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Let’s Get Reel: Boys State

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Covering American Legion baseball for several years, I always got invited to the end-of-year awards dinner, held at the local Legion post. It was usually a pizza party and then awards were handed out to the team. For most of the time I attended this event, it also served as a chance for the girls the Legion post sponsored for Girls State in Charleston to speak on their experience there. I always enjoyed that aspect. Most of the time, the girls did not get into much detail, but I have always had an interest in politics, locally and beyond, so … Continue reading Let’s Get Reel: Boys State

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College Football Power Ratings, Preseason

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With the college football season just a couple of weeks ago, it it time to release the IAW power ratings. We have switched things up slightly this year. In previous years, the PR number was equalized to where the top team was a 0, and then the teams below had a PR equal to what they would be underdogs by against the top team. This year, we are flipping that to more mirror what people are accustomed to–higher number means better team. The power rating is still equalized relative to the top team, but now the numbers would be subtracted … Continue reading College Football Power Ratings, Preseason

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Book Nook: 12 Practices of a Real Champion

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My wife Sarah and I actually read a fair amount of the same books. We have largely different personalities, but largely overlapping interests. Hey, we make it work. A few months ago, she attended a work-related training with a guest speaker, Steve Thomas. He gave out little books to the attendees. My interest was piqued when she said he was an assistant coach for Sacred Heart Griffin football. Any old sports reporter in my parts is automatically going to know the connotations of success that go with that distinction. Five state titles and four runner-up finishes since 1995 alone. So, … Continue reading Book Nook: 12 Practices of a Real Champion

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Poem: Comfortless

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By Edgar A. Guest As found in Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book I found him underneath a tree“And what is wrong,” quoth I,“That you so solemn seem to beUnder this summer sky?” “The birds above you gayly sing,The wildflowers brightly bloom,What is this awful, horrid thingWhich seeks to seal your doom?” Round the children romp and play,The gentle breezes blow,Sad stranger, tell to me I prayThe burden of your woe. “I do not see the sunbeams dance,Nor hear the birds,” said he.“There’s something faulty with my stance,I can’t get off the tee.” “All day I’ve shanked my mashie shot,My putts … Continue reading Poem: Comfortless

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Branch on Fire: Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

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I’ve been watching Peaky Blinders of late, so it seemed like a good time to kill of my bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey Caskmates, Stout Edition. Yeah, I know, lengthy freaking name. This was a bottle given to me a while back, purchased by someone who liked the IPA version but did not love them. I agree. the IPA version was better with it’s hopped up profile. Still, there is nothing wrong with this bottle for it’s $30 price profile (or $50.90 if you live in Fairfield). The Stout portion comes from aging Jameson whiskey in barrels previously used by … Continue reading Branch on Fire: Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

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Book Nook: Legacy of Ashes, The History of the CIA

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I’ve been plugging along with my reading, but it has been a while since I wrote up a quick review of anything I have read. I wanted to do that for this book, because it has been one of the more interesting reads of the year for me, even if it is about 13 years after it came out. Legacy of Ashes was written by Tim Weiner, a veteran reporter for the New York Times. It was published in 2008 and covers the history of the agency, from formation in post WWII through the second Bush administration. This is one … Continue reading Book Nook: Legacy of Ashes, The History of the CIA

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Branch on Fire: Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye

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I’m mostly a whiskey guy when it comes to my firewater, but I’m an equal opportunity guy. So I was intrigued when I saw the Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye blend on Flaviar, the spirit subscription service I use for delivery. Named after the tailor turned spy of the Revolutionary War, HMRR is a new take on an old recipe, lifted from the times of the man himself. This is part spirt, part heavy-hitting cocktail. The recipe: Here is what makes up this blended drink:50 percent rum (3 different Caribbean rums from Jamaica and Guyana)50 percent rye (3 different Ryes, … Continue reading Branch on Fire: Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye