31 July 2010
Svetlana Abrosimova
"Svetty" was interviewed on the local news the other night. In the interview she said that she specifically wanted to come play for the Storm:
[The online video is quite a bit longer than the interview I saw on TV. Cool!]
[The online video is quite a bit longer than the interview I saw on TV. Cool!]
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Slam Online
From an article written by a NBA fan attending a WNBA game:
"By the way, if you think women fans don’t get mad over a referee’s calls, all I can tell you is that you are extremely wrong."
"By the way, if you think women fans don’t get mad over a referee’s calls, all I can tell you is that you are extremely wrong."
Labels: Seattle Storm
30 July 2010
Revenge on Chicago
Chicago was the first team to beat Seattle this year, and the Storm got their revenge. They had a gorgeous first half and maintained their lead through the second for a dominant win.
Labels: Seattle Storm
2008 Olympics
In the summer of 2008, I was just starting to pay attention to the Seattle Storm and women's basketball in general. Because of my then-limited interest, I didn't watch any of the games at the Beijing Olympics.
I really wish I had, but I'll just have to wait until the 2012 London Olympics to watch Olympic basketball.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying looking at pictures from Beijing, and ruminating that the current Seattle Storm has a player from each of the medaling teams: Svetlana Abrosimova (bronze for Russia), Lauren Jackson (silver for Australia), and Sue Bird (gold for the U.S.A.).
Here's Sue Bird and Svetlana Abrosimova (former college teammates) showing off their medals:
And here's something you don't see often: Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson playing against each other:
I really wish I had, but I'll just have to wait until the 2012 London Olympics to watch Olympic basketball.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying looking at pictures from Beijing, and ruminating that the current Seattle Storm has a player from each of the medaling teams: Svetlana Abrosimova (bronze for Russia), Lauren Jackson (silver for Australia), and Sue Bird (gold for the U.S.A.).
Here's Sue Bird and Svetlana Abrosimova (former college teammates) showing off their medals:
And here's something you don't see often: Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson playing against each other:
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Red Dwarf
From episode 3.1, "Kryten", here's Cat on the difference between cats and dogs:
"You'd never get a cat to be a servant. You ever see a cat return a stick? 'Hey, man! You threw the stick, you go get it yourself! I'm busy! If you wanted the stick so bad, why'd you throw it away in the first place?'"
"You'd never get a cat to be a servant. You ever see a cat return a stick? 'Hey, man! You threw the stick, you go get it yourself! I'm busy! If you wanted the stick so bad, why'd you throw it away in the first place?'"
Labels: Red Dwarf
29 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Tacoma News Tribune
From this article, posted 25 July:
Coach Brian Agler had given his Seattle Storm team a little break after a lengthy road swing, so when the players reconvened for practice Friday, he worked them hard.
After all, he had seen a number of areas that needed correction and improvement on that trip. Such as?
“Offense and defense,” he said.
Apparently, warm-up drills had been satisfactory.
If you knew nothing about the Storm other than hearing Agler’s comment, you might be surprised to learn it won all three on the road swing to extend its winning streak to a franchise-high 10 games and its record to 19-2 … giving the team an early berth in the playoffs and a stunning 10-game lead in the Western Conference.
Coach Brian Agler had given his Seattle Storm team a little break after a lengthy road swing, so when the players reconvened for practice Friday, he worked them hard.
After all, he had seen a number of areas that needed correction and improvement on that trip. Such as?
“Offense and defense,” he said.
Apparently, warm-up drills had been satisfactory.
If you knew nothing about the Storm other than hearing Agler’s comment, you might be surprised to learn it won all three on the road swing to extend its winning streak to a franchise-high 10 games and its record to 19-2 … giving the team an early berth in the playoffs and a stunning 10-game lead in the Western Conference.
Labels: Seattle Storm
ETA
Ped asked what "ETA" meant. For anyone else who's not familiar with this acronym, it stands for "edited to add".
Labels: computers
28 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Sue Bird
After last night's game, a reporter asked Sue Bird about the team's confidence in being able to come back after getting behind in the first half, since they've been in that situation many times this season:
"Well, that's what we've been talking about all year long. We've basically seen every kind of game. You know... we've been up, we've been down, we've had to come back... all this different stuff. We've also played crappy -- hence the two losses."
"Well, that's what we've been talking about all year long. We've basically seen every kind of game. You know... we've been up, we've been down, we've had to come back... all this different stuff. We've also played crappy -- hence the two losses."
Labels: Seattle Storm
27 July 2010
Storm Story Hour
The Seattle Storm website will often have pictures of the players leading basketball camps for kids or doing community work.
This week the pictures are of Tanisha Wright reading to kids in a library. Look familiar, Iris?
This week the pictures are of Tanisha Wright reading to kids in a library. Look familiar, Iris?
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Supernatural
From "Changing Channels" (episode 5.08):
[Sam and Dean are posing as FBI agents to investigate a suspicious death.]
Sheriff: The FBI is here why, exactly?
Dean: It might have something to do with one of your locals getting his head ripped off.
Sheriff: Bill Randolph died from a bear attack.
Sam: How sure are you that it was a bear?
Sheriff: What else would it be?
Dean: Well -- whatever it was -- it chased Mr. Randolph through the woods, smashed through his front door, followed him up the stairs, and killed him in his bedroom. Is that common? A bear doing all that?
Sheriff: Depends how pissed off it is, I guess.
[Sam and Dean are posing as FBI agents to investigate a suspicious death.]
Sheriff: The FBI is here why, exactly?
Dean: It might have something to do with one of your locals getting his head ripped off.
Sheriff: Bill Randolph died from a bear attack.
Sam: How sure are you that it was a bear?
Sheriff: What else would it be?
Dean: Well -- whatever it was -- it chased Mr. Randolph through the woods, smashed through his front door, followed him up the stairs, and killed him in his bedroom. Is that common? A bear doing all that?
Sheriff: Depends how pissed off it is, I guess.
Labels: Supernatural
Half-Time Against Phoenix....
.... and it's not going well. (We're down by almost twenty points.)
I'm scared to watch the second half.
