BC Teams of the Decade:
5. 2007 Golf
A number of team tournament victories, Region Champions, and 3rd place in the AAA State Tournament. An individual State Championship was captured as well.
4. 2007-08 Wrestling
The best year for probably the most successful program of the decade. Team finished 3rd in the state and had two wrestlers compete in the finals. Ryan Gregory won the state championship and Nick Wright and Shane Summerlin were in the finals. Wright won it all in '09.
3. 2005 Baseball
A 20-9 overall record and 11-1 in region play. A controversial call in Guyton gave South Effingham the # 1 seed in the playoffs. A lineup with 5 future college players advanced to the 2nd round of the AAA state playoffs. The Cadets defeated Worth Co. in the 1st round with a dramatic walk off win in Game 2 to complete the series sweep. BC was eliminated in the 2nd round by Columbus, the eventual state champions.
2. 2002-03 Basketball
The most successful team since the '96-'97 season. A senior laden team with heavy contributions from 2 juniors. Included was a 3rd place finish in the St. Pius Christmas Tournament. Beat every team in region 3-AAAAA other than Beach, including a win over Savannah High. A 3 seed in the region tournament was also the highest since '97.
1. 2000 Football
9-2 overall record and Region Champions. Led by Finnochario Award winner Lamar Owens, the biggest win of the season came over Camden in Kingsland on a last second FG by Mell. BC went undefeated in sub-region play highlighted by a huge 2nd half comeback over Glynn. BC had 10 players make the all-region team. 6 players went onto the next level.
BC Games of the Decade:
7. 2007 Baseball @ Calvary/ 2009 Baseball vs. SCPS
2 teams that BC dominated in the 00's, 7 wins to 2 losses. 2 of the wins came by way of stellar pitching performances. In '07 BC beat the eventual Class A champs 1-0 behind the complete game outing of Kyle Tootle. In '09 Wynn Moore led BC's effort over SCPS with the same result, 1-0.
6. 2003 Basketball @ Groves
A back and forth game saw BC come up with the best finish to a basketball game in recent memory. Down 1, Cannon took a pass from Murray and went almost the length of the court and saw a running floater hit the bottom of the net, at the buzzer, to cap off the regular season.
5. 2001 Football @ Wayne Co.
Voted by the SMN as the game of the year. BC won in Jesup in 2OT with the help of a fumbleruskie and despite Carlos Height rushing for over 200 yards. The BC coaching staff caught the referees cutting BC's play clock short on multiple occasions during the 1st half, yet BC overcame the Yellow Jackets and the Wayne County Officials Association to get the victory.
4. 2005 Football @ South Effingham
BC beat undefeated and ranked SE 7-0 in Guyton. Led by an all-time performance by LB Anthony Wallace and a D. Dotson to C. Pollard TD pass, BC came away with one of the biggest upsets of the decade and a win over its future coach.
3. 2003/04 Basketball vs./@ SHS
The two best wins of the decade in completely different fashion. 2003: The game was played In front of one of the largest crowds of the decade at BC's gym. A very good BC team, which had a lot of people expecting a win, outlasted the Jackets. It was Crawford's 24th game against BC..... 2004: Shocking the most faithful of BC fans, the Cadets upset SHS at the Ron Love Athletic Center behind seniors Bell, Frankie, and junior The Hinchey. Up to that point SHS's record had almost been perfect in that arena
2. 2000 Football vs. Glynn
BC overcame a 3 TD deficit in the 2nd half and won 36-29 in OT to all but clinch the sub-region championship. Future Navy kicker Joey Bullen missed a game winning FG for Glynn in the waining seconds to allow the game to go into OT. Dotson and O'Neal captured player of the week honors for their efforts and Ziegler was sensational on defense with 2 INT'S.
