Baseball? Oooh - pick me!!

March came and went with no posts at all. Embarrassing. Or normal. One of the two.

The biggest news of the past month is the opening of the 2009 MLB season. I love Opening Day because it doesn't matter if you are the Yankees or the Orioles, every team has a sense of optimism when the season starts. Any team can make a run, as the Rays and Rockies have shown us the past couple years. This year, I have decided to make some predictions.

AL West
1. Angels - Solid lineup with above average pitching.
2. Rangers - Big bats and a rotation that can't be worse than the Rangers historically are.
3. A's - Holliday and Giambi can't make up for the weak rotation.
4. Mariners - This team is getting better, just not that much better. (Sidenote: I stop whatever I am doing to watch a Griffey AB. The prettiest swing in baseball. Period.)

AL Central
1. Twins - Not just a sentimental pick. This team is loaded with young talent in the lineup and the rotation.
2. Indians - A team that I think is overrated by the national media outlets.
3. White Sox - Inconsistent. And I hate them.
4. Royals - A team on the rise. Young power and improving pitching.
5. Tigers - More problems than they can fix in a season.

AL East
1. Rays - A young team that is only going to get better with the help of Pat "K" Burrell. Their rotation is good, too. I love Garza.
2. Red Sox - Probably the biggest question mark in the East. They have the talent to win this division, but will they stay healthy enough? And is Varitek going to drop below .200?
3. Yankees - Big $$ spent on free agents for another year on the couch in October.
4. Orioles - Stuck in a rut that continues this year.
5. Blue Jays - Halladay and. . . that's about it.

NL West
1. Diamondbacks - This team is dangerously young and talented.
2. Rockies - I put them here because I think some of those young pitchers are going to come through. This team will score a lot of runs.
3. Dodgers - Manny will not put this team in contention. But Ethier and Loney and Martin will.
4. Giants - Great starting pitching, weak lineup, Randy Johnson raging birds with his heat. Not a contender.
5. Padres - Peavy is traded by the end of May.

NL Central
1. Cubs - First time the Cubbies get to the playoffs in 3 consecutive years since who knows when.
2. Reds - I love this rotation. They have some young talent in their lineup as well (Votto).
3. Cardinals - Any team with Albert in the lineup can win games.
4. Brewers - No Sheets, no C.C., no playoffs.
5. Astros - Who the hell plays here any more?
6. Pirates - Congratulations on fighting for the title of worst team in baseball. Again.

NL East
1. Phillies - Defending champions are solid.
2. Braves - I like them here for some reason. No method to this madness.
3. Mets - I think they will start choking in July instead of August.
4. Marlins - Trouble.
5. Nationals - The Pirates' dance partner.

AL Wild Card
Red Sox - Although they are an enigma, I think they make the playoffs.

NL Wild Card
Rockies - This pick might be a little sentimental, but this team is improved with Baylor helping the hitters.

AL Champion
Rays - Better than last year, where they went to the WS.

NL Champion
Rockies - Hope springs eternal. . .

2009 WS Champion
Rays - I think this year they pull it off.

Friday Musings

Another Friday, another list of random Flick thoughts. . .

• Jeff Francis is out for the year (supposedly). Marquis better eat some inning and one of those young guys (Hirsh, Smith, Morales) needs to step up big.
  
• I would like to present a big, big 'IF' statement. IF Franklin Morales learns to control his pitches, IF Greg Smith stops walking every third batter, IF Jorge De La Rosa continues to pitch like his last 5 starts of 2008, IF Greg Reynolds learns to relax at the major league level, and IF Jason Hirsh ever gets around to remember how to dominate batters, the 2010 Rockies rotation could be the best in the history of the franchise.
  
• With Cook and Ubaldo (and a healthy Francis), we really only need 2 of these to happen. Much more likely.
  
• Last Sunday was the Daytona 500. We had a crew head over to our house to watch the race. Unfortunately, the last 48 laps were canceled due to the rain. Disappointing.
• My goal was to get the bathroom operational by Daytona. Robert left my house at about 6:00 or 6:15. At that point, you could use the toilet and the sink. I call that a success.
  
• A big thanks to Jorge, Robert, Dad, John, Matthew, and Randy for all their help in this remodel process.
  
• I thanked Chew even though he usually was watching chick flicks with Sarah in the other room when the men worked!
  
• All I have remaining down in the bathroom is the trim, some paint touchups, and the shower needs caulk.
  
• The hallway needs to be painted, the closet doors need to be hung, and the light fixtures need to be put up. As soon as all that is done, we are going to replace all the carpet in the basement and put up new baseboards.
  
• Then I start the next project. . .
• I read that the stimulus bill was 1,073 pages long. Yet it only took 18 hours to pass both the House and the Senate. That makes me sick to my stomach.
  
• This quick legislation is after Nancy Pelosi promised that we would have 48 hours to read the stimulus bill online before they voted.
  
• And it is after President Obama promised that the American people would have 5 days to read bills before he signed them into law.
  
• Seems like government is still full of the same old cheats and liars. I really had hoped that Obama would move the government in a new direction of honest and transparency.
  
• I did like this, though.
• For those of you out there that are car people, you will like this article about the Hofmeister Kink. Nothing says 'luxury' like a kink!

This weekend should be a good one as Blackhawk, a housewarming party, and Winter Park will all make appearances. I hope you all have good ones as well.

Til the next post,
Mikey

Ladies and Gentlemen. . . The Beatles!

In my life, a constant has always been music. There were times that we would drag the coffee table up against the wall to clear out space so mom could literally drag me around the room, teaching me how to dance. I learned everything in my parents living room from things as simple as finding the beat and matching the rhythm to specific dances like the waltz, two-step, polka (all things I still do from time to time). Piano lessons were a weekly occurrence until I quit in high school (wish I hadn't). My dad is a busy body - the two of us spent countless hours in the garage making stuff for the house or working on the cars or just putzing around. Without fail, either KYGO or KOOL 105 was on the radio. Looking back, it is hard to picture common scenarios in my life that didn't involve some aspect of music.


This ingrained sense of music in my life is glaringly obvious with a quick look at my iPod or my iTunes. What a random, bizarre collection that is.


A constant in all this chaos has been the Beatles. The Beatles have always been one of Mama Flick's favorites. Paul is her favorite; I'm more partial to John. Abbey Road was the first album I ever bought with my own money (on tape, of course). When I stumbled across this list: Playing the Beatles Backwards, I was hooked. I still haven't gotten all the way through this list, but I will. My biggest problem with the list? "I Will" at #86. It should have been much, much closer to #1.

Peer Pressure Prevails

The latest craze on Facebook - 25 Random Things About Me, a note that is exactly what it claims to be. I have found these lists hilarious and fascinating. Since I have sucked mightily at creating original posts on this blog the last month or so, I figured that I would jump on the bandwagon and post something that everyone and their mother is doing.

So please sit down, buckle up, and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. My gentle readers, I now present 25 things that you probably did not know about your (less than) humble correspondent. . .

1. My ideal vehicle has been and always will be a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra. Of course, now that I have an SUV, I don't know if I ever would be able to give up the enclosed rear. I think I could adjust.

2. I originally applied to college as a physical therapy major. Physical therapy is basically the same as civil engineering.

3. Every time I get on a plane, I grab the magazine in the seat pocket in front of me and try to finish the crossword puzzle before we leave the ground.

4. I succeed close to 50% of the time.

5. I ran cross country and track all though high school. Now I despise running. I am fairly sure that as soon as the competition factor was gone, so was my motivation.

6. I have only been to 3 different countries - the United States, Canada, and Mexico. I would love to travel to Europe at some point, especially London and Paris.

7. However, I have been in 40 of the 50 states. I'm still missing Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont.

8. I am a stickler for correct grammar. I can't even type a text message with incorrect grammar. It drives me crazy when I see national publications that have grammar errors. Plus I work with engineers, who are as grammatically retarded as you can possibly be.

9. I think that tying shoes is a waste of time. As a result, a majority of my shoes are tied loose enough that I can slip my feet in and out of them.

10. Because of my wife, I can sing way more New Kids on the Block, Boys II Men, Jagged Edge, and Joe songs than I would like to admit.

11. I honestly can say that the only type of music that I do not like is techno. I will listen to almost everything else without complaint.

12. I wear a tie to work once a week.

13. I rationalize wearing jeans on Thursday AND Friday because of tie day.

14. I have always thought about being a writer or photographer, but I am not sure I am good enough at either to make a career out of it. For now, I will just practice until I am willing to take that chance.

15. Even though I parade through this professional world as a civil engineer, I love to both experience and create artwork. Photography is, hands down, my favorite style of art. Impressionist painting is a close second (photography has a slight edge as it is something I feel I have some level of talent in - I straight suck at painting).

16. I love the smell of capitalism in the morning. So much, in fact, that I want to make a black t-shirt that says "I $ Capitalism" in white letters with a green dollar sign. Of all the economic systems, capitalism makes the most sense and I support it completely.

