch this game (for the most part) because I was sent to cover a nonsense story for my office which meant that I had to travel an hour away to take pictures of a ceremony and miss what would be a classic Roy Oswalt pitching performance…
And while I should be upset and feel cheated – it’s all good…they won…Roy was great and Bae had nothing to say…bong…
The trick to the game – for ME – was that, for game one my hats on the TV were parallel and facing the same direction – ‘Stros lose…
This game however, right before I left the residence, I rotated the hats so that they were at an angle and facing each other…AND I DIDN’T WATCH THE MAJORITY OF THE GAME…
This crazy scenario might sound strange, but it’s the same one in which the ‘Stros won the 18 inning epic and now, worked for the game that evened the series to one game a piece…
I’ll take one game a piece leaving St. Louis…seems fair enough…hell they’re supposed to be THE BEST team in baseball…we don’t stand a chance right?
Houston did what it did all year though…good pitching, good hits where they counted, good base running (the white sox would be up an easy two nothing if they were awake) and Brad Lidge…That’s Houston Astros baseball folks…clean, simple and to the point…nothing fancy – just get it done…
Everyone on the lineup comes to play…case and point rookie Chris Burke…5-8, 4 RBI, in three games…
Just good team ball – and it’s lovely…
How scary is that to MLB honchos, a team that JUST plays baseball with no flash – aside from the pitching of course…who’s gonna watch that?...
I’ll be there – count on that…Go ‘Stros...

'Stros v. Cards: GAME I

I meant to write this right after Game I so I could do a; Game I, Game II, Game III type thing, but couldn’t actually post on the army system and then was way too lazy to actually put forth any effort to write anything once I got off of work…shut up…
So here’s a “Game I” thing from me – the Finch –
I’m watching this in my office at work with my Korean Hommie – Sgt. Bae (who will be forever referred to simply as Bae) who is THE biggest baseball fan that I’ve ever actually met…seriously – the bastard knows stats from two years ago and tendencies that have accumulated throughout the season. It’s actually rather incredible when you think about it…here’s a dude all the way in Korea who loves baseball so much that he’s damn near more knowledgeable than any stateside fan…needless to say (which means I’m gonna say it) he makes it more fun…
To start the game he puts an action picture of Chris Carpenter as the wallpaper of his computer screen – fucker…he will go against ANY team I root for – fantasy teams included…the bastard…I think I might actually hate him sometimes...I know he's doing it on purpose...
Then he laughs at every strike Carpenter throws…and then Pettitte comes up and puts a PHAT pitch down the heart on a 1-2 count with two out…anybody explain that one –
HA HA - Yes as a matter of fact – they can – He SHOULDN'T have been pitching in the first place…
After the game, which was well played baseball and the Cards won on the field…I’ll give them that…after the game I (we) learned that during batting practice Andy took his swings, as is customary, and then ran the bases, also customary…during said trot however, he was inadvertently struck hard, by a line drive directly on the inside part of the right knee…ooooouuuucchhhh – you might say…
Ouch indeed – this happens to be the leg that Pettitte lands on, on every pitch…
Anyway THAT phat pitch landed in the left field stands and put the Cardinals up to stay…
As I’m watching the game – not knowing about the batting practice snafu which was only brought up AFTER the game – I’m rambling to Bae about “why would that pitch be THERE…blah blah blah…and that was really the main story of the game when it came down to it. THAT one pitch set the tone. Non baseball people might not get it and jabber on about 9 inning game and what not...that pitch was supposed to be a hooking inside cut fastball, which 8 times out of 10 will break a batter's bat leading to an easy out...THIS however, completly started the Astros off on the wrong foot and they never really picked up their step...if you watched the game you know what i'm sayin'
The issue for me is this: You start Oswalt instead of an injured Pettitte, you’re not down going into the 3rd down two runs… you’re attitude is different, you’re bullpen setup is different etc, and your hitters don't feel like they NEED to go yard to get the game back…
Still though…there were opportunities in the game…On both sides...
For the ‘Stros to come back, but also for the Cards to shut it down…good game - whatever – shut up – damn it…

