Wednesday, January 22, 2014

My Winter Weather Preference

It's January in Michigan.  Inevitably, there are many people complaining about the "cold".


To make this clear, I am not some big fanatic of winter weather. If I was Mother Nature's personal weather planning consultant to God, I wouldn't mind 70's and sunny all year long. This would probably mess up the eco-system a bit, but that's beside the point.

I would much rather have temps kept to 20's and below outside during winter rather than 30's and 40's. This is because I live in and around counties who don't like to salt and plow their roads. This becomes an issue when the temp is 33 outside and the good ole' "wintery mix" (watched way too much of the Weather Channel growing up) hits, turning roads into skating/slush rinks.

Anyone who has driving experience realizes that driving on ice and slush sucks. Black ice and deep slush in particular. Traction lessons considerably, and the order of "Incompetent Driver" becomes even more dangerous than usual. I personally know how to handle my vehicle on ice and slush. However, many others don't (or don't care). Thus, I am far more worried about some idiotic driver injuring me than I am of losing control of my vehicle via my own devices.

Snow, "On the Other Hand" (Randy Travis), is really not that bad to drive on - especially when it's real cold out and it makes that squeaking noise. Cold snow actually has more traction than "warmer" snow because it has less liquid water in/around it. I learned this concept growing up and sliding down snow covered hills in the winter. You slide a lot faster on snow when it's in the upper 20's - 30's than when it's colder out. This is because there is more friction sliding on colder snow because there's not as much liquid water present.

Therefore, I'd rather have plain snow than ice and slush. So 32 degrees and below.

Plus, snow looks cooler than ice and slush.

Additionally, "warmer" winter weather tends to cause power outages. Heavy "wet" snow (due to warmer temps) weigh down on tree limbs which break and fall on power lines. This combined with freezing rain/ice contribute to downed power lines (that PSA they kept playing over and over about downed power lines is playing in my head now, great) and thus power outages.

In other notes, I find it interesting that the people who bemoan cold temperatures are often the same people who spend the great majority of their time indoors. Generally, these people only go outside to travel to/from their vehicles and to get the mail. Okay, so I might be exaggerating a bit. But seriously, if you're only outside for very limited stretches of time, just deal with it. There are people who have occupations that demand they work outside in winter. There are also people without a home who sleep outside in the winter. So put a jacket, hat, and gloves on. Not too freaking hard (if finacially applicable). Or as my dad would say, "Dress for it."

Monday, January 20, 2014

Reaction to 2013 NFL Season (NFC/AFC Championship Weekend)

AFC Game: The Pats and Broncos game seemed somewhat dry and boring to me.  After Talib's injury, Denver's perimeter simply outmatched New England's secondary in every sense.  Denver's two six plus minute drives really symbolized this game to me - during these drives (and much of the game), the Pats defense couldn't freaking get off the field on third down because they seemed to have difficulty pressuring Manning on a consistent basis (even when they knew a pass was coming)/couldn't cover one on one.  This is not a good recipe for success, especially playing on the road against Peyton Manning.

With all this being said, the game may have turned out differently had Brady completed those two long throws that were for all intents and purposes open and for the taking (especially the one to Edelman in the first half).  I think that the Broncos clock hogging offense had a negative impact on the Pats offensive rhythm. Tough to get *NSYNC on offense when you're on the bench most of the game.

On a side note, I'm happy to see Champ Bailey reach a Super Bowl after all these years.

NFC Game: As I expected, there was nothing non-awesome about this game.

To start, I've never watched an NFL playoff game where the fans were so consistently loud the entire game.  Even when Seattle had a bad play, those fans supported them.  Respect.

In general, I really enjoy watching physical play and human confrontation.  This was the Seattle-San Fran game in a nutshell.  Despite the league"s supposed efforts to "establish control" on the game via the zebras, this game was gonna be what it was gonna be regardless.

In a day and age where defenses have their hands tied behind their backs and get penalized for looking at an offensive player wrong/hurting their feelings, the play of those two defenses all year long astounds me.  Best two defenses I have seen in a game since the old Steeler-Ravan matchups.

I feel like this game hinged on Colin Kaepernick in many ways.  His speed caught even Seattle's premier defense off-guard several times where guys thought they had angles on him one second and were biting dust the next - Kaepernick's fifty plus yard run demonstrated this well.  This being said, Kaepernick will generally make several throws each game that he shouldn't have.  Part of this is his style (his highly contested touchdown to Bouldin) and part of this is due to poor decision making/where he currently is in his development as a player.  In the two previous playoff games, defenses were unable to capitalize on Kaepernick's mistakes.  However, Seattle's defense did (unsurprisingly).

In other notes, I was very sad to see Bowman's injury.  He's one of the better players I've watched in my lifetime.  I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.  Also, people seem to be making a big deal about Sherman's post-game interview.  Michael Jordan once said that "You're not bragging if you back it up."  While Sherman may have offended some people, professional football isn't one giant freaking tea party with Kumbaya playing in the background.

 "So that's all I have to say about that." (Forrest Gump in case you didn't know).







Friday, January 17, 2014

NFL Championship Game Weekend

Man, what a freaking weekend of football we got coming up here. 

Pats vs. Broncos - Wow.  Can Peyton distinguish his longtime nemesis?  Can Brady win with a ho-hum supporting cast on the road in a place historically difficult to play?  Here's guessing that this game comes down to which defense can suck less. 

Seahawks vs. Niners - Best two teams in the NFL.  Period.  Overall and on paper, I think San Francisco has more talent and is a better team.  However, the "better" team doesn't always win, contrary to popular opinion. 

Seattle is one giant hornets nest (Battle of Shiloh 1862 reference there) to play at.  I saw something that said that there have been more opponants false starts committed in Seattle than anywhere else in the NFL in the past several years.  From personal observation, I have noted that opposing teams seem to have difficulty running their 2 minute offense there.  Communication becomes a lot harder when you have such a rabid/passionate fan base in your ear. 

Both games should be outstanding, but I know I'll personally enjoy watching the NFC game more.  Great defense, tackling, and physicality has always drawn my interest in a football game, and what better two teams showcase this better than Seattle and San Fran? 

For the record, Seattle's defense if the best I've seen since the 05' Steelers.  I also think Thomas is the best safety since a young Ed Reed and Sherman is the best corner since Revis pre knee injury.  San Fran has the best linebacking core I've watched in my lifetime.  I mean, holy crap, this is must freaking watch tv. 

Monday, January 13, 2014

Introduction to Me

Hello Everybody!

I've been debating on starting a blog for some time now.  An assignment for one of my college classes kind of gave me the final nudge I needed to get this thing rolling.  I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts on things, and I feel this blog will give me a nice forum to achieve this. 

I am twenty years old and currently live with my parents and sister in Alger, Michigan.  I am majoring in criminal justice at Delta Community College and work at the McDonalds in West Branch, Michigan. 

Other than work and school, my activities include the following: talking to people about anything/everything, spending time with my family and friends, reading about sports/criminal justice/powerlifting/American Civil War/history in general, lifting weights, watching sports, and following the Green Bay Packers.

I will include more detailed information about myself in later posts, but I just wanted to share a brief outline about me to start this blog.