Ugly Sunday

As a life long Marylander, you can say I'm not the biggest fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I hear that Pittsburgh is a great food town with lots to offer - as long as you're not there in the middle of winter - so I mean no disrespect to your city.  I just don't like the Steelers.  I think their QB should be in jail and their head coach is a major jerk.  Also, they're the Baltimore Ravens biggest rival, so I'm sort of hard wired to hate them.  

All of this means, that when the Ravens are set to play the Steelers, I'm simultaneously nervous and excited.  Honestly, the Ravens haven't been playing that well this year, so I sort of assumed they'd have their tails handed to them - especially when I heard that Ben would making his triumphant return for the Steelers.  I hate the guy, but you have to admit he's a good QB that gets lucky a lot of the time. But then again, the Ravens were horrible last year too and the only team they managed to beat twice was the Steelers.  It was really anyone's guess who was going to win.

What I wasn't expecting today was the ridiculous number of penalties on the Steelers side (I'm used to the Ravens getting all of them...) and the terrible playing of both teams - though thank goodness for the Ravens defense for finally learning how to play ball effectively!  It was ugly.  I'm used to ugly when it comes to these 2 teams playing, but more of an ugly, we're going to slaughter your team sense.  Today was more ugly in the sense that it seemed that both sides just sort of forgot how to play football.

Then there was the On-side kick heard round the world, which is already being called the worst play in history.  You sort of have to feel bad for the kicker, though I'm not sure a hacky-sack move was his smartest idea when the entire game was on the line.

In the end, the Ravens finally - FINALLY! - managed to win, which is super exciting, since they've lost the last 4.  However, the Ravens and Steelers will meet again, on Christmas day in Pittsburgh. I'm sure the Pittsburgh weather in December will be bad enough to make their Christmases miserable, but now they also have to deal with the Steelers having something to prove. Somehow, I think the Ravens are getting coal (or maybe Steel...see what I did there? :) in their stockings this year...

Torn

This football season, there's been a lot of talk around what players are kneeling during the anthem, and which ones aren't.  There have been quite a few that have decided to take a knee to protest their rights.  As a fan, I'm completely torn over the whole thing.

On one hand, as Americans they have the right to peacefully protest situations they find unfair.  They aren't hurting anyone and they aren't being violent, or angry.  They're quietly sharing their thoughts on the matter at hand.  That's an honorable act and something that's proven change.  I may not like it, but I believe they have the right to do it.

But on the other hand, I really don't like that they're doing it this way.  When the chatter of more players joining in began, it was September 11.  How could these players even think of anything else but honoring the first responders, the victims of the attacks and their families and friends?  Military and First Responders were at the games that weekend holding up giant flags, and some players still decided to kneel. 

Also, the players that are making millions and millions of dollars are protesting the entire US police force.  This is the same police force that is putting their lives on the line to protect them at games, and at public appearances, that aren't making a fraction of what the players are making for a single game.  Yes, there are some bad officers out there and changes do need to happen, but you can't say that every single cop is bad.  A majority of the force are good people that go to work everyday and work to keep us safe.

So that's where I am right now.  I hate seeing these players crucified for peacefully protesting, but I also hate some of these players bad-mouthing and stereotyping all police officers for doing their jobs.  

Happy Super Bowl!

It's Super Bowl day.  The Ravens aren't playing.  And Coldplay is the Half-Time show.  So really, all that's left to be excited about is the food and the commercials.

So as someone who has no stock in this game whatsoever, my choice for winner is Peyton and the Broncos.  Nothing against Carolina - though Cam Newton is a bit too cocky for me - but I'd like to see Peyton end his career (it just has to be his last game, right?) on a high. And seeing as they're ahead at half time, I'm feeling a bit confident.  

So for the first and last time, Go Broncos!

Finally, A Win!

After spending an entire lovely Sunday inside eating yummy food and relaxing, I was rewarded with a Ravens win.  For the last 6 years, this really hasn't been something to celebrate - it happened pretty much every week.  But this season, after 5 long weeks of going without one - it was fabulous to see it finally happen.  Even if it almost didn't - Thank God for Justin Tucker!