ETA: I should never underestimate the resiliency of the Storm. At the end of the second quarter we were down by 18... by the end of the third we were down by two. We won -- of course! -- by six points.
E(again)TA: Jayda Evans says:
"How good is the Storm?
So good they don't need to wake up until after halftime and they still win.
At least that's the impression given Tuesday."
E(again!!!)TA: The above link no longer shows the article I took the quote from. It seemed unfinished when I first read it (the last sentence was a mid-article sentence, not an end-the-article type sentence) and when I went back to look at it again, it was a completely different article. Weird!!!
I'm scared to watch the second half.
ETA: I should never underestimate the resiliency of the Storm. At the end of the second quarter we were down by 18... by the end of the third we were down by two. We won -- of course! -- by six points.
E(again)TA: Jayda Evans says:
"How good is the Storm?
So good they don't need to wake up until after halftime and they still win.
At least that's the impression given Tuesday."
E(again!!!)TA: The above link no longer shows the article I took the quote from. It seemed unfinished when I first read it (the last sentence was a mid-article sentence, not an end-the-article type sentence) and when I went back to look at it again, it was a completely different article. Weird!!!
Labels: Seattle Storm
26 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Jayda Evans (and Svetlana Abrosimova)
From her live-blog of last night's game:
"Seattle is up 30-26 after four consecutive three-pointers by Svetlana Abrosimova. The Shock might not want to leave her open anymore."
After the game, Svetlana Abrosimova was interviewed by the "voice of the Storm", Dick Fain:
Dick Fain: Fifteen points, four 3's against this Tulsa team. What's up with Tulsa? What did they do to deserve what you've given them in two games? Twenty-one in the first game against them [and] fifteen here tonight.
Svetlana Abrosimova: [laughs] Tulsa plays really aggressively defensively, so usually I just stay in the corner and wait for my time. Then if Lauren doesn't have a shot, Sue Bird doesn't have a shot, Swin doesn't have a shot... it finally gets to me, and you have to make it! Otherwise you don't have that many chances.
"Seattle is up 30-26 after four consecutive three-pointers by Svetlana Abrosimova. The Shock might not want to leave her open anymore."
After the game, Svetlana Abrosimova was interviewed by the "voice of the Storm", Dick Fain:
Dick Fain: Fifteen points, four 3's against this Tulsa team. What's up with Tulsa? What did they do to deserve what you've given them in two games? Twenty-one in the first game against them [and] fifteen here tonight.
Svetlana Abrosimova: [laughs] Tulsa plays really aggressively defensively, so usually I just stay in the corner and wait for my time. Then if Lauren doesn't have a shot, Sue Bird doesn't have a shot, Swin doesn't have a shot... it finally gets to me, and you have to make it! Otherwise you don't have that many chances.
Labels: Seattle Storm
25 July 2010
Crazy Style..... But We Won Anyway
Tulsa has a wild, chaotic style of offense and defense, but with Sue Bird in the game, we did a lot better than last time.
Same outcome, though. :)
Same outcome, though. :)
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Richard Cohen
From "This Week in the WNBA: Week Nine":
"Finally, the very last game of the week on Sunday night sees Tulsa visit Seattle. That's right, the hideously bad, one-win-in-fourteen Shock, on the road against the 18-2 dominant force of the Storm. Doesn't sound like much of a matchup, except that as an occasional gambler, I can't wait to see how high Vegas puts the line for this one. Tulsa was a 14.5 point underdog against the 7-12 Mercury on Saturday for crying out loud. How high can they go?"
[Three points: 1) The Storm are 19-2 now; Tulsa is 4-18. 2) I'm going to this game. 3) I've never looked up Vegas odds before, but I think they have Tulsa as a 16.5 underdog.]
"Finally, the very last game of the week on Sunday night sees Tulsa visit Seattle. That's right, the hideously bad, one-win-in-fourteen Shock, on the road against the 18-2 dominant force of the Storm. Doesn't sound like much of a matchup, except that as an occasional gambler, I can't wait to see how high Vegas puts the line for this one. Tulsa was a 14.5 point underdog against the 7-12 Mercury on Saturday for crying out loud. How high can they go?"
[Three points: 1) The Storm are 19-2 now; Tulsa is 4-18. 2) I'm going to this game. 3) I've never looked up Vegas odds before, but I think they have Tulsa as a 16.5 underdog.]
Labels: Seattle Storm
24 July 2010
Hey, Girls!
My mom and I were used-car-shopping yesterday. At one lot, the salesman (after going into the office to check something) got our attention by calling out, "Hey, girls!"
This didn't bother my mom.
If the salesman was over the age of 60, it wouldn't have bothered me much.
But....
The salesman was probably about 30 (i.e. five years younger than me), so it bothered me quite a lot.
Today at work I told the story (separately) to two male co-workers. One is in his late 30's, the other in his mid-20's. As soon as I got to the "Hey, girls!" part of the story, both of them shook their heads at his idiocy.
This didn't bother my mom.
If the salesman was over the age of 60, it wouldn't have bothered me much.
But....
The salesman was probably about 30 (i.e. five years younger than me), so it bothered me quite a lot.
Today at work I told the story (separately) to two male co-workers. One is in his late 30's, the other in his mid-20's. As soon as I got to the "Hey, girls!" part of the story, both of them shook their heads at his idiocy.
Labels: random weirdness
Quote of the Day: Doctor Who
From tonight's episode, the 5th season finale, "The Big Bang" (episode 5.13):
[Amy Pond has just married Rory Williams. The Doctor refers to Rory as "Mr. Pond". Rory tries to correct the Doctor....]
Rory: No, I'm not "Mr. Pond". That's not how it works.
The Doctor: Yeah, it is.
Rory: [resigned] Yeah.... It is.
[Amy Pond has just married Rory Williams. The Doctor refers to Rory as "Mr. Pond". Rory tries to correct the Doctor....]
Rory: No, I'm not "Mr. Pond". That's not how it works.
The Doctor: Yeah, it is.
Rory: [resigned] Yeah.... It is.
Labels: Doctor Who
23 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Burn Notice
From "Hot Spot" (episode 2.11):
Michael: Revenge is a waste of time.
Fiona: So is watching television and eating candy, but you do it because it feels good.
Michael: Revenge is a waste of time.
Fiona: So is watching television and eating candy, but you do it because it feels good.
Labels: Burn Notice
22 July 2010
Feeling Naked
I think I'm going to be car-less pretty soon.
Labels: driving
Quote of the Day: Richard Cohen
From "This Week in the WNBA: Week Nine":
"The New York Liberty are a pretty decent team. No, really, they are. They might be last in the East, but their record suggests they'd be second in the West, and watching the games only reinforces that opinion. Unfortunately, the Hudson empties out into the Atlantic not the Pacific, and in 2010 they've found themselves in an unfortunate position. Well actually, I say pretty decent 'team'. That might be giving the group as a whole rather too much credit. This is the closest thing to a one-woman team that the WNBA has seen in quite some time. Cappie Pondexter put up 40 points last night, against comfortably the best defensive team in the league, in yet another exhibition of crazy-ass one-woman offense. And the Liberty lost anyway."
"The New York Liberty are a pretty decent team. No, really, they are. They might be last in the East, but their record suggests they'd be second in the West, and watching the games only reinforces that opinion. Unfortunately, the Hudson empties out into the Atlantic not the Pacific, and in 2010 they've found themselves in an unfortunate position. Well actually, I say pretty decent 'team'. That might be giving the group as a whole rather too much credit. This is the closest thing to a one-woman team that the WNBA has seen in quite some time. Cappie Pondexter put up 40 points last night, against comfortably the best defensive team in the league, in yet another exhibition of crazy-ass one-woman offense. And the Liberty lost anyway."
Labels: Seattle Storm
21 July 2010
Good Timing
I've been cross-stitching pretty much continuously since last fall. First this:
Then this:
I had ordered my next project, but it hadn't arrived yet, so I took advantage of the "time off" to do a jigsaw puzzle. I finished last night.
I got a package in today's mail:
Time to get back to work!
Then this:
I had ordered my next project, but it hadn't arrived yet, so I took advantage of the "time off" to do a jigsaw puzzle. I finished last night.
I got a package in today's mail:
Time to get back to work!
Labels: cross-stitching
Quote of the Day: iCarly
From "iDate a Bad Boy":
[Spencer is trying to help Sam understand her recurring nightmare about a monster stealing her soup.]
Spencer: I'll say a word, and then you say the first word that pops into your brain.
Sam: [quickly] FRIED CHICKEN!
Spencer: Please wait until I give you the first word. Are you ready?
Sam: Sure.
Spencer: Monster?
Sam: Soup.
Spencer: Soup?
Sam: Monster.
Spencer: Ate?
Sam: Soup.
Spencer: Food?
Sam: Hungry.
Spencer: Lunch?
Sam: Sure.
Spencer: Ribs?
Sam: Absolutely.
Spencer: Now?
Sam: Let's.
[They both hop out of their chairs and head for the door.]
[Spencer is trying to help Sam understand her recurring nightmare about a monster stealing her soup.]
Spencer: I'll say a word, and then you say the first word that pops into your brain.
Sam: [quickly] FRIED CHICKEN!
Spencer: Please wait until I give you the first word. Are you ready?
Sam: Sure.
Spencer: Monster?
Sam: Soup.
Spencer: Soup?
Sam: Monster.
Spencer: Ate?
Sam: Soup.
Spencer: Food?
Sam: Hungry.
Spencer: Lunch?
Sam: Sure.
Spencer: Ribs?
Sam: Absolutely.
Spencer: Now?
Sam: Let's.
[They both hop out of their chairs and head for the door.]
Labels: iCarly
20 July 2010
Better Than the Last Games, Not as Good as Before
That is, we played better than we did in Minnesota, but not as good as we had played against San Antonio earlier in the season.
Or maybe San Antonio finally got their act together. Either way, we still won, but it wasn't a blow-out like all the other San Antonio games this season.
Sue Bird definitely had one of her "Fine -- I'll just do it myself!" moments this game: We were down by ten, and she scored five points in two possessions to cut the lead in half.
Or maybe San Antonio finally got their act together. Either way, we still won, but it wasn't a blow-out like all the other San Antonio games this season.
Sue Bird definitely had one of her "Fine -- I'll just do it myself!" moments this game: We were down by ten, and she scored five points in two possessions to cut the lead in half.
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Lauren Jackson
From a Seattle Times Q&A:
Q: You had a huge road win last week at Phoenix in triple overtime. What was that game like?
LJ: At the end of the game, none of us could even breathe. All of us were looking at each other trying to get oxygen for the next play. It was grueling, and a big win. It's fun to be in a game like that, but not that fun. It's more fun to win by 20.
Q: You had a huge road win last week at Phoenix in triple overtime. What was that game like?
LJ: At the end of the game, none of us could even breathe. All of us were looking at each other trying to get oxygen for the next play. It was grueling, and a big win. It's fun to be in a game like that, but not that fun. It's more fun to win by 20.
Labels: Seattle Storm
19 July 2010
Companionpalooza
I promised Ped that I'd show him my chart of "who knew each other before the big Doctor Who season four finale". (Which is sometimes called "Companionpalooza" because so many former Companions were in it.)
So, here it is:
So, here it is:
Labels: Doctor Who
Quote of the Day: Swish Appeal
From Swish Appeal's recap of the WNBA All-Star game festivities.
"And then there was the close encounter of the Candice Dupree kind, which just put a capper on the night. We got a really late jump back because I forgot my camera at the hotel, so we missed our bus. As we waited in line, Dupree and a couple of (familiar-looking) friends wandered out- I think they may have been looking for a hotel shuttle or something, though admittedly, my first thought was stuck back in 2009 and I was all, 'Man, Chicago's cheap -- they're sending her back to New York on a Chinatown bus?' But as we all stood around, a guy came up to us and asked if she -- pointing at Dupree -- played basketball. We said yes. He asked us if he could borrow a Sharpie and get her autograph. 'You might want to know who she is first.' I did my best to get him to the game tomorrow, but I wasn't able to persuade him to take my extra ticket. So, finally, I pull a Sharpie out of my bag and tell him, 'That's Candice Dupree, she wears #4 for the Phoenix Mercury.' He goes, gets his autograph, and returns my marker as he goes about his business.
