iamshack

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jan 26, 2013 -> 03:17 PM) This is actually the 2nd most exciting development of this offseason. I'm pumped. This is the time of the year when we get all the fluff articles...I have a feeling he will look just like he did last year, just like Bobby Jenks used to look the same after he lost 30 pounds every offseason.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 26, 2013 -> 10:35 AM) p*ssy Hey Reddy...do you play any pickup games or anything? Doing all this hard work you do is a lot more fun when you can kick the s*** out of all the lazy guys... Today was a prime example...played pickup touch football today...we were kicking their ass so bad at one point they actually called a false start on us after we scored one of our touchdowns... There is something about when the guy you are guarding calls a p**** PI penalty on you and then you tell him that he will not catch another ball against you...and not only doing that over the course of the next two hours, but then picking off half the balls actually thrown to him. This is why I do P90X...because you get to shut the mouths of all the s***talkers every week.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 06:24 PM) lol I did get an ipod out of it, but yeah it was pretty ridiculous. I was young, maybe 22, living with a girl. Not sure what I was thinking. Probably that you wanted to get laid more.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 05:21 PM) So this is why you use the handle Rock...

QUOTE (Reddy @ Jan 25, 2013 -> 04:37 PM) Aint no better core work on earth! Well, my core won't matter much if I snap my neck trying to stand on my head.

I like yoga and do some moves prior to our pickup football game every week...it's when they start doing that s*** where you stand on your head and stuff that I get a bit weirded-out.

I have always thought Katie Couric was hot.

You guys are all members of the "Overnight Oats Cult," and Steve is your charismatic leader. No matter what he tells you, do not end up in a thread all dead together one morning.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 08:35 AM) It's a work in progress. Used steel cut oats and used too much yogurt and milk for the amount of oats, but they were still awesome. Didnt use frozen fruit, which was actually a positive in this situation, instead for fresh blueberries. And, to soak up the residual milkgurt, I threw in some frosted wheat shreddies. Haven't had a breakfast that awesome in a long time. I take pity on your poor, poor soul.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 01:24 PM) Ugh our IP/tech laws are so terrible And how are they going to catch you?

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 24, 2013 -> 09:10 AM) My three pieces of advice: --Think about the size of her finger. Bigger isn't always better. I picked out a 1.5 carat princess cut center diamond, with two smaller diamonds on either side. It looked hilarious on my wife's skinny ass finger. Luckily I didn't buy it first. --Take into account the 4 c's, but only up to a point. That'll get you into a price/look range, but after that ignore the numbers. They try to sell you on crap you will NEVER see. It's not worth spending an extra 2 grand on clarity when it takes a microscope to notice the difference. So long as the diamond isn't yellow, and so long as it's "bright" and clear, it's fine. Don't buy into the hype. -- Remember the wedding band. If you're buying a non-custom piece, make sure you can find a band to match. Yeah, she has tiny little fingers too...size 5 ring i believe. This is part of the reason I was thinking quality over size...but you're right, I've read a good strategy is to cheapest, cleanest eye-clean J SI2 one carat stone you can get...I am assuming with an excellent cut...

Thanks, Rock... BTW, anyone have any thoughts on gemstone rings? I really love sapphires...

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jan 23, 2013 -> 07:48 PM) Do not go with Tiffany's or any of the big retailers. You'll get way more for the same cost at a wholesaler. You'll see the difference first hand when you get it insured, as my wholesaler was able to appraise the ring I bought for my wife for like 30% above cost. Also, some wholesalers will ship out of state and not charge sales tax, which can save you quite a bit of money. I've got an in with a jeweler in Chicago where I can get no sales tax and probably 5% over cost or something...but then I've got to fly back to Chicago to get this thing designed. I've read the BlueNile has it's inventory spread out all over the place, and so they never even see the diamonds they sell...and there are no pictures...you just have to rely on their grades and their appraisals, which apparently are unnecessarily high and just drive up insurance premiums. JamesAllen.com, on the other hand, has firsthand access to all their inventory and provides pictures. I've read they are the way to go for online purchases. I have also considered buying from a local jeweler, just because I like supporting the local economy...however, obviously with them there are selection/inventory concerns as well as feeling like you're dealing with a used car dealer. Keep the advice coming!