17. I have always loved to draw. I don't just sit down and draw enough (except during work meetings).

18. I have a couple sweet coffee mugs at work. One is a penguin with a scarf. That one comes out around the holidays. The other has a giant plaster crocodile on it that says, "Life's a Croc". Needless to say, I win the ugly mug competition at work.

19. I could eat ice cream for every meal. And when I say ice cream, I mean the biggest damn scoop of ice cream you have ever seen. It is a Flick thing.

20. That being said, I would have steak and eggs for my last meal if I had the choice. I would just have ice cream for dessert. Either Rocky Road or vanilla with M&M (or both).

21. My wife throws a softball harder than I do.

22. But I can hit it farther.

23. I have recently become more and more interested in running for public office. I truly think that I (a) could do a good job, (b) would enjoy the work, and (c) would have the cojones to actually do what was good for this country instead of what was good for Mikey Flick.

24. If I were to run for public office, I am pretty sure it would be a contentious point of my marriage. Needless to say, I won't be running anytime soon. Sarah and I trump political aspirations.

25. The number 25 has always been and will always be my favorite number. My grandfather wore the number when he was playing semi-pro baseball. My little brother and I have followed his footsteps for as long as I can remember.

That movie thing. . .

Bryce and Mike have both done this movie thing (although I think theirs are only up on Facebook) and I thought it was fun. Let's see how you guys do with mine!

1) Pick 20 of your favorites movies.
2) Find a quote from each of them from IMDB.
3) Ask your friends to guess them in the comments
4) Don't search on IMDB or google for the answer. I will know! Actually give it a good effort then find out however you can. then see the movies.... they're all good

1) I have two guns, one for each of ya.

2) I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off.

3) The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.

4) What do you mean, you're gonna pass? Alan, the only people making money passing are NFL quarterbacks and I don't see a number on your back.

5) As actors, it is our responsibility to read the newspapers, and then say what we read on television like it's our own opinion.

6) It means that I, like God, do not play with dice and I don't believe in coincidences.

7) What do they think I am? Dumb or something? Why, I make more money than - than - than Calvin Coolidge! Put together!

8) You know, this is my table, man. I own it.

9) Haven't you noticed? We've been sharing our culture with you all morning.

10) Sometimes you gotta have a little dirt on you for anybody to trust you.

11) I don't know; every man has his breaking point.

12) He starts monologuing! He starts like, this prepared speech about how "feeble" I am compared to him, how "inevitable" my defeat is, how "the world" "will soon" "be his", yadda yadda yadda.

13) Really? I live in Queens, did you put that together yourself, Einstein? Got a team of monkeys working around the clock on this?

14) What was I supposed to do - call him for cheating better than me, in front of the others?

15) You made a big mistake yourself... you didn't flush.

16) You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.

17) There's a car outside that will take you to the airport. I'll call your wife and tell her what flight you're on.

18) It hurts doesn't it? Your hopes dashed, your dreams down the toilet. And your fate is sitting right besides you.

19) A shrub? Nonsense! I shall name a new species of tortoise after you: Testudo Aubreii!

20) I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier. Life should malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant.

Close Enough to Friday for Me

Since my work week ended today, I think it would be a good time to inject some randomness in your lives!

• Every year, we do a gift exchange thing at the office where we fight over 365 day desk calendars. Last year, I got "Dumb Dares for the Office". I didn't get into too much trouble, mostly because I didn't do the 85% of dares that were fireable offenses.
  
• This year I got "The Mensa Puzzle Calendar". I'm guessing that this one will keep me out of trouble for the most part.
• Until I don't work because I can't figure out some crazy puzzle.
• I'm really excited for 5 days off this weekend and 4 off next weekend. Nine days off in a 12 day period is a-ok in my book.
• Katie, Jorge, my cousin Dave, and I hit up Winter Park on Saturday. It was pretty cold, but we survived with the 4-8 inch stashes of powder in the trees.
  
• I went to the Bronco game on Sunday with Johnny, his buddy John, and Matthew. It was cold, cold, and COLD. But we had a good time and stayed warm until the end of the game when the sun and the Broncos slowly faded.
• Gartrell Johnson is a beast. 275 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving in any bowl? Awesome.
• Sign #1 seen on ESPN during New Mexico Bowl: "Tickets to New Mexico Bowl - $60, Ticket to park and tailgate before game - $15, Being on ESPN while CU watches from home - Priceless"
• Sign #2 seen on ESPN during New Mexico Bowl: "Fresno is not a state"
• HD is the greatest invention of all time.
• The next few days are going to be hectic - Christmas Eve at our house with Sarah's dad's family, Christmas morning and early afternoon with my family, late afternoon with Sarah's mom's family, night flight to Portland, wedding festivities all Friday, early morning flight Saturday, afternoon wedding anniversary party, evening meet-up with some college friends, morning snowboarding on Sunday, Christmas part II Sunday afternoon.
  