1. 2000 Football @ Camden
A very wet game that was a defensive struggle for most of the night. Trailing late, Owens found freshman Kenny O'Neal on a simple go route to pull BC to within 1 point. A celebration penalty was called on the play and the ensuing PAT, from 35 yards, sailed wide. With time running out BC forced the Camden QB to fumble and the rest is history. BC 9, Camden 7. Camden has not lost a region or home regular season game to a Georgia school since. They went on to win 3 state championships in the 00's.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Untitled Post (JJH Edition)
DBPhishin,
Good work with the bday post. What you said about Connolly -- "can Connolly ever be given enough credit?"-- can be said about Rick. Lets try to give Rick more credit.
Rick is _______________
Fill in blank in comment section.
I'll start: 'on a better 3v3 football team than Barstool.'
Good work with the bday post. What you said about Connolly -- "can Connolly ever be given enough credit?"-- can be said about Rick. Lets try to give Rick more credit.
Rick is _______________
Fill in blank in comment section.
I'll start: 'on a better 3v3 football team than Barstool.'
434 turns 25
Today, December 23rd, 2009, we at OIA wish Patrick McCarthy and Rick Schwarz a very happy 25th birthday.
These two have lived together for the better half of a decade. They left their mark at Russell Hall. Then it was on to Campus Lodge where many memories were made. Now, they are in the process of breaking in Buckhead. Wherever these two have been, (Tuscaloosa, Columbia, Athens, Tybee, Statesboro, Savannah, Atlanta, Tampa, or Tennessee) it's been awesome for us and bad news for everyone else.
How Patrick has managed to live with Rick for all these years and not get seriously injured (except the torn MCL)is anyone's guess. Some might say he's crazy, and in a way, I would agree. We've seen Patrick with phone books, old furniture, and upset neighbors: he can flip the switch with the best of them. And we've heard the comments which continue to shock even his beloved roommate. Then there is Pat's drinking ability would make any Irishman proud: he can drink with the best of them, yet always seems to be in control. It is undoubtedly these things which make us want to hang out with Patrick. Beyond this, he is one of the nicest, classiest guys I've ever met. Plus, I hear he's really long off the tee. I suspect this to be one of the many reasons the ladies love him. He's a damn good friend and a damn good person.
Rick and I have been buds since he was carrying around Deridder dolls at Cannon Court. And during my first year of college, we hung out a lot. Sophomore year of college, things took off. Downtown Athens was our playground. We have rocked and rolled ever since. Infamous stories of our exploits continue to be discussed today. But while the rocking and rolling is what has made Slic famous, there's more to him than just that. (No, I'm not talking about what made Emily fall in love with him years ago).
He is a movie buff; the guy has seriously seen more movies than I've ever heard of. He is a sports fanatic. Even at a time when he is enduring the epic fall of the Trojan dynasty, he still stands proudly in CPC's corner. But seriously, behind all the fire Van Halanger talk, there is not a bigger Dog fan in the world than Rick Schwarz. Besides being an avid Dog fan, Schwarz is a proud supporter of Benedictine. I think Rick represents the "hey I went to BC so I am better than you" attitude better than anyone else. Further, to say Rick is loyal would be an understatement. If Rick likes something or someone, he will defend it until the day he dies. And while Schwarz certainly does not come off as the compassionate type, I will never forget what he did for me when my dad had a heart attack. Lastly, we hear Rick talk about Georgia not needing to settle all the time. While none of us really know what we are doing at the time, I know one thing: Rick will be successful at whatever he ends up doing.
Happy birthday, guys. 10-6.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Last Best of the Decade Post?
I probably forgot all kinds of things on this, but here you go...
Top 5 Georgia Games of the 2000s
5. Men's Basketball vs. Florida, 2003 -- Georgia basketball obviously hasn't had much to celebrate this decade, but the 2003 team (Harrick shenanigans aside), and this game in particular, gave us a glimpse of how much fun it is to be relevant on the men's side. The best Georgia player in recent memory scores with 15 seconds left to beat your archrival, which just happens to be ranked third in the country.
