iamshack

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 27, 2014 -> 12:38 PM) Not as payment for mistakes made decades/centuries ago. You want to institute a life tax? You don't think the government utilizes income tax to repair all kinds of stupid s*** it did decades/centuries ago??

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 27, 2014 -> 12:27 PM) I'm sure that I did, but how's that relevant here? Are we all supposed to pay for our given lot in life? Isn't that what we generally do as taxpayers for about a million other things?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 27, 2014 -> 12:21 PM) Bingo. I'm 32 from Chicago. I didn't own slaves. I didn't participate in the Jim Crow south. I didn't vote for or perpetuate housing discrimination. So why the hell should I pay anything? Just playing Devil's Advocate here... Do you not benefit from all kinds of other things that you had nothing to do with?

I'm honestly very impressed by the results...the fact that fans are recognizing Alexei's season -- the year it is happening no less -- shows that fans are actually coming into the voting fairly educated. I can remember many years previous where if you weren't already a household name, and you did have an outstanding season, you'd more likely be recognized for it in the next season's all-star game than in the year in which your outstanding season occurred.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 27, 2014 -> 08:45 AM) I wasnt trying to make excuses they just look slower than the Kings. Whether thats the Kings just being on another level or the Hawks looking worn out it just seems to be the case. This doesnt look like the same team that we saw in previous series. How many hockey games have our guys played in the last 16 months or so? Seems like an awful lot, especially considering the Olympics.

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 24, 2014 -> 01:11 PM) A hit will probably put Beckham at .300. I never imagine'd I'd see him hitting this well after that horrid start he had. He looks as good as he has since '09 in the last 15-20 games or so. Hitting the ball hard.

So does hulu plus allow you to watch all the network primetime shows when they air?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 21, 2014 -> 12:46 PM) That was the first thing that really came to light and was used by MLB teams. And you understand how important that is. Which, by itself, makes sabermetrics a non-gimmick. I think we've made a breakthrough today, boys. There are about a zillion other things that sabermetrics do that are awesome, but I'm stopping there! Nothing matters except it's not what you hit, it's when you hit it.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 20, 2014 -> 04:06 PM) It's refreshing that so many fans on here see the Sox as WC contenders all year. I just don't see it at all with the injuries as well as a few too many lousy players (pitchers). I'd be all for a shot at the wild card, but I'm thinking by June 10 we'll be pretty much buried. Hope I'm wrong. By June 10th? Greg, you're always wrong.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 17, 2014 -> 08:50 PM) Had my interview on the course today and it looks like I'm in. Out of all the clubs I looked at I picked the one with younger more down to earth people. Pretty excited for this summer Do tell...

So went to the golf club last night to see the facilities for the first time. Turns out they were having some kind of evening event there so they were closing the practice facilities down early (which is what we went there to do), so they told us to go out on the course. Only managed to get in about 5 holes since we didn't get there til quarter after 6 and I was with the wife who basically has never played golf before. Anyways, the course was very nice. Perfect greens, very, very nice fairways. Was missing a little bit of the "wow" factor, but of course, the last course I played was that Four Seasons course in Hawaii, so not a shock. Very nice layout, lots of different tees to play from. Only got to play the first 5 and see the first 9 as we were driving back in, but was pretty impressed. The facilities were a bit outdated; it appears they probably will need to do a bit of a renovation at some point in the next 3-5 years, but still nice. We had dinner on the patio afterwards. Food was very good, reasonably priced. Service was just sort of ok. All in all, I was impressed, but at the same time a little disappointed. Will have to think about this a bit more.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 15, 2014 -> 02:31 PM) I know people love to hate Puig but it bears repeating that his team ripped a 50 game stretch where they went like 43-7 or something. We are 20-22 in sleepy may. They had just a few more weapons than we do...

