Saturday, November 27, 2010

Master Post and/or Post Master Thread

"Does Donahoe realize what he's in for? Fare thee well, my friend"

This may be SoSG's most flexible post to date. As you will soon see, not only are there multiple uses for it, but there are two categories of uses:

Use Category 1: Master Post for College FB Games. There are a number of big games featuring top-10 opponents:

  • #3 TCU vs New Mexico - I guess I'll root for TCU just to create more controversy over the BCS system.
  • #5 LSU vs Arkansas - Go Razorbacks! I'm actually indifferent towards both teams, but for DB's and P Ditty's sake, I'll root for Arkansas (plus, see next bullet)
  • Oregon State vs #6 Stanford - Go Stanford! It would be sweet to have two Pac-10 teams end up in the top 5, especially after last year's conference meltdown (and this year's predicted sad showing in hoops).
  • Northwestern vs #7 Wisconsin - Go Northwestern! I like purple and am trying to avoid cheese.
  • Michigan vs #8 Ohio St - I guess I'll root for Michigan. It wouldn't mind seeing an upset featuring the Yankees of college football as victim.
  • #13 Oklahoma vs #9 Oklahoma St - If every there were two top-15 teams heading into an arch-rivalry game that I truly didn't care about, this is it.
  • #10 Michigan St vs Penn St - Go Spartans! Why? Because 10 years ago I won an NCAA hoops pool thanks to Michigan State's victory. Or was it Orel that won? I can't remember. But I hate Penn St. Ok, that's the real reason.

Use Category 2: Postmaster General Discussion. As we all know, on December 3, Patrick R Donahoe will be taking over as Postmaster General after 9 years of John E Potter. No doubt the postal service is facing major challenges - it recently reported losses of $8.5 billion over the last fiscal year, despite cost reductions of $9 billion over the past 2 years. And volume of mail delivered dropped to 170.6 billion from 176.7 billion the previous year (no word on how volume of mail sent matched up with these numbers). But Donahoe, educated at Pittsburgh and MIT, and COO of the Postal Service the past 5 years, is ready for the challenges. "The Postal Service is my bitch," I imagine him saying in lieu of any actual quotes I could find. "I hope she's ready, cuz I'm headin' in!"

Good luck Patrick. And C'mon everyone else...do your part and mail stuff!!*

So there are your two use categories. Enjoy the freedom and enjoy the rest of the long weekend.

*"C'mon everyone - mail stuff!!" - that's my proposal for the Postal Service's new slogan. Please support me in this cause. Donahoe, are you listening??

Photo of Kellen Moore from AP/Cathleen Allison

140 comments:

Orel said...

Isn't LSU playing USPS today?

Kyle Baker said...

I took Fed Ex and the points in the afternoon matchup.

ps- Thanks for the incredible flexibility in this thread. Because normally I feel so constrained having to stay strictly on point while posting my usual masterful insight.

Kyle Baker said...

On the postal service tip, as they move toward no Saturday delivery, why don't they consider spreading out the delivery days better? Skip Wednesday or Thursday instead of Saturday, because then that would mean three days essentially between mail delivery events. I don't know how I could go that long between getting shitloads of useless ads that I immediately recycle.

Eric Karros said...

Yeah we're trying to loosen things up around here. We'll see how it goes.

Eric Karros said...

DB - yeah I totally agree. I imagine it's tied to business mail volume, and there's prob some economies of scale savings by doing the two off-days consecutively, but from my pov I'd prefer Wednesdays no mail vs Saturday.

Kyle Baker said...

For all the failures, miscalculations, etc. that the postal service has made over the years, it's funny to hear of them actually looking at trying to achieve cost efficiencies. A better starting point may be not having so many shitty carriers who talk on their cell phones and listen to their iPods while dilly-dallying around instead of delivering my mail before freaking 6:30 at night. They could train a chimp to be a better carrier than the one our neighborhood has.

Kyle Baker said...

Glad you guys are trying to loosen things up around here. *loosens ascot*

Eric Karros said...

Postal workers should work as TSA airport agents for a day to see how good they have it.

