The Wife's Outburst: 3D Live Baseball cards

I saw of the future of baseball cards, and I don't know if I like it...

Today at school when I was watching Channel One (how many of you remember "watching" Channel One in junior high and high school?) and they did a story about the next generation of baseball cards.

When you get a 3D baseball card in a pack of Topps baseball cards, you log-on to their website, put it up to your webcam, and it comes alive. "You can take batting practice, pitch, and even play catch all right on your desktop using your keyboard" (www.channelone.com).

But is this really the next big thing? Come one. You can do this right now with the many baseball video games out there. You don't need a baseball card to play baseball with your favorite player. Just pop MLB 2K9 into the Playstation and there you go. You can do batting practice, pitch, and play catch...and even play a game or two with your favorite player and you don't even need a webcam to do it.

What do you think? Are 3D Live baseball cards the next generation of baseball cards? Or are old fashion paper ones here to stay?

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The Wife's Outburst: Best and Worst Mountain West Conference Football Helmets

Examining the best and worst football helmets in the history of each Mountain West Conference member...

As I was browsing Facebook, I found a link to a website (http://www.nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/) which has all the current helmets of all college football teams along with what the helmets looked like dating back to pre-1960. Here is a look at the best and worst helmet for each team in the Mountain West.

UTAH


The worst helmet for Utah was in 1974. It was just a plain red helmet with a sliver/gray face mask. Ugly! There is not any identification on it. No wonder it only lasted one year.  Did they not have enough money to put a logo on it?




The best helmet for Utah was from 1986-1987.  it has a white stripe down the middle and the current Utah logo.  The font is a little different.  The "U" is skinnier and has a Western type font.  It looks really good.  It is the bright red with a white face mask.

TCU

The worst helmet for TCU was worn (according to the site) during the first eight games of the 1980 season(on the left) and then the other two(on the right) were only worn for a game against Texas Tech and Texas.  I don't see what was so special about them.  Why did they have to make three different helmets?  They all look the same to me, except one is silver/gray and the other two are purple with a white or silver/gray face mask.  The colors are just reversed.  It is the same design.

The best helmet for TCU comes between 1995 and 1997.  It is a silver/gray helmet with purple block "TCU" on the side.  You may ask what makes that different from the ugly one.  It is the font.  On the ugly one the font is weird and unappealing.  This one is simple.  It has a black outline for the letters.  I also like the black face mask.


BYU

The worst helmet for BYU would have to be during the 1999-2004 seasons.  It went with the ugly uniforms.  I never liked them.  It seemed like BYU was trying to give itself a new image when the simple white helmet with a blue "Y" on the side was the BYU image for almost 30 years.



The best BYU helmet was about 1962.  This was used before BYU had the blue "Y" helmets.  Its really cool.  The upper half is blue and the lower half is white.  I haven't seen a helmet like this before.  Unfortunately, it didn't last very long.

AIR FORCE

This one is a bit different.  Air Force has been using the same helmet design since right around 1960s.  It is white with a blue lightning bolt.  Now that is what I call picking an identity and sticking with it.  Way to go Air Force!  For the past 48 years, they have only changed minor things like adding or taking away a stripe and changing the color of the face mask.


COLORADO STATE

Colorado State definitely had some bad helmets.  The worst one was worn from 1973-1981.  It is bright yellow with green ram's horns.  Yikes!  It's just....I don't know.  I can't find the words to describe its ugliness. I will just have to show you.



The best Colorado State helmet was during the 1993 and 1994 season.  It is a slight variation of the one they have been using since 1995.  The only difference is this one has a white face mask.  It looks a lot better and the players don't look like they are eating grass.  I guess that isn't necessarily a bad thing since they are the Rams.

UNLV

UNLV by far has had the most helmets for a team in the last 40 years (they beat New Mexico by 3).  The worst one was worn in 1981.  It was the last red helmet worn by the school.  There are letters written in a cursive type writing saying "UNLV" on the side of the helmet.  What football player would want to wear something with girly cursive writing on his helmet? But I guess it didn't affect them that bad because they won half their games.

