While watching the Cavs, I was thinking (because of the blowout), what nickname should we bestow upon Vinnie Chulk of the Indians? Chulk-A-Mania! or the Incredible Chulk? I know "Gas Can" is probably the leader in the clubhouse and let's hope they don't blow that 15-2 lead today.

Things I've Tried Lately:

Arnold Palmer Half-and-Half. I picked this up at Marc's, mainly so I could say, "Hey, I'm drinking Arnold Palmer!". Arizona Teas may distribute this, but it's half lemonade and half iced tea and Arnie has his photo on the jug. Whole lemonade or whole iced tea probably tastes better. Uh, maybe I should have had it on a golf course.

Santitas. Did you know they are only $2? Why, it says so, right on the bag! Not bad. It's a Frito-Lay product.

Tangos. This is a Shearer's product and I like it a lot. Get the cantina style tortilla chips. My God, some of these flavors these companies come up with I wouldn't touch. Shearer's is as guilty as any with their Hot Dog-flavored potato chips. A big WTF? on that one.

Mad Monks Salsa. I really like this stuff. I am not that much of a salsa person. I've only tried the Hot, but this is exactly how I like mine. Thick, with a big heat factor. Another Marc's purchase but Dave's has it, as well. More expensive than the typical brands, about $3.99 a jar.

Step Right Up. This is a combo hot dog/donut shop in Hudson and I've had a hot dog from there before, that was OK but way overpriced, especially when Sheetz runs that 2/99 cents deal. You know, I loves my Sheetz! Anyhow, both times I've been to this joint, I'm the only one there. Now, I don't eat a lot of donuts, but these are tremendous. They have a filled glaze that is unbelievable, with lemon or raspberry. The best donut I've had in a while. I'd go back for the donuts, but not the dogs.

Meal of Links






















The AT&T Blue Room has Coachella this weekend (like Los Campesinos! above). Pretty good lineup and a different video player this year.

I will be heading off to see "Crank 2" tomorrow. Here's how Jason Statham became the world's biggest B-movie star.

Here's how "The Mentalist" became a hit. "Familiar and unremarkable" seems to be the ticket.

Thief returns stolen car. Got tired of the victim calling him. A lot. Then he gave up.

A shoutout to "Ball Four". I still remember Jim Bouton's manager, Joe Schultz, and his favorite curse word: "Shitfuck."

Julia Stiles talks about her new haunt, Citi Field. Quotes like "...but the only place you'll find a quicker ladies room is at a Rush concert -- I know from experience." and "...but honestly -- fish at a baseball game? The Mets don't even have a single Japanese player on their roster, and New York is known for its hot dogs. Period." I like her.

Tyler Hamilton basically throws in the towel. A pretty sad story.

Exercise Yard

A long read about Todd Marinovich. Mankok, be very careful next week, when drafting.

Visitor

41 Across: "Platoon" actor Willem (5 letters) Answer: Dafoe

Actually saw a crime on my way home from the CSU game this evening. Nothing earth shattering, I guess it's a big deal if it happens to you, but it was a bike theft. There is some laundry or pizza place or some takeout joint near Denison on 25th and a few blocks earlier, while at a stoplight, we saw a youth riding a bike while guiding a riderless bike next to him. I told my Dad I guess if you're gonna steal one, that's the way to do it.

As we motored near Denison, we noticed another youth hauling ass out from this storefront, running next to a bike. Wouldn't you know it, a guy came out chasing him, but couldn't keep up. I felt bad for the guy, because who knows if that's his main mode of transport. I'm guessing he was inside and had his back facing the bike and the kid decided to take a chance and pilfer it. Real shame, because it must be tough to catch these kids.

Meal of Links

Salma is employing her Hayeks for the greater good. Does she have to do this everywhere she goes from this time forward? I'm sure she'll be approached by lots of hungry men.

Peter Gabriel says, "Nope." to performing at the Oscars. Seems the new producers want the nominated songs to be sung as a medley (Halle-fuckin'-lujah) and Gabriel thinks he doesn't have enough time to convey the song properly.