QUOTE (RoundingThird @ May 8, 2014 -> 01:34 PM) Colorado was one of the four 60 million dollar bidders. Morneau's been unexpectedly good for them, but man, think about Abreu in the middle of that lineup. And we already witnessed how he hits at Coors Field

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 14, 2014 -> 09:24 AM) The thing is, he won't be claimed (I have no problem saying there is a 0.001% chance of him being claimed). At that point, Keppinger has the option to decline a minor league assignment based on his tenure in the league. If he actually accepts the MiLB assignment (I'd say less than a 1% chance of happening), I believe his contract is still valid and is paid out like normal. Either way, yes, the Sox eat a little more than $7.5 mill (unless he doesn't sign anywhere, in which case it's $8.5 mill). And that's still only half of Adam Dunn's salary. If he goes unclaimed and then signs afterwards, the other team just pays the minimum, and we pick up the rest, correct?

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 13, 2014 -> 02:42 PM) I'm sure that's the root cause, but your shoes can definitely make it worse. She had no problem for about 4 months using her Merrells, a few weeks with the Nikes and her toe's all messed up. Yeah, that's no fun...not a good malady to have...

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 13, 2014 -> 12:02 PM) It's still hurting her, but now it's almost moving back into her arch instead of being really painful whenever there's toe flexion. She switched back to her Merrell hiking shoes when it first started hurting. For the most part, she's walking on the treadmill at 3-3.5 mph but 10-15 incline with a 10-20 pound pack on her back versus running or jogging. It's been getting a little better, but it's not exactly easy to completely rest your foot. Could it be from just walking on an incline constantly?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 13, 2014 -> 10:14 AM) Yeah, the pool is the draw for my wife at the moment. The one we are looking at is 10k split over two years for initiation but then they seem to fee you to death. With some of the pricier places at least your annual cost after the initial fee isnt crazy. So for TPC Summerlin, the monthly dues are $509/mo until the member hits 35, and then $560/mo from 35-40, then $838 after 40. They have a pool, as well as tennis facilities. You have to spend at least $200/quarter in the restaurant as well. This includes unlimited golf (walking) and use of the practice range. If you want to ride, they charge $14/23 per person for 9/18 holes respectively. You can bring up to 3 guests per day, and guest fees are $85/135 in season for weekdays/weekends and $65/95 offseason. In season is April-June and Sept-Nov. It's something I am very much considering, although I don't think the wife is going to be down with this unless she really falls in love with golf. I know she will love the social and networking aspects of it, however.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 13, 2014 -> 08:21 AM) I'm walking down the path of it now at a younger club here. Most of the other ones Ive looked at are too expensive (65k+ initiation fees) and the population is too old money. Yeah, that is what I expected to hear too...the guy I spoke to yesterday said their median age is 49...but initiation for members below 40 is $7,500. He said at one time it was $42,000. I think it is an excellent networking opportunity, especially considering our ages. My concern is mostly whether we should do it now or if we should wait until after we try having kids and they are out of diapers...just not sure how much time we would have to enjoy it...

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 13, 2014 -> 07:57 AM) My wife and I looked into it, but it seemed like we would be the youngest people there by far (we're 32 this year). Maybe in a decade we'll look into it again. That's when you can get in cheap though...I spoke to a guy from one of the TPC courses here in Vegas yesterday...we would put the membership in my wife's name since she is only 33, and get the cheaper initiation and monthly dues until she's 40. I was fairly surprised at how low the initiation fee was....about 1/5 of what it once was...

