(Click on the picture to order!)
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Post-Game 161 Thread: YUB YUB!!!
This will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of the Dodgers' losing streak and it will soon see the end of the Rockies' rebellion.
JEDI OF THE GAME: Clayton "Skywalker" Kershaw (6.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 10K)
PROMOTED FROM STORMTROOPERS TO IMPERIAL GUARDS: Obi-Juan Pierre, Matt "Solo" Kemp, Manny "Jar Jar" Ramirez, Ronnie ReBelliard, Mark "Biggs" Loretta (one RBI each)
CANTINA CLOSERS: Hong-Chih "Ree Yees" Kuo, George "Darth Maul" Sherrill, Jonathan ChewBroxton: three hitless, scoreless innings
With one game left in the regular season, the Dodgers are 94-67 and have the NL's best record. They clinch the division and home-field advantage in the playoffs — against the Cardinals.
Game 161 Thread: Oct. 3 vs. Jar Jar Binkies, 7p
Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!
Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.89) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (16-9, 4.45).
May the Force be with us? Please?
Notes from the Under/Over
When I bought a slew of tickets last month using my mysterious vouchers, I thought that last night's game had an outside chance of being interesting. And thanks to the Dodgers taking the week off, it was. While enjoying a relaxing drink in the Loge Terrace, I pondered much: Would the game have the drama of getting to Shea in the 7th inning, befriending a homeless woman (who gave me a set of already used tickets), and begging the ticket-takers to let me in anyway just so I could witness the end of the Braves' stranglehold on the NL East? Could it contain the Natural-esque grandeur of Steve Finley's walk-off grand slam against the Giants? Or would I be able to witness not one but two veterans get fitted for Golden Sombreros? Apparently, Manny Ramirez forgot to set his alarm clock while his choke clock was Swiss-level precise.
The night did not lack energy nor drama. As mentioned, DeBaby DeShields knocked a beer into my lap around the fifth inning. And since the diaper bag didn't include a spare set of slacks for me, I got to enjoy the moistness of Bud Light Lime for an hour and a half.
As I tried to sleep after three plus hours of frustration, questions raced through my head... when did the Dodgers logo become part of the old school game Zaxxon?
Could I always come to games 90 minutes early and just chill?
Who IS this dude?
Would my blue Miller Lite party beads stain my shirt?
Would my Tommy Lasorda non-carbonite replica go with my painting of Nosferatu? (A very clear YES!)
When did the 110/5 interchange become a set for Tron2?
And when will 1 - indeed the loneliest number - become 0? So many questions... so few answers.
Who's Who Tonight?
Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!
Team Jedi Baseball Jersey, Team Sith Baseball Jersey (StarWars.com)
Droid Power Rankings
Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!
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WALL•E's grandfather! Just the coolest. | |
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Just imagine if he (she? It?) could move! | |
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Token prequel pick; a single pit droid had more personality than Jake Lloyd. | |
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Makes the entire Original Trilogy happen. Think about it. | |
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Poor thing was just doing its job when Han Solo killed it. | |
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Dr. Ball, M.D.! | |
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Sound designer Ben Burtt made it come alive! | |
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For reasons unknown this Star Wars figure delighted me as a kid. | |
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A.k.a. Power Droid. And what Power Rankings aren't complete without a Power Droid? | |
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His agent lobbied for a spot in the Droid Power Rankings. Damn blogger politics! |
Episode V: The Happy Star Wars Night Strikes Back
Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!
I know this is old, but this video by Joe Nicolosi recapping Star Wars, retold by someone who hasn't seen it, is great stuff. Apparently, it won a George Lucas Selects Award and everything. Enjoy.
Happy Star Wars Night
Tonight is Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium!
Photoshop courtesy of M. Brown of The Left Field Pavilion!
Friday, October 02, 2009
Post-Game 160 Thread: Dodgers Show Sign of Life
It was another case of too little, too late — but too little is better than nothing. Which is a step in the right direction, I guess. Ubaldo Jimenez shut down the Dodgers for six innings and Troy Tulowitzki hit a back-breaking two-run homer off Ronald Belisario in the seventh. Down 4-1, the Dodgers actually put together a rally against the Rockies' bullpen, scoring two runs on a Russell Martin homer and an Andre Ethier RBI single. But 13 Ks — including four each by Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake — were too much, and the Rockies held on to win, giving the Dodgers just two more chances not to fall victim to the largest deficit (15 1/2 games) overcome in MLB history. See y'all tomorrow!