Mindfuck Movies. The title is self-explanatory. There are some gems in here. I still like "Jacob's Ladder" when Danny Aiello gets all pissed off. I have seen "Memento" in the last several months and this holds up extremely well. And, of course, "Mulholland Drive", which I saw at the Cedar-Lee with a small crowd and had some of the weirdest experiences I've ever had at the movies. I still can't shake the appearance of this old couple who wandered into the theater about halfway through. They resembled the old couple in the movie and absolutely freaked me out as they kinda wandered around for a few minutes, then left. Bizarre.

This Michael Phelps case with the bong is getting way out of control. They should watch his SNL appearance, which was enough punishment for all involved, then drop the witch hunt.

I thought the Joaquin Phoenix appearance on Letterman last night was pure genius. It has an air of Andy Kaufman to it and it's Dave at his prickly best. I don't think it's sinister at all. You can see Phoenix almost bursting into laughter after some of Dave's zingers. And more importantly at the conclusion, he seems to be offering if not an apology, at least an explanation of what happened. He takes off his glasses and offers Dave a handshake as he starts to talk to him.

Remember when Lance Armstrong said his comeback would be monitored by the most vigorous dope testing available. Not so fast, my friend.

Exercise Yard

My Dad and I were "Greening the Wolstein" or whatever tonight's promotion was. It was 8-5 Cleveland State and 9-4 UW-Milwaukee in another big game for CSU in the Horizon League. CSU has set its eyes on third-place which guarantees a home league tournament game.

CSU had another excellent first half, leading by 19 at one time. But Milwaukee came back early in the second half and eventually got within 3 at 46-43. Then it seemed the foul calls turned in CSU's favor. I think by game's end, it was 11 for Milwaukee and only 3 for CSU. The Milwaukee coach basically gave up at the 5-minute mark, seemingly frustrated by the refereeing. He left 4 timeouts on the table and even the Vikings had two left at the end. Hence, we were well on our way home before 9:00.

CSU wins, 70-61. Next up: Second-place Wisconsin-Green Bay on Saturday. Home schedule closes out next Wednesday against the Fighting Penguins of Youngstown State.

Visitor

15 Across: Golfer Mickelson (6 letters) Answer: FIGJAM

Questions about A-Rod's steroid use. One thing that irks me is how can a private test become public. I think MLBPA has a lot of explaining to do.

But let's look at A-Rod's stats.

In his second full season, 1997, it is the only season he hit less than 35 homers, knocked in less than 106 and slugged less than .500. This was after 1996, when he was #2 in the MVP voting.

So, he comes back in 1998. Has 213 hits (career high), steals 46 bases (career high), homers 42 times, knocks in 124. And, with all that, finishes 9th in the MVP voting! Behind the rogue's gallery of Juan Gone, Nomar, Jeter, Junior, Mo Vaughn, Manny, Bernie Williams, and Albert Belle and right in front of Pudge and 20-game winner in Toronto, Roger Clemens. No wonder the guy juiced.



















In 1999, he only plays 129 games, but still hits 42 homers and knocks in 111, hits only .285 and finishes 15th in the MVP. Behind: Pudge, Pedro, Robby Alomar, Manny, Palmeiro, Jeter, Nomar, Giambi, Shawn Green, Junior, Bernie Williams, Delgado, Juan Gone and Mariano Rivera.

After that season, he's at the highest level of the league each year. So, they have a bad test from 2003, but he had to have started earlier.

OK, he admitted he started in 2001. I thought so.

Meal of Links

Recent government spending would pay off 90% of all U.S. mortgages. That's $9.7 trillion.

Growing rich by blogging is a myth. BTW, has anyone ever seen a Vermont Teddy Bear?

The new cast of "Dancing With the Stars" has been announced. LT? Are you kidding me? Several train wrecks are in this bunch.

How to fix the Grammys. And if you watched all 3.5 hours last night, you know it needs help. Desperately.

An interview with Flight of the Conchords. Sort of a "band meeting".

Exercise Yard

Lance is back. The Amgen Tour of California starts Saturday.

Visitor

71 Across: Late-night Jay (4 letters) Answer: Leno