Between the Ravens-Chargers and the other games that have been on, on and off all day, I've learned a few things.  One being, for some reason, players are getting hurt WAY too often this season. Seriously, I thought it was just the Ravens.  I mean they've been getting hurt a lot too. But the Chargers lost 10 players to injury today. 10!  That's ridiculous!  Has the turf changed? Have they gotten new types of cleats?  Are players getting clumsier?  What's changed?  Why are players getting hurt so much?

Of course, the Ravens are definitely having a rough time too.  After losing Steve Smith for a game or two with a back injury, they were lucky to get him back - just so he could play some awesome football, then end his season with a foot injury.  On top of the other players we have sitting on the bench each week - 4-5 per game...There has to be something that's different this season!

Then there's the officiating.  While I'm not saying it's always against the Ravens, it does seem to be against them a lot.  However, it's happening in other games too.  It just seems a bit sloppy.  The networks have official reporters in the booth that are saying one thing, then the ones on the field, say something completely different that makes no sense.  In today's game, there was a glaring off sides call - in favor of the Chargers so I suppose I shouldn't be too upset about it - that was completely missed.  The Raven jumped over the line directly in front of the official, and yet nothing was called!  WTH?

Lastly, the City of Baltimore should canonize Justin Tucker's right foot!  Basically, he won today's game today and I just love the dude : )

Let's at Least Try for a Win!

As everyone knows, the Ravens are having a rough season.  That's actually quite the understatement.  What they're have is the worst season they've ever had in the 20 years they've been a franchise.  Needless to say, Sundays aren't nearly as fun as they usually are. But even with all that, I'm still pretty happy with who we have on the team.  Out guys know how to have fun and that just makes them more lovable - not as lovable as they'd get some touchdowns, but it's a start.

First up is Justin Tucker pretty much just being his amazing self.  Seeing as he's the only one that's been putting points on the board, the fact that he does all of this too, makes him my personal favorite right now - which usually means we'll trade him in the off-season, just before I've bought his jersey...

Then there's our fairly overpaid QB, Joe Flacco.  I love the guy, I really do. But honestly, making $120 million, he should be so much better than he is.  But, possibly, when this football thing doesn't quite pan out, he might have a future in comedy - as the very straight man.
           

As I'm writing this, the Ravens are up by 3 points but they've also just fumbled the ball.  So there's that.  Fingers crossed, we can manage the win.  If for nothing else than to cheer up the city of Baltimore...

Currently...

Watching: Bones, Rosewood and San Francisco be destroyed by the Seahawks (seeing as they beat us on Sunday, I'm secretly quite pleased with this game!) Also, the Nationwide, Peyton Manning commercial - LOVE IT!

Wondering: Why in the world some people can't just be normal.  I'm not saying I want everyone to be absolutely the same (so the opposite actually!), but it would be nice for some people in particular to just do their job quietly and kindly.  It would be fabulous for the rest of us, if those people didn't flip out for no reason whatsoever or for those people to actually understand business in general, seeing as they're making twice what I'm making.  I'd really like to just do my job, and not have to do theirs as well. (Yes it was one of those days and it's super frustrating!)

Resisting: I'm trying desperately not to fall asleep until after I finish this post I've been avoiding since about 7:45 when I sat down in front of this laptop.  This is why this post is fairly boring - it has to be said : )

Annoyed With: The ridiculous Maryland autumn weather patterns.  It was quite chilly earlier this week.  I had the heat on and I was bundled up in a jacket each morning.  Today? Today it was 82 degrees.  Seriously dudes!?  I'm ok with the 80s but if you're going to get cold again next week, I'd rather you just get on with it.  It'd be much easier to decide what to wear to work each morning.

Quite Happy With: My Austin album, which is done within a week of me coming home, I might add. That's gotta be a new record for me in regards to scrapbooking.  And seeing as the new album for 2016's attempt at Project Life arrived this week, I'm feeling pretty good about the prospects of actually finishing this time around. 

Ugly...

