One man band

As we stated, I'm pretty much a one man band, recently. I guess for most of my life I've sort of been that way.
I contribute it to being an only child for 11 years. In those 11 years, me and imaginary friend Tickle Kitty had some great times. Really we did. I'm not so much the Eagles as I am David Bowie.

I only bring this up, because it appears I'm about to lose a couple more Steamboat compatriots. For those not in the know, 'ole Geenis had applied for a job in Nashville. He informed me this morning he accepted it.
I'm glad for him. It's a good opportunity for him to do a lot of things he wants to do.
For me there is no other way around it, than it sucks. But it's not really about me. I'll miss him. He was my partner in crime and just about everything else here.
Like I've stated, I'm pumped for him. THis move allows him to do a ton of stuff for his future.

I'm not sure how I'll react when he leaves in November.

Who knows? All I know is that I'm sad about it, but happy for him.

Other news, two other good friends in Steamboat could be on their way out. They're my two other real good friends and it sounds like they could potentially move in the next couple months.

What does this tell me? Not sure. I wish I had a plan. I don't though. I guess we'll see what happens.

In other disturbing news, my little brother — all 15 years of his freshman self — apparently came home drunk on Friday night.
It's sort of surreal to think about. My mom was pretty upset about it. I'm not sure how to think. I guess it speaks to our relationship more than anything. We used to be close as could be, then I left for college, left to the real world and somewhere along the lines out relationship became much more distant. I'm not sure what to do. I've always thought he needed to learn stuff on his own, be his own person. I always thought he didn't want me butting into his life. But by telling myself this, have I distanced myself that far away from him. I remember when he was in second grade he did a project and said I was his hero. That seems like a long time ago. My mom asked me to talk to him. I will, but what do I say?
Our relationship clearly isn't the same. I'm sure a lot of his friends don't even realize he has an older brother. I'd like to stay in better touch with him for sure. Every time I talk to him now, it's like pulling teeth to talk to him. He's got another agenda, and it doesn't seem to involve me.
Let's be honest, I haven't been the best role model or brother. I'll talk to him and see what I can do. But I'm sad about this too. He's one of the most important people in my life to me, yet I'm completely distant to him in a way.

I've been working a lot lately. Which I guess is a good thing to help me take my mind off some other things. It's scary, but work in a way has become my escape from some things. With winter coming I suppose I'll have to find another escape than skiing. I decided against a pass to save money. We'll see how that goes.

As for sports, it's a pitiful existence in my sports world. The Rockies are out of the playoffs, but there is hope for the future. Can't say too much else, than the Phillies deserved to win that series. They're a damn good ball club and came up big when it mattered. Just a classic experience vs. youth series.
But it's exciting to think about CarGo, Fowler and Seth Smith in the outfield next year. I envision a lineup in the next year that has Eric Young Jr. hitting 1, Fowler 2 and CarGo 3. That's a ton of speed at the top of the lineup to create havoc. Think the pitching will be just fine.
Atkins and Hawpe are gone. So is Marquis. Not huge holes as I see it. They'll need another utility infield, hopefully one with pop. Would like to see what they get back for Hawpe in a deal.
Like the outlook of the bullpen.
You have Bucholtz and Corpas coming back from injury. They'll lock up Street and hopefully pick up Betancourt's option. Like Morales coming out of the pen, but would give him a shot to start again.
Plus they have a kid Casey Weathers they drafted in the first round a couple years ago, that should be getting back off Tommy John surgery. He's the closer of the future and has nasty, nasty stuff. They might need one more lefthander, but I'm digging this team.
Like the lineup as well. Still not sold on Barmes. I guess he provides some pop and plays good defense. But he's a pure pull hitter and when teams started pitching him outside with soft stuff and hard stuff he was a for sure out. The only time he got a hit was when a pitcher made a mistake middle-in.
But your 2010 Rockies lineup could look like this
1. Fowler
2. Smith
3. Gonzalez
4. Tulo
5. Helton
6. Stewart
7. Torrealba (if they pick up his option or sign him multi year)
8. Barmes (if not Young Jr.)

Rotation
1. Jimenez
2. Cook
3. De La Rosa
4. Hammel
5. Francis
6. Chacin
7. Friedrich

WOuld like to see them sign at least one more reliable arm just in cast with Francis' health and the development of Chacin and Friedrich.

All in all, love the future look of the Rox.
Plus this is counting they trade Brad Hawpe, who I think could bring a middle of the rotation guy or a real nice piece in the bullpen.