Two beats later, Candice looks at us and says, 'He still asked me if I was Candace Parker.'"
"And then there was the close encounter of the Candice Dupree kind, which just put a capper on the night. We got a really late jump back because I forgot my camera at the hotel, so we missed our bus. As we waited in line, Dupree and a couple of (familiar-looking) friends wandered out- I think they may have been looking for a hotel shuttle or something, though admittedly, my first thought was stuck back in 2009 and I was all, 'Man, Chicago's cheap -- they're sending her back to New York on a Chinatown bus?' But as we all stood around, a guy came up to us and asked if she -- pointing at Dupree -- played basketball. We said yes. He asked us if he could borrow a Sharpie and get her autograph. 'You might want to know who she is first.' I did my best to get him to the game tomorrow, but I wasn't able to persuade him to take my extra ticket. So, finally, I pull a Sharpie out of my bag and tell him, 'That's Candice Dupree, she wears #4 for the Phoenix Mercury.' He goes, gets his autograph, and returns my marker as he goes about his business.
Two beats later, Candice looks at us and says, 'He still asked me if I was Candace Parker.'"
Labels: Seattle Storm
18 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Big Bang Theory
From "The Staircase Implementation":
Leonard: I may owe you an apology.
Sheldon: There's doubt?
Leonard: I did agree to the thermostat setting, and I shouldn't have tried to change it.
Sheldon: That's not an apology; that's simply an acknowledgment that I was right.
Leonard: I may owe you an apology.
Sheldon: There's doubt?
Leonard: I did agree to the thermostat setting, and I shouldn't have tried to change it.
Sheldon: That's not an apology; that's simply an acknowledgment that I was right.
Labels: random silliness, TV
17 July 2010
Too Close for (My) Comfort
Hey, Iris -- do you remember that game we went to in May? Against Minnesota? The one where we were down almost the entire game, but came back in the fourth quarter to win by three?
Yeah, this game was a lot like that. Only worse.
The Storm had a bad game. Lots of turnovers. (LOTS and LOTS of turnovers.) Couldn't score in the paint. (A lot of 3-pointers, though, especially in the first quarter.) Camille Little fouled out after playing less than ten minutes.
Somehow we won by two, but yeesh! It was ugly.
Yeah, this game was a lot like that. Only worse.
The Storm had a bad game. Lots of turnovers. (LOTS and LOTS of turnovers.) Couldn't score in the paint. (A lot of 3-pointers, though, especially in the first quarter.) Camille Little fouled out after playing less than ten minutes.
Somehow we won by two, but yeesh! It was ugly.
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Get Fuzzy
By Darby Conley, from Scrum Bums:
[Rob catches Bucky sneaking out through the doggy-door.]
Bucky: Oh..... Hi, Rob. I'm just popping next door. I joined Satchel's anti-fur group. I'm going to the meeting.
Rob: I have a feeling that's not the truth.
Bucky: Oh, what is "truth", Robert? I mean, everybody's reality is different. Who, I ask you, can define truth?
Rob: Truth means not making stuff up, Bucky.
Bucky: Oh, well sure, if you're gonna define it that way you might as well just call everything I say a "lie".
[Rob catches Bucky sneaking out through the doggy-door.]
Bucky: Oh..... Hi, Rob. I'm just popping next door. I joined Satchel's anti-fur group. I'm going to the meeting.
Rob: I have a feeling that's not the truth.
Bucky: Oh, what is "truth", Robert? I mean, everybody's reality is different. Who, I ask you, can define truth?
Rob: Truth means not making stuff up, Bucky.
Bucky: Oh, well sure, if you're gonna define it that way you might as well just call everything I say a "lie".
Labels: Get Fuzzy
16 July 2010
Sue Bird Slideshow
The WNBA just posted a Sue Bird "slideshow" (like the Lauren Jackson video from a few weeks ago). For some reason, her pictures aren't in chronological order like LJ's were.
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Jayda Evans
From her blog post covering the Team USA vs. WNBA All-Stars game:
"If I may get personal, again, I'd like to offer an apology for not blogging all of the festivities on Friday. It's not my fault; Storm All-Star Sue Bird took my computer.
She was nice about it. 'Do you have internet up?' she asked before USA Basketball practiced. After I replied yes, she said she had to do some drug entry 'thing' and could she borrow it for a short while.
It took about 90-minutes total.
'This is the most tedious thing ever!' I heard her snap several times as she entered data on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency site. Seems the organization changed its system, again, requiring athletes to input their whereabouts -- for the next three months -- for random testing.
So, there's Bird seated baseline at my computer at the Mohegan Sun Arena trying to figure out where she's going to be on Sept. 6 and what time she'll be free and a number USADA can call if it needs to reach her for a test. Or she can't be in the USA Basketball player pool. Geesh. And if Bird's not there at said submitted time, it's a missed test. Get three of those and you fail. So, if she decides to skip off to the San Juans for a daytrip instead of be in Seattle on off day during the Storm season, the USADA has to know, too.
'Forget it, I don't want to be on the Olympic team anymore,' belted Phoenix All-Star Diana Taurasi, who was seated next to Bird on another computer. Thank, oh, track and field, weightlifting, and probably baseball for the inconvenience."
"If I may get personal, again, I'd like to offer an apology for not blogging all of the festivities on Friday. It's not my fault; Storm All-Star Sue Bird took my computer.
She was nice about it. 'Do you have internet up?' she asked before USA Basketball practiced. After I replied yes, she said she had to do some drug entry 'thing' and could she borrow it for a short while.
It took about 90-minutes total.
'This is the most tedious thing ever!' I heard her snap several times as she entered data on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency site. Seems the organization changed its system, again, requiring athletes to input their whereabouts -- for the next three months -- for random testing.
So, there's Bird seated baseline at my computer at the Mohegan Sun Arena trying to figure out where she's going to be on Sept. 6 and what time she'll be free and a number USADA can call if it needs to reach her for a test. Or she can't be in the USA Basketball player pool. Geesh. And if Bird's not there at said submitted time, it's a missed test. Get three of those and you fail. So, if she decides to skip off to the San Juans for a daytrip instead of be in Seattle on off day during the Storm season, the USADA has to know, too.