4. Football at Alabama, 2007 -- Some would say this wasn't even the best football game in 2007, but I'd remind them of how rare it is to win on the very last play. The Alabama comeback and Coutu's missed field goal as time expired are what separates this from, say, Steve Newman's shot against Arkansas.
3. College World Series vs. Fresno State, 2008 -- So things didn't turn out so well after this one, but what a game it was. The best Georgia baseball player ever homers to spark a comeback from three runs down in the eighth, and Josh Fields has his last great moment in a Georgia uniform.
2. Football at Tennessee, 2001 -- Way back in 2001, a lot of people really weren't sure if Mark Richt knew what he was doing, especially after a loss to Slic's hated Gamecocks. But after Georgia beat Tennessee in Knoxville, it was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
1. Football at Auburn, 2002 -- There was a time when I though Georgia would never finish ahead of Tennessee or Florida in the SEC East. Much like I say with men's basketball now, all the ingredients were there; no one could make it work. So to me, this game was even more important than Tennessee 2001, though I'm sure a lot of people disagree.
I won't bore you with explanations for the other two lists. Instead, I'll just say that they were picked largely on the degree to which I was caught up in the game or moment at the time.
Top 5 Sports Moments of the 2000s
5. Appalachian State Over Michigan, 2007
4. The Catch, Super Bowl XLII
3. Usain Bolt 100 Meters, Beijing 2008
2. Tiger Woods Chip-In, 2005 Masters
1. Men's 4x100 Relay, Beijing 2008
Top 5 Games of the 2000s
5. Kansas vs. Memphis, 2008 Title Game
4. Super Bowl XLII
3. 2001 World Series, Game 7
2. 2007 Fiesta Bowl
1. 2006 Rose Bowl
Top 5 Georgia Games of the 2000s
5. Men's Basketball vs. Florida, 2003 -- Georgia basketball obviously hasn't had much to celebrate this decade, but the 2003 team (Harrick shenanigans aside), and this game in particular, gave us a glimpse of how much fun it is to be relevant on the men's side. The best Georgia player in recent memory scores with 15 seconds left to beat your archrival, which just happens to be ranked third in the country.
4. Football at Alabama, 2007 -- Some would say this wasn't even the best football game in 2007, but I'd remind them of how rare it is to win on the very last play. The Alabama comeback and Coutu's missed field goal as time expired are what separates this from, say, Steve Newman's shot against Arkansas.
3. College World Series vs. Fresno State, 2008 -- So things didn't turn out so well after this one, but what a game it was. The best Georgia baseball player ever homers to spark a comeback from three runs down in the eighth, and Josh Fields has his last great moment in a Georgia uniform.
2. Football at Tennessee, 2001 -- Way back in 2001, a lot of people really weren't sure if Mark Richt knew what he was doing, especially after a loss to Slic's hated Gamecocks. But after Georgia beat Tennessee in Knoxville, it was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.
1. Football at Auburn, 2002 -- There was a time when I though Georgia would never finish ahead of Tennessee or Florida in the SEC East. Much like I say with men's basketball now, all the ingredients were there; no one could make it work. So to me, this game was even more important than Tennessee 2001, though I'm sure a lot of people disagree.
I won't bore you with explanations for the other two lists. Instead, I'll just say that they were picked largely on the degree to which I was caught up in the game or moment at the time.