No sleep...must watch...base...ball...
Well I'm slowly weening myself back on to "regular hours" out here...back to work on Wednesday so i think I'll make it...been getting up at 6 or 7 in the afternoon to watch the games this weekend (they start around 1 or 2 in the morning)...dying around 7 this morning while the Astros marathon was going on...thought the game was over and just happened to flip back to it from the cowboy's massacre of the eagles when Ausmus came up - no shit...home run (barely)...and then i couldn't get away from the TV for a couple hours...i honestly didn't want to move or adjust the way i was sitting when he hit the homer to tie - not that i believe in jinxes or anything...and how sweet it was...unbelievable..."they're" calling it possibly one of the greatest games EVER...
Now the Astros must face the powerhouse that is St. Louis, but for those of you keeping score at home it is worth mentioning that while St. Louis are 11-5 against each other this year, that the 'Stros did sweep the mighty Cardinals in a two game set at the end of the season...i'm predicting 4-1 series victory with Pettite closing it out at home in game five for Houston...but that's just ME...
Now as far as football goes...I give up...what a very, very inconsistant group of teams...no way to really tell WHO is going to show up each week...hell Green Bay put up 52 really quickly while mighty Eagles couldn't even move the ball ten yards for a first down against Da'Boys...And then I finally get a decent performance out of a QB and my ILLs have they're biggest loss yet - i grabbed some Henderson guy on the Saints cause he was supposed to be put in to the #2WR slot (which obviously didn't happen as he had 0 catches), Detriot puts up an astounding 35pts but Roy Williams apparently broke his leg or something(2catches for 24 yards), and somehow Westbrook got less carries(6) than he did last week - oh, and the Broncos picked this week to switch from Anderson(34yds) to Bell(127yds/2TD) - wonderful!...oh well...i'm currently trying to figure out how i can get the Astros starting rotation and all the "B"ees (Biggio, Bagwell, Berkman, Burke, Brad) put into my lineup - and Lidge in as my starting defense - for next week...couldn't possibly hurt...go Stros!...

Red River Diary...

Well, I slept most of the day in preparation for tonight’s (2 a.m. here) festivities – Texas vs. Oklahoma ladies and gents…And as if the game isn’t going to be enough to keep me occupied, I will be making my first attempt at a running diary for this year’s Red River Shootout.
For those of you not familiar with the running diary, I’m stealing it from ESPN Page 2’s Bill Simmons A.K.A. the Sport’s Guy. Could be good – possibly funny – hopefully culminating with a big W.
It’s the 100th edition of the century old rivalry and should be less of a shootout and more of a blowout in favor of the beautiful burnt orange of the Longhorns – should be…
The Horns will have to do better than they have in the last five years. Five games that Texas had an amazing 19 turnovers. Five games that have ended in five consecutive losses to the Sooners – A sixth may be the LAST for Mack Brown.

11:36 pm – more than two hours to kick off…I swear Lee Corso picked Oklahoma to win on Sportscenter and now he just picked Texas on GameDay…????? Ha! He’s old!

12:55 am – GameDay Picks – Corso: Texas, Herbstreet: Texas

2 am – windy, rain, 72 degrees? Wait no this is the Virginia/BC game…

2:05 am – STILL waiting for this to kickoff…Adrian Peterson blah blah blah, Sooners need to blah blah blah…let’s get it on…

2:09 – kickoff to Texas…FUMBLE - oh shit…whew we still got…breathe dammit breathe…

2:10 – I’m actually very nervous…had to stand up and do a small lap around my room…my buddies back at Fort Knox know this maneuver well after last year’s Astros’ playoff run, North Carolina’s final four and Texas’ College World Series…

2:13 – Vince and the other Young are killin’ with their play fakes all year…they just faked out the announcer…good stuff

2:15 – THE GAME JUST WENT OUT – YOU’RE KIDDING ME – SERIOUSLY – STATIC – Freaking out, FREAKING OUT!!!…

2:19 – And we’re back…jeeze

2:20 – First play back – TOUCHDOWN – WHO CAN’T THROW? Yeah baby…The Eyes of Texas are beautiful…aired out beauty of a pass caps an 80 yd drive – cue the band

2:23 – Adrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiaaaaannnnnnnn?????