'Forget it, I don't want to be on the Olympic team anymore,' belted Phoenix All-Star Diana Taurasi, who was seated next to Bird on another computer. Thank, oh, track and field, weightlifting, and probably baseball for the inconvenience."
Labels: Seattle Storm
15 July 2010
So You Think You Can Get Injured
For the second week in a row, they didn't have to choose who went home, because someone was too injured to continue. Eesh!
Labels: So You Think You Can Dance
Quote of the Day: Torchwood
From "Children of Earth: Day Two" (episode 3.2):
[In the midst of a world-in-peril crisis, Rhys has just found out that Gwen is pregnant.]
Rhys: This changes everything.
Gwen: No. No, it doesn't. We're up the same creek and we still need a paddle.
Rhys: Yeah! But three of us in a boat.
[In the midst of a world-in-peril crisis, Rhys has just found out that Gwen is pregnant.]
Rhys: This changes everything.
Gwen: No. No, it doesn't. We're up the same creek and we still need a paddle.
Rhys: Yeah! But three of us in a boat.
Labels: Torchwood
14 July 2010
Overtime
With just a few seconds left in the game against Phoenix (that was played this afternoon, and I'm watching online right now), Seattle is only ahead by two.
I just glanced down at the time bar at the bottom of the screen and noticed that this broadcast is 2:52, instead of the usual 2:10-ish.
I have a feeling that Phoenix is going to tie it up!
ETA: At the end of the third overtime and we're going to win by four points. Here's the shocking news: Lauren Jackson missed a free throw! I mean, I knew she had to miss some, since her percentage is 93%, not 100%, but still!
I just glanced down at the time bar at the bottom of the screen and noticed that this broadcast is 2:52, instead of the usual 2:10-ish.
I have a feeling that Phoenix is going to tie it up!
ETA: At the end of the third overtime and we're going to win by four points. Here's the shocking news: Lauren Jackson missed a free throw! I mean, I knew she had to miss some, since her percentage is 93%, not 100%, but still!
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Richard Cohen
From his "This Week in the WNBA" column for week eight:
"Just to go back to the basic stats for a minute, the Minnesota Lynx are still producing some startlingly terrible team numbers. They have the worst field goal percentage of any team in the league, and it's not even close. 39.7% as a team is horrendous, considering the rest of the league is spread between 45.6% at the top (Phoenix and Washington) and 42.6% at the bottom (Tulsa). So that's 3% covering the entire league besides the Lynx, and a 2.9% drop from anyone before you reach Minnesota. Yikes. Just to compound things, Minnesota also gives up the highest opponents' shooting percentage in the league. And if the playoffs started today, this is your fourth seed in the Western Conference, ladies and gentlemen. This conference is so bad it makes me want to cry."
"Just to go back to the basic stats for a minute, the Minnesota Lynx are still producing some startlingly terrible team numbers. They have the worst field goal percentage of any team in the league, and it's not even close. 39.7% as a team is horrendous, considering the rest of the league is spread between 45.6% at the top (Phoenix and Washington) and 42.6% at the bottom (Tulsa). So that's 3% covering the entire league besides the Lynx, and a 2.9% drop from anyone before you reach Minnesota. Yikes. Just to compound things, Minnesota also gives up the highest opponents' shooting percentage in the league. And if the playoffs started today, this is your fourth seed in the Western Conference, ladies and gentlemen. This conference is so bad it makes me want to cry."
Labels: Seattle Storm
13 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Firefly
From "War Stories" (episode 1.08):
[Wash and Mal are blindfolded in Niska's torture chamber.]
Mal: You okay?
Wash: [panicking] I think I've been kidnapped.
Mal: Yeah.
Wash: [pauses] Can you see where we are?
Mal: No.
Wash: Mal, what the hell is going on?
Mal: Ain't rightly sure.
Wash: But you've got some theories?
Mal: [slightly irritated] Still working it through.
Wash: [loudly] I don't want you to spare me, Mal. If you think you know what's happening, then you tell me. You wouldn't spare Zoe if she were in this situation with you, would you? You would be planning, and plotting, and possibly scheming. So, whatever Zoe would do in this instance is what I wanna do. And you know why? Because no matter how ugly it gets, you two always come back. With the stories. So... I'm Zoe. Now... what do I do?
Mal: Probably not talk quite so much.
[Wash and Mal are blindfolded in Niska's torture chamber.]
Mal: You okay?
Wash: [panicking] I think I've been kidnapped.
Mal: Yeah.
Wash: [pauses] Can you see where we are?
Mal: No.
Wash: Mal, what the hell is going on?
Mal: Ain't rightly sure.
Wash: But you've got some theories?
Mal: [slightly irritated] Still working it through.
Wash: [loudly] I don't want you to spare me, Mal. If you think you know what's happening, then you tell me. You wouldn't spare Zoe if she were in this situation with you, would you? You would be planning, and plotting, and possibly scheming. So, whatever Zoe would do in this instance is what I wanna do. And you know why? Because no matter how ugly it gets, you two always come back. With the stories. So... I'm Zoe. Now... what do I do?
Mal: Probably not talk quite so much.
Labels: Firefly
12 July 2010
Academy Award Winning Trailer
A Trailer for Every Academy Award Winning Movie Ever -- powered by Cracked.com
Labels: movies, random silliness
Quote of the Day: Battlestar Galactica
From "Resurrection Ship, pt. 2" (episode 2.12):
Caine: [Do] you drink, Thrace?
Starbuck: Only to excess, sir.
Caine: [Do] you drink, Thrace?
Starbuck: Only to excess, sir.
Labels: Battlestar Galactica
11 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Due South
From "The Man Who Knew Too Little" (episode 1.15):
Fraser: My father said something that's always stuck with me, Ray.
Vecchio: Your father never shut up, did he?
Fraser: He said a man with no future will always run to his past.
Vecchio: And when did this come up, Fraser? Were you sitting around at breakfast when he came up with these things? Or did he come running into your room and just blurt 'em out?
