Spmusic Mondays: Yup, Yup!
(1 Cent): I Told You So (So Far …)
Well, Team USA is now 6-0, including their first victory in the ‘one and done’ rounds of the FIBA World Championship tournament (beating Australia 113-73). As mentioned earlier (in a Grab Bag Friday) the U.S. had cut Bruce Bowen and kept Shane Battier (who went 4-4 from 3 point territory last game). That was a great move. Glad I thought of it.
Now that Team USA is undefeated and looking like they’re poised to claim the gold, we still have some people in the media thinking we’re still not going to win because of Spain, Argentina, or even Greece. I mean, we are not blowing out every team; we have some instances where we can’t make as many shots as we’d like; sometimes the defense looks sketchy … but you know what? We’re winning. We don’t have to be perfect … we just have to be better than our opponent on that given night – we have to want it more. That is precisely what this team does.
Who else would you want on your team if it was a close game – and elimination game – other than Kobe? We have LeBron James! He just proved he can carry a team when needed by hoisting the Cleveland Cavs on his shoulders and willing his team into the 7th game of the ECF. We have Dwayne Wade! He just powered his NBA team (Miami Heat) to their first championship in franchise history and proved time and time again he was clutch and unstoppable. We have Carmelo Anthony! Throughout the regular season (last NBA season) he hit game winning shot after game winning shot … and has thus far proven to be our most efficient offensive weapon. We have these ‘Big 3’ including the “other guys” that have been ballin’ throughout the tournament.
I can understand the scrutiny if we were losing and just barely got in the final bracket, but we’ve won every game, we have the right mindset, and it’s not like the other teams haven’t had their weaknesses too. If I had to bet on a team, there’s no other team I would choose but USA … and that’s just not because I’m from here. It’s a combination of having the best athletes, a planned team that has come to fruition, and the sense of pride the players are using as motivation to win.
I just cannot fathom all 12 of these players having a bad game all on the same day … I can’t imagine 6 of these players having a bad game all on the same day, but that’s what it’s going to take for us to lose. That, and another country’s team playing their highest level of basketball.
Out of the 8 teams left in the quarterfinals, here are my predictions: Argentina over Turkey; Spain over Lithuania; Greece over France; USA over Germany. Then, it’ll be Spain over Argentina; USA over Greece. Argentina will beat Greece for the Bronze metal, and in the Championships, the USA will triumph over Spain.
(2 Cent): ‘Idlewild!’
OutKast is always known for switching up their flow to not stay ahead of the game … but to turn it upside down. This latest album is no exception. Andre 3000 and Big Boi push the creative envelope and lead us into a rhythmic adventure that we’ll soon not forget. For me, with most OutKast albums, it seems ahead of it’s time. For example, their beats are just so crazy, that I don’t appreciate until a couple years later. I’m sure this album will do the same.
Don’t get me wrong – there are some tracks that I feel are instant hits, but a couple of them (mostly by Andre 3000) leave my eardrums in a pensive state. I don’t know what to make of it yet. I think I can attribute some of this to the fact that ‘Idlewild’ is not just an album, but a soundtrack to their movie, also entitled ‘Idlewild.’ Maybe some of the other songs that I don’t know what to do with are better suited for the movie, I’m not sure (I’ve not seen the movie).
With that said, I can’t give this album less than a 7 out of 10 because the songs that I do like, I really like … and again, I feel that the rest of the songs are just ahead of its time. Maybe in 2 years, I’ll give ‘Idlewild’ an 8 or so. If you’re an OutKast fan (as I am) and know what to expect, I’m sure you’ll like this soundtrack just fine.
**My Top 5** (In No Particular Order)
-- Track 4, “Idlewild Blue (Don’t Chu Worry ‘Bout Me)” … Even though this song has recently come out with a video – and I try to stay away from featuring videos or singles – this song is such a great mix of old school Blues and Hip Hop, it had to make it on here … a simple beat, simple lyrics, but try to not sing it in the shower … I dare you.
-- Track 7, “Morris Brown” (Featuring Sleepy Brown & Scar) … This song is like a college marching band meeting the streets of the 1800’s … very strong beat with drums and trombones and whatnot … Sleepy Brown gives it that smooth effect … Big Boi ices it with his lyrics.
-- Track 18, “In Your Dreams” (Featuring Killer Mike & Janelle Monáe) … A really silky beat made sleeker with Janelle on the hook (which is my favorite part) … I like the soft piano in the background … of course Big Boi and Killer Mike do there thing.