If it weren't so sad, it would almost be laughable.  It's like the Ravens are the bad news bears.  They can't do a single thing right.  They throw interceptions.  They can't tackle to save their lives.  The defense lets players come right through with the ball.  Even Justin Tucker missed a field goal.  The Justin Tucker that has the best record in the league and yet, managed to miss.  Of course, the 3 points would have been nice to have but it wouldn't have won the game.  They still would have lost by 2 instead of 5.  Ugh!  How can one team go from winning the Super Bowl 2 years ago to having the absolute worst record - 1 and 5 - in the entire league? 

But hey, at least there's always good food to be had.  Thank goodness my dad's a great cook or Sundays would be way too depressing!

Will They Ever Win?

Seriously?! 0 and 3 for the first time ever in the history of the team. After this embarrassment, they're traveling to Pittsburgh to play their big rivals.  So I'm begging you guys, for the love of god, please just win, at least once.  I don't foresee a trip to the playoffs and I'm definitely not seeing a Super Bowl chance, but at least one darn win would be most welcome.  Especially in Steelers country playing against the god awful Michael Vick (as opposed to the god awful Roethlisberger...)  

At the moment, in the 3rd quarter, they're down by 6.  

So you know, I'm not thinking they're hearing my desperate pleas...Ugh!

Ravens Home Opener

Notice I didn't title this post with any quippy Go Ravens!  or Woohoo!  Because it was most definitely not woohoo worthy.  Granted my mom and I had suite seats and it was a gorgeous day and our food and tickets were free.  However, it would have been a nicer day had they actually shown up and done the job they were supposed to do, instead of letting the Bengals run right over them.  

Hello 0 & 3.  It totally stinks to meet you!

 Doesn't it look like the Bengals are lining up for some bizarro version of A Chorus Line?

It's impossible to un-see this...Good luck!

Currently...

Please excuse the mundane this evening, my brain is fried...

Watching (Actually bingeing): Psych - I'm 3.5 seasons from the end.  I'm working toward finishing before the new season starts on Monday.  I don't think even I can watch it quick enough.

Reading: A Seaside Affair by Fern Britton.  I read The Holiday Home last year and loved it. I'm even more in love with this one since it's based on Cornwall.  One of these days I'm going to get down there.  For now, I'll just have to read and dream.

Feeling: Quite warm.  I "officially" turned off the air on Monday since it's been chilly in the mornings.  However, it's now 80 degrees in here and I'm a bit toasty.  I plan to go to bed in a few minutes and I'm pretty sure, before I do, the AC's coming with me.

Crafting: A surprise present for someone special, Christmas cards and my England album.  All of which are way too stressful than they should be.

Wondering: If the Chiefs can manage to beat the Broncos this evening.  I hope so mostly because I'm so tired of hearing Manning's name and the Broncos beat us this weekend so they deserve to lose!

Googling: Austin Texas places to eat. Vancouver (places to eat if you really must know), Drexel U online, how to unclog a drain naturally

Loving: FREE Project Life Printables on Pinterest.  FREE!!!  How awesome is that!?

Are you Ready for Some Football!?

You know if I'm actually rooting for the Steelers, the other team has done something very, very wrong.  In this case, it's the Patriots.  And yes, they have done something very, very wrong.  They cheated!  Not to harp on this, but come on!  

In this instance, the entire team is so utterly tone deaf to the whole situation, it's disgusting. Other than the entire broadcasting crew for NBC, most people know they cheated.  And yet, the Patriots come onto the field like returning heroes.  They flash that trophy all over the place and have projections of Super Bowl Champions in the stands and on all the screens. And the announcers and the fans in Boston are fine to go along with it, even praising them for their "perfection."  The only time the announcers forget about how "fantastically awesome" Roethlisberger is supposedly, is when Tom Brady is playing. They treat him like the hero he thinks he is.  So much for unbiased...  

It's the complete and utter pomposity of the team (Not sure that's even a word - I'm so angry I'm creating words now!) that really gets under my skin.  They just don't get it.  I'd like to think that Karma is going to kick them in the butt.  Fingers crossed.  At least knock them down a peg or 2...

For now, and this is the only time you'll ever hear me say this - Go Steelers!

Friday Five

1. The Crayon Initiative: I love, love, love this idea!  This man decided to do something great with all those leftover crayons you see on restaurant tables.  He re-melts them and makes them into bigger crayons for little fingers and then ships them off to children who need them.  How great is that!?