Fraser: Ray, there's no need to be sarcastic.
Vecchio: No, I'm just curious. How did he work these things into everyday conversation? Did he say, "Son, did you see the size of that moose? And by the way, a man with no future will always run to his past."?
Fraser: My father said something that's always stuck with me, Ray.
Vecchio: Your father never shut up, did he?
Fraser: He said a man with no future will always run to his past.
Vecchio: And when did this come up, Fraser? Were you sitting around at breakfast when he came up with these things? Or did he come running into your room and just blurt 'em out?
Fraser: Ray, there's no need to be sarcastic.
Vecchio: No, I'm just curious. How did he work these things into everyday conversation? Did he say, "Son, did you see the size of that moose? And by the way, a man with no future will always run to his past."?
Labels: Due South
10 July 2010
All-Star Game
That was a very different game than last year!
Last year's All-Star game was fun and light-hearted. This year's game was essentially a practice game (and de facto tryout) for Team USA. Team USA doesn't get much time to train together, so they were taking all that they could get.
Team USA really dominated the WNBA All-Stars, but I think the game would have been a little more even if Lauren Jackson could have played for the WNBA team!
There was one college student on Team USA: a UConn player named Maya Moore. I was pretty impressed by her; she held her own against the best of the WNBA.
ETA: Lauren Jackson attended the game, but didn't play. They interviewed her, though, and she said she should be back by the next Storm game -- yay! During the game, Brian Agler (the Storm coach, who was coaching the WNBA team) was giving Sue Bird (who was playing for Team USA) grief about playing so many minutes. (She ended up only playing 20, not the 35 he was teasing her about.)
Last year's All-Star game was fun and light-hearted. This year's game was essentially a practice game (and de facto tryout) for Team USA. Team USA doesn't get much time to train together, so they were taking all that they could get.
Team USA really dominated the WNBA All-Stars, but I think the game would have been a little more even if Lauren Jackson could have played for the WNBA team!
There was one college student on Team USA: a UConn player named Maya Moore. I was pretty impressed by her; she held her own against the best of the WNBA.
ETA: Lauren Jackson attended the game, but didn't play. They interviewed her, though, and she said she should be back by the next Storm game -- yay! During the game, Brian Agler (the Storm coach, who was coaching the WNBA team) was giving Sue Bird (who was playing for Team USA) grief about playing so many minutes. (She ended up only playing 20, not the 35 he was teasing her about.)
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: iCarly
From "iRue the Day":
Sam: I can't believe Mr. Klein gave me a D on that test. How'd I get a D?
Carly: You only answered half the questions, then told Mr. Klein the test was stupid, then burped, then left.
Sam: And that's not worth a D+?
Sam: I can't believe Mr. Klein gave me a D on that test. How'd I get a D?
Carly: You only answered half the questions, then told Mr. Klein the test was stupid, then burped, then left.
Sam: And that's not worth a D+?
Labels: iCarly
09 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Morcheeba
At the end of their song "Let it Go", there's a spoken word segment, done as if someone was talking on the phone. I've had it running through my head for the last couple of days:
"Anyway, it's hot here. It's hot. That's all I got to say. Florida's hot. There's hurricanes, and it's hot. There's thugs, and muggers, and fourteen-year-old kids on bikes with guns. [brightly] Come on over some time!"
"Anyway, it's hot here. It's hot. That's all I got to say. Florida's hot. There's hurricanes, and it's hot. There's thugs, and muggers, and fourteen-year-old kids on bikes with guns. [brightly] Come on over some time!"
08 July 2010
Lauren Jackson
It's LJ's turn to be injured: she's still suffering the effects of that concussion from last week. She won't be playing in the All-Star game this weekend, which is a major bummer because I was interested in seeing her play against Sue Bird.
[They're doing this weird "WNBA vs. Team USA" game this year. Sue Bird plays for Team USA, and LJ was supposed to play for the WNBA All-Stars.]
Anyway, here's some video:
She's play #1 (~2:15):
Adia Barnes is a former Storm player and current Storm broadcaster. This year she's filming "On the Road with the Storm", a behind-the-scenes look at Storm road-trips. The videos are cute, but what's awesome in this one is seeing 6'5" Lauren Jackson trying to fit into a commuter plane (~2:40):
During the Seattle/L.A. game last week, ESPN2 did a slide show retrospective with LJ. They've recently posted a longer version online:
[They're doing this weird "WNBA vs. Team USA" game this year. Sue Bird plays for Team USA, and LJ was supposed to play for the WNBA All-Stars.]
Anyway, here's some video:
She's play #1 (~2:15):
Adia Barnes is a former Storm player and current Storm broadcaster. This year she's filming "On the Road with the Storm", a behind-the-scenes look at Storm road-trips. The videos are cute, but what's awesome in this one is seeing 6'5" Lauren Jackson trying to fit into a commuter plane (~2:40):
During the Seattle/L.A. game last week, ESPN2 did a slide show retrospective with LJ. They've recently posted a longer version online:
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Modern Family
From "Travels with Scout":
[Cameron offers to fill in for the missing drummer in Dillon's (his niece's boyfriend) band.]
Dillon: Well, you know, I totally would [let you drum], but I'm not sure we like the same sorts of music, you know?
Cameron: What, because I'm gay I'm just going to want to play showtunes?
Dillon: No, because you're old.
Cameron: [pause] Wow. That hurt more, Dillon.
[Cameron offers to fill in for the missing drummer in Dillon's (his niece's boyfriend) band.]
Dillon: Well, you know, I totally would [let you drum], but I'm not sure we like the same sorts of music, you know?
Cameron: What, because I'm gay I'm just going to want to play showtunes?
Dillon: No, because you're old.
Cameron: [pause] Wow. That hurt more, Dillon.
Labels: Modern Family
07 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Farscape
From "Exodus from Genesis" (episode 1.03):
[Aeryn and Crichton are discussing Peacekeeper commandos.]
Aeryn: I'm sure your world has no force so ruthless, so disciplined.
Crichton: Oh, we call them linebackers. Or serial killers. [It] depends on if they're professional or amateur.
[Aeryn and Crichton are discussing Peacekeeper commandos.]