And potentially for future job training as well, given how each occupation is trending.

Kyle Baker said...

*nervous up in dis bish*

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

a

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Torture post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Opens first beer post]]]

Eric Karros said...

I see mlasc is using this thread as smonkstakes practice. Not one of the stated use categories, but ok, I'll allow it.

Eric Karros said...

Ready for the NU-Wisconsin game. With occasional checking into LSU-Arkansas.

Eric Karros said...

[[[support use of brackets post]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Thanks EK post]]]

Eric Karros said...

2:30 into the game: Wisconsin 7 Northwestern 0.

Eric Karros said...

I think I'll go watch School of Scoundrels on the Comedy Channel for awhile.

Kyle Baker said...

[[Takes off ascot, call the Hogs]]]

Kyle Baker said...

Beer status: Sam Adams Winter Lager

Surly factor: suppressed by nervousness

I need to make some Rotel to relax myself.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[points out Dusty used only two brackets post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

See how nervous I am? Can't even punctuate correctly. I'm falling apart!

Kyle Baker said...

Clearly I'm not as nervous as the players on both sides, who can't seem to hold on to the ball today.

Eric Karros said...

{{{Razorback fumble recovery}}}

Kyle Baker said...

@Mr C

Thanks for sending me that Paul's Boutique rhyme. Soothing.

Kyle Baker said...

::: Razorback FG fail :::

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You think you're nervous, Dusty? Les Miles is chewing a piece of of his clipboard right now.

Oh wait, it's Les Miles, so that could mean anything.

Eric Karros said...

Northwestern 0, Wisconsin 14

School for Scoundrels is not working.

Kyle Baker said...

I want to beat Les Miles like US in a Granada invasion.

Kyle Baker said...

::: LSU FG fail :::

Kyle Baker said...

Hell yeah, Mallet. Open dis bish up now that everyone got they jitters out.

Eric Karros said...

Northwestern picked off again.

40 Days and 40 Nights is on the Encore Love channel. I think I'll watch that for awhile. Yeah.

Eric Karros said...

FG fail is the name of the game this weekend. Just ask Boise St.

Kyle Baker said...

I think the verb form is "Florida Stated"

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Touchdown Arkansas]]]

Eric Karros said...

LSU 0, Razorbacks 7

Kyle Baker said...

Seven-nil up in dis bish!

Kyle Baker said...

Just received text from my Mom in Little Rock:

"trying not to be hopeful"

Defensive pessimism runs in the family, I guess.

Kyle Baker said...

DAMMIT!

Eric Karros said...

Executive Summary:

-On ABC: NU 3, Wisconsin 14.
-On CBS: LSU 0, Arkansas 7.
-On Encore Love: Josh Hartnett is on Day 7 (of 40) of celibacy.

Kyle Baker said...

Executive Summary:

Sam Adams #2
Surly factor: normal
Rotel and guacamole consumption commencing
Unsportsmanlike comments: rising exponentially
Punctuation: spotty

Eric Karros said...

DB - do you make your own guac?

Kyle Baker said...

@EK

Absolutely.

Although in this case my mother in law made it.

Kyle Baker said...

Cliff Lee up in dat bish calling the Hogs!

Eric Karros said...

-Northwestern 3, Wisconsin 21
-LSU 7, Arkansas 7
-TCU 21, New Mexico 0
-Hartnett still a douche

Kyle Baker said...

Josh S still a Giants apologist.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Touchdown Hogs post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

DAMMIT!

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Lets a little bit of pucker out of arse post]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Is that a good dammit or a bad dammit?

Kyle Baker said...

It was a you beat me to the punch DAMMIT, but I didn't even bother posting the post that would have been beaten. I just skipped that step.

Kyle Baker said...

And now:

DAMMIT on the LSU runback.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Touchdown Tigers post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

It's weird...my TV feed is ~15 seconds behind.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Touchdown Hogs post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Can't fuckin believe that last play post]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Field Goal Tigers post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

{{{LSU consolation FG post}}}

Kyle Baker said...

