Controlled Chaos

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 8, 2010 -> 03:18 PM) Don't conjure up any bad vibes thoughts of Nick Swisher, please. Sorry..... Filthy!! Nasty!! Sick!!

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 8, 2010 -> 03:08 PM) I don't even think the very small minority of people who even in early June thought this team had a run in them thought it could come this fast. They are on just on fire, this pitching staff has been ridiculous. They were 24-33 exactly one month ago and 9 1/2 back. They've gone 22-5 since. DIRTY!!!!!!!

Kid can pitch! Yes!!

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 05:20 PM) I'm man enough to admit that not only did i love Toy Story 3 but that i got choked up at the end. I'm one of the people who grew up at a pretty consistent pace with the franchise so i imagine that helped. This.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Jul 6, 2010 -> 02:48 AM) That sounded so horrible and rehearsed. He tries way too hard at times. I didn't get that impression at all.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 5, 2010 -> 10:35 PM) If Beach can be a solid player as a rookie, you're good 3 lines deep. But yeah, the 4th line is definitely a question mark, as is defense after the big 4. Going to need some kids to play well and develop, and it'd be particularly ideal if the team can stay as healthy as possible, since it's just more kids having to play (some of whom may not be ready) if anybody gets hurt. We should keep in mind though that the same can be said for almost every other team in the league. There are a few teams in the league (like the Hawks last year in particular) that are just endlessly deep, but I don't think it's realistic to expect a repeat. That is a team that is certainly good enough to be a top 4 or 5 team in the West though IMO, and you could do a lot worse coming off a title, especially considering there seems to be quite a bit of young talent in the organization and the team was obviously in salary cap jail. And who knows, maybe Stan and the crew have a positive surprise or two yet in store before the season starts, although obviously that'd be very tough with the cap. I fully expect a repeat!! Well not really, but I don't think it's unrealastic to think they can contend. Plenty have teams have won with less. Kane, Towes, Sharp, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, Bolland, Hjammer, Campbell, Kopecky, Brouwer. I expect improvement from Kane and Towes...they're still growing. Hossa should score more goals this year as he was off his career norms. Sharp is like the Buehrle of hockey, he'll consistently get you 25-30 goals. Even Kopecky, who has only played his 3rd full season, can evolve to a 15-20 goal guy. Bolland is good for 15-20. Don't forget how much time he missed this year and how long it took him to get back in the swing when he did get back. He's also young and has played only in enough games to add up to 2 seasons...so he could see a bump in goals. I don't think they lost that much on the D end and they were one of the best last year. 5th in goals against and #1 in shots against. So yeah, I'm optimistic. I know there are definitely more talented teams out there, but I give the Hawks as much of a chance as anyone.

Happy Birthday!!

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 09:32 AM) That's hilarious. I enjoyed the friction between those two. It definitely got awkward at times. It happens with DJ and Farmer now as well. DJ just says some weird s*** that leaves you saying in your head "WTF??" and then nothing comes out of your mouth and there's dead air.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 11:07 PM) Man seriously there are some f***ed up people out there. Been pissed off for the last two days, but today takes the cake when I found out the details. One of my closest friends (known since I was 11) just got back from the Army about 2 weeks ago after bring out there for about a year and a half or so. So naturally he's been going out pretty much everyday with us, family, etc.. Couple days ago, he was out with his cousin at a bar (on the north-side I believe), and these 2 guys started to hit on his cousin. She said no, and was not interested. They kept going at it, again... no. Then, they started to get physical with her cause she wasn't interested. Well, my buddy is not a fighter and hates confrontation (despite being 6-4, 260) but he had to step in with what these jack asses were doing to her. Bar-tender kicked them all out.. no problem, so the guy challenges my boy to a fight. He said alright lets settle this like men even though he didn't want to, but probably could never forgive what that dick did to his cousin (which I won't say). The second guy (his friend) wound up sneaking around through the back, turns his truck on and ran my friend over, basically blind-sided him. Then, put the truck in reverse and ran him over again. Now here is my friend due back (or WAS due back) in the Army (and I believe in Iraq) in 2 weeks, is now having his second major surgery (the third, I believe, is scheduled for Saturday) to pair a shattered pelvis, 7 bones crushed in different spots in his left leg, broken knee-cap in his right leg, torn rotator in his left shoulder and broken bones in his left arm, and his face on the left side is supposedly (horrible looking) with the loose skin burned from the concrete/tires. I won't see him till Saturday, but I was incredibly pissed to hear this news today. Thank god I just heard a couple of hours ago, the police did in fact catch the two f***ers who did this and currently are locked up. No that won't bring back his pelvis, left-leg, etc.. but I hope those scumbags spend a long time in prison. I'm just glad he will probably walk again (even if it won't be 100% again), despite nearly having his spine crushed and better yet.. still ALIVE. Very emotional day. Best wishes to your friend for a full recovery Ace. Hearing about this and the incident with the bassist from Madina Lake, just makes you wonder what the hell is going on in this city.