2.  John Harbaugh: Even though I'm having a hard time getting excited for Raven's season, it's hard not to still love Coach Harbaugh.  Most especially this week for his mid game interview.  I'm not sure if people in Maryland saw any of this, but during last week's mid game interview, he got a bit snippy with the on-field reporter.  Not very happy with the questions he was being asked, he snapped "why don't you give me a real question, then I'll answer it...?"  After being chastised by fans all week for being a bit of jerk, he decided to make it up to everyone last night in his usual sarcastic way.  After the very first question, by the VERY same reporter from last week, he smirked and said " Oh, I like that question."  Ha!  
3. Skillshare: I'm a sucker for learning new crafty endeavors and apparently clicking on sponsored posts on Twitter too.  After seeing one for Skillshare this morning, I decided to see what it was all about.  Basically it's Lynda.com for crafty people.  Their focus is on typography, photography, cooking, crafting, even organization.  I'm already in love!  Now just to choose what new crafty things I want to learn...

4. "The Traveling Tea Shop" by Belinda Jones.  It's one of the many, many books I bought in England.  Of course, I didn't realize the book is actually based here in the states.  But there is an English connection so at least there's that.  It's adorable for anyone who loves sweets, travel, England and New England.  Such a great book that I can't wait to finish!

5. 3 Day weekends are my most favorite thing in the whole wide world.  Even though this one marks the end of Summer, it's still lovely to say "see you on Tuesday!"  Happy Labor Day just a bit early!

NFL Woes

How can football season look so bleak when it hasn't even officially started yet?  This week marks the last of the pre-season games and yet, I'm already not feeling optimistic about the season itself.  It's so frustrating!  I mean, most of it has to do with the Ravens but some of it also has to do with the NFL itself.

They managed to finally grab the chance to hold their ground and suspend Tom Brady for Deflategate.  However, some how, the case went to court and the judge overturned the suspension.  So he's basically getting away with cheating to win a Super Bowl with absolutely no punishment whatsoever.  Even his team and coach took the brunt of the penalty.  They decided to pay the fine so they could get on with life - basically saying but not actually saying they were guilty.  Yet, he decided he was better than them and used his money to throw at his problem.  

And apparently, it worked! Ugh!  I'd like to think this might hurt his chances at the Hall of Fame later on down the line, but with his ways of skirting the rules, I doubt it very much.

Then of course, there's the Ravens.  I know the pre-season means nothing.  I know tonight's game was basically try-outs for the new season, but come on!  They were losing 20-6 for most of the game, getting stupid penalty after stupid penalty.  At least they managed to get 13 points on the bored in the last quarter.  But they got greedy and tried the fancy 2 pointer to get the win instead of the tie.  Newsflash - there's no overtime in pre-season.  You could have just walked away with the tie and everyone would have been happy.  

Nope, not so much.  Now we walk away with a 1-3 record for the pre-season and if that's any indicator of the season itself, I'll be very bummed and Harbaugh will need to start drinking - heavily...

Football Season is Here!

That was how I felt about 3 hours ago when this game started.  Sure last week's game was a bust (the Ravens lost 41-17 - or something equally as ugly) but this was the first week I was going to be home to actually watch the game. Surely my mere presence would tip the scales in our favor.  

And in the first quarter, that looked like it would be the case.  After the first possession we took the lead by a TD.  It was wonderful!  This game was going to be a full on trouncing of the Redskins.  Then it all went very, very bad.  The Redskins Defense decided to pile drive a Ravens player which led to a bench clearing brawl that even included the coaches.  Harbaugh tried to break the fight up but managed to get into it himself when Jay Gruden decided to yell something nasty at him.  Good on Harbaugh!  But he's very lucky he didn't get tossed like Steve Smith did...

After Steve Smith's ejection, it all went downhill.  Redskin TD after TD occurred until the point when we lost 31-13.  Seriously!?  All the while the players seemed to either be getting hurt on the field or laughing and joking on the sidelines.  WTH?  I feel that they're in for a serious come to Jesus meeting when they get back to the locker room - after the way Harbaugh yelled at Gruden, then snapped at a reporter during a live shot, and then yelled at a Ref, it would appear he's just not in the mood for crap tonight.  