Top 5 Sports Moments of the 2000s
5. Appalachian State Over Michigan, 2007
4. The Catch, Super Bowl XLII
3. Usain Bolt 100 Meters, Beijing 2008
2. Tiger Woods Chip-In, 2005 Masters
1. Men's 4x100 Relay, Beijing 2008
Top 5 Games of the 2000s
5. Kansas vs. Memphis, 2008 Title Game
4. Super Bowl XLII
3. 2001 World Series, Game 7
2. 2007 Fiesta Bowl
1. 2006 Rose Bowl
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Top 5 Video Games of the Decade
NCAA Foootball 2004
This game came out the summer before our senior year and I quickly dedicated myself to mastering the flexbone option with Kansas State and Roberson/Sproles. I probably logged more hours on NCAA 2004 than any other video game in life, fully taking advantage of online play. This was also the version we used in the great NCAA 2004 tournament at Fogarty's house which featured my defeat of Rick in the championship. Other notable matchups included my victory over Rick at campus lodge when Rick almost killed me.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
It wasn't the first GTA and it wasn't the deepest (San Andreas), but it was definitely the coolest. You could be Tony Montana and listen to some awesome 80s music while you became the drug lord of Miami.
Rock Band
The most revolutionary game of the decade. It stole from Guitar Hero and Karaoke, added some drums and the rest was history. Great songs and great late night fun. Plus it can make for a really fun date function (as featured below).
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Hands down favorite first person shooter of the decade. Pretty much spent my entire senior year nerding out and playing this game.
FIFA '06
Ended up being my favorite FIFA edition, mainly because I reached the apex of my game and was unbeatable. Great gameplay, great soundtrack and perfect multiplayer.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Congrats
It won't be the same going to Picture Day and not seeing these two sitting at the tables. Congrats to both of them.
Friday, December 18, 2009
ESPN Bowl Pick Em
First bowl is tomorrow. Make sure to get your picks in. We still don't even have all the blog members involved.
Also, make sure to post your tiebreaker pick in the comments section here or below.
OIA Bowl Preview
The 2nd annual OIA Bowl is 1 week away. Things have remained quiet up to this point, but expect the media blitz to begin in earnest on Monday.
Team '03 opened up as 2 score favorites but with recent news of Team '04's star QB being under the weather this week and unable to practice, some handicappers have pushed the spread to 2.5. More than bragging rights are on the line this go around, with a friendly wager between Schiv and Team '03 at stake. There is no doubt that the December 26th matchup will be an instant gridiron classic.
Team '03 Preview:
Where to begin? Team '03 is undefeated in the OIA Bowl. In fact, they've never lost at all. Ever. This team is undoubtedly led by their signal calling veteran, JJH4. He masterminds the offense with precision and a nearly decade old system. He's not afraid to run to set up the pass, even when it involves a dive up the gut in 3v3. He believes in a balanced offense and maximizing each player's talents. Whether by trick play, option, or beautifully placed deep ball, this offense is rarely kept out of the end zone. JJH4 possesses the arm and decision making abilities to be considered the top QB in the league. As the dean of the QBs in the league, JJH4 has seen it all, and his experience and calming demeanor resonates through the team. As he gets older however, many pundits have called his mobility into question and one must wonder if the overall offensive plan will feature less option as time progresses. On D, JJH4 is a consistent defender, rarely making a mistake and priding himself on studying tape and being in the right place at the right time. He is also known for employing bizarre and questionable tactics to distract the opposing team's signal caller
Rick heads up what has become known as one of the hardest hitting defenses around. There's no question as to who is calling the shots out there when Team '03 lines up against any offense. Their mantra is blitz early and often and the D can wreak havoc on any QB who isn't confident in his progressions. Rick's strength on D is certainly within 5-7 yards of the line of scrimmage where he patrols and lays out hits with a ferocity seldom seen on the football field. Rick has run Team '03's defense for years and make no mistake, "soft zone" is not in his vocabulary. Team '04 can expect constant pressure on the QB and tight coverage on the wideouts. Defense wins championships and this is a motto Rick firmly believes in. Analysts have questioned Rick's fitness as of late however, wondering if his partying lifestyle filled with late nights and excess have gone to his head. Also, if Rick is forced to cover the longer passes and developing plays, will he be able to hang? On offense, Rick is the workhorse in the backfield, comparable to a Terrell Davis. He gives you hard nosed blocking and running and an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Shane is the relative newcomer to the group although he already has an OIA Bowl victory under his belt. While not involved in the strategy on either side of the ball, Shane is an integral player for both the offense and defense. He gives Team '04 good matchup capabilities on D and is one of the best possession receivers in the league. His hands and jumping ability makes any QB comfortable in just tossing it up to him if need be. In the running game, Shane is often employed as a tailback following the lead blocking of Rick and while he doesn't possess great speed, his vision and work rate make him an effective runner. On D, Shane will likely be matched up against Donnie and work in coverage all day. His ability to cover Team 04's star wideout could determine the outcome of the game. Last year Shane had trouble with this task and eventually needed assistance in the second half. One thing never in question however, is Shane's stamina. On the field. He is the best conditioned player on the gridiron and late in the 4th quarter of a tight game, this can make all the difference.
