Rod's Bloghttp://community.whptv.com/blogs/rods_blog/atom.aspxCommunity Server2008-01-09T16:13:00ZMy Last Chance at Imperfection http://community.whptv.com/blogs/rods_blog/archive/2008/02/03/2479102.aspx2008-02-03T14:53:00Z2008-02-03T14:53:00Z<P>This is it. . . Super Bowl 42 ( I know its XLII ) and we are looking at a possible clean sweep of an entire NFL season. 19 wins and 0 losses. I know this a "special" season in some corners and the Boston area, but it needs to end tonight. Not that I would argue against a Perfect Steelers Season, but the fact that it is the Patriots. Yeah, the same Patriots that got Super Shuffled by Da Bears a long LONG time ago -- the end of the 1985 season to be exact. </P>
<P>I have been a Steelers fan and rooted against the Patriots for years. This year however passionate rivalry has steadily simmered in pure hatred. Strong words, I know, but I cannot fight it any longer. </P>
<P>I have been a temporary Eagles fan when they had the Patriots in a Green and White chokehold. Despite AJ Feeley's 3 INTs there was a solid chance that the Eagles would end this perfect season. Why do you go deep with a back-up QB on a 2nd and 6 with over 4 minutes to go in the 4th quarter ??? Nevermind, the answer. It is pointless at this point. </P>
<P>Next, I traded my temporary Eagles fan club membership for a Ravens ( YUCK the Ravens ??) yes, a Ravens purple colored honorary fan of the week, never say die attitude. And it worked !!! Yes, it actually WORKED !!! Ray-Ray and Boyz put on a spectacular show of defense and time-controlled offense. . . en route to a . . . loss. Yeah, it seems that refs are rooting for the Ravens to go undefeated because they let a guy who CAN'T call a timeout -- call a timeout. Even Chris Webber is shaking his head since everyone knows that the defensive coordinator can't call timeout. The play was critical since it was 4th down and the Ravens would have gotten the ball back and killed the clock to end this "perfect" season. </P>
<P>Brian B and the Baltimore Boyz went on to ruin another perfect streak by dropping a game to the only team in the NFL to win only one game this year. How did that work out Brian ??? </P>
<P>Fast-forward to the last week of the season ( yeah, due to Anthony Smith's request we will skip over the Steelers debacle vs. the Pats ) when the Giants were ready to end the Patriots run at perfection on the very last week of the season. The Giants were up to the task and even had a 12 point lead in the 2nd half. After two series of sleeping while awake, the Giants' nightmare came true. Somehow they let the Patriots do what they have been doing all season long -- Win. </P>
<P>However, tonight will change that ALL. My Big Blue cup is filled with Tom Coughlin Cool-Aid and I am ready to jump on the Giants bandwagon and cheer for another Manning to win his first Super Bowl. </P>
<P>Why, do you ask -- if I am such a fan of the NFL game -- why not root for perfection. I mean we all strive for perfection in some facet of our lives. Mine is the perfect weather forecast, followed by a perfect round of golf. **I have on occasion gotten the perfect weather forecast. Golf ??? yeah, still looking for that one** Perhaps, your quest for perfection is more noble one. </P>
<P>However, the NFL is not supposed be perfect. Perfect plays, perfect schemes, perfect execution, even the perfect 1972 Dolphins but not perfect modern-day perfect 19 and 0 season long. Is there a less-than-deserving bunch than the Patriots ??? What happened to "Any Given Sunday" when the most improbable underdog is a champion for a day with a double-digit upset over a heavily favored rival ??? </P>
<P>It is time to call on the perfect candidate to save this season from the pursuit of perfection. . . .Underdog. Yes, Underdog. But this time, he is wearing a Michael Strahan #92 jersey and he, along with Eli, Plax, Amani, Brandon Jacobs and the entire Giants organization will prevail and bring the balance back to the NFL universe. </P>
<P>Go GIANTS ! ! ! ! Please ???<BR><BR>thanks for reading</P>