The best helmet was from 1987 to about 1989.  It is silver with a big red "N" and in small white letters "Las Vegas" over the "N."  I really like it.  It has a red face mask and a red and white stripe down the middle of the helmet.  Out of all the helmets, red and silver, from the past 40 years, this one appealed to me the most.  It is unique.

NEW MEXICO

The worst helmet is the current one that has been used since 2004. I can't see the mascot.  It is too detailed.  The red outline does nothing for it.  Helmets need to be simple.  Why try to do too much with it.  It needs to be seen clearly from the stands.  The picture of a lobo cannot be seen clearly from the stands.



The best helmet is from 1972-1973.  It is red with a white circle and red "NM" in the white circle.  Now this was a simple helmet.  You can easily see the "NM" on the side.  This one is not very detailed at all.  The font of the "NM" is an easy to read font.  Overall, its just a cool helmet.

WYOMING

The worst helmet is from 1965-present.  How could a school have an ugly helmet for so long?  Why doesn't someone tell them?  I think it is because people don't want to stay around long enough.  The helmets pretty much are the same, only with a few color changes.  You do have to give them credit for sticking with the Cowboy image on their helmet.  I guess they want people to know they are the Cowboys.  The color combinations of yellow and brown are not very appealing (sorry Davis High people...); however for Wyoming it perfectly describes Wyoming.

The best helmet is the 1962-1964 plain white with a brown "W" on the side.  Why did they go away from this one?  It looks really nice and classic.  You really can't get anymore simpler than this.  They are trying to do too much with the current helmet.  Maybe if they go back to a simpler time and a simpler helmet they might play better?

SAN DIEGO STATE

The worst helmet is from 1974-1977.  It is just a plain red helmet with a black face mask.  How boring is that?  What if you were playing another team with your same color and their helmets were the same?  You wouldn't be able to tell the players apart except for the jersey.  And watching it on TV would look like a bunch of red blurs running up and down a green rectangle thing with white lines on it.  Oh, wait...that is how it used to look on the mtn. up until Saturday.

The best helmet is from 2002-2003.  The Aztec logo is really cool.  Much better than writing Aztecs on the side of the helmet.  Around the edge there is (according to the site) black airbrushing.  It looks fierce and warrior like.  I would be intimidated if I was on a team which was facing San Diego State.  The helmet for 2004-2005 looked just like this one, except the logo was outlined in white.

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The Wife's Outburst: Annoying Commercials

A look back at last year's NBA playoff coverage...

With the start of the new basketball season, I thought I would pay homage to the playoffs. Every year during the NBA playoffs on TNT, you see a Saving Grace or Closer commercial every commercial break. Annoying!!! Seeing that many commercials in a 3 hour time period does not make me want to watch this show. In fact I avoid it at all costs. I can't stand it. When it is shoved down our throats, why would I want to see it. I feel like I have already seen a season by watching all the commercials. Sometimes TNT will even show both tv trailers in one commercial break.

Saving Grace


The Closer


To end on a happy note, TNT does know how to have a good commentating crew on Inside the NBA.  They have a good groove going on.  It is a nice change of pace from the annoying commercials.

Charles and the Ring of Fire

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The Wife's Outburst: Week 7 Mountain West Football Predictions

Ashley takes over the predictions from Scott and I this week...

This week mine and Scott's schedules didn't work for us to make the predictions. We decided that we were just going to take a bye week and keep going next week. Yet, Ashley decided that she wanted to take a shot at predicting the games this week. Here are the standings from last week:

Mark [Last Week 7-3 (.700) Overall 44-22(.667)Head-to-Head 3-1-2]
Scott [Last Week 6-4 (.600) Overall 42-24(.636) Head-to-Head 1-3-2]

So here is Ashley's predictions for the week:


New Mexico at #9 BYU 4PM MT The Mtn

Okay...BYU will win against New Mexico. I have been to New Mexico and find it is pretty boring. There is nothing there. Cougars will beat the Lobos.