UPDATE: Oh yeah, Hiroki Kuroda's out for the NLDS. Whoopee.
Game 160 Thread: Oct. 2 vs. Brockies, 7p
Randy Wolf (11-6, 3.22) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (14-12, 3.52).
Hello, this is Kent Brockman. In sports news, the Dodgers are ending their season with a meaningless series against Colorado, since the Dodgers long ago clinched the division —
one moment, I'm getting a note from our producers —
What? You've got to be kidding. They lost three of four to the Pirates? And got swept by the Padres? What the hell is wrong with these ****ers? No, I won't watch my language. I don't care if we're still on the air —
Manny photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers
Not the 1974 A's
...or the 2009 Twins.
Twins angry at teammate’s 'selfish act' (Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports)
The Dodgers may be slumping en route to the post-season, but they aren't being accused of stealing signs (as Joe Mauer — gasp! — is). They aren't feuding with each other because a hothead reliever caused their slugger to get beaned (even with Vicente Padilla on the team!).
The Dodgers may be losing, but they're losing as a team (as Wednesday's one-hitter proved). Which may not be much of a consolation now, but if the Dodgers are to bust this slump and do some damage in the playoffs, they'll need a balanced attack.
This team has last year's playoff experience under its belt, and it doesn't have noted grump Jeff Kent. Several of us Dodger bloggers have been fortunate enough to witness this year's clubhouse firsthand, and it's exactly how a workplace should be: professional and fun. Even the LA Times' T.J. Simers has noted it.
I know, most fans would rather root for a bunch of unhappy winners than happy losers. With a win this weekend and a little luck in the playoffs, we might just get the best of both worlds.
photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
"Now There's a Guy with a Lot on His Mind"
Easily the highlight of the morning was clicking over to ESPN.com and coming across this gem. "Report: Ted Williams' frozen head abused in lab"
NEW YORK -- The New York Daily News is reporting that Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams' severed head was mistreated at an Arizona cryonics facility, according to details from a new book.In "Frozen," Larry Johnson, a former executive at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Ariz., writes that Williams' head, which had been severed and frozen for storage, was abused at the facility. Johnson claims a technician took baseball-like swings at Williams' frozen head with a monkey wrench.
Williams, the last player to hit over .400 in a season, died in July 2002 at age 83 and had his remains sent to Alcor for cryogenic storage in the hope that future generations would develop the technology to revive him.
This story is notable for a few reasons. 1. The Dodgers didn't lose in it. 2. Detached heads are inherently funny.
3. It provides further proof of SoSG's power. When you google "Return of the Living Dead 2 Head" in images, look what comes up...
Off-Day Puzzle #19: Solution
Of all the possible uses for excel, creating this puzzle has got be one of the best. The answer to yesterday's puzzle is the matchbook.
So here are the steps you must take:
- Map out the floorplan of the hedgemaze as you roam around. It should look something like the following:
(click image to enlarge)
- The key room is the one where Brandon lurks. There are two notes found in this room. The first has a poem with a bunch of missing words, and the second hints at how to find those words. Let's focus on the second note first.
- This note says:
The route taken here you must heed,
For lined it is with those you need.
For in their homes a Son did speak,
The 12 missing words that you now seek.If you retrace the steps that took you to Brandon's room (outlined in green in the map above), you'll see you traversed Erin, Quad, MSTI, and Brandon, in that order. "In their homes a Son did speak" means that in each of these readers' blogs - Robots Took My Medicine, Bet As Bogus, Mike Scoscia's Tragic Illness, and Reflections of Blue, respectively - one of the SoSG Sons commented. To tell you which comment thread to look for, use the date that the readers' respective room post was made. For example, Erin's room was posted July 10, 8:47pm, so if you look on her blog on that day and time you'll find this post and thread, in which SoSG Orel commented. His comment had three words in italics, which correspond to the first three blanks in the 1st poem (the italics were clued in by the missing words being italicized in the poem).