GOD DAMMIT!

Eric Karros said...

Ok, I'm back.

Is Northwestern winning yet?

Steve Sax said...

Cal up by a FG with 4:30 left

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least Indiana knows that it's not just them.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think Mallet ran into his own blocker.

Steve Sax said...

Yikes, Cal loses a bowl bid on the last play.

Steve Sax said...

Just came back from a kinect party. Gotta say, it's pretty cool.

Steve Sax said...

Dusty, your hogs are rocking!

Eric Karros said...

Arkansas recovers the on-side kick. It should be over.

Should.

Eric Karros said...

Yeah, Cal continues their losing ways. A 6-6 team shouldn't be in a bowl anyways. But when you have 800 bowl games to fill...

But, assuming Arkansas hangs on, now Stanford better not blow their chance at #4. And possibly a #3 season-ending ranking if they win their bowl.

Eric Karros said...

Game over. Nice work, Dusty. You played well.

So is there any way the Pac-10 ends up with the #1 and #2 team (with the only loss by #2 coming against #1?)

Let's see...if TCU loses their bowl game, and Stanford wins theirs, and if Oregon beats Auburn by enough to drop Auburn below Stanford, it could happen. And whoever beats TCU can't do so convincingly enough to vault them over Stanford.

I still don't get how bowl bids work though. Is it possible that TCU plays Stanford?

Eric Karros said...

And yeah ok, I guess Stanford has to win tonight too. I musn't get ahead of myself.

Kyle Baker said...

I just called my brother, who was at the game. It was so loud that he couldn't talk, but he answered the phone and just held it up so I could hear the crowd noise. I got live Woo Pigging from War Memorial Stadium for about 5 minutes. Was even better than the game itself.

Kyle Baker said...

Update: TXT from my brother from the field:

"Mallett just gave me five!"

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Gloats]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Interception USC post]]]

Kyle Baker said...

How is Mustain doing, MLASC?

I've been on phone to Arkansas constantly for last hour.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[Field Goal USC post]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Let me put it this way, Dusty. On 3rd and 5 in ND territory, Kiffen chose to run the ball.

Kyle Baker said...

[[[Understands]]]

Kyle Baker said...

Yes...lots of running for USC in this game.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least the defense hasn't fallen apart at the seems. That's refreshing.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It hasn't helped that there have been seven drops so far.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

And now the defense begins to fall apart.

Kyle Baker said...

Both of these teams just....aren't that good.

I'd like to see Notre Dame relegated to Mountain West conference or something. Why are they even allowed to keep trying, modernly? The game has passed them by. And I for one am glad. Now if we could just get NBC to stop carrying their crap week in and week out.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Notre Dame can't hold out from a conference forever. Pretty soon, when they do get good again, their poor strength of schedule will do them in. You can't contend for a BCS bid when your wins come against Navy and Tulsa.

Steve Sax said...

But NBC still carries Outsourced and The Event each week.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The next person who convinces NBC to drop something terrible will be the first.

Kyle Baker said...

That is such a good point, Sax.

Kyle Baker said...

I can't believe how sober I am after such an emotionally draining but ultimately rewarding sports day.

I'm thinking about jump-starting the process with some sake.

Steve Dittmore said...

@EK - thanks for the Hog love today. Spent game on edge of sofa with New Belgium's 2 Below in hand.

@Dusty - sweet photo. Didn't know you were a Tramain Thomas fan.

Woo pig. Out.

Steve Sax said...

I'm not watching the USC game...can anyone fill me in why Mustain is playing rather than Barkley?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Barkley has a high ankle sprain.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice. Miss PAT keeps it at a 10 point game.

Kyle Baker said...

I realize this OT post may fall afoul of EK's strict constructionist interpretation of this thread, but I think it is eerily representative of SoSG readership:

http://tinyurl.com/24nmjch

Eric Karros said...

So P Ditty is "on sofa with 2 below in hand." That sounds dirty.

Eric Karros said...

@DB - we'll allow it.

Technically, commentary on the ND-USC came is not allowed either, but we're feeling forgiving today.