Please don't tell me that this is what the rest of the season is going to look like.  I was pretty excited about football until I saw them play.  

Football was nice while it lasted, but maybe I need a new sport for the winter. I hear Hockey's nice...

Friday Five

1. Ombre Ink Pads by Hero Arts - I'm so in love with these!  I had no idea how they would translate Ombre to ink, honestly I still don't, but they're beautiful!  I will most definitely be ordering them - possibly in every color...

Seriously, how can you resist?

2. I know I've been on the anti-Brady soapbox for the last week, but this was too good for words - and just so darn true!

3. Bestie Row - I've been seeing the Tiny house trend on and off for the last few years.  And while some people long for mansions the size of Texas, I think I could be super happy in a tiny house.  Of course it would need some major upgrades but these houses aren't much smaller than what I currently live in.  And how could living in a tiny village with all your best friends, be anything but good?  They also get bonus points because they used the term "Bestie" which is what my best friend and I call each other. I'm already drawing up plans for our very own Bestie Row and yes, she thinks I'm as crazy as I'm sure you do : )

4. Literary Nurseries - I really need a baby...  Loving everyone of these ideas! Except maybe Poe.  Who wants to introduce a baby to Poe?

5. I LOVE this! ; )

        

Justice & Tulips

What started as your usual, run of the mill crappy Monday, quickly turned around this afternoon when story of the suspension and fines due to Deflate gate broke.  I've never been so happy to eat my words.  I was pretty convinced the commissioner would let the story slide with no punishment to Brady or the team.  But $1 million and 4 games later, it seems that's not the case.  

My only complaint is that Belichick didn't really get punished.  This is, after all, his second offense.  He should at least lose a few thousand dollars. Because you know he knew about it. I'm willing to bet it was his idea in the first place!

My favorite thought on the whole thing, comes from Will Ferrell, who I'm usually not a fan of.  However, his tweet was too cute to resist.

To top it all off, on top of the sports justice, I received flowers for the first time in a very long time, at work, no less.  Woohoo!  This week is looking up!

Cheaters Never Prosper - Except When They Do

The story on Tom Brady and the Patriots knowing about "Deflategate" was my most favorite story of the day. Honestly, after all the denials and press conferences, it came out that what everyone knew to be true, actually happened.  It's good to see that they might get a bit more scrutiny as well as lose some of the respect of the fans.  

But I doubt it.  

What I really want to know is, what happens to the team now?  Because of the deflated balls, they went on to the Super Bowl and won.  Will that be taken away from them?  Will they lose the endorsements and money they made from that huge game? Doubtful.  I like to think they will.  I like to think they will hold these players to a higher standard.  But it's proven that for some reason the Patriots are beyond that level of scrutiny (they're already on Strike 2 after a previous dalliance with the rules a few years ago).  And I doubt that the Seahawks will want to have the "win" that way either.  

So I guess, I can just be happy with Karma biting them some time in the near future.  I just have to believe that they'll get their just desserts, because they deserve it and we all know that people always get what they deserve...

Sports-a-palooza

Somehow, all of the stars aligned today, to give sports fans, one entire day of nothing but fantastic events to watch.  Now, while I'm a fan, I have to say, there isn't one sporting event I was super excited about today.  If we were talking football season, I could be inclined to be a crazy sports fan but instead, the sports that are dominating today, are kinda boring.

Up first was baseball - Yankees at Red Sox.  Since I'm an Orioles fan, I could care less about who won.  However, because I'm an O's fan, I will always root against the dirty Yanks.

Then it was NFL Draft day.  I love football and I love the Ravens, but honestly, what's more boring than watching Roger Goodell read out names all day?

Up next, was the NHL Playoffs; in which the Capitals are playing.  I'm actually a Caps fan, so I have to say, I'm invested in this one.  However, because the Stanley Cup Playoffs seem to last months on end each year, I sort of ignore the games until the final.

Then of course, it was Derby Day, which is exciting, but so much more exciting if you're joining in on the fun in Kentucky wearing a nice hat and having a mint julep.  It's also only exciting for like the 3 minutes the race takes.  If I want to see a horserace, I'll wait until the Preakness rolls around. At least that one's here in MD.

