[University of Colorado Fraternity Suspended After Drunk Pledges Wreck]

95% of frats ive seen at many different schools dont care about the philanthropy events, usually philanthropy is mandated by the school and the frat puts forth a minimal effort for those events....thats not to say that those people in here aren't part of the 5% that do care

 

95% of college students don't care about philanthropy. People in the Greek System are routinely criticized for the same activities (drunkenness, stupid behavior, etc.) that occur everywhere on campus with athletes, theater majors, or any other group you can think of. I'm not saying that those in the Greek system are saints that only live to help people, but I find the typical arguments about the Greek system amusing considering most college students, Greek or not, tend to have the same value system.

[College drinking]

All I can say is that college is as good of a time as any to create some memories. Gotta be spontaneous every once in a while.

 

It all depends on what your beliefs are - and which option you'll 'regret' the most: will you regret drinking and abondoning your beliefs (if you believe that you shouldn't drink underage) or will you regret not drinking more to have some experiences that is really only acceptable in college?

 

I didn't drink much my first few years in college (some but not all the time) because of athletics, but my last year, when I didn't swim, I drank like a fish (also got a 4.0). Both were great experiences, and I'm glad that I didn't let alcohol affect my athletic performance those first few years. I would have regretted it if I did. I'm also glad that I had a year of what many consider a 'typical' college experience. Like I said, it all depends on your beliefs and priorities. If Beast were being pressured into his beliefs, I'd say relax, but if that's who he is, good for him to stick with a set of beliefs that are the minority on most campuses.

[ARE THERE MORE OPENING DAY TICKETS]

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE ARE MORE OPENING DAY TICKETS THAT ARE GOING TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW? I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE ALL SOLD OUT IN PRESALE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY WERE ONLY RELEASING A CERTAIN NUMBER OF TICKETS TODAY AND YESTERDAY?

 

WHY ARE YOU YELLING?

 

I've heard that it was unusual that they had tickets on sale yesterday for presale as Opening Day tix usually are only a part of season ticket plans (or so I've heard). I'd say its unlikely that many, if any, tickets will be available from the box office.

[Films Thread]

That's how you do a trailer for an anticipated sequel.

 

No doubt about it. I'm eagerly anticipating this movie.

[Books]

The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen...should have read it a few years ago, giving it a shot now.

[All games (home & road) in HD]

If any of you live out of the Chicago area but have relatives there, go with the Slingbox. Once I bought the box and hooked it up at my brothers' place in Countryside, I get all Sox, Bears, everything...the quality could be better, but I'm happy with it for the price (probably less than $100 for the basic model now).

[Stocks and investing thread]

As a follow-up to our earlier discussions predicting airline mergers... Delta and Northwest are engaged in serious merger discussions, and now United and Continental are talking as well.

 

No word yet on any consolidation in the newer, smaller airlines (AirTran, Frontier, Midwest Express, JetBlue, etc.), but as Virgin America goes online, I'd imagine we'll see some of those airlines combine as well.

 

Consolidation is long overdue for the legacy carriers, but what's your reasoning behind some of the smaller ones? They seem to be more profitable with newer fleets, fewer types of planes, and better cost structures. Clearly, in some cases, a match would make sense. For example, Frontier and AirTran which serve few of the same markets but are very similar and already have a code sharing arrangement. Talking out loud here, but would a switch from a 'regional' airline to more national and international still allow these companies to use the business models that are working for them now?

[Catch-All Anything Thread]

I went for my 1st swim in probably 8 years this morning.

 

I did 5 50m laps, and I was absolutely buggered. Stopped after doing 2.

 

Bit of a wake-up call really. Although forgetting to stretch beforehand, and then having my arms feel extremely heavy during my stroke probably has something to do with it.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I used to swim the mile in college but had to "break" the 1000 yards I swam on Monday into 100s. Long layoffs just kill you in swimming.

[Dollars Overseas]

The show was on counterfeiting bills and yes, they mentioned the actual physical dollars are over seas in circulation.

 

Given that our economy is mostly electronic with credit cards, debit cards, online, etc., maybe the reasons posted above are enough for the 2/3...but wowsa, that still seems like alot.

[Dollars Overseas]

But how/why do the actual dollars themselves move to overseas banks? Do we really have plane loads of geenbacks travelling?

 

Did the show say that the actual, physical bills (or coins) were overseas? Or just a broad statement about the 'currency' in general, because while that could be possible for the reasons discussed above (plus 'dollarized' economies), 2/3 does seem high given the size of our economy.

[Food Thread]

Anyone been to Tango Sur on Southport??

 

When I used to live by Southport Lanes, I ate at Tango Sur once. I remember liking it, but that was probably 6-7 years ago now. I think you had to bring your own alcohol, but that was kind of fun too. A friend of mine had lived in Brazil for awhile and seemed to think that the taste/style was pretty authentic.

[Harold Baines Will Be The New Outfield Statue]

Actually that'd be cool to make a Mariotti statue to throw things at.

 

Make it a Marriotti pinata then. It would be a great addition to the kids section.

[Name Your Favorite City]

Based on places I've lived:

 

Top of the List: Chicago (would love to go back but the wife wants Charleston, SC after we're done in Atlanta)

 

Better than expected:

Peoria, IL (seriously)

 

Worse than expected:

Atlanta (was completely oversold)

 

Visited & Might Be Fun to Live (no particular order):

Seattle

Austin

San Diego

Denver

Nashville

 

Had Fun Visiting, Wouldn't Want to Live There:

New Orleans

DC

Philly

San Fran

 

[American Gladiators]

Am I missing a rule or something (e.g., a time penalty), but why would most people even do the handbike? It seems that even though they have to climb back up if the fall off that it is quicker than 'handbiking' all the way across.