- If you proceed thusly for all four blogs (this thread from Bet As Bogus, this thread from MSTI, and this thread from Reflections of Blue), you can find the 12 missing words: cut, walls, south, east, portals, step, first, those, meet, tell, gave, need (three from each blog). Fill in the missing words in the 1st poem in order, and it will read as follows:
Cut through the walls to the south east
Four portals deep, and step through each
The first letters of those you meet
Translated tell which "gave" you need. - Also, you must be aware that to solve the puzzle, you gotta get your Norwegian on. The owl clues you in on this via his last words "ha det bra, og lykke til!" which is Norwegian for "goodbye and good luck," at least according to online translators. Also, "gave" is "gift" in Norwegian. So if you do as the poem says, it will tell you which gift you need.
- Thus, using the map, do as it says; cut through the walls to the southeast, four portals deep (four portals means five rooms, inclusive of the starting room). Starting from Brandon's room, this will lead to rbnlaw, Alejandro Pena, Nic J, and Neeebs' rooms (in blue in the above map).
- Using the first letters of "those you meet", it spells "BRANN".
- Again translating from Norwegian to English, Brann = Fire. Each gift option corresponds with one of the basic elements, earth, wind, fire, and water. The matchbook corresponds with fire. That's your answer!
A big congratulations to DunkHawk and golem, who solved it before any hints were posted. They were followed by Josh S, QuadSevens, J Steve, Mr Customer, UBragg, fanerman, Drewdez, and Berkowit28. Well done gentlemen!
And one note - I apologize I wasn't able to include all regular readers in the puzzle, and particularly all regular puzzle participants. That was my original intent, but in the end I know I wasn't able to as it got just too unwieldy. It ended up being pretty arbitrary who I included and who I didn't, but I apologize to those I missed!
Final standings and prizes to be revealed soon!
Recommended Reading
For Dodgers' interpreter, his job is a thrill beyond words (Kurt Streeter, LA Times)
photo by Gina Ferazzi/LA Times
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Playoff Party Time!
GUESTS OF HONOR: Your 2009 Dodgers!
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., Los Angeles, California 90012
WHEN: Friday 10/2 @7:10 p.m., or Saturday 10/3 @7:10 p.m., or Sunday 10/4 @1:10 p.m. We're not sure which day yet.
WHAT TO BRING: Your ticket and something in Dodger Blue!
Please RSVP in the comments!
Off-Day Scoreboard Watch: Brewers @ Rox, 12p
Aaron Cook (10-6, 4.32) vs. Manny Parra (11-10, 6.16).
Perhaps the Brewers can accomplish what the Dodgers haven't been able to: Winning the 2009 MLB dance squad competition Turning that magic number into a magic celebration. So turn that three-martini lunch into a nine-martini marathon and send the Boys in Blue some positive vibes via Colorado!
This Is Getting Riderpulous
heart: We just lost four in a row!
brain: Which matches the Dodgers' longest losing streak of the year.
heart: We just got swept by the Padres!
brain: It was only a two-game series, and it was the first time the Dodgers have been swept all season.
heart: We're going to become the NL wild card team!
brain: The Dodgers have been tied for or in first place 153 of their 159 games. If the Rockies were to win today and sweep the Dodgers, don't you think they would deserve to be in first place?
heart: We're going to lose home-field advantage!
brain: Eric Stephen at True Blue LA crunched the numbers and doesn't find that home-field advantage provides a significant edge.
heart: The batters have no plate discipline!
brain: Actually, all eight regular starters have at least 50 walks each.
heart: The pitching staff is falling apart!
brain: But the bats are healthy: Each regular starter (except Manny) has at least 550 PAs.
heart: Andre Ethier is falling apart!
brain: Ethier on the road: .239/.341/.392. Ethier at home: .306/.375/.632.
heart: We don't have an ace!
brain: But we do have probable Game 1 starter Randy Wolf. The Dodgers have won 22 of his 33 starts.
heart: This sucks!
brain: Would you rather be a Mets fan?*
heart: We're all going to die!
brain: This is true, in a technical sense.
*Thanks, Karina!
Off-Day Grand Slam Puzzle Finale (#19): Norway or Bust!
When we last left our beloved Cub, he had just reunited with true love Jasmine in the pastel forest. We pick up their story from there, switching to second person (second bear?):
"Jasmine my love!" you shout as you run into each other's arms. "We must go to Norway!" you continue, not bothering to explain yourself. Nonetheless, she does not question it.
Just then, the you both look up to see your old friend the Owl fluttering above. He lands on a nearby rock and again begins jawing.
"Congratulations Cub on deciphering the forest's unspoken message and revealing your next destination. However, before you embark, I shall grant you a gift for you to carry with you on your journey."
