Sonik22

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 5, 2017 -> 10:09 AM) Yep. My team is dead in the water. I really love Matta, and he deserves the right to go out on his own terms...but this just sucks. There was a point late in the game last night when it was close, and Trevor Thompson missed a bunny to get it even closer, and then made a stupid foul immediately after. The look on Matta's face said it all.

Instead of starting something new, I'm just watching Band of Brothers again. Couldn't put a number on how many times I've seen it.

QUOTE (Leonard Zelig @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 10:57 PM) Outside of the already mentioned movies, there's a couple my wife watches every year and I usually see some if not all of these: The Family Stone Love Actually Meet Me in St. Louis The Holiday I watched Love Actually for the first time on Sunday and actually thought it was pretty enjoyable.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 15, 2016 -> 09:11 AM) Yeah, everyone is trying to unload Problem is she still thinks itd be fun to go. I was at that previous coldest game against the packers in 08. Woof. It's a fun game of trying to drink your beer before it freezes.

I'm taking this girl I'm seeing to the game Sunday. She's never been to a Bears game (just moved her from Ohio in June), and my family has season tickets. Reallyyyyyy leaning towards trying to get rid of them. Yikes.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 7, 2016 -> 08:00 AM) He's trying to turn over the roster and bring in some guys that actually want to try, but I dont think he will last. This is probably his last year. Which sucks, I love Thad, but it's probably time for a change. Guys like Loving never developed like expected and this team is just stuck. I know its early still this year, but to regress like they have in the two games since they played their best game in two years (and lost) at UVA it just feels like last year all over again.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 6, 2016 -> 08:19 PM) 100% Thad is retiring after this season. He's toast anyway The whole time watching that game i was having flashbacks to the UT-Arlington game last year. I thought that loss was bad. This loss was 20x worse.

I was hoping Donnel Pumphrey from SD St would get an invite. Kid is fun to watch, and absolutely deserved it over some of those guys.

1) The Santa Clause

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Dec 2, 2016 -> 09:04 AM) LOL, i've been to a few of those, Sapphire and Jade (when it was purchased) as well as Dreams Punta Cana. The Secrets PV is real nice, got a swim up room ocean front and the waiter would serve us right in our little pool. It was awesome. I really need to make my way over to try out the resorts on the west coast of Mexico.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 30, 2016 -> 02:00 PM) So, May is a clutch timeframe, its decently cheap. Se Riviera Maya is pretty good, but also can be pretty bland and a decent ride from the airport, I think I know every resort down there. What I dont like it how flat and bland the resorts can be. Also the ride to and from the airport bums me out, especially if you book a place near Tulum. I dont like sitting in a van for over an hour. With that said, there are many VERY nice resorts there for a good price, and tons of flights. Playa Del Carmen is a decently cool town. I am a fan of Montego Bay, food isnt the best but the part atmosphere is awesome. My wife and I went to a few there that were awesome. Our newest place has been Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita. Close to airport, really nice places, and a town you can walk to and hang out in. Punta Mita is more expensive because of the resorts there. You can of course go to Cabo, but I tend to think there is a HUGE spread between quality of places there. We always stay with the Secrets brand resorts (forgot their corp name) because its only adults and no reservations for dinner. I too can vouch for the Secrets Brand resorts which is part of AM Resorts (Secrets/NOW/Dreams/Zoetry/Breathless/Sunscape). I've been to 3 of the Secrets in the Cancun Area, Now Sapphire in Cancun, and Dreams Punta Cana. Dreams/Now are both family friendly while the rest are adults only. I cannot recommend them enough. My brother is getting married at Dreams Playa Mujeres next October.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 23, 2016 -> 12:12 PM) Ugh, that is so sad for him. That will really suck if his career is indeed over. I hope it is not as he is great personality in the NBA. That being said, the dude is going to absolutely kill it in broadcasting.

My favs: The Bill Simmons Podcast. I love BS so i listen to every single one, though I personally recommend any time Michael Rappaport is on it. Joe Rogan Experience (depending on the guest) Pardon my Take (barstool sports) The Last Podcast on the Left. (Currently in love with this one. 3 comedians that talk about creepy stuff like serial killers, paranormal stuff. Super morbid but I love it.)