Football is horrible.
CU put on a good show against Texas. Glad to see Hansen getting the chance to start. I'm still holding out hope in my delusional world that CU can get to a bowl game. WIll they? probably not, but they still have a chance.
Not sure where I'm at on Hawkins — Dan. I've always believed a coach deserves five years to see what he can do. Next year would be Year 5 for Hawkins. I'm not sure where I'm at on this. I suppose going by my guidelines I'd like to see him get one more year.

With 8:29 left in the fourth quarter on Sunday, I officially gave up on the Bills. IT was tied at 3 with Cleveland (who I thought was the worst team in the NFL) and Buffalo still had a chance to win. I could have cared less.
I will no longer root for the Bills until the organization is gutted out. THis means, I'm not a Bills fan anymore until a) the Bills move to Toronto or LA, in which case I'll cease watching the NFL b) Ralph Wilson, the Bills owner, dies or c)Wilson sells the team.
The Bills have been bad for 10 years now. They haven't had a chance to succeed. WIlson and his front office have made poor decision after poor decision. I like to think it's less coaching than the front office. Look at Gregg Williams. Since he left Buffalo he's been the best defensive coordinator in the game. Look what he's done with the Saints this year. Mike Mularkey has been a great Offensive Coordinator with the Falcons.
Dick Jauron, while horrible, will probably end up being a good D-coordinator when he's fired. The thing about the Bills and Wilson is that they are gutting the roster and have been for years. It's clear Wilson is going to sell the team. He won't leave it to his family because of the high tax cost associated with inheriting the team He's been gutting the roster and keeping costs low so he can sell a low cost team to a high bidder.
Good business move, horrible to the fans of Buffalo.
Maybe the worst thing came from my dad, who has been a Bills fan for his entire life. Some of his best moments have come with the Bills. But my dad on Saturday, said he's done with the Bills.

So on Sunday, even with the Bills having a chance to win, I decided I'm done.

That means, for at least the time being I'm looking for a new team. Not sure who but am wading through the candidates.
New Orleans — I like Drew Brees
Detroit — Like the city and is a similar fan base to Buffalo
Denver — Probably not going to happen. But at this point would be acceptable for me to root for
Chicago — Da Bears.
N.Y. Giants — Uhhh
Cleveland — Also similar to Buffalo

I'm up for suggestions. If you can make a case for a team I'll listen and even consider buying a throwback AFL jersey!

It's sad to say, but the NHL may be a saving grace for me the rest of the way. The Sabres are 3-1 and look good. Of course on cue, their best player gets injured Tuesday night and will be out an extended period of time.

You know what, I'm not sure why I even like sports. For the last 10 years I can pick one great moment out. That's it. One. Wait two. Two moments in 10 years? Fuck.
The two are Rocktober 07. Fucking great
CU football beating Nebraska and Texas in 01 en route to the Big 12 title.

Those are the only good moment. The only ones.

HEF of the week.
Where do we even begin. I'm not sure.

Until next time. Heads up Luke Nation.

Wall Street? Luke Street

Man oh man, winter is right at the doorstep. I mean WIthin the next month there will probably be at least a foot of snow on the ground. This I'm none too pumped about.

I enjoyed the summer and the fall. It was beautiful. I loved it. There is nothing like wild colors and 70 degree weather. It's amazing.

Well the Eastern Bloc sex kitten officially got deported, or went back for school or something. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm sort of glad she's gone. I suppose check back in a couple weeks when I'm crying in my bedroom corner by myself.
As for other women, there isn't much on the docket. But for some reason, at this point, I'm OK with that. Really I am. One of the first times in my life I have no qualms about women, and am enjoying my time by myself.
I mean I've always been sort of a one man band that enjoys flying solo, but am moreso than ever before.
As for work, it hasn't been too bad. It's the pay that sucks. I wish I made more, but that's OK. Everybody wishes they made more.
Was a pretty wild weekend. One for the books in fact.
There was a mustache ride/bar hop in town. Well, everyone that I know that attended had something happen to them.
Let's look at the victims.
Geenis — detox and arrest. Swollen face, broken bike
Erin — Completely broken bike
Spencer — Hurt back, scared for his life (this is a good story for those that want to hear at some point. Even if you don't know Spencer).
Luke — Torn up shoulder. Yup, tore it up riding Gee's bike to his house. I may or may not have had 11 teen dozen beers in me.
Regardless, crashed the bike jammed my elbow up into my shoulder. I hate doctors so I figured I'd wait it out and see if it didn't get better. Well finally went to the doctor on Thursday. Torn AC joint, torn cartlidge and a 10 % chance of a torn rotator cuff. Nice.