QUOTE (3E8 @ Jan 23, 2013 -> 07:42 PM) Get a lab diamond since there is no way to differentiate and you can feel good about not contributing to the blood trade. This is why I was considering an estate ring...then I don't have to feel bad about that.

Fellas and Ladies, I have begun looking for a ring...the girlfriend is the type that wants me to choose it for her...all I can get out of her is that she likes Princess and Radiant cut diamonds. She is a very practical girl, and we are looking at buying a home sometime in the near future, so I am not going to break the bank (probably looking at an $8k budget or so). I have researched Blue Nile and James Allen, have looked at Tiffany & Co online, and have also looked at estate jewelry (I am a big fan of this), and plan to visit some local, non-chain stores as well. Would love to hear your thoughts on the way to go...I know it depends on what she wants, but since I have very little guidance from her, I would appreciate just general thoughts. The age-old question...is Tiffany & Co worth paying the premium? My tendency is to believe it is, as I think you're buying a emotive concept or experience as much as the ring itself. However, I would love to hear counterpoints.... Thanks in advance!

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 23, 2013 -> 04:02 PM) To some extent there's a good point that our current agricultural practices are really inefficient because of how much meat we consume in our diets. Right...I think technology has and will continue to allow us better use of the land we have set aside for food production. But at the pace we are multiplying...I just don't know that it matters.

QUOTE (Y2HH @ Jan 23, 2013 -> 06:36 AM) I guess what I don't understand is where this "overnight" stuff comes in. If it's instant oatmeal, can't this be done...instantly? Are we supposed to mix all of this stuff together and let it sit in a bowl, mixed together, in the refrigerator all night long? Do we cover it? I swear to GOD if I find you're leaving out instructions or ingredients and this sucks... I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you're looking for ransom for the missing overnight oatmeal instructions or certain ingredients, I can tell you I don't have money...but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you give me the missing instructions and ingredients now, that will be the end of it - I will not look for you, I will not pursue you... but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you... and I will f***ing kill you. Bravo, Liam, Bravo...

I thought he was just "tailoring" the truth?

I think she is beginning to tire...

QUOTE (farmteam @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 09:39 PM) I agree, but it poses an interesting philosophical sort of question: how can humans be a plague upon Earth, even though we are as a much a part of earth as anything else? A "plague" makes humans sound like extra terrestrials or something. The etymology of the word "plague" is believed to come from the Latin word plāga ("blow, wound") and plangere (“to strike, or to strike down”), cf. German Plage (“infestation”).

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 09:30 PM) David Attenborough Calls Humans a "Plague Upon the Earth" Can't say I disagree. He's absolutely right.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 22, 2013 -> 11:15 AM) Green carpet and pink drapes everywhere? Hah, not quite that bad...a lot of very light colors though...white or light carpeting, bathrooms and kitchen fairly untouched since the late 70's or early 80's...den has the wood paneling on the walls...property has lots of huge olive and palm trees that need work, there is a freaking tennis court that needs to be either resurfaced or demo'd...that sort of stuff. But the bones of the house are sweet, and the property is very, very unique as far as Vegas goes.

Happy Birthday Sheldon! I mean Balta!

QUOTE (farmteam @ Jan 21, 2013 -> 11:19 PM) Whoa, that's pretty neat looking. I'm digging the trees set in the stone. What sort of work does it need? It's currently owned by an 80 year old widow. As you might imagine, it sort of has the look of a home owned by an 80 year old woman...a lot of renovations would need to be done to the inside, the land needs a lot of landscaping, pool needs to be resurfaced, etc.

Looked at an old home (by Vegas standards) today in what was once the most prestigious neighborhood in Las Vegas (there are only 26 homes in the entire subdivision). Pretty incredible old home (although it now needs quite a bit of work). Really intrigued, if I can get it for the right price. That, and Holly Madison just bought a home back there. Here is one of my favorite shots I took today.