My Part of the Conversation

So, I’m a little sluggish this morning.

Yesterday, Halo 3 came out and kept me up way past my bedtime.  I’ve only played the story mode a little, but it is pretty cool.  After school, some of the teens came over to try it out.    Dave and I played the first level on coop mode over the internet.  It’s pretty neat playing through a game with a friend 1500 miles a way.  We have headsets, so we can sit and talk and play.  We also played some multiplayer games.  It’s only the second game I bought for the 360 (which is an awesome media extender, consequently).  It just hasn’t had very many cool games come out.  Plus, I mainly got it as something to do with the teens.  Still, I like a good game every now and then.  Even though I’m tired, it was pretty fun.

I’ll have to comment later on if the story has a satisfying resolution after 3 installments of this game.  Also, h/t Dave on the picture.

You’ve probably seen all this by now, but I just can’t help but briefly comment on it.  The buyers of the balls in home runs 755 and 756 that Bonds hit are allowing the public to determine what should happen to those controversial pieces of history.  Ball 756 was bought by Marc Echo, the fashion designer.  He has a very simple website, www.vote756.com.  Ball 755 was bought by a group of friends who are allowing voting for the ball, but are selling ads to their site, www.endthedebate.com.  Interesting way to invest $200,000.

Under normal circumstances, I would think this cheapens the sport and draws attention away from the incredible accomplishment that we probably won’t see again in our lifetime (that is, until A-Rod breaks it in 5 or 6 years).  However, since there’s been so much controversy and debate, it seems kindof helpful for fans to get their say… then hopefully move on to other things.

Just in case you’re wondering, I chuckle at the idea of branding #756 then sending it to Cooperstown.

I briefly stopped by Mike Cope’s blog recently, and he had linked this post from a member at his church.  He was writing in response to Shane Claiborne’s recent book “Irresistible Revolution” which I haven’t read yet, but plan to soon.  Anyway, it’s a pretty good post worth a read.

This summer, Mark was telling me about one of his favorite shows, Babylon 5. He had the all 5 seasons on DVD, and passed them on to me to check out. Man! What a great show! I’ve always been a bit of a sci-fi nerd, so it was right up my ally. I remember when the show came out in 1993, but I was just entering high school and really never watched it. It tells the story of a space station set up like a United Nations in space, and has a whole history and destiny that unfolds as the seasons progress. It really gives you the sense of being in a huge, mysterious, and never-ending galaxy. If you’re into such things, you should check it out.

I haven’t finished the whole series yet, but the last few weeks I blew through season 2-4 and am on season 5, the last one.

One of the things that’s cool about the show, is that it was written to be 5 seasons, with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. It’s one story that took its time developing, and didn’t just end up quitting once ratings went down. It’s had a few attempts at spin-offs, but nothing that stuck around. Still, nearly 15 years later, they just put out another companion movie a few months ago.

I love football season.  I must confess, this is mainly due to the countless fantasy leagues I have been in over the years.  It’s been a great way to keep up with friends from college and establish some common ground with people I interact with in Baton Rouge.

I was also excited to see the Saints kick off the season.  That excitement has now faded.  No, I don’t want to talk about it.

Anyway, this year I am in 3 leagues, which really hurts my tradition of having 2- one where I place first, the other where I place last .  I’m not sure why it works that way, it just has for the last few leagues I’ve been in.

My favorite league I’m in is a keeper league with friends from college.  Each year, we each keep 3 players and draft the rest.  I like the team I have- I have Stephen Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, Willis McGahee, Vince Young, Plaxico Burress, and the Baltimore defense.  I have Alex Smith on the bench in case Vince buckles this year.  I’d like to improve my team a little more and have a few less question marks, but it’s still fun.  I just need to figure out how to make ridiculous trades for good players where I give up nothing like our commissioner does.  Anyway, this was the league I placed last in, and I have no intentions of repeating that awful fate.

Any other fantasy football nuts out there?