QUOTE (chw42 @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 10:36 AM) Why the hell does CONCACAF get less guaranteed spots than the AFC? Really doesn't make any sense but it carries to 2022 as well... http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m...ed-2610611.html

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 8, 2016 -> 07:50 AM) I always say the same thing about the road games, so I don't necessarily disagree. Costa Rica's field is concrete and many of those stadiums are very sub-par and crazy atmospheres. But you only have to finish 3rd in the HEX and three teams are ranked 80th or lower. That's the biggest factor, whereas Europe has similar groups of 6, but you have to finish 1st to qualify, and 2nd only gets you a playoff berth. Some of the road games may be tougher in some ways, but in the end, it's a much easier road. Agreed. Also, even finishing top 4 in the HEX is usually a good bet, especially this go around to qualify as the 4th place team in CONCACAF enters a playoff against the 5th place team from the Asian Football Confederation.

I will admit I'm a Pearl Jam nut job but I always laugh when i see the "so you saw the same show this many times in a year?". The bands catalog is so deep you never see the same show. They've played over 1000 shows, and never played the same setlist. The fans like me keep coming because you look forward to hearing different songs live, and the rare ones too. It's hard to explain how much their music has meant to my life but I really do think people don't realize how much of a following they have. I saw the opening shows in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami in April and then the last two shows of the tour at Wrigley. If you've never seen them live it really is a whole different experience. I honestly plan vacations around Pearl Jam tours because its such a great time with all the fans in different cities. Seeing them just gets better every time, and Monday at Wrigley was the best show I've seen from them. 25 years and still bringing it every night.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 08:56 AM) If you are history or Civil War History buff at all, spend AT LEAST one whole day in Gettysburg. Take one of the bus tours to start, and see what interests you, and then go back to it. It is an incredibly powerful place. That was part of my plan and reasoning behind going there. The girlfriend wouldn't enjoy it like I would. I didn't think about a bus tour, but that sounds like a great idea.

For my work, I get the month of July off...So over two weeks in July I am renting a car and driving out east down the coast by myself from Chicago but I will be meeting some people along the way. The initial plan is to do these cities in this order; Pittsburgh, Gettysburg, Williamsburg (2 nights with my buddy who lives there), Charleston (2 nights), Savannah (2 nights), Asheville, Louisville, then home. Since I'll be by myself and don't really plan on booking most things until the day of, any recommendations of things I should see along the way? Places I should drive out of my way for? Any tips for traveling alone? I'm pretty sociable and not afraid to talk and meet new people so I'm really looking forward to this. My girlfriend couldn't take the time off, but this allows me to be flexible and do all the things I would like to do. I figured I might as well do these things while I'm young and don't have the responsibilities to attend to at home.

I completely agree with those not wanting strippers. When I do get married, I want nothing to do with strippers at my bachelor party and my brother knows that. My plan is to go to New Orleans with all my buddies, so I'm sure we will end up at some cabaret, but I'm not actively seeking it.

Only thing set in stone is 5 Nights in New Orleans at the beginning of June. Can't wait, favorite place in the world. There's a chance through my job that I'd be allowed to take June 27th - July 25th off. If so, I was going to drive to Gettysburg, down to Williamsburg (visit a friend), a night or two in Charleston, same with Savannah, down to Orlando to visit my brother, then over to Gulf Shores, AL and meet up with my parents. Then back north. Otherwise, a couple bachelor parties involving a cabin in Wisconsin and weekend trip to Vegas. Bye bye, Money.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 07:55 AM) Exactly. It was after the celebration. The only guy still going nuts was Lawrie because that is what he does. What about the rest of the guys that didn't do anything as he walked past? This is nothing. Bingo. I know it's wayyyyy too early, but i'm really liking the body language of these guys together. Lawrie's energy, Frazier chest bumping Avi after the HR. Makes me giddy.

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 12:50 AM) Agreed I personally think he's got sunflower seeds in his mouth, chewing them up kinda making it look like hes unhappy.

QUOTE (Brian @ Mar 30, 2016 -> 09:13 AM) Rumor that Matta is stepping down due to health reasons? Rock? Please let this just be a rumor.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Mar 29, 2016 -> 02:25 PM) Harris is probably gone too, amazing. Apparently these guys didnt get along very much huh. Well, bring in another class. It does kind of make sense. The team never truly gelled. Watching them and watching the Bulls all year there was a similar feel the whole time. Open up scholarships to bring in better players. I saw the transfer from New Mexico is set to visit in April. I still think this team makes the tournament next year if Lyle stays and Thompson doesn't keep his name in the draft.

Add Mickey Mitchell to the list of transfers from Ohio State. That makes it officially 3/5 of the freshman class. Harris would be 4 if that happens. Wtf.