Aeryn: I'm sure your world has no force so ruthless, so disciplined.
Crichton: Oh, we call them linebackers. Or serial killers. [It] depends on if they're professional or amateur.
Labels: Farscape
06 July 2010
Another Close One
They played New York today, and were behind (sometimes by more than 10!) for the entire first half. Sometime in the third they tied it up, but then New York got ahead again, etc.
They ended up winning by eight, but it was close. Way too close! Considering they were playing without Lauren Jackson, though, I guess I should be happy we got the win. (Le'Coe Willingham and Jana Vesala did a great job filling in, by the way. The usually awesome Svetlana Abrosimova had an off night, though.)
Jayda Evans wrote:
"Glance at the Storm's record and look at Tuesday's win against New York and it's easy to believe it was easy. A shot here. A rebound there. A seventh consecutive victory to remain the WNBA's top team headed into the All-Star break.
Well, it wasn't.
'Grind' was the word most often used after the Storm defeated the Liberty 78-70 at a KeyArena matinee Tuesday."
I agree completely!
They ended up winning by eight, but it was close. Way too close! Considering they were playing without Lauren Jackson, though, I guess I should be happy we got the win. (Le'Coe Willingham and Jana Vesala did a great job filling in, by the way. The usually awesome Svetlana Abrosimova had an off night, though.)
Jayda Evans wrote:
"Glance at the Storm's record and look at Tuesday's win against New York and it's easy to believe it was easy. A shot here. A rebound there. A seventh consecutive victory to remain the WNBA's top team headed into the All-Star break.
Well, it wasn't.
'Grind' was the word most often used after the Storm defeated the Liberty 78-70 at a KeyArena matinee Tuesday."
I agree completely!
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Heather from GFY
I love the Fug Girls (Heather & Jessica) over at Go Fug Yourself. Yesterday I discovered Heather's personal blog. Here's a quote from a post discussing her husband's habit of "sleep-talking":
"Kevin talks in his sleep. No, wait, that's not accurate. Kevin's sleep state, at times, is really just an alternate reality: He'll look awake and he'll act awake, but the guy is not awake. Not when it's 3 a.m. and he leaps out of bed to put on pants because he thinks he has to get to work, or he jolts awake and starts trying to find the spider he KNOWS is in our bed. That one was fun."
"Kevin talks in his sleep. No, wait, that's not accurate. Kevin's sleep state, at times, is really just an alternate reality: He'll look awake and he'll act awake, but the guy is not awake. Not when it's 3 a.m. and he leaps out of bed to put on pants because he thinks he has to get to work, or he jolts awake and starts trying to find the spider he KNOWS is in our bed. That one was fun."
Labels: random silliness, The Fug Girls
05 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Get Fuzzy
From "Say Cheesy", by Darby Conley:
Rob: You shouldn't make fun of Satchel's poetry. He doesn't make fun of your stories, you know.
Bucky: Yeah, but nobody gets paid to be a poemer.
Rob: Yeah, they do. There's even an official poet of America called the Poet Laureate.
Bucky: Well, I'll be America's official Smack-You-in-the-Head Laureate.
Rob: Nobody's gonna pay you for that, dude.
Bucky: Then I shall provide it as a free service.
Rob: You shouldn't make fun of Satchel's poetry. He doesn't make fun of your stories, you know.
Bucky: Yeah, but nobody gets paid to be a poemer.
Rob: Yeah, they do. There's even an official poet of America called the Poet Laureate.
Bucky: Well, I'll be America's official Smack-You-in-the-Head Laureate.
Rob: Nobody's gonna pay you for that, dude.
Bucky: Then I shall provide it as a free service.
Labels: Get Fuzzy
04 July 2010
I Hate the 4th of July
Quote of the Day: Black Adder
From "Nob and Nobility" (episode 3.3):
[Blackadder and Baldrick are facing execution.]
Blackadder: Am I jumping the gun, Baldrick, or are the words "I have a cunning plan" marching with ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this conversation?
Baldrick: They certainly are, sir!
Blackadder: Well, forgive me if I don't do a cartwheel of joy. Your record in this department is hardly 100%. So what is it?
Baldrick: We do nothing.
Blackadder: Yup. It's another world-beater!
Baldrick: No, wait. We do nothing... until our heads have actually been cut off.
Blackadder: And then we... spring into action?
Baldrick: Exactly! You know how when you cut a chicken's head off, it runs round and round the farmyard and then out the gate?
Blackadder: [haltingly] Yyyyyyyeah...?
Baldrick: Well, we wait until our heads have been cut off, then we run round and round, out the gate, and escape! What do you think?
Blackadder: My opinions are rather difficult to express in words, Baldrick. So perhaps I can put it this way... [tweaks Baldrick's nose]
[Blackadder and Baldrick are facing execution.]
Blackadder: Am I jumping the gun, Baldrick, or are the words "I have a cunning plan" marching with ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this conversation?
Baldrick: They certainly are, sir!
Blackadder: Well, forgive me if I don't do a cartwheel of joy. Your record in this department is hardly 100%. So what is it?
Baldrick: We do nothing.
Blackadder: Yup. It's another world-beater!
Baldrick: No, wait. We do nothing... until our heads have actually been cut off.
Blackadder: And then we... spring into action?
Baldrick: Exactly! You know how when you cut a chicken's head off, it runs round and round the farmyard and then out the gate?
Blackadder: [haltingly] Yyyyyyyeah...?
Baldrick: Well, we wait until our heads have been cut off, then we run round and round, out the gate, and escape! What do you think?
Blackadder: My opinions are rather difficult to express in words, Baldrick. So perhaps I can put it this way... [tweaks Baldrick's nose]
Labels: Black Adder
03 July 2010
Are They Trying To Give Me a Heart Attack?
They played L.A. today, and it should have been easy. L.A.'s missing their star (Candace Parker) and one of their most experienced starters (Betty Lennox). We led the entire game, but they had a run in the third quarter that put them within three.
We still won (by thirteen), but geez!