• Then we take a breath.
• Maybe.
• Spent some time with Mike, Rosie, Fitz, Andy, and Lexie (and Elise) last night. It is always good to see old friends and catch up. I wish it could happen more often.
  

If I don't get anything posted between now and Thursday, I wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Mike

Film Addict?

Jason Kottke's blog found a website that determines how much of a film addict you might be. The site takes the top 250 films on IMDB and you check off how many you have seen. I was a pathetic 36%. Click HERE to compare your level of addiction with mine.

I'd love to see someone get above 75%. That would show some serious dedication to the silver screen.

Confessions of a Dangerous Flick

Random Musings on this beautiful December day. . .

• I received Dropkick Murphys newest (but not so new) album (The Meanest of Times) for my birthday in November. After numerous cycles through the whole CD, I have decided that I love it as much if not more than their previous work.
• Speaking of DKM - they are supposedly named after a local detox place in Boston.
• CSU is bowl bound - December 20th in Albuquerque against Fresno State. Steve Fairchild has set a CSU record for victories in a freshman coaching campaign. Let's hope he extends his record to 7 later this month.
• The wifey and I have purchased a new television.
• The HD channels start on Sunday. I can't wait.
  
• In related news, our Daytona party just got a hell of a lot cooler.
• Also related: if you are in the market for a TV, shop one place - Ultimate Electronics. No other store has the combination of customer service and unbeatable prices.
• The Rockies came out of the Winter Meetings with Alan Embree as the only addition to the roster. Excellent. We picked up a 38-year-old bullpen pitcher. Great. The Denver Post apparently is really excited for him to give up dingers at Coors Field.
• I know that I am years behind, but Arrested Development is hilarious.
• It is now December 12 and I have yet to be skiing or snowboarding this year. This upsets me.
• The basement is making some serious progress. A majority of the drywall is up and the process of taping and mudding is going on now. Once that is complete, the shower and tile installs are the only real time-consuming portion of the reconstruction. After that it should not be long before we regain our working basement bathroom!
  

Hopefully you all have a wonderful holiday season in the next few weeks. Enjoy your time off, your time with family, and all the delicious Christmas cookies!

Until the next post -
Mike

Typealyzer

My buddy Mike over at Beautiful is Safe found a website that does a personality analysis based on your blog entries. The website is called Typealyzer and is a sweet little thing to play with (that's what she said).

While Mike's blog came back as a "logical and analytical" type, mine came back as this:

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

They enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

While I tend to agree with pieces of the analysis, I have a hard time swallowing the last sentence. Ouch. I guess I should stop my ladder climb immediately. The only thing that I can think is that my blog is a reflection of half of my personality: the non-engineering part of my psyche - the creative and artistic side (which miraculously can be present in an engineering mind).

What do you all think? Is my Typealysis accurate or is it completely off base?

Flicktastic Brain Farts

• Yep this is my family. I took that picture at my Grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary party. Where Flicks go, chaos ensues.
• It was Sarah's first adventure into the state of Wisconsin. It was nice for her to see all the places that she hears about in stories from my family.
  
• While we were there, we went on a tour of the Miller Brewery.
  

• Jorge liked the Miller tour.
• The election is over and that makes me happy.
  
• Amendment 48 failed in Colorado and that makes me really happy.
  
• The only things that truly disappointed me this election season was the passing of Proposition 8 in California and similar gay marriage bans in a couple other states. I am constantly amazed that people use religious reasons for withholding secular rights from people. I thought our country was created to prevent such travesties. Religion should not dictate secular law (especially when people's rights are concerned).
  
• CSU can be bowl eligible with a win over Wyoming (@ Wyo) on Saturday. I'm not saying that I was not hoping for improvement over the last few years, but I am pleasantly surprised that we have progressed so far in such a short time. The Steve Fairchild era is already looking favorable.
• It was nice to see the Broncos offense and defense show up the last couple weeks. All those injured starters on defense better not just get their starting positions handed back to them. Those young guys are playing with fire.
  
• I think Billy Beane fleeced us.
  
• Year-end review have came and went and I still have a job. Success!
• Sarah and I got our passes for Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain yesterday. I can't wait to get up there for the first runs of the season.
• The last week or so, my buddies over at Cru Jones Society did a great series of ridiculous movie competitions. I guarantee that some of the movies you love are listed in there. Here is part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Great way to kill some time at the end of the week!
• If you have never been to SomeEcards, you are missing out on the fun.
  
• The holidays are coming up. Hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday season.