-- Track 10, “Life Is Like A Musical” … This song is barely over 2 minutes but it has a contagious beat while Andre shows off his crooning skills.
-- Track 12, “Hollywood Divorce” (Featuring Lil’ Wayne & Snoop Dogg) … This beat sounds a little more vintage OutKast to me, except the hook … Wayne and Snoop are good appearances, add a little variety to the track.
Honorable Mention: “Mighty ‘O’” … (was on the radio for first single)
(1/2 Cent): Complete Domination
My softball team the Wannabees took another step towards a winning record by crushing our opponents 17-0 last Thursday. How you ask? How indeed. If you recall, we only scored 1 run last game. This game, we beat them like a circus monkey. Speaking as unbiased as I can, I would say we scored this many because of the combination of finally putting the ball in play (as opposed to popping up or fouling out – if you foul the ball 2 times, it’s a strikeout) and having the opponent’s defense cause more errors than a blind crossing guard.
This time, to switch up the game plan, the coach (?) put me batting leadoff. I mean, I can see the logic in this, because our first 3 games I had 4 RBI’s but 0 Runs. I suppose the little change worked. I ended up batting 1.000 again (3 for 3) and having 3 Runs scored. I mean, I’d rather hit in runs than score them, but whatever. As long as we win, I’m happy. It’s not like I’m fast or anything (I mean, I’m not a slouch … I can out sprint Shaq … assuming there wasn’t a hamburger at the finish line). I think it’s because I’m one of the few players with cleats and I don’t slide around on the base paths.
Some more notes:
-- I guess my defense isn’t as bad as I described earlier … I just demand perfection out of myself … and at least for one game, I accomplished that (sign me up, Single A ball!).
-- The over/under for homeruns for me is 2; over/under of how many games it will take for me to get injured is 6.
Team Stats: (2-2) … Last Game – W, 17-0
HCP Game Stats: AB = 3, R = 3, H = 3, 2B = 1, RBI = 0, BA = 1.000
HCP Season Stats: AB = 12, R = 3, H = 10, 2B = 2, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 4, BA = .833
Make sure you readers (all 1 of you) write in some ideas, questions, comments, and whatever for Grab Bag Friday … and find out what else chaps my cheeks by clicking back for Pet Peeve Thursdays!
HCP
Well, Team USA is now 6-0, including their first victory in the ‘one and done’ rounds of the FIBA World Championship tournament (beating Australia 113-73). As mentioned earlier (in a Grab Bag Friday) the U.S. had cut Bruce Bowen and kept Shane Battier (who went 4-4 from 3 point territory last game). That was a great move. Glad I thought of it.
Now that Team USA is undefeated and looking like they’re poised to claim the gold, we still have some people in the media thinking we’re still not going to win because of Spain, Argentina, or even Greece. I mean, we are not blowing out every team; we have some instances where we can’t make as many shots as we’d like; sometimes the defense looks sketchy … but you know what? We’re winning. We don’t have to be perfect … we just have to be better than our opponent on that given night – we have to want it more. That is precisely what this team does.
Who else would you want on your team if it was a close game – and elimination game – other than Kobe? We have LeBron James! He just proved he can carry a team when needed by hoisting the Cleveland Cavs on his shoulders and willing his team into the 7th game of the ECF. We have Dwayne Wade! He just powered his NBA team (Miami Heat) to their first championship in franchise history and proved time and time again he was clutch and unstoppable. We have Carmelo Anthony! Throughout the regular season (last NBA season) he hit game winning shot after game winning shot … and has thus far proven to be our most efficient offensive weapon. We have these ‘Big 3’ including the “other guys” that have been ballin’ throughout the tournament.
I can understand the scrutiny if we were losing and just barely got in the final bracket, but we’ve won every game, we have the right mindset, and it’s not like the other teams haven’t had their weaknesses too. If I had to bet on a team, there’s no other team I would choose but USA … and that’s just not because I’m from here. It’s a combination of having the best athletes, a planned team that has come to fruition, and the sense of pride the players are using as motivation to win.
I just cannot fathom all 12 of these players having a bad game all on the same day … I can’t imagine 6 of these players having a bad game all on the same day, but that’s what it’s going to take for us to lose. That, and another country’s team playing their highest level of basketball.
Out of the 8 teams left in the quarterfinals, here are my predictions: Argentina over Turkey; Spain over Lithuania; Greece over France; USA over Germany. Then, it’ll be Spain over Argentina; USA over Greece. Argentina will beat Greece for the Bronze metal, and in the Championships, the USA will triumph over Spain.