Team '04 Preview:
Team '04 is coming off their first loss in the OIA Bowl. A 3 score defeat last December has left them hungry in the offseason and there's no doubt they've been working toward a "W" all year. The real identity of this team has never been set, as they've constantly rotated players in and out. Many expert believe this year's team has the ability to finally challenge Team '03.
Bryan is undoubtedly the leader of '04, on both sides of the ball. For years, he has simply been listed as "Athlete" on the roster but after last year's second half performance, Bryan's status is no longer in doubt: He will line up under center as QB1 for Team '04. Originally a wideout because of his breakaway speed, Team '04 was down and out at halftime of last year's OIA bowl. Unable to stop Team '03 on defense and not able to move the ball on O, a spark was desperately needed. Bryan was placed behind center and the rest was history. In the second half, every '04 possession resulted in a score. There were even a few defensive stops. In the end, it wasn't enough to overcome the tremendous first half deficit, but the league was on notice. There was officially a new QB in town. Bryan's accuracy and special ability to throw the deep ball, his quickness out of the backfield and his die hard attitude give Team '04 a real threat at QB. Big things are expected this year, but the media has its doubts. Bryan is relatively untested at the QB position, has been under the weather as of late and many are unsure how the pressure of putting Team '04's success on his back will affect him. On D, Bryan's mantra has always been "stay true". He emphasizes assignment football and while a solid cover man and run stopper, Team '04 is admittedly at a tactical disadvantage against Team '03's offense.
Donnie is the unanimous pick for best wideout in the league. He is the reason for Team '04's primary focus on the passing game. Donnie has the best hands in the league but more than that, he simply has a knack for finding the football. His positioning and route running make for a dangerous combination as we saw in the second half of last year's OIA bowl, when he and Bryan got on the same page for numerous TDs. Donnie brings a real gamer's attitude and swagger to Team '04 that is desperately needed and for '04 to have any shot at winning, they'll need a monster receiving day for him. His matchup against Shane was extremely physical last year and the same is expected this year. On D, Donnie will likely be matched up against Shane and his ability to disrupt the passing game will be central to '04's game plan. The constant knock against Donnie is alway injuries. We saw it last year in the OIA bowl as he was hampered by a leg injury in the second half and it's absolutely necessary that Donnie stay healthy this year for Team '04 to have a chance.
Rounding out Team '04 is newcomer PLowe. PLowe comes heavily recruited and will be expected to contribute immediately. His speed, agility, and fitness are all top notch and there's no doubt that on defense, he'll extend Team '04's ability to mix up coverages and confuse the offense. On the opposite side of the ball, PLowe is expected to play a scatback type of role, carrying the ball out of the backfield and lining up in the slot. His ability to spread the field will add an extra dimension that Team '04 was lacking last year. The obvious question is, how will he perform on the big stage? This is PLowe's first OIA bowl and the experts simply don't know what to expect. How will he adapt to the speed of the game? How will that first hit affect him? These are questions we won't know the answer to until kickoff, but there's no doubt that he will be a positive impact on the team.