But it was well worth the weekend and everything else that surrounded it. Epic would be the word to describe what went down. TOo many funny things to worry about broken bikes, hurt egos or painful body extremities.

The football gods have taken no pity on either of my Buffalo-like creature teams.
The Bills are horrible. Trent Edwards is...... I don't know, fill in the fucking blank about what a piece of shit waste of space he is.
Colorado is horrible. Cody and Dan Hawkins are......Again fill in the blank. Use derogatory words, hateful words, what ever you want. But that's my feeling. I wish I could like two other teams but I can't. It's a curse. A curse of unholy bounds, that ties me down each weekend, hoping that for one good year of my pitiful football rooting life, that the Football Gods pear down, see the intense pain, and bless me with 8 fucking wins. I would take 8 at this point. Right now between the two teams we're at two wins. Would it surprise you, Luke Nation, to see at the end of the year to just have two wins.
Fucking football.

Well football (high school variety where the Steamboat QB could start for CU right now) is about to kick off.

But I'll leave you with the.....

HEF of the week
Should and certainly is falling off the bike and tearing my shoulder up. Great drunk injury, right up there with breaking my nose on concrete steps. But here's a doozy. Driving back from Denver after covering state golf.
I have some fast food with me. Well the burrito spills all over my lap, my water does the same thing, can of chew blows up in my face. Snot rockets out of my nose. I think I get everything under control and go to take a sip of my Ice cold Coca-Cola. Miss my mouth and dump it on myself.

Cold weather with a chance of snow

It's here. Winter is coming and that means snow. Really, really not excited. But regardless the cold weather does bring some fun things.

I sleep better. I get to do neat things with my facial hair. I get to wear my winter wardrobe. Inevitably I'll get to do something fun with snow.

But other than that, I'm not too yoked for winter.

It was a relatively good couple of weeks/weekends. Went down to the CU game and got to party with the old crew and new crew. Watched the game and needless to say the CU-Wyoming game was a collection of the slowest Division I teams in the nation.

It was pretty pitiful, even though the Buffs won.

Now they get their cheeks beat again on National television Thursday. Have heard rumblings there is already a plan in place to get rid of Hawkins. Nice.

Went to the Rox on SUnday and saw them squeak one out against the Cardinals. It was a good game and good all around time.
Plus the drive back was amazing. The colors were so sweet, the drive was well worth it.

Monday I went on a hike up Fish Creek Falls trail and enjoyed some more of the fall colors.

Not a ton new at work. A little shakeup at the paper with new people in new roles. This is sort of interesting. The ex will in fact be my new boss. Interesting, but don't think a lot changes. At least I hope not. I'm pretty settled in my role.

Not much else to report.

I (fill in the blank) football

Another rough week on the football front.
CU gets beat by national powerhouse Toledo. Wait? They get absolutely mauled by Toledo. There was never a moment CU was in the game.
They are so bad, when you look at their schedule there are maybe two winnable games on the schedule (Wyoming at home and Iowa State on the road). Unfortunately, would it be a surprise if they lost both. They could be 0-12.

The Bills lose another heartbreaker on MNF against the Pattsies. This was a game that completely described what it's like to be a Bills fan. Plus when they were up 11 with four minutes to go, the only thought in my mind was "what unique and interesting way are we going to give this game away." Yep. Your 2009-10 Buffalo Bills! They could be 0-16.

Fantasy team — Packn Like Plex — got drubbed as well. I scored 47 points. Just to understand how our league works, Drew Brees (52 points) would have beat my entire team by himself. I would have beat Adrian Petersen (42 points) by a miraculous five points. Yep. Packn Like Plex could be 0-12.

Needless to say I may need to take a break from football at some point. I allow myself to get too involved and it affects my mood. Plus Paul Posluszny and the Bills will thank me. Since I purchased a Posluszny jersey, the Bills have gone either 1-9 or 2-10. Then last night, in the debut this year for the Posluszny jersey, the man himself breaks his arm in the second quarter. I'm beginning to think I have a sports curse. The Cubs have the curse of the goat, the Red Sox had the curse of the Bambino.
What's my curse called? That will be my mission for the rest of the year.

Now the Rockies are on a huge slide as well. I think all the injuries might finally catch up to them. I hope I'm wrong, but if the Giants sweep this series they are only 1 1/2 game back. Yikes. The Rockies need to get back on a roll and do so quick.

Great weekend other than typical sports disasters.
Went to Grand Junction for Jessica Mooney's wedding on Saturday. Small ceremony and saw a ton of old friends. It was fun and am glad I went. To the LDV on Sunday to see the family and golf on Monday. Me and the old man played at Eagle Ranch on Monday. Shot 91, including a 41 on the front nine.
The front nine was good. Two birdies, two pars, three 3-putt bogies and two "others." The back nine was just too many penalty strokes and a putter that was a miserable joke.
Very good time, however.