BYU 48 New Mexico 10

#14 Utah at Wyoming 12PM MT The Mtn

I am going to say Utah will win this one. Wyoming is an awful team. Just get in and get out. Utah has a really good team. Wyoming...not so much.

Utah 35 Wyoming 3

TCU at Colorado State 1:30PM MT CBS College

TCU isn't that great of a team. Colorado State will win this one because they don't have purple as their school color.

TCU 14 Colorado State 21

Air Force at San Diego State 7:30 PM MT The Mtn

Air Force will fly against San Diego State. Even though there is a naval base in San Diego, Air Force will come back with a vengeance after their loss against Navy last week. Go Falcons!

Air Force 38 San Diego State 14

Utah State at San Jose State 5:30 PM MT ESPNU

I don't think Utah State will win this game, but it will be a close one down to the wire. It will look like Utah State is going to win, but Utah State will get shafted and the officials will call a bad call and San Jose State will get the ball and be able to get a field goal...all because of the bad call.

San Jose State 24 Utah State 21

#4 LSU at #11 Florida 6PM MT CBSHD

LSU Tigers all the way. They have a better quarterback. Plus I always root for LSU. Go Tigers!

LSU 35 Florida 21

#1 Oklahoma vs. #5 Texas 10AM MT ABCHD

I think that Texas will win this game. Texas has a much better mascot and their fans are better. Go Longhorns!!

Texas 42 Oklahoma 24

#17 Oklahoma State at #3 Missouri 6PM MT ESPN2HD

Missouri will win this game. Oklahoma State won't be able to keep up with the Missouri Tigers.

Missouri 32 Oklahoma State 14

#6 Penn State at Wisconsin 6PM MT ESPNHD

Joe Paterno (yes...I know I am good!!) will lead the Penn State team to victory against Wisconsin. A lion will win big anytime they fight a badger.

Penn State 52 Wisconsin 9

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The Wife's Outburst: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of College Mascots

What are the five best and worst mascots in the NCAA...

The Sept. 2, 2008 "Daily List" on SI.com ranked the top 5 college mascots:
1.  University of Georgia--UGA VII
2.  University of Colorado--Ralphie
3.  St. Joseph's University--the Hawks
4.  Stanford--Tree's
5.  Florida State--Chief Osceola
(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/scorecard/daily_list/2008/09/top-five-college-mascots.html)

Um...yea.  I don't agree with this list.  Here is my list of the 5 best and 5 worst mascots in college in no particular order.

5 Best College Mascots:

1.  LSU--Tiger: I was a tiger.  I used to live in Slidell, Louisiana.  The school I went to was also the tigers, and their school colors were green and white.  They picked their colors from Tulane and their mascot from LSU.






2.  University of Alambama--Crimson Tide: Did you know that a Crimson Tide is a particular type of algal bloom found in the Gulf of Mexico?  Good name for a school that is on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  The only thing that doesn't make sense is how do you associate algal bloom with an elephant?  It is the coolest mascot and the only school the have an elephant!




3.  Youngstown State University--Penguins:  Penguins are synonymous with love; however, their mascot doesn't look very loving.  He looks very menacing, but warm at the same time.  His eyes say, "Don't you dare cross me!" Yet, his cute scarf and fins are begging for a hug. Currently in the Missouri Valley Conference, Youngstown (0-2) is last.  Maybe because they are synonymous with love, they can't win a game??  Keep a look out for them on Oct. 4 when they play Southern Utah.




4.  BYU--Cougar:  What kind of cougar fan would I be if I didn't include BYU in my top 5?  Look at the cougar on the prowl.  The cougar fits well in with the Rocky Mountains.  

5.  Xaviar University--Blue Blob: Foster's Home of Imaginary Friends is one of my favorite shows.  When I saw that their mascot looked like Bloo, I had to include Xaviar in my top 5 mascots.  Look at the resemblance!!