Summary:
"We expect a 4 quarter battle and we're ready for it. The real key will be keeping pace early and not allowing '03 to jump out to a big lead like last year. If we're within striking distance at the end of the game, I like our chances", Team 04's captain told media last week. There's a lot of talk that this could be the year '04 finally pulls it off. But JJH4 isn't hearing any of that. "We'll prepare like we've always prepared, nothing has changed. If it aint broke, don't fix it." There's rivalries and story lines galore in this game and they'll all be covered in one way or another. But on December 26th, all of that fades away and it comes down to which team wants it more and which players can dig deep - and that's something that we'll never be able to predict.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Turning in Homework Earlier (Hopefully Barstool Gives Me Extra Credit)
In no particular order, below is a list of the Top Five Catastrophes/Controversies of the past decade. I thought a top five financial gurus list would be too debatable amongst all the blog members. Please leave comments of any memorable controversies or catastrophes from the past 10 years that I have failed to mention.
Donnie v. Jack
We’ve all heard numerous stories. I think if you asked Jack or Donnie what really happened that fateful night in Atlanta, GA neither would actually remember the details of their ‘fight’. The only person besides Jack and Donnie that has any direct insight of the fight would be Donnie’s hotel roommate-- and we all know who he is going to side with…. especially since they shared an intimate moment that night.
Slick v. David Greene Jersey
Rick puked on his David Greene Jersey, Donnie’s mom cleaned it. End. Of. Story. (This falls into the ‘catastrophe’ category as there was nothing ‘controversial’ that happened that night)
Me v. Hicks
Our relation started cordial but quickly turned sour. He made me sit on a stool in the back corner of his classroom. On St. Patrick’s Day two years after I graduated from high school Hicks told me that “he is glad that he taught me because now he knows he will never have to deal with a worse person” [paraphrased]. A few years after that I saw him on Tybee during the 2007 Beach Bum Parade (the one where we got the float and wore the green caps—‘the Irish Hurricane’). I threw a huge bucket of water on him and his wife held him back as he was coming for me. I think he wanted to beat my ass. I guess that was the straw…
Pmac v. parents houses
Patrick had a badass party at his mom’s house the summer going into senior year. His mom found out and was disappointed to say the least. He then had another party the next summer. Donnie had interesting stories following both parties despite the fact that he didn’t make it to the neighborhood for one of them. Other parties ensued at other locations when PMac's mother moved away.(Not sure who reads this blog).
T. Wolfe v. Tampa Bay Taxi Cab Driver
Jack didn’t want to walk the quarter mile to our hotel and we were stranded in the middle of downtown Tampa Bay without a ride. Finally a cab driver pulls up and we start to pile in. When the cab driver told us an outrageous price (I think cabs were going for like $10-$20 a person) T. Wolfe started arguing with him. In broken English the driver told us all to get out of the vehicle. Tony—furious as only people like Tony and B.G. can be after getting kicked out of a cab for being an asshole—walks in front of the cab, bangs on the hood of the car, flicks the driver off and yells an ethnic slur in a town that is known for ethnic violence. It took a long time to get another cab.
Other Notables:
??? v. TI Property/'Love Palace of D'; Demont v. the World; and Slick v. Martinez
Up Next: Top Five Donnie Relationships (Friends Siblings edition).
Donnie v. Jack
We’ve all heard numerous stories. I think if you asked Jack or Donnie what really happened that fateful night in Atlanta, GA neither would actually remember the details of their ‘fight’. The only person besides Jack and Donnie that has any direct insight of the fight would be Donnie’s hotel roommate-- and we all know who he is going to side with…. especially since they shared an intimate moment that night.