This weekend, should be fun as well. I'm hoping I feel better and these swine flu like symptoms go away. Maybe it's just the lack of sleep catching up with me. Who knows. I'll I do, is I'm heading East to see El Caballo and see what ensues from that. Think Gee Mode 1 will show up as well.

Hef of the Week
Football.
Also woke up Sunday after the wedding and somewhere in the night of rocking lost my pants. Had everything else, but my pants. Had to backtrack and ask people, "Uhhhhh, have you seen my pants?"
Class act all around Graham.

Ugh

When I look back at the football week and ahead to the football week I simply can't help but cry.
CU losing to CSU was one of the worst things that has happened. I think it was a combination of things. I think CSU is a good football team, but I also think CU isn't as good as everyone thought. Then to look forward to the Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Patriots and it doesn't get much better.

I mean what better way to open up the 2009-10 Bills season than more than likely getting beat by 40 points on national television.
Here's where Bills fans are right now. From Bob DiCesare in the Buffalo News:

The offensive coordinator one day, the starting left tackle a few days hence. What do you think? Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback for the opener? Ralph Wilson drawing up plays on suite napkins? Where, oh where, does it end?Somewhere between 4-12 and 0-16, I'd gather.Yes, by all means get your popcorn ready. The paper bag will come in handy.

Then to CU. It's been a hard realization, but I've come to the conclusion that in general CU football will probably never matter again.
It's the dark secret no person wants to talk about. When you look at other programs around the nation that succeed they have several similar traits. Big donors, great facilities, great fan support etc.

Let's look at CU. They have by far the worst facilities in the Big 12. Iowa State's simply dwarf them. Let's not even mention, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Nebraska.
That's a big recruiting tool. When CU won its National Championship in 1990, their facilities were brand new. The Dal Ward Center was voted as the top facility in the nation.
How things have changed.
For crying out loud, CSU has better practice facilities.
The only way to get these better, is to get more money. The school is cash strapped as it is. Donors won't donate millions of dollars to upgrade either. Plus CU doesn't have a T Boone Pickens to throw money into the program. Maybe someday, but not likely.

Then you look at coaching. I'm not off the bandwagon yet, and never will be. Who knows with Hawkins. McCartney took five years to build the program back. Maybe Hawkins is the same. But in Colorado — the state — law prohibits assistant coaches from having more than a one year contract.
This limits Colorado's coaching staff. When you look at top flight programs, they have top flight assistants. CU doesn't and it's clear.

If Hawkins turns out to not be the man, it will cost the university money to get rid of him. Then who would even want the job.
How do you pitch, horrible facilities, no guarantees to your assistants and a piss poor fan base to any coach?

CU once mattered. Unfortunately there is a chance they'll never matter again.


Life's been hectic. Mostly because I worked a whopping 69 hours last week. It was seven days in a row and just took it out of me.

Luckily I've got a three day weekend coming up. I'm going to a wedding that I'm not totally sure about. It'll be good to see about 40 kids I went to high school with, but at the same time I'm not totally pumped on it.
Plus I got roped into going to the wedding with a girl I don't want to go with, while there is another girl in Grand Junction that I totally want to go with.
Despite being a middle of the road ladies man — if that — I somehow find myself in the most precarious positions with the opposite sex.
Look at this wedding. I could and want to go with a hot 24-year-old, who is the shit and a ton of fun, but instead I'm stuck with a rundown 30 something.
It doesn't help, the bride knows my date and said, "oh, you should just go with Luke." So it wasn't even my decision.
Sour grapes I suppose. Either way I'm not going to let it get me down. I'm going to rock like only I know how to rock.

Other plans for the weekend include playing golf at Eagle Ranch on Monday. My dad got some kind of silent auction prize for golf for two. It's always good to play with the old man, and eventually get my balls so busted by him that I put my proverbial tail between my legs and think about crying to the point of dehydration.

Trying to get next weekend off as well, since El Caballo/V1 will be back in town. I'll certainly see the ugly bastard, but how many days we'll just have to see.

Nothing else really to note of.

HEF of the Week
The Monday after the CU debacle I had to cover a stage race. Needless to say I was hung over as hell and probably smelt horribly like booze. As the CU game progressed, I just drank more and more and more and more. Anyway, Monday I'm covering this bike race, waiting to talk to the women's winner. She's on the podium with a bottle of bubbly. She shakes it up, releases the hounds and it sprays. Unfortunately the initial shot and most of the bottle hit me directly in the pole washer. So if I didn't originally smell like booze, I certainly did now.

