Me and RichRod

He promised me 10 wins. (Ha! Just kidding...not about me laughing at that ridiculously optimistic win total, because I do find the idea of 10 wins darkly funny, but at the fact that RichRod would promise a mere fan like me anything.)

The Young male U of M alums (that's a mouthful) recently saw U of M athletic director Dave Brandon and head football coach Rich Rodriguez speak at an alumni association function in GR. The highlights were...the food (delicious!). I kid...but it was distinctly more general and boilerplate than in years past. Not much talk about the actual team, and, curiously, no question and answer session at the end of Rodriguez's practiced spiel. I don't blame him for dodging some sure to be tough questions, but C'MON MAN, I want specifics. Oh well. Only 2 months 'til kick-off.  

GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL

This was amazing. In the 92nd minute, US captain Landon Donovan came through and punched home the game winner, sending the US team through to the next round. This is as close to a buzzer beater as you'll ever get in soccer.

Sports sound so much more refined when spoken in a British accent. A spot of tea, please. Lovely. Goal for the Americans; heavens, what celestial football.

World Cup 2010

Been a pretty entertaining World Cup so far. There's been goals, yellow cards, officiating controversies, and the ubiquitous vuvuzela. That buzzing sound you hear from your TV set is not a swarm of killer bees descending upon South Africa, nor is it a cruel prank being played by Comcast. It's a South African 'tradition', and despite it being incredibly annoying, it's here to stay. Just don't blow too hard.

New Video!

This was taken Wednesday, June 2nd. I recently stopped wearing ankle braces; they kept my ankles in a constant state of flexion, which then helps in the stepping process, as well as preventing dragging of the precious toes. Basically, wearing them meant one less thing for me worry about. A couple weeks ago, we forgot to put them on, walked about 50 feet, noticed them missing, but after noting how well that set had gone, we decided to try it again without them - and I haven't worn them since. HA! Who needs them! I think this means my legs are getting stronger and can do more on their own. Take a look.



'Sometimes I lay under the moon and thank God I'm breathing
Then I pray, don't take me soon, cause I am here for a reason.
Sometimes in my tears I drown but I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds, I know some day it'll all turn around.'

- Matisyahu

Adventures of Bo SuperDog Episode 7

Bo encounters an RC car; hijinks ensue.

The BEST Nike Ad Ever

Directed by Oscar-nominated director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, (director of Babel), this ad is maybe the most expensive ever made, maybe the most planned (over a year in the making), maybe among the longest - but it's definitely the coolest. You've probably seen it if you spend anytime at all watching ESPN or ABC; it's been ubiquitous amongst their various World Cup promotions.

Most of all, it's fun. Featuring multiple cameos, humorous asides, and pop-culture references, along with some of the world's best footballers, it's entertainment at its finest. A difficult feat to achieve, but this is advertising at its best - art.

Here's a story about Project Walk, a Southern California therapy gym that has been a pioneer in spinal cord injury recovery. Per usual, the article is an over simplification of the therapy process, and seems a bit skeptical of the whole thing. I love the bit with the spine surgeon who's never heard of Project Walk. What a dumbass. You'd think a person who operates on the spine would have at least heard of a nationally known gym in his own backyard. I can understand the skepticism but at least have a base knowledge of something before you dismiss it as snake-oil.

Funniest SNL Sketch of All Time

I think my favorite is I-Zheet M'Drurz. Immature, but hilarious.

Paralysis Recovery in the UM Weight Room

Brock Mealer was hurt in a Christmas Eve 2007 car accident which killed his father, separated the shoulder of his brother Elliott, a UM offensive lineman recruit, and left him paralyzed from the waist down. The UM football staff promised to save Elliott's scholarship, and to help however they could in Brock's difficult recovery. Enter Mike Barwis, UM's gravelly voiced, crazy lunatic strength and conditioning coach. He and Brock have been working together two days a week since November on standing, weights, and assisted walking, and as you can tell from the video above, he's made tremendous progress.

Brock will lead the UM team through the tunnel and out onto the field before the first game vs. UConn this fall. Inspiring stuff.