Lastly, it's the Mayweather - Paquiao fight; of which I have no stake in whatsoever.  How anyone thinks that with all the violence that exists today, watching 2 grown men beat the crap out of each other is enjoyable, is completely beyond me.  Not to mention, the fact that Mayweather hasn't been expelled from the sport after going to jail for beating his wife, is completely reprehensible.  On that note alone, I'll be hoping Paquiao wins, but I will most definitely not be watching the violence.

While I'm sure all the fans out there were enjoying themselves greatly, I'll just sit here and wait for NFL season to start.  At least then I'll have something to root for.  Let's go Ravens!

So Sad!

After last year's disappointing trade of Anquan Boldin, I was pretty much done with the Ravens.  I had no faith in them ever making it to the Super Bowl again, let alone the Playoffs. I had finally gotten over it, then the Ray Rice thing happened (I won't mention what the Ray Rice thing is, because you've most likely read about it a million times, and if you haven't, you've heard it mentioned in every single NFL story since the time it happened) and I lost what little faith I had regained.  They handled the situation terribly and should have canned him immediately.  Instead the fall out caused a huge uproar and the team lost serious focus.

But then they started winning, and actually hit the playoffs.  It was wonderful to see them do so well and overcome the rough patch they had seen in the beginning of the season. They all banded together as a team to get the job done.

But then the off season came, with its trades and sales.  That brings us to this week. Apparently, the Ravens have deemed this week "clean house of every good player we have to make room in the salary cap for other players that are not as good."  I'm not sure it has a great ring to it and I'm hoping it doesn't really catch on. If so, we might as well just start rooting for the Dead-skins, oops, I meant the Redskins.  

Seriously!?  Torrey Smith - Gone.  Haloti Ngata - Gone.  Jacoby Jones - Gone.  Pernell McPhee - Gone.  Owen Daniels - Gone. Yep, those are some seriously good players that we've now given to other teams.  How depressing is that?  What's even worse, I'm beginning to think it's me.  

I had 2 jerseys - Ed Reed and Todd Heap.  Ed Reed got let go and Todd Heap retired.  So I planned to buy a new one after the super bowl - Anquan Boldin.  Lucky for me I waited just long enough to see the poor guy get traded.  Then I was going to get me a Ray Rice - we all know how that played out.  But lucky again, I didn't waste my money.  This year?  It was going to be Torrey Smith.  Ugh!

I know we're told to Keep Calm and Trust in Ozzie (Newsome - the general manager) but it's becoming harder and harder to do that.  I'm hoping he has a plan, because right now, I'm not seeing it...

Holy Wind Batman!

Because of the crazy, insane and cold winds blowing through MD, I may or may not get kicked off the internet for like the 10th time this evening.  So if this is short and sweet, you'll understand...Have I mentioned that winter is awesome!?

As most people know, yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday.  When I posted last evening, I was feeling just a bit too cocky.  The Seahawks were up by 10 and the win looked like a lock.  Yeah, as you may know, it wasn't...

The Good: 

~ The Always Ad Campaign - #LikeAGirl.  Loved it!  
~ Idina Menzel nailing the National Anthem.  Don't you think she would have been a better half time show than Katy Perry?
~ Chris Pratt and Chris Evans betting on the winner of the game.  Instead of wagering cash, they wagered trips to Children's Hospitals dressed as their Marvel character.  The kicker? Even the loser is planning on making the trip to the hospital in character as well.

The Bad:

~ I'll say it again.  Really Nationwide? Did a dead kid really say Super Bowl to you?
~ Seeing Tom Brady's stupid face after winning for a 4th time.
~ Russel Wilson throwing the game winning interception instead of just handing the ball off to the open Marshawn Lynch.  WTH?!
~ The fight at the end, and the clearly distasteful "celebration" after the Seahawks scored their first TD.  

The Ugly:

~ Dancing sharks.  Need I say more?
~ Tom Brady's celebration jumps after the win.  He looked even more ridiculous than he usually does.
~ The call that Pete Carroll (or some other coach on the Seahawks staff) made to throw the ball in last few seconds.  Someone deserves to be fired to say the least.