Football time

Love football. This is clearly the best time of year. Sometimes I have a tough time getting into a new season when a season is still going.
Football will start, but baseball is in its playoff race. Not so much this year, I'm just geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeked for some football.

Football, is the world's greatest sport. There is nothing like Saturday or Sunday hanging with some friends, grilling, drinking and all cheering for one cause.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Thinking back I get more excited for football season than any other time. Christmas —no. Birthday — no. Beat cheeks day — no.

Workwise, I'm getting busy. The other sports guy is out this week and it's making so I have a ton of work. By the time next weekend hits, I'll have worked like 14 of 15 days at the old paper. Strangely I'm sort of yoked on it. The summer lull is fine for a while, but there is something said about being totally busy. Plus we started a new site here at work (click here). It has been good. Doing some video, adding a ton of stuff and getting weird my friends.
Actually enjoying my job.

Another plus of working so much these next two weeks is I'll have several days of to do pretty much whatever I want. A little vacation if you will. Nothing to grand, but something fun.

The weekend was pretty relaxed. Friday I did nothing, Saturday went and rocked with the peop's and Sunday headed to Denver to see the ole' grandmama.
Got my car fixed on Monday, which it totally needed. This was good in a lot of ways, besides the final bill. It's sort of like driving a new car at this point. Plus the work I got done on it, will hopefully make it run for the next 30-40 years of my life, seeing as how a brief glance at my bank account and I probably won't be able to afford a new car in that span.

The Eastern Bloc Sex Kitten is back in my life. I think we both want the same thing out of the relationship (let's not even call it that), plus she's out of town for three weeks now. Regardless, how often does the big guy run into a hot, young, Czech Republic chick? Probably more often if I lived in the Czech Republic or Eastern Bloc.

Going to Jessica Mooney's wedding next weekend. Should be interesting seeing who shows up. Probably not a ton of people I want to see. But I know I'll have fun. Plus there's an opportunity to see another chick down in GJ. The wedding is sort of interesting in the fact it happened so quick. I love Jessica to death and hope it works out, but everything (at least the percentages) seem to be working against it.
Either way I love weddings and love parties.

No other big plans. WOuld like to get down to a Rockies series at some point during the playoff push. Thinking St. Louis in late September could be the series I attend.
Not sure how I feel about the Rockies playoff chances. Like the Contreras pickup and think Apodaca will do wonders with him.
It's just tough as hell to beat Lincecum, Cain, Zito and now Penny (owns Colorado). Hopefully the lineup keeps hitting. Hopefully CarGo gets fully healthy, Fowler and Cook come back and the lineup starts hitting.
Just a wild guess, but it comes down to the final series with the Dodgers (who also own Colorado). Let's take a look at what the Rox and Giants have left.
ROX
3 vs. Mets— won one, need to win series if not sweep
3 vs. Arizona — need to win series if not sweep
4 vs. Cincinnatti — "
3 at SD — (You SD boys aren't there, you're not Rockies fans. I'll assume you're Yanks or Sox fans) — "
3 at San Fran — Cannot get swept
3 at Arizona — need to win series in not sweep
3 vs. SD — "
3 vs. St. Louis — Need 2 of 3 at home
3 vs. Milwaukee — 2 of 3 at home
3 at LA — need 2 of 3 in LA. Could be for division.

If they win every series that's 22 wins. That's the number they need in the last 31 games. 22-9 is what they need to shoot for. THis includes 19 home games where the Rox have been lights out


Giants
3 at Philly — lost one, hopefully lose the series
3 at Milwaukee — probably win 2 of 3
3 vs. SD — 2 of 3 if not a sweep
3 vs. LA — interesting series
3 vs. Colorado — need to lose 2 of 3
3 at LA — another interesting series
3 at Ariz — 2 of 3 if not sweep
3 vs. Chicago — 2 of 3 if not sweep
3 vs. Ariz — "
3 at SD — "

15 at home, 15 on the road.


Colorado has the easier road. For the Rox, comes down to the SF, LA and St. Louis series.

Should be an interesting road.


Until next time.

Boobs

This is why I don't ever drink wine.

Had three glasses of red wine last night and have done the following since waking up:
1) Woke up late.
2) Threw up
3) Almost fell down in the shower
4) Came to work and did nothing
5) Went home and took a two hour nap
6) Threw up again
7) Ate

So that's that.

Anyway, going to try and update the blog more often. Even if it's just short posts. Shooting for two times a week.

That'll be all for now.