5 Worst College Mascots:

1.  George Mason--Gunston:  Apparently George Mason just gave their mascot a name.  They never classified what it actually is.  It looks like a cross between a bear and a dog.  As you all know bears are the number one threat to America; therefore, Gunston is a threat to America.  He may look cute and cuddly, but on the inside he is a human killing machine--very deceptive.




2.  Wichita State Univeristy--WuShock:  What is this guy?  He looks like Frankenstein gone wrong.  This is scary.  Maybe this was the first Frankenstein, but the yellow just looked wrong and not scary enough so the scientist decided to change him to green??



3.  University of California-Santa Cruz--Banana Slug:  So apparently banana slugs are real.  I don't know if I would want to be a slug.  They are slimy, gross bug-things.  Can the UCSC students not eat salt for fear they will shrivel and die?  Maybe this college has the lowest intake of salt in the nation.



4.  Trinity Christian College--Trolls: When I saw this, I thought it was a Disney or some other cartoon character.  Maybe the girls basketball team rubs his tummy for good luck? Imagine if your mascot looked like this troll?  




5.  North Carolina School of the Arts--The Fighting Pickle:  This school and any other school who has food as their mascot needs to be shot!  So is it illegal to eat pickles here?  Mark had me google this and get multiple verification that this is legitimate.  Yes, it is.  I found it on multiple websites.  No wonder this school has no athletic teams.  Nobody would take you seriously if you were a fighting pickle.

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The Wife's Outburst: Mind set of this year's college freshmen

Are you wondering how Michael Alisa, Ron Best, O'Neill Chambers, Mark Freeman, and the other freshman on the BYU football team see the world? Students entering college for the first time this fall were generally born in 1990. For these students, Sammy Davis Jr., Jim Henson, Ryan White, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddy Krueger have always been dead.

(To see your mindset, go to: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2012.php and click on the yellow drop down menu at the top.)

1. Harry Potter could be a classmate, playing on their Quidditch team.
2. Since they were in diapers, karaoke machines have been annoying people at parties.
3. They have always been looking for Carmen Sandiego.
4. GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.
5. Coke and Pepsi have always used recycled plastic bottles.
6. Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
7. Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
8. Their parents may have dropped them in shock when they heard George Bush announce “tax revenue increases.”
9. Electronic filing of tax returns has always been an option.
10. Girls in head scarves have always been part of the school fashion scene.
11. All have had a relative--or known about a friend's relative--who died comfortably at home with Hospice.
12. As a precursor to “whatever,” they have recognized that some people “just don’t get it.”
13. Universal Studios has always offered an alternative to Mickey in Orlando.
14. Grandma has always had wheels on her walker.
15. Martha Stewart Living has always been setting the style.
16. Haagen-Dazs ice cream has always come in quarts.
17. Club Med resorts have always been places to take the whole family.
18. WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
19. Films have never been X rated, only NC-17.
20. The Warsaw Pact is as hazy for them as the League of Nations was for their parents.
21. Students have always been "Rocking the Vote.”
22. Clarence Thomas has always sat on the Supreme Court.
23. Schools have always been concerned about multiculturalism.
24. We have always known that “All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
25. There have always been gay rabbis.
26. Wayne Newton has never had a mustache.
27. College grads have always been able to Teach for America.
28. IBM has never made typewriters.
29. Roseanne Barr has never been invited to sing the National Anthem again.
30. McDonald’s and Burger King have always used vegetable oil for cooking french fries.
31. They have never been able to color a tree using a raw umber Crayola.
32. There has always been Pearl Jam.
33. The Tonight Show has always been hosted by Jay Leno and started at 11:35 EST.
34. Pee-Wee has never been in his playhouse during the day.
35. They never tasted Benefit Cereal with psyllium.
36. They may have been given a Nintendo Game Boy to play with in the crib.
37. Authorities have always been building a wall across the Mexican border.
38. Lenin’s name has never been on a major city in Russia.
39. Employers have always been able to do credit checks on employees.
40. Balsamic vinegar has always been available in the U.S.
41. Macaulay Culkin has always been Home Alone.
42. Their parents may have watched The American Gladiators on TV the day they were born.
43. Personal privacy has always been threatened.
44. Caller ID has always been available on phones.
45. Living wills have always been asked for at hospital check-ins.
46. The Green Bay Packers (almost) always had the same starting quarterback.
47. They never heard an attendant ask “Want me to check under the hood?”
48. Iced tea has always come in cans and bottles.
49. Soft drink refills have always been free.
50. They have never known life without Seinfeld references from a show about “nothing.”
51. Windows 3.0 operating system made IBM PCs user-friendly the year they were born.
52. Muscovites have always been able to buy Big Macs.
53. The Royal New Zealand Navy has never been permitted a daily ration of rum.
54. The Hubble Space Telescope has always been eavesdropping on the heavens.
55. 98.6 F or otherwise has always been confirmed in the ear.
56. Michael Millken has always been a philanthropist promoting prostate cancer research.
57. Off-shore oil drilling in the United States has always been prohibited.
58. Radio stations have never been required to present both sides of public issues.
59. There have always been charter schools.
60. Students always had Goosebumps.