Slick v. David Greene Jersey
Rick puked on his David Greene Jersey, Donnie’s mom cleaned it. End. Of. Story. (This falls into the ‘catastrophe’ category as there was nothing ‘controversial’ that happened that night)
Me v. Hicks
Our relation started cordial but quickly turned sour. He made me sit on a stool in the back corner of his classroom. On St. Patrick’s Day two years after I graduated from high school Hicks told me that “he is glad that he taught me because now he knows he will never have to deal with a worse person” [paraphrased]. A few years after that I saw him on Tybee during the 2007 Beach Bum Parade (the one where we got the float and wore the green caps—‘the Irish Hurricane’). I threw a huge bucket of water on him and his wife held him back as he was coming for me. I think he wanted to beat my ass. I guess that was the straw…
Pmac v. parents houses
Patrick had a badass party at his mom’s house the summer going into senior year. His mom found out and was disappointed to say the least. He then had another party the next summer. Donnie had interesting stories following both parties despite the fact that he didn’t make it to the neighborhood for one of them. Other parties ensued at other locations when PMac's mother moved away.(Not sure who reads this blog).
T. Wolfe v. Tampa Bay Taxi Cab Driver
Jack didn’t want to walk the quarter mile to our hotel and we were stranded in the middle of downtown Tampa Bay without a ride. Finally a cab driver pulls up and we start to pile in. When the cab driver told us an outrageous price (I think cabs were going for like $10-$20 a person) T. Wolfe started arguing with him. In broken English the driver told us all to get out of the vehicle. Tony—furious as only people like Tony and B.G. can be after getting kicked out of a cab for being an asshole—walks in front of the cab, bangs on the hood of the car, flicks the driver off and yells an ethnic slur in a town that is known for ethnic violence. It took a long time to get another cab.
Other Notables:
??? v. TI Property/'Love Palace of D'; Demont v. the World; and Slick v. Martinez
Up Next: Top Five Donnie Relationships (Friends Siblings edition).
HUGE Win
The Cadets keep one of their season goals intact by defeating a very strong Windsor Forest squad at home, 53-43 and remaining perfect in SAV. Coursey had an unreal 21 rebounds and 11 blocks. This team is really starting to look like the real deal. Also, I'll be officially half way done with school in 4.5 hours.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Obnoxiously Long Post Time
Since there aren't a whole lot of things I post about on here, and music is one of them, I'll go ahead and throw out my best music of the 2000s extravaganza. Note: there are several sports “best-ofs” in the works that will be a lot more interesting.
I'll go ahead and say this now -- I don't care about what's the “most important,” “most influential,” or anything else. The way I see it, the only way to make a list like this is to go with what you think is the “most awesome.”
And because I know no one really gives a damn about what I think is cool, I'll start with a Top 5 that everyone should be able to get behind:
The Top 5 Songs That People Actually Listened To In The 2000s*
5. Jet, Cold Hard Bitch -- Jet is a seriously terrible band. Or was. I don't know if they still exist, but I do know that no one here cares enough for me to waste the 15 seconds it would take to look that up. I also don't know how awful bands trip over themselves into one great song, but Jet managed to do that in 2003.
4. Outkast, Hey Ya! -- I almost left this off the list, just because it was overplayed to the point of annoyance for years. But I listened to it again at the last minute, and there are still like 25 different hooks stuffed into the song. Sometimes things get overplayed for good reason.
3. Modest Mouse, Float On -- It's still really weird that this song took off like it did. Unlike songs by other good bands like the White Stripes, it actually got played on Mix stations and stuff. It really was inescapable, and I'd consider it the first of many Bourbon Street specials.
2. Kelly Clarkson, Since U Been Gone -- I'll never understand why more songs like this one don't become huge hits. Or to be more specific, why artists as visible as Kelly Clarkson don't record more singles like this one: a simple, three-minute rock song with a massive chorus.
1. The Killers, Mr. Brightside -- Not only is this the best Top 40 single of the decade, but The Killers are clearly the best singles band of the decade. Their albums might blow, but damn if they don't write two or three keepers every time out. Also, this song owned B-Street for the better part of our college careers, which has to count for something.
Also considered: Franz Ferdinand -- Take Me Out, Beyonce -- Crazy In Love, Jay-Z -- Izzo.