2:28 – FUMBLE - Texas gets the ball back and Vince is just chillin in the pocket – la di da – he fell on it though – jeez

2:40 – Brown declines a Sooner penalty and this little bastard comes out and squibs a 52 yd field goal – 7-3

2:43 – FUMBLE AGAIN – holy shit this is insane – they have fumbled every time they’ve touched the damn ball – and now we have our first Adrian Peterson sighting – boooooo

2:47 – Texas blitzes for the first time and OU has to settle for another field goal 7-6

2:50 – Draw play to Charles…missed tackle…GONE…80 yards…TD…cue the band…14-6

3:00 – they just announced that the Angels’ victory over the Yankees has been postponed due to rain…How nice will it be when both the Red Sox and the Yankees are out of the playoffs…Granted – it was nice to see them win last year, but for God’s sake – enough already…

3:17 – It just feels like Texas is just refusing to grab HOLD of this game. OU’s not blitzing and they’re just kinda goin’ through the motions. That and Vince seems to be having issues running and cutting…

3:22 – QB draw? – out of an OU timeout the Sooners run a QB draw? And someone is getting paid to make these play calls?

3:27 – INTERCEPTION OU – Texas has run out of the shotgun for more than half their plays, but scored on an 80 yard run…why not try running the damn ball?
3:28 – Texas is bailed out on a BS interference call – and of course Texas is right back n the shotgun…

3:43 – 1 min left in the half…it will be interesting to see if Texas tries to get the ball down the field to grab the momentum…

3:48 – Yes they do…could someone please cue the band…24-6 pretty touch pass from Vince hits Pittman in stride for a 64 yard TD…

4:23 – Texas is really trying to grab the game by going for it on 4th down early in the second half…Meanwhile I’m on some website checking out Texas fight songs to put on every time I use the phrase cue the band – good stuff

4:33 – Cedric Griffin will now be taken off the field for attempted murder of OU’s Broman…

4:38 – Vince throws a yard short of the first down…hold the phone…roughing the passer – 1st Down TX – what a dumb play for both teams…

4:41 – He doesn’t even try to throw these passes…he’s just putting the ball nicely in the air for his guys to get them…with Vince yawning it’s now 31-6…cue the band… Has anyone seen the “real” Vince Young?...14 rushing yards so far…

4:47 – TRICKERATION – fake punt – no dice – TX ball…

4:50 – Never mind – replay this year – OU first down – SHUTUP

4:51 - The attempted murder charges have been droped as it is now apparent that the Sooner QB is actually trying to kill HIMSELF...

4:52 – GREAT INTERCEPTION – just great

4:56 – note to TX players: tuck in your damn shirts

5:00 – Dan Fouts and Kieth Jackson are now attempting to jinx Vince by randomly beginning to discuss the various possibilities of Young getting injured if he stays in the game – why? Why do announcers ever do this? EVER? Just shut up and call the game…

5:05 – Selvin Young – TD – Cue the band and somebody wake up the second string – 13:06 left and we’re officially in garbage time…lovely…for those of you scoring at home that’s 31 unanswered points…

5:28 – 315lbs of Brian Robinson just murdered Broman – laughing hold on – this hit hurt ME – laughing again hold on – WOW – TD TX – cue the band and start the buses – game, set, match

W

Jeeze...