(Source: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2012.php)

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The Wife's Outburst: The NBA Draft

Today is the NBA draft and many sports lovers will be glued to the television tonight to see who their favorite team will draft. How many surprises do you think we will see? For the last month, the sports analysts have been constantly projecting who will go to which team. They seem to be saying the same thing everyday. There is nothing new about their analysis. Then suddenly, a team makes a move and it is Christmas for the analysts.

Now, while I was on my honeymoon, the NBA Draft was on. Before we could go out that night, my husband had to see who the Jazz were going to take. (FYI: This was the year the Jazz took Deron Williams.) I was like, "Come on, you can see who was drafted later!" So now I know when the NBA draft is because it always comes a few days after my anniversary.

I really don't care for the draft. You have to sit for 10 minutes, listening to the analysts break down who has been taken and who is still on the board. I say just get on the Internet the next morning and see the results. The anticipation is not that great. So you can all guess what I will be watching tonight...

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The Wife's Outburst: How to have a successful NBA Finals Party

For those of you planning an NBA Finals party, and need a little help, look no further. This is your party planning HQ!

Things you will need:
1. Food
2. Decorations
3. Activities for those who get bored watching sports
4. Big TV (TiVO is preferred, but optional)

Food:
The best thing to have is easy to eat foods.
1. Hot Wings
2. Chips and Salsa or Bean dip
3. Pizza
4. Sandwiches
5. Hot dogs
6. Drinks (A wide variety is nice)
7. Egg rolls

Decorations:
Depending on who you are cheering for will depend on the colors you will use to decorate with. If you are Laker fans use purple and yellow. If you are Celtics fans use green. However if you don't really care who wins use all three colors (but your guest may wonder if they came to a Mardi Gras party).

1. Balloons
2. Table cloths
3. Streamers
4. Hats
5. Team memorabilia
6. Sweatbands for people to feel just like the players!!
7. Mini basketballs


Activities:
Some people may get bored watching sports on TV and so they many need something to fill the time with. Here are a few fun ideas for time killers.

1. Sports Party Bingo--http://sportspartybingo.com/
2. Modified Basketball--Shoot hoops with a clean garbage can, or laundry basket
(one for each team). Mark and "X" on the ground or floor where the players will stand. Each team will have their own "Hoop" and "X". They try to get as many baskets within a designated period of time as they can by taking turns. Form a line. the first player shoots then goes to the back of the line. The next player shoots and so on.
3. Print out some sports activity pages--
http://partysupplieshut.com/sports/sports-word-find.htm

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The Wife's Outburst: Dreadful performance by Boozer

After watching the game last night I had 3 comments:

1. The Jazz were playing like cowards.
I noticed the Lakers were playing with their heads held high (yes, maybe that was mostly becasue they knew they could do anything and not get a call). When the Jazz players would walk down the court, it was like they were moping and dragging their feet. The is the Spurs series of last year. This is the series the Jazz are playing as if they know they won't make it out.