<P>RC </P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P><img src="http://community.whptv.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2479102" width="1" height="1">rodcowanhttp://community.whptv.com/members/rodcowan.aspxMovie Lovers Dilemma http://community.whptv.com/blogs/rods_blog/archive/2008/01/09/2368993.aspx2008-01-09T22:13:00Z2008-01-09T22:13:00Z<P>Welcome to my first blog. This was supposed to be simple and painless, however it quickly became a challenge. I had to pick and choose DVDs to bring to Harrisburg when I moved here last month and I got to thinking about that age-old question - - - what if I were to be stranded on a deserted island ??? What 50 DVDs would I want to have with me forever ???</P>
<P>Hmmm, I would be stuck with these movies on a deserted warm ocean island, so I quickly eliminated 'Jaws', 'Open Water' and 'Castaway'. Who would want to be on a deserted island watching a movie about a guy on a deserted island. ( He DOES get rescued, so maybe #51 ?? ) </P>
<P>Anyway, I quickly jotted down my favorites and got a quick 20. Apologies to the 'Academy' or film purists but these are MY favorites and not many Oscar winners or classics made on this initial list. I also have not seen many recent films so I came up with a separate list of "need to see" such as American Gangster, 300, Sin City, Blood Diamond, Heartbreak Kid, Knocked-up, etc. . . so obviously those one did not make the list either. </P>
<P>Buckle Up. . . Here we go </P>
<P>1. MADE ( Vince Vaughn fans delight -- go see it if you haven't )</P>
<P>2. Goodfellas ( really just ONE Oscar for Pesci, De Niro, Liotta, Bracco, Sorvino and Scorscese ?? ) </P>
<P>3. Pulp Fiction</P>
<P>4. Wedding Crashers </P>
<P>5. Big Lebowski ( the Dude abides . . . ) </P>
<P>6. Old School </P>
<P>7. 3000 Miles to Graceland ( No Joke -- GREAT ) </P>
<P>8. HEAT </P>
<P>9. Napolean Dynamite ( lucky. . ) </P>
<P>10. Jackie Brown ( Tarantino's second best movie ) </P>
<P>11. 40 Year Old Virgin</P>
<P>12. Crash </P>
<P>13. Doors ( I need some music right ??? ) </P>
<P>14. Snatch ( Guy Richie - Mr. Madonna film ) </P>
<P>15. Forrest Gump ( This one could entertain for me for MONTHS, plus think of all the shrimp recipes !!! ) </P>
<P>16. Scarface</P>
<P>17. Blue Streak ( Martin Lawarence, Luke Wilson, Dave Chapelle )</P>
<P>18. Sideways ( anyone for merlot ??? ) </P>
<P>19. Drugstore Cowboy ( one of Heather Graham's early roles ) </P>
<P>20. Dumb and Dumber(er)</P>
<P>Next, some classic favorites that I could not live without...</P>
<P>21. Star Wars ( mainly the 80s ones -- Empire, Jedi )</P>
<P>22. Caddyshack</P>
<P>23. Shawshank Redemption ( get busy livin' or get busy dyin' ) </P>
<P>24. Dances with Wolves ( scenery of course ) </P>
<P>25. A River Runs Through It ( fishing, fishing, fishing !!! ) </P>
<P>26. Into the Wild ( except the ending !!! ) </P>
<P>27. Very Bad Things</P>
<P>28. Dodgeball</P>
<P>29. Batman ( any of various Batmans ) </P>
<P>30. Singles</P>
<P>31. Happy Gilmore or Big Daddy ( gotta have one Adam Sandler flick )</P>
<P>32. The Departed</P>
<P>33. the Brady Bunch Movies</P>
<P>34. The Wall </P>
<P>35. Bad Boyz ( again, Martin Lawerence = funny )</P>
<P>36. Something about Mary</P>
<P>37. National Lampoon's Vacations' </P>
<P>38. Braveheart</P>
<P>39. Family Guy Movie </P>
<P>Alright, time to wrap this up and have some fun !!! I am sure that I am going to miss a favorite or two, but let's see. . . </P>
<P>40. Starsky and Hutch ( Amy Smart, Carmen Electra ) </P>
<P>41. SuperBad</P>
<P>42. Lethal Weapon ( please just the first one. . .)</P>
<P>43. Lock Stock and two smoking barrels ( Another Guy Richie movie ) </P>
<P>45. Reindeer Games ( even though it has Ben Afleck ) </P>
<P>46. American Beauty</P>
<P>47. Perfect Storm</P>
<P>48. Lord of the Rings Trilogy</P>
<P>49. Gladiator</P>
<P>50a. Michelle and Romy's High School Reunion ( hey no story needed with Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow ) </P>
<P>50b. Wild Things ( same can be said for Neve Campbell and Denise Richards ) </P>
<P>50c. Anchorman ( basically a documentary of the news business !!! ) </P>
<P>50d. Groundhog Day -- since this one would remind me of my time as a Pennsylvania weathercaster BEFORE I got stranded on this darn island !!! </P>
<P>Thanks for reading and please reply with any suggestions or your own list !!!</P>
<P> </P>
<P>RC </P><img src="http://community.whptv.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2368993" width="1" height="1">rodcowanhttp://community.whptv.com/members/rodcowan.aspx