For those of you interested. USB Data Cable for Apple iPad, iPhone 4,iPhone First Generation iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS $0.39 Shipped LINK [meritline.com] With Coupon Code: MLCK2625850702NL1 For First 800 Orders

LeBron Watch: Bulls step up recruiting efforts by unveiling statue of James dunking over Jordan statue Thursday, July 1, 2010 - Paxson: 'We think he'll love walking by the statue of him dunking over Jordan however' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As the NBA free agency season begins and speculation about LeBron James' destination has reached a fevered pitch. Many believe the Bulls' chances are limited by Michael Jordan's legacy, but the team made a major statement by erecting a statue of James dunking over the famous Jordan statue outside the United Center. "Everyone who thinks he's not coming here says LeBron won't want to walk past the Jordan statue every day," said Bulls VP of Basketball Operations John Paxson. "We think he'll love walking by the statue of him dunking over Jordan however." After hearing about the alteration to the statue that bears his likeness, Jordan expressed mixed emotions. "Everyone knows no one ever dunked over me, so the statue's now completely bogus," said Jordan. "But I heard the LeBron statue is wearing Nikes, so I got paid royalties and that makes it all right by me." James said he had not yet seen the statue but was excited to check it out. "Wow, my very own statue?" said James. "This is the only thing I've never gotten in my career. Well, that and a championship ring."

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 02:45 PM) That was really a bulls*** move. Im on a work computer and lost a bunch of s***. Not really a funny joke. Sorry Badge...it's such a last year thing to do. I don't even know what came over me.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 02:44 PM) Gee, one can only imagine what that link is... I just wanted to nab one unsuspecting victim. The LeBron thing has reached ridiculous proportions.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 10:53 AM) I agree on owning a gun being completely pointless and doing more harm than good. Even people who own one to "protect themselves" are kind of wasting their time unless they carry it around everywhere they go and keep it bedside at night in case they hear a noise (and not many gun owners are doing either of those things). It doesn't change the right you have to own one under the constitution though (although I think you know that based on saying you're not arguing they should be illegal, and were just making a general point on how dumb gun ownership is). I'm not sure gun ownership rights in Illinois are quite at the level of importance of the stuff that went on in Mississippi that I assume you are referring to, but you make a good point nonetheless. Even the lowest estimates have about 800,000 people disagreeing with you. There are approximately two million defensive gun uses (DGU's) per year by law abiding citizens. That was one of the findings in a national survey conducted by Gary Kleck, a Florida State University criminologist in 1993. Prior to Dr. Kleck's survey, thirteen other surveys indicated a range of between 800,000 to 2.5 million DGU's annually. However these surveys each had their flaws which prompted Dr. Kleck to conduct his own study specifically tailored to estimate the number of DGU's annually. Subsequent to Kleck's study, the Department of Justice sponsored a survey in 1994 titled, Guns in America: National Survey on Private Ownership and Use of Firearms (text, PDF). Using a smaller sample size than Kleck's, this survey estimated 1.5 million DGU's annually. Source It is not pointless. lostfans intial post said owing one and not knowing how to use it is pointless. But if you can handle a gun, it can save your life and has on millions of occasions. In fact if you live in Englewood, Roseland or any bad neighborhood, and you know how to use a gun and don't sleep with one nearby...I would question your mental state. But Bad can happen anywhere...and if you don't want to be a victim with your hands tied behind your back...you own.

Getting ridden hard and put away wet.

What are you doing Brian Gorman? Are you nuts?

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Jun 30, 2010 -> 10:49 PM) Thank you Stan for getting rid of the exact 2 big pieces you should have. How often does that happen? So far great job by Stan. I think the only way Ladd doesn't sign is if we're receiving max value in return. In other words, I don't think Ladd will just be a salary dump if he isn't here...it will actually be a move to improve. Removing Huet from the equation...Hawks look to be $9,718,663 under. Need to sign Hammer, Antti, Ladd and some fillers.