2. The refs were handing the game to the Lakers on a silver platter.
Even though Kobe won and was presented the MVP award last night, they did not need to throw the game. The Lakers shot 43 free throws because the Jazz "touched" them. Whenever the Jazz would try to do something and the Lakers would commit a foul right in front of the refs and they wouldn't make any calls.

3. Carlos Boozer needs to step it up or pack his bags.
He only shot 30% last night. He only had 10 points. During game one: only shot 43% and had 15 points. This type of play does not win games. Boozer is our All-Star; however, he is not playing like one. What is his problem? If the Jazz lose this series because of Boozer's crapy and non-existent play, the Jazz must trade him. I am sad to say, but he has got to go if he doesn't care about Jazz basketball.

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The Wife's Outburst: The Best and Worst Dressed NBA teams

Which teams in the playoffs have the best uniforms...

As I have been watching the playoffs I have noticed that some of the NBA uniforms are down right hideous. I decided to rank the uniforms of the teams in the playoffs. As I was finding a picture of each teams uniforms, I have noticed that the Rockets and Magic are the only teams to have just two uniforms. Also, the Rockets and the Raptors have basically the same uniforms. The only difference is the way the strips go. The Celtics two road jerseys are the same except one has black trim and the other has white--WOW!! what originality!!! These are ranked from worst to best.


16. Toronto Raptors: They are just ugly. (At least it is better than the Bucks: They are Christmas colors, and with a mascot that looks like a reindeer, they are the Christmas team. No wonder they are awful. It would look like Christmas in July if they made it through!)

15. Houston Rockets: You copied the Raptors, or was it the other way around?? At least red is better than the colors and uniforms during the 1997 playoffs (the one where Stockton hit the 3-pointer??!!)

14. Orlando Magic: I liked the stripes better. These are plain Jane. Who else does it look like? Jazz, Hornets, Nuggets, Wizards... Another copy cat!

13. San Antonio Spurs: Black, White and Silver! Wow! Bursting with color. It hurts my eyes to look at them.

12. Atlanta Hawks: I liked the yellow better. Just about every team has a blue jersey.

11. Cleveland Cavaliers: The trim around the sleeves and neckline is an ugly pattern.

10. Detroit Pistons: Red, White and Blue. They can't make up their mind as to which color they are.

9. Philadelphia 76ers: I only like the black jersey. They do have a nice color scheme: Black and Red. Kind of threatening. The thing that makes these jersey's ugly is the basketball on them. It does not belong there.

8. Washington Wizards: When I first saw the gold jersey I thought it was cool, but as I look closer at it, I'm not so sure. I don't even know why they have the gold and black jersey. Is it supposed to represent the sparks coming out of the wizards wand?

7. Boston Celtics: This is my favorite jersey in the Eastern Conference. I like the green with black trim the best. It is a dark enough green that two colors compliment each other.

6. L.A. Lakers: The yellow is nice and bright and it does look good on tv when they play at home, but that is the only redeeming quality about the Laker's jerseys. Purple and Yellow do not fit the team. They are a west coast, California team. I think they should change something up.

5. Dallas Mavericks: I like how the dark blue jersey has an accent of baby blue and the white jersey has an accent of dark blue. I like the font on the front of the green jersey. The green and the blue combination looks nice together.

4. Denver Nuggets: Besides the fact that they are blue and white and yellow, the only redeeming fact is the dark blue road jersey. I like how they combine all the colors into one jersey. Very well done.

3. New Orleans Hornets: These colors work very well together. Very reminiscent of the culture in New Orleans!

2. Phoenix Suns: I love the combination of the purple, orange, and gray. It reminds me of a desert sunset.

1. Utah Jazz: They have stuck to a monochromatic color scheme: Blue. It is very nice and sleek looking. Looked nice when everyone in the lower bowl was wearing the baby blue t-shirts last year during the playoffs.

So there you have it. The best and worst uniforms in the 2008 NBA playoffs. The colors of a team should reflect where they are from.

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