Anyone here belong to a club? If so, is it worth it? Do you enjoy it? Is it good networking?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ May 12, 2014 -> 01:02 PM) Out of curiosity, what's everyone's handicap or what do you typically shoot? Back in high school when I was playing daily I was down to a 6 or 7. Anything over 80 I was pissed, although my best round was even par 72. Never shot under before. Then I went about 8 years playing 2-3 times a year at most, if at all, so it crept back up to like 15-16. This year in 5 rounds i've been between 83 and 90. Still not where I was, but it's partly getting used to a new set and partly not being out nearly as much. If you take away the first 3-4 holes on every round, I bet i'm down in the low 80's high 70's again. But for some reason (age, I guess), it takes me a while to warm up and get a good swing going. I'm usually in the low to mid 80's....I actually strike the ball very well, but have an absolutely rotten short game. I can't putt for s***.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 12, 2014 -> 12:24 PM) I'm a pretty big believer in equipment, especially drivers, having nothing to do with the actual results of a swing. People trade in and trade up too often based on certain features fixing their flawed swing IMO. \Not saying thats you, but it made me think about it. I've seen too many white drivers on the course with guys who shouldnt be spending more than 20 bucks on equipment and taking the rest to spend everyday on the range. Well, like I said, I have had the same woods since about 1994. I have had the same irons for about 8 years. Now I agree with you in principal, but to say that there have not been SIGNIFICANT advancements in driver/fairway wood/hybrid technology over the course of the past 10-20 years would be ridiculous. My Big Bertha Warbird driver is 195 cc. Many of the new drivers are 460 cc! Now if you hit the ball on the screws everytime, perhaps there isn't a big difference (and I know, because I play with guys who have the newer equipment and when I lace one I hit it 265-280 while they may hit theirs 280-320. That is a measurable difference but not huge I guess. The difference comes when I mis*** versus when they mis***....and that is a HUGE difference! As for irons, I play blades, and I hit them well, with the exception of the 3-4 iron, which I will miss on occasion. I have thought about going to a hybrid rescue club as opposed to hitting the 3-iron in 200 + yard conditions. Now considering I have spent $0 on golf clubs since 2005 or so, I don't think making an upgrade here or there is unreasonable, and to say that there haven't been tremendous advancements in driver technology over the past 10-20 years is pretty ludicrous. I play some pretty nice courses every month...how many players do you think have Big Bertha Warbirds in their bags?

So yesterday the wife and I were in a Target and I had some old gift cards with me, so I was looking in the electronics and sporting goods area for something fun to waste them on...came across a Callaway tent net for $80 and pulled the trigger. Sets up just like a basic tent, with a hang down target with netting behind it. The wife wants to get into golf and it's always been an activity I love, so I figured it would be a good way for us to practice hitting all of our clubs in the yard without having to head to the range if we don't want to. Then stopped at Golf Galaxy in search of a set of used clubs for her. They did not have any used sets, but the salesman recommended maybe getting her a driver first, just because it is the biggest club (and perhaps the easiest) for her to hit. While I felt maybe something like a 7-iron would be a better idea for her, they had a Taylor Made Rocketballz driver for about $100, so I figured what the heck. I was in the market as well, since I have been playing a set of Callaway Big Bertha Warbirds for the better part of 20 years now, and I wanted to check out the new Taylor Made sldr and see what all the fuss is about. Turned off by the price tag, I was looking for maybe a last year's model of something on sale. Settled on the Nike Covert 2.0 Tour Driver for $250. Hit both this and the sldr and the Nike driver went 20-25 yards further according to the simulator, and more importantly, it went dead straight. Both of us hit balls into the net yesterday afternoon and had a great time. She's been to the range a few times before, but never really made an effort to take the game seriously at all. She wasn't bad...hit the ball solidly fairly consistently. Going to look for some lessons for both of us because I have learned from trying to teach her to drive a manual transmission that I am not a good teacher for her of anything. I think she will take lessons from a stranger and a professional much better than if I try to monkey with her swing too much. Edit: Actually, it is the original Covert I got, not the Covert 2.0...the 2.0 was 4 bills.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 11, 2014 -> 05:45 AM) In fact, Viciedo's nowhere close to his 2012 homer pace of mid 20's. But he's a much more effective and dangerous hitter right now, and the homers always clustered in bunches for him. He's actually fallen right back into the same old habits...look at his May splits...in April he was laying off the bad pitches...but he's not anymore...

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 30, 2014 -> 12:30 PM) Everyone I know has a Pilot for their kids my sister and SIL as well. They all love it. Yeah, the wife has a Pilot. Nice vehicle. Test drove some Audi A6's last night...will primarily be the wife's daily driver, but my weekend car as well. LOVE the supercharged with the S-Line accents, but dunno if I can justify the extra expense over the 2.0 quattro version. Problem is, I feel like the 2.0 quattro version looks like an old man car...can't quite make myself like it.