mr. blackandwhite

Metallica: Boston

I went to see Metallica in Boston last night. Here is the set:

That Was Just Your Life
The End of the Line
Harvester of Sorrow
For Whom the Bell Tolls
One
Broken, Beat & Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
...And Justice for All
All Nightmare Long
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets
Battery
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman

Stone Cold Crazy
Hit The Lights
Seek and Destroy

A truly awesome time was had. It felt like a reunion with an old friend you had not seen in a long time. They played the full versions of all of their songs, no medleys, and not a single tune from the 'lost years' as we'll call them. James even played the white Explorer. Phenomenal.

Welcome back, Metallica. I missed you

Time for the, 'Who I'm picking in the NFL Conference Championships'

Well things didn't work out exactly as planned last weekend, with the non-Patriots team that I was pulling for to go all the way, The Titans, eliminated, but in the end it all worked out ok. With the Eagles eliminating The NY Giants, (THANK YOU) and The Cardinals advancing to the NFC Championship, I am now guaranteed to have at least one team that I like playing in the Superbowl.

In the AFC, what can I say, I was disappointed to see The Titans eliminated last week, but I don't totally hate Baltimore, so it's ok. 

The other AFC Divisional Game last week featured two teams that I truly dislike, The Steelers and Chargers, but even that one worked out in the end. Not only do I not have to worry about mega-tool LaDainian Tomlinson getting to The Superbowl, but with the 8 - 8 San Diego Chargers loosing to Pittsburgh, The Patriots, who own The Chargers 2nd round pick, improve their draft position. Nice.

Alright, as for this week..

AFC:

Pittsburgh / Baltimore - I totally hate Pittsburgh, so Go Ravens.

NFC:

Arizona / Philly - It's a no loose situation for me. I like both teams, so I'll be happy with whoever gets in. I'm really not sure who to pull for more here. I would not mind seeing those tortured Philly fans getting another shot at The Superbowl, but I think it would be really cool to see the Cardinals get to their first Superbowl too. I like to see teams that have been the perennial losers of the league finally make it to the top. Either way, I'll be rooting for one of these teams in the Superbowl.

On the Patriots front, I am upset to see so many departures from the coaching staff and the front office. The loss of Scott Pioli to KC really hurts, but what can you do. That is what success breeds so I can't complain too much. Thankfully we still have the two best guys at the top running the show for The Pats, Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, so in the end I know it will be ok.

In Bill We Trust

Time for, 'who I'm rooting for in the NFL Divisional Playoffs'.. (go Titans)

Alright everybody, it's time for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Wooo! Exciting. 

Ok, it is exciting actually, even though The Pats are not in it. Unlike say, baseball or basketball, football is a sport that I still like to watch even if my team is not involved. I like to watch hockey too, even if The B's are not in the mix (which is, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence, but maybe not this year!!)

Ok, back to fooball.. As far as the playoffs this weekend..

AFC:

Baltimore / Tennessee 

- Tennessee. And let me just say that I am rooting for Tennessee to go all the way, baby. All the muther-fucking way. Keep that in mind when I get to...

San Diego / Pittsburgh 

- Well, here we have a case of, I fucking hate both of these teams, quite a lot. So who to pick, who to pick?? Logic engage: Which team is more likely to get smoked if they play Tennessee? I'll go with San Diego there.

Alright, NFC:

Philly / New York - Philly. Easy choice. It should not be too hard for people to figure out that I don't want the Giants to advance.. Yes I am still bitter. Very bitter. Don't bring it up. 

Arizona / Carolina - I have to tell you, I really don't care who wins. I would not mind seeing Arizona win, just because I like to see the teams that have been down for a long time become successful.. but, should The Giants win their game, which of these teams could beat them? I have to say, that would be Carolina. So I will root for Carolina, but I won't be upset if Arizona wins..

Ok happy Divisional Playoff Weekend everybody and enjoy the games. 

(In Bill We Trust)

Matt Millen is providing NFL analysis for a playoff game. Is this a joke?

I was just watching the Arizona / Atlanta playoff pre-game show on NBC and was truly flabbergasted to see Matt Millen, architect of the 0-16 Detroit Lions providing football related analysis. 

Matt Millen. Are you kidding me?? 

NBC, do you honestly expect any football fan out there to listen or give credence to anything Matt Millen has to say about a football team and what they need to do to win a game, any game, never mind a playoff game? 

If you're looking for somebody to describe the best way to completely destroy a franchise, Millen is your man, but this guy is in the studio talking about what two playoff teams need to do to win, after his own team just went 0-16.

What a joke. NBC, good luck with the whole credibility thing. 

Ok that's it. I just could not believe what I was seeing and had to say something about it. As you were.

Go Atlanta.

Patriots-less Wildcaaahd Weekend.. Wahhh

First off, Happy 2009 everybody!! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!! I'm enjoying my last two days off before heading back to the normal on Monday.. 

Second, I am totally bummed that The Pats are not competing for a Championship this season, and I am worried about who might be coming and going from the Front Office and the Coaching Staff this off-season. I would hate to see Personnel Whiz, Scott Pioli, go to another team. The same goes for our offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. 

But, what are you gonna do, right? 

People move on and change in the NFL is constant. Thankfully we still have the best owner in the game, Robert Kraft, at the top, and the best coach in the game, Bill Belichick, running the entire show.. Here's to a 2009 Patriots Championship season!

As for this year's NFL playoffs, here's my 'who I'm rooting for in the NFL Wildcard Weekend':

NFC

Atlanta / Arizona - Go Atlanta

Philly / Minnie - Go Vikes

AFC

Miami / Baltimore - Go Ravens

Indy / San Diego - Ug.. I will hold my nose and say, go San Diego.

In Belichick We Trust