This needed to be done. Hawks should be in good shape to keep the other vital pieces now.

QUOTE (Rex Hudler @ Jun 25, 2010 -> 10:00 PM) Holy crap, this is getting crazy. I don't think I've ever planned a trip like this. Here is our tentative agenda. Tell me how crazy we are for trying to pull this off. Thursday - arrive Chicago 8:10am -- drop off bags at hotel -- head to Museum of Science and Industry (cab or bus? - will cab be any faster?) -- leave about 1:00 and head to the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie house for a 2:00 tour -- head back to hotel, check in, change clothes -- Head to Art Institue (free admission after 5:00 and open until 8:00)-- dinner at Tufano's (you guys sold me on it, especially after watching the Triple D video) -- probably pass out next Friday -- up early for breakfast at The Bongo Room -- to Navy Pier for a 10:00 architecture cruise -- head back to hotel (if time allows) to change/get what we need for the rest of the day -- head to Wrigleyville for a 1:20 game -- see Blue Man Group at 7:00 -- pizza at either Giordano's or Lou's Saturday -- breakfast at Ann Sather (cinnamon rolls) -- briefly check out Millenium Park or walk to the beach -- head to Wrigley for a 12:05 game -- drink after game? -- dinner at Smoque after the game? -- Maybe head to Navy Pier Sat night? Will there be fireworks? Sunday -- possible visits to The Field Museum to see "Sue" quickly, Millenium Park or to the beach -- Head to airport about noon Just an FYI...this puts you pretty much at the Taste...if you did have a half hour or so to kill, it probably wouldn't be too crowded early on like 4. If ya want to sample some different Chicago foods...they have these 'taste portions' that you could get. You can try a couple different pizza places(Home run inn, Bacinos, Connies, Lou Mals) it would be like 1/2 slice a pizza. Try a beef or sausage(Tuscany). For dessert enjoy the one and only Original rainbow Cone. Good luck!! You have a lot packed in.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 29, 2010 -> 10:35 AM) I know next season is the last for RESCUE ME. Wonder if we will get flashbacks about 9/11 and them on that day. Can;t decide if they should or not. Thought that was a good start.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jun 29, 2010 -> 08:16 PM) Gordon over his last 5 games (15 PA): .357/.333/.857/1.190. Could mean something, could mean nothing I don't know, I'm not a doctor. If I was to consider anyone on this site to be a baseball doctor, it would probably be you. So which is it doc? something or nothing?

Nice hustle becks!

Oz tossed

Lord Stanley at Daley Plaza today from 10 - 4.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jun 29, 2010 -> 07:46 AM) These jokes write themselves.... haha No s***...I was waiting for something funny after the first part of the sentence...and it turns out he's just being factual. BTW, if I gave any of this s*** to my wife for our 5th anniversary...she would slap me upside the head. I can see it now....take your wood jigsaw puzzle and the wood between your legs and shove em both up your ass! And whats with this tree crap. Happy Anniversary honey...here's a shovel..start digging!! Ways to Celebrate Your 5th Anniversary: Plant a tree together. You can plant one in your yard, or at a park, school, or church. An oak tree represent solidity. A pine tree represents the evergreen character of your love for one another. A flaming red maple represents the flaming passion you have for each other. A flowering crab tree represents love eternal. Toast one another with hope that your love continues to grow and prosper like the trees around you. Gift Suggestions to Purchase for Your 5th Anniversary: Purchase a framed share of stock in a major company that has meaning to the both of you. I bought us some stock. MUAH!! Wooden baskets. I got you a wood basket....there's no jewelery inside. I love you Magazine subscription. 5 year subscription to Shape. what???? Wooden jigsaw puzzle. seriously? Wooden paper weight. to keep the divorce papers from flying away Fireplace kindling. Since we no longer have a spark....here's some kindling Silverware. To help you serve me Wood sculpture or carvings. What's not to love Wood shelving. Does anything say 'I love you' more than a shelf? Willow twig furniture. Really anything with the word twig in it, is prolly a bad idea Small wood folding tables. First thing my wife made me get rid of when we got married...but now it's our 5 year anniversary. They're BACK!! Ping pong table. Every wifes dream