I'd just like to say that I in no way intend for this to become a weekly update type of thing...I realize that there are those of you who look here regularly for some updates of the Finch and I can imagine that you may have been rather disappointed upon finding that my lazy ass hasn't written anything - AGAIN...sorry...
Here's the thing, I'm a noncommissioned officer in the Army and I have responsibilities and what not now...some of which happen to be Soldiers and KATUSAs (Korean army soldiers) who are in some way depending on me for answers and direction...see I'm still figuring out my leadership "style" as it were and have only been here for a little more than what - two months now...the trick is that the office that I came to - which had a sergeant major and another NCO above me - has now dwindled down to ME, while they are hanging out ("working") in D.C...
I'm competent - don't get me wrong - it's just a lot to take in, in the blink of an eye...it's all good though, and after this passed week I think I have a much better handle on what is actually going on from all the various angles that goings on may come from out here...
All that being said – it has been a rather interesting week out here – in the “Land of the Morning Calm”– whatever…
Josh deployed to start the week and is now at Camp Anaconda –a place where I happened to be one of the first one or two hundred Soldiers on, way back in Iraqi Freedom One - and now Angela (my fiancé) is sweatin’ it out down in Kuwait at some place that wasn’t there when me and her were there the last time – ahhh memories – imagine meeting the love of your life in one of the world’s biggest shit-holes (no offense) – if that’s not irony than well…it’s not ironic…
all I know is that I miss her terribly…it’s very hard and I’m amazed and very happy that we’ve made it this long through everything…I can’t imagine my life without her…but I digress
HERE though, we were busy – or at least attempting to appear busy enough to go to lunch or call it a day and head ‘home’…missions are limited and usually insane or at least unnecessary and of course are on the weekend…this leads to five days of sitting around looking at each other and bitching about having to work on yet another weekend, followed by an early wakeup Saturday or Sunday to go ‘cover’ an event that will never be published and should never have been covered in the first place – for those of you not accustomed to this (ian and josh – you can stop reading HERE) someone asks an officer IF someone can come to “this” and said officer excitedly says yes and tells a Soldier that he/she WILL “cover” whatever nonsense that will make said officer look as though they performed some type of favor for said asker – it’s absolutely horrible and, as a matter of fact, goes against actual Army Regulations…but I’m just a Sergeant…
See I look like I’m 12 so, in the eyes of some of these ‘leaders’ there’s no way that I’ve been in the Army for going on seven years and have ACTUAL experience in nearly every aspect of this career field(army-wise anyway) so they won’t check with me on anything dealing with the Soldiers that I’m responsible for…either that or they know that I’ll just tell my guys to sign out a camera to said asker so they can take whatever photos they want their selves…but I digress again
I went on a tour yesterday of some areas around Seoul…I hope to post a picture spread in the next few days…got to go to an OLD palace which was absolutely amazing…the colors, architecture and the whole place itself was really curious and neat…I’ll most likely go back just cause they didn’t really give us an opportunity to walk around and venture out on our own…could be some great pictures…then we rushed off to somewhere way one the other side of Seoul and had lunch – then to a place filled with thousands – seriously – of little Koreans all dressed in bright crazy insane colors to separate each class or school or group or whatever from each other and teachers with whistles and loud voices to keep them together and EVERY SINGLE LITTLE KOREAN is yelling HELLO, HELLO, HI, HELLO, HI, HI, HELLO, HELLO…at you cause while they’re there to learn about the history of their country (much like you and your group) YOU happen to be a WHITE KID and they’re in AWE…all good kids and it had to put a smile on my face simply for the pure innocence of it all…I actually had the conversation with someone in my group about how much more polite the young children are then the adults and elder Koreans…whateva...
Then we went to the war museum for like three minutes-rushed to dinner with the minister of defense-had it got on the bus-and that was it…all in all I’ll give it a 7 outta 10 just for the palace and the beautiful day alone…
Well, I look forward to a busy weekend…the way I like it…Texas vs. Oklahoma is the flavor of the week...The Astros are in Houston for the Braves and close the series out at home…and the ILLs need a win against the damned GirlScouts I’m 1-3 (I mis-spoke when I said I had won two in a row – shut up)…these will ALL most likely bring on raving nonsense posts from me due to the fact that I don’t have to be back to work until Wednesday...that and the extended weekend wil no doubt lead to a heavy indulgence into alcoholic beverages…BONG…