(2 Cent): ‘Idlewild!’
OutKast is always known for switching up their flow to not stay ahead of the game … but to turn it upside down. This latest album is no exception. Andre 3000 and Big Boi push the creative envelope and lead us into a rhythmic adventure that we’ll soon not forget. For me, with most OutKast albums, it seems ahead of it’s time. For example, their beats are just so crazy, that I don’t appreciate until a couple years later. I’m sure this album will do the same.
Don’t get me wrong – there are some tracks that I feel are instant hits, but a couple of them (mostly by Andre 3000) leave my eardrums in a pensive state. I don’t know what to make of it yet. I think I can attribute some of this to the fact that ‘Idlewild’ is not just an album, but a soundtrack to their movie, also entitled ‘Idlewild.’ Maybe some of the other songs that I don’t know what to do with are better suited for the movie, I’m not sure (I’ve not seen the movie).
With that said, I can’t give this album less than a 7 out of 10 because the songs that I do like, I really like … and again, I feel that the rest of the songs are just ahead of its time. Maybe in 2 years, I’ll give ‘Idlewild’ an 8 or so. If you’re an OutKast fan (as I am) and know what to expect, I’m sure you’ll like this soundtrack just fine.
**My Top 5** (In No Particular Order)
-- Track 4, “Idlewild Blue (Don’t Chu Worry ‘Bout Me)” … Even though this song has recently come out with a video – and I try to stay away from featuring videos or singles – this song is such a great mix of old school Blues and Hip Hop, it had to make it on here … a simple beat, simple lyrics, but try to not sing it in the shower … I dare you.
-- Track 7, “Morris Brown” (Featuring Sleepy Brown & Scar) … This song is like a college marching band meeting the streets of the 1800’s … very strong beat with drums and trombones and whatnot … Sleepy Brown gives it that smooth effect … Big Boi ices it with his lyrics.
-- Track 18, “In Your Dreams” (Featuring Killer Mike & Janelle Monáe) … A really silky beat made sleeker with Janelle on the hook (which is my favorite part) … I like the soft piano in the background … of course Big Boi and Killer Mike do there thing.
-- Track 10, “Life Is Like A Musical” … This song is barely over 2 minutes but it has a contagious beat while Andre shows off his crooning skills.
-- Track 12, “Hollywood Divorce” (Featuring Lil’ Wayne & Snoop Dogg) … This beat sounds a little more vintage OutKast to me, except the hook … Wayne and Snoop are good appearances, add a little variety to the track.
Honorable Mention: “Mighty ‘O’” … (was on the radio for first single)
(1/2 Cent): Complete Domination
My softball team the Wannabees took another step towards a winning record by crushing our opponents 17-0 last Thursday. How you ask? How indeed. If you recall, we only scored 1 run last game. This game, we beat them like a circus monkey. Speaking as unbiased as I can, I would say we scored this many because of the combination of finally putting the ball in play (as opposed to popping up or fouling out – if you foul the ball 2 times, it’s a strikeout) and having the opponent’s defense cause more errors than a blind crossing guard.
This time, to switch up the game plan, the coach (?) put me batting leadoff. I mean, I can see the logic in this, because our first 3 games I had 4 RBI’s but 0 Runs. I suppose the little change worked. I ended up batting 1.000 again (3 for 3) and having 3 Runs scored. I mean, I’d rather hit in runs than score them, but whatever. As long as we win, I’m happy. It’s not like I’m fast or anything (I mean, I’m not a slouch … I can out sprint Shaq … assuming there wasn’t a hamburger at the finish line). I think it’s because I’m one of the few players with cleats and I don’t slide around on the base paths.
Some more notes:
-- I guess my defense isn’t as bad as I described earlier … I just demand perfection out of myself … and at least for one game, I accomplished that (sign me up, Single A ball!).
-- The over/under for homeruns for me is 2; over/under of how many games it will take for me to get injured is 6.
Team Stats: (2-2) … Last Game – W, 17-0
HCP Game Stats: AB = 3, R = 3, H = 3, 2B = 1, RBI = 0, BA = 1.000
HCP Season Stats: AB = 12, R = 3, H = 10, 2B = 2, 3B = 0, HR = 0, RBI = 4, BA = .833
Make sure you readers (all 1 of you) write in some ideas, questions, comments, and whatever for Grab Bag Friday … and find out what else chaps my cheeks by clicking back for Pet Peeve Thursdays!
HCP
posted by HCP @ 7:34 AM
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