ETA: Lauren Jackson took a whack to the face (and got a bloody nose) at the end of the first quarter. After that, her game play was a little off. She still got 20 points (more than anyone else in the game), but she wasn't playing as well as she had been in the first quarter. Turns out she had a mild concussion and "said she didn't remember the game after the first quarter". Yikes!
We still won (by thirteen), but geez!
ETA: Lauren Jackson took a whack to the face (and got a bloody nose) at the end of the first quarter. After that, her game play was a little off. She still got 20 points (more than anyone else in the game), but she wasn't playing as well as she had been in the first quarter. Turns out she had a mild concussion and "said she didn't remember the game after the first quarter". Yikes!
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: Pushing Daisies
From "Dummy" (episode 1.02):
Emerson: I'm not God, but if I was, I'd be an angry God.
Emerson: I'm not God, but if I was, I'd be an angry God.
Labels: Pushing Daisies
02 July 2010
Becky Hammon
In the two games I've watched the Storm play the San Antonio Silver Stars this season, I've really enjoyed two things: 1) Watching Seattle destroy San Antonio, and 2) Watching Becky Hammon play.
There's something about her style of play that I really enjoy. Today I dug out my tape of last year's All-Star game, and I was delighted to see her in a cute moment at the beginning of the game:
The other players on the "West" team were trying to convince Becky Hammon (5'6") to do the tip-off instead of Lauren Jackson (6'5"). Becky Hammon, laughing, replied, "Do you seriously want me to jump? I mean, I am really athletic..."
Also funny: When the coach of the West got the players in a huddle and did a "1-2-3-West!" chant, the announcers joked, "Isn't that amazing, when you're coaching an All-Star game, all you have to do is know how to count to three and get their hands in a huddle?"
There's something about her style of play that I really enjoy. Today I dug out my tape of last year's All-Star game, and I was delighted to see her in a cute moment at the beginning of the game:
The other players on the "West" team were trying to convince Becky Hammon (5'6") to do the tip-off instead of Lauren Jackson (6'5"). Becky Hammon, laughing, replied, "Do you seriously want me to jump? I mean, I am really athletic..."
Also funny: When the coach of the West got the players in a huddle and did a "1-2-3-West!" chant, the announcers joked, "Isn't that amazing, when you're coaching an All-Star game, all you have to do is know how to count to three and get their hands in a huddle?"
Labels: Seattle Storm
WNBA Team Standings
Wow, the conferences look weird right now. If you look at records, Seattle's at the top, then comes the entire Eastern conference, and then there's the rest of the Western conference.
Seattle Storm: 14-2 (#1 Western conference)
Atlanta Dream: 13-4 (#1 Eastern conference)
Washington Mystics: 11-5 (#2 Eastern)
Connecticut Sun: 10-6 (#3 Eastern)
Indiana Fever: 9-6 (#4 Eastern)
New York Liberty: 7-7 (#5 Eastern)
Chicago Sky 7-9: (#6 Eastern)
San Antonio Silver Stars: 5-9 (#2 Western)
Phoenix Mercury: 5-11 (#3 Western)
Minnesota Lynx: 5-11 (#4 Western)
L.A. Sparks: 4-11 (#5 Western)
Tulsa Shock: 3-12 (#6 Western)
Two thoughts occur:
1) Eastern teams must get excited for inter-conference play (unless it's against Seattle).
2) If Seattle doesn't make it to the finals, they're going to be very embarrassed.
Seattle Storm: 14-2 (#1 Western conference)
Atlanta Dream: 13-4 (#1 Eastern conference)
Washington Mystics: 11-5 (#2 Eastern)
Connecticut Sun: 10-6 (#3 Eastern)
Indiana Fever: 9-6 (#4 Eastern)
New York Liberty: 7-7 (#5 Eastern)
Chicago Sky 7-9: (#6 Eastern)
San Antonio Silver Stars: 5-9 (#2 Western)
Phoenix Mercury: 5-11 (#3 Western)
Minnesota Lynx: 5-11 (#4 Western)
L.A. Sparks: 4-11 (#5 Western)
Tulsa Shock: 3-12 (#6 Western)
Two thoughts occur:
1) Eastern teams must get excited for inter-conference play (unless it's against Seattle).
2) If Seattle doesn't make it to the finals, they're going to be very embarrassed.
Labels: Seattle Storm
Quote of the Day: iCarly
From "iMeet Fred":
[The kids need someone to drive them to Idaho.]
Sam: My mom could drive us.
Carly: Did she get her license back?
Sam: [pause] I didn't say that.
Freddie: Well, did she get her van back from the police?
Sam: [long pause] Maybe someone else should drive us.
[The kids need someone to drive them to Idaho.]
Sam: My mom could drive us.
Carly: Did she get her license back?
Sam: [pause] I didn't say that.
Freddie: Well, did she get her van back from the police?
Sam: [long pause] Maybe someone else should drive us.
Labels: iCarly
01 July 2010
Quote of the Day: Battlestar Galactica
I'm into season four of Battlestar Galactica. This quote's from "Crossroads, Part 1" (episode 3.19):
[Baltar is on trial for treason. He and his lawyer, Lampkin, are discussing options after Roslin's testimony. Apollo is idly listening.]
Baltar: We need to find something, anything that can discredit her testimony. She's a fanatic, right. I don't know if that's gonna..
Lampkin: [glances at Apollo] You're awfully quiet.
Apollo: Just listening.
Lampkin: You see, your problem is that I'm a really good liar and you're not. So let's have it.
Apollo: Have what?
Baltar: My gods he's right, you do know something. You know something and you're not saying.
Apollo: It's probably not even true.
Lampkin: I like it already.
[Baltar is on trial for treason. He and his lawyer, Lampkin, are discussing options after Roslin's testimony. Apollo is idly listening.]
Baltar: We need to find something, anything that can discredit her testimony. She's a fanatic, right. I don't know if that's gonna..
Lampkin: [glances at Apollo] You're awfully quiet.
Apollo: Just listening.
Lampkin: You see, your problem is that I'm a really good liar and you're not. So let's have it.
Apollo: Have what?
Baltar: My gods he's right, you do know something. You know something and you're not saying.
Apollo: It's probably not even true.
Lampkin: I like it already.
Labels: Battlestar Galactica