Kyle Baker said...

re: legality of USC v ND

I feel like I've let you down, EK. I'd take it all back if I could.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I don't know if Kiffin's playing with extremely conservative plays or if Mustain's making bad decisions.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Brian Kelly's thinking "Oh, he wants a conservative ballgame, huh? I'll give him a conservative game! RUN THE BALL ON THIRD AND NINE!"

Eric Karros said...

No problem DB. Just pass me that guac recipe and I'll look the other way.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Rees needs to get more air on his passes. The defensive line is becoming a volleyball frontline all of a sudden.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FUMBLE

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

[[[USC SCORE!!!]]]

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I wonder who the rain would favor. USC obviously is not used to wet weather, but I'm not so certain that the Irish are mentally prepared for it.

Orel said...

Congrats, Dusty!

Steve Sax said...

13-13 here in the fourth. Man, it looks rainy there at the Coliseum.

Steve Sax said...

Int USC!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Those kids dressed for SoCal weather, and they're getting South Bend weather.

Steve Sax said...

Mitch Mustain suuuuuuuuucks

USC has zero passing game

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Joe Houston's a perfect 3-for-3. Someone not on the defense showed up to play.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fuck.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This ain't looking good. SC's only TD came on a 4th-and-1 after starting at ND's four.

Kyle Baker said...

Cheers, Orel!

Eric Karros said...

wowwww

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'M GOING TO EGG YOUR DORM, ROJO. FUCK YOU.

Eric Karros said...

oops, was I supposed to catch that?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Mustain just saved Rojo from a lifetime of infamy.

Eric Karros said...

Not if they don't score a TD...

Eric Karros said...

Lifetime of infamy intact

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Rojo's place in the hall of shame is almost sealed.

rbnlaw said...

I am conflicted. It's good to know that Mustain is not a great quarterback.

It's sad to know he's better than anyone playing that position at UCLA.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kiffin better make Rojo do 100 pushups in the rain once everyone leaves.

Kyle Baker said...

Mustain's receivers let him down. Then, Mustain let himself down. He forced that last throw - dumb decision.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Sad to see a lot of dropped passes. That changed the game for Mustain exponentially. He was forced to make difficult passes that he wouldn't have had to if his receivers didn't get a collective case of butterfingers.

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah my first instinct is to blame the rain, but I dunno.Those guys had WIDE FUCKING OPEN passes and top end receivers gloves. They have to make those plays no matter what.

Eric Karros said...

Case of butterfingers

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I suppose I should work on the thread for tomorrow's FF thread. That might cheer me up.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

They were dropping easy passes even before the rain set it. That pass to RoJo could have been craddled, he could have fallen on his ass, and he still would have had a clear path to the end zone.

Steve Sax said...

Forgot to thank you for the Postmaster General thread, EK. Did you know that outgoing Postmaster General (PMG) Potter stands to make $5.5M in deferred compensation upon retirement, an appreciation for his stewardship of an organization which lost $8.5 BILLION last year? Way to go, Potter!

Steve Sax said...

@Mr LA SC: I didn't want to nag you, so I have a very skeletal SoSG FF thread set up just in case. Don't stop drinking; you're on holiday, my friend!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Deferred compensation? Who's in charge of payroll, Frank McCourt?

Kyle Baker said...

For the record, I will not stop drinking. I will also comment on tomorrow's FF thread. Finally, I, too, have appreciated the USPS banter.

Good day all around.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

One of my favorite episodes of House is on, so that's good.

Eric Karros said...

$5.5m deferred compensation? Man, Potter sure can work magic.

Kyle Baker said...

POtter needs to move away from that outdated way of sending post via owls.

Eric Karros said...

I actually feel optimistic with the MIT-educated Donahoe taking over for Potter. And I mean that with no disrespect to Hogwarts.

Steve Sax said...

What's with the MIT-crush, EK? I mean, they're nice and all but aren't they the CalTech of the East?

Kyle Baker said...

Yeah you and MIT should get a room already, EK.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I saw EK and MIT snogging the other day. It was not appealing.