"How kind, dear Owl," you reply. "What might this gift be?"
"Now Cub, it is not a gift given merely out of affection or generosity. It is a gift of necessity. I cannot tell you exactly what role it will play in your upcoming quest to find your father, but I will say that at some point it will be critical to your survival."
"Furthermore, it is a gift you must choose among four possibilities."
Intrigued, you glance over at Jasmine. She is beaming, presumably at the prospect of choosing a gift.
The owl continues, "your four choices are:"
1) a satchel of dirt 2) a folding fan 3) a matchbook 4) a water canteen You glance back at Jasmine. She doesn't seem so excited anymore.
"You can only choose one of these items, and you must choose wisely. If you select the wrong one, you will be doomed in your quest. Fortunately, you needn't make your decision immediately - I will give you until midnight PT tonight to make your selection. Hopefully before then, you can figure out which item you will need."
"Also, remember this," continues the Owl. "As you embark on the next segment of your journey, you will encounter familiar faces of both friends and enemies. The friends will help you if they can. The enemies will most certainly hurt you. Avoid the latter."
Suddenly, the Owl's tone becomes stern. "Now close your eyes."
As per usual when interacting with the Owl, you are confused. Yet you do as he asks and close your eyes, as does Jasmine. You begin to feel dizzy, and just as you are about to pass out you hear the Owl's parting words: "ha det bra, og lykke til!" Then everything goes black.
You awaken with Jasmine by your side. As you both groggily get to your feet, you look around and notice you are no longer in the forest. You are in some sort of room with no ceiling, with green walls that extend more than twelve feet in the air. Soon you realize you are in a hedge-maze! Or at least a room whose walls are made of hedges. And you see three doors leading out of the room, one on the North wall, one on the South wall, and one in the Southeast corner.
"Which way should we go?" Jasmine asks. As you consider your options, Jasmine then asks, "and did you hear the Owl's parting words? What did they mean?"
You are not sure how to answer either question, but you decide to focus your energy on the immediate decision - figuring out which way to go. Which exit do you take?:
(Incidentally, you notice each exit is marked "one-way ". This is the case with all doors/exitways in the hedge labyrinth).
Hint #1 (10:59am): Map it out.
Hint #2 (11:13am): Ignore the numbers that are the titles of the post. They were used to construct the puzzle but are irrelevant to the solution. Hope nobody spent too much time trying to figure out what they meant.
Hint #3 (1:33pm): In most but not all cases, the date and time of each room's post is irrelevant.
A Hidden Bonus Hint #4 added 2:07pm in the relevant place within the maze.
Hint #5 (3:25pm): If you're traveling to a foreign country...learn the language!
Hint #6 (5:35pm): There are 5 steps:
Hint #1 corresponds to step 1 above. Hints #3 corresponds to steps 3 and 4. Hidden Bonus Hint #4 is in the key room and corresponds to step 5; and Hint #5 also corresponds to step 5.
- map out the hedgemaze;
- find the "key" room;
- figure out what the 2nd poem in the key room means and do as it says;
- figure out the missing words in the 1st poem in the key room (step 3 helps with this immensely), and finally
- figure out what the completed 1st poem means and do what it says.
Solution: click here.
Two Puzzle Notes:
- Please comment only in this master thread, not the other posts that comprise this puzzle, as otherwise I will probably never see your comment. I believe I have deactivated commenting in the other posts to enforce this, but may have missed one.
- I think I double-checked the intricate web of links, but if you find a broken link in this puzzle, please comment here or email us to let me know.
Puzzle Rules: The answer to the puzzle is one of the four gift options - the satchel of dirt, the folding fan, the matchbook, or the canteen of water. Comment freely in the thread, but if you have the solution, please don't give it away to everyone in the comments section. Instead, do the following:
- Email us with the correct gift option along with your reasoning. Submitted answers without the correct reasoning, even if correct, will count for participation credit only. And please include your screen name somewhere in the email; and
- Post a comment simply saying you have emailed your solution attempt. I may not be able to reply to your original email promptly, so please be patient and check back on the comment thread for the latest news; I may confirm correct answers there.
- As a Grand Slam Puzzle (the finale!), this one is worth 150 points. And no succubus!
You have until midnight PT tonight to submit your answer, as per the Owl's words. Good luck!
Not familiar with SoSG's off-day puzzle competition? Read up here. And join the fun!
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