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.