[Colleges - Business Strategy Game Simulation]

What school are you at? I've played the BSG and currently teach it. Not much advice on it except to put your time in and read the Players Guide. The best thing you can do is have a solid strategy to start out and make minor adjustments rather than get halfway through and realize your strategy sucks.

[Sweeney Called Up]

The Score just reported that Sweeney is in the starting lineup today.

[White Sox vs. Twins, 4/8/07 (L)]

Regardless of the stats, having AJ in the lineup today makes sense. One, he's a veteran hitter as a opposed to a weak hitting rookie. Two, we have a rookie pitcher making his first start today and should benefit from having a veteran behind the plate.

[Iguchi Deal could Come Soon]

FWIW, the Braves announcers just mentioned the Sox were trying to lock up Iguchi for 3 more years. Not sure if they are basing it off the same article, chatting with Hawk (they had talked about what Hawk said about BA earlier), or other information.

[Is Floyd being groomed for the pen?]

Last year, they gave him the last start of the Spring, in Hotlanta IIRC, and he came out and pitched well. Anyone know if he's on the schedule in any of the games after they break camp?

 

 

I saw Haeger pitch in Atlanta last year - he did look pretty good. His line was ok (4-2/3, 5 H, 3 Runs, 1 earned with 2 BB and 5 K's) considering 3 Sox errors in his 4-2/3. Though the box score lineup for Atlanta is screwed up, I remember many of the Atlanta regulars were in the starting lineup for at least a few innings (meaning Haeger was facing legit major leaguers for a good part of his outing).

 

Box Score: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=260331115

 

I'm going again this year and my brother is even flying in from Chicago to go. Has anyone heard who might be pitching this time?

[More bad vibes regarding Brian Anderson]

Just because the Sox have stuck with others who have struggled doesn't mean they would stick with BA if there weren't 'anything else' going on. Especially when he struggled so much worse than the others. Neither Crede nor Rowand nor McCarthy nor Garland ever had a season this bad. As a whole, this is one of the worst seasons any Sox play has had in the last decade, at least.

 

I like the communist theory.

 

Anderson has struggled worse than the others? Crede nor Rowand were never this bad? Now that is a bit of exaggeration. People have short memories.

 

Anderson would be fine if Uribe and Pods would have done anything to help this team. Some of the players below were in their first full year, others had the year after a couple of years. Ventura was putrid when he first came up (0-41, I think).

 

I'm not saying BA is going to be a Ventura, a Crede, or even a Rowand or Cameron...but I think it is kind of hard to judge where he is going to end up after one season.

 

To be fair, I could have put the Jeff Abbotts and the McCay Christensens here too as they were bad and never got better.

 

Robin Ventura 1990 Chicago White Sox 150 493 48 123 17 1 5 54 157 55 53 1 4 .324 .318 .249

Mike Cameron 1998 Chicago White Sox 141 396 53 83 16 5 8 43 133 37 101 27 11 .285 .336 .210

Royce Clayton 2002 Chicago White Sox 112 342 51 86 14 2 7 35 125 20 67 5 1 .295 .365 .251

Aaron Rowand 2002 Chicago White Sox 126 302 41 78 16 2 7 29 119 12 54 0 1 .298 .394 .258

Paul Konerko 2003 Chicago White Sox 137 444 49 104 19 0 18 65 177 43 50 0 0 .305 .399 .234

Miguel Olivo 2003 Chicago White Sox 114 317 37 75 19 1 6 27 114 19 80 6 4 .287 .360 .237

Joe Crede 2004 Chicago White Sox 144 490 67 117 25 0 21 69 205 34 81 1 2 .299 .418 .239

Jose Valentin 2004 Chicago White Sox 125 450 73 97 20 3 30 70 213 43 139 8 6 .287 .473 .216

Timo Perez 2004 Chicago White Sox 103 293 38 72 12 0 5 40 99 15 29 3 1 .285 .338 .246

Brian Anderson 2006 Chicago White Sox 134 365 46 82 23 1 8 33 131 30 90 4 7 .290 .359 .225

 

If he is having troubles other than his stats, fine. If he refuses to adjust, ok. But don't write him off on his bad year based on stats alone.

[Top 3 web gems in White Sox history]

There was a Willie Harris catch from 2B deep in the outfield on Opening Day a few years back. One of the most amazing plays I've seen in person. Doubt it will make the cut...but you never know.

[Sox @ Jays - 8/6]

Did I miss something? Gamecast shows the Tigers and Indians in the 8th right now.

[Sox @ Jays - 8/6]

It could have been a fan near a camera, but yeah, it was pretty clear on the TOR broadcast on MLB.TV.

[Division???]

One game at a time...but I'd love to see us make up a couple more before we play the Tigers at the Cell on the 11th.

 

Anyone who followed the Sox last season knows it isn't over. Teams don't often play that hot for that long. Not that it won't happen, but its in no way over with just over 2 months left.

[have the yanks forced KW to make a move?]

you don't know what is available at this point.

 

 

True. If an Oswalt was available, sure, that would help. But they'd need a big bat in return, which I don't think we are willing to give up. IMO, a shake up of the pitching staff is the only thing that might need to be done, and I don't sense that there are a lot of talented pitchers available that don't involve way more than is prudent to pay in terms of talent.