* My sense of what was “actually listened to” is probably way off.
Now for the stuff that interests no one:
The Actual Top 5 Songs According To Anymouse
5. TV on the Radio, Wolf Like Me -- Yes, it's a song about turning into a werewolf. No, it's got nothing to do with all those movies about teenagers turning into various mythical creatures. Which begs the question: Slic, you seen those Twilight movies yet?
4. Neko Case, I Wish I Was the Moon -- Sometimes it's hard to remember that country music exists outside the realm of The Beauregard's, but Neko Case's voice is able to remind me every so often.
3. Drive-By Truckers, Goddamn Lonely Love -- You knew I had to get Drive-By Truckers/Jason Isbell onto this list somehow. I'd say this was Isbell's finest moment with the band.
2. The White Stripes, Ball and Biscuit -- Best song by the best band of the decade, pretty much.
1. The Hold Steady, Stuck Between Stations -- Song's got everything. It's loud, catchy, has smart lyrics and a Bruce Springsteen piano breakdown. On the right day, I'd call it my favorite song of all time.
Also considered: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists -- Me and Mia, Songs Ohia -- Farewell Transmission, The Libertines -- Can't Stand Me Now.
And finally:
The Top 5 Albums According To Anymouse
5. The White Stripes, White Blood Cells -- I really could have put anything the White Stripes did this decade in the Top 5, but I guess this is the most deserving record. Partly because it was my, and just about everyone else's, introduction to them. Partly because “Fell In Love With a Girl” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” probably are the quintessential White Stripes songs.
4. The National, Alligator -- I know it's really hacky to just post things other people have written, but I'm running out of steam at this point, so that's exactly what you're getting with the next three: “...wry, filthy, and often eloquently sad tales of materialism, sex, and loneliness... The National may sound like a garage band turned down, but there's as much primal energy lurking behind Alligator as in any mop-topped group of city kids with bloodstained Danelectros in a dusty warehouse. (AllMusic)”
3. Neko Case, Blacklisted -- “Case has a voice so soaked in the nuances of country music that she might well have been born to sing it. Blacklisted brings in a torch to accompany the twang... The songs are spectral, yearning, and a bit opaque, the kind of music appropriate for a bar in which everyone has had a few and feels no better for it. (AVClub)”
2. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday -- “Separation Sunday is mostly about the nostalgia of decadence, but it's also about Catholic schoolgirls, blackouts, wrong-way drives, and putting your mouth around a difficult question. You can trip over hyperbole just thinking about this record: they really are the country's most intuitive bar band fronted by our most original songwriter. (PopMatters)”
1. Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot -- Everything you read about Radiohead in every other “best of the decade” list this month should go for this album as well. You have to take most of the things I post on this blog with a grain of salt, obviously, but I'm completely serious when I say that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot floored me as a 16-year-old two years into high school and still holds up seven years later.
Also considered: The Strokes -- Is This It, Ryan Adams -- Heartbreaker, Drive-By Truckers -- Decoration Day.
I'll go ahead and say this now -- I don't care about what's the “most important,” “most influential,” or anything else. The way I see it, the only way to make a list like this is to go with what you think is the “most awesome.”
And because I know no one really gives a damn about what I think is cool, I'll start with a Top 5 that everyone should be able to get behind:
The Top 5 Songs That People Actually Listened To In The 2000s*
5. Jet, Cold Hard Bitch -- Jet is a seriously terrible band. Or was. I don't know if they still exist, but I do know that no one here cares enough for me to waste the 15 seconds it would take to look that up. I also don't know how awful bands trip over themselves into one great song, but Jet managed to do that in 2003.
4. Outkast, Hey Ya! -- I almost left this off the list, just because it was overplayed to the point of annoyance for years. But I listened to it again at the last minute, and there are still like 25 different hooks stuffed into the song. Sometimes things get overplayed for good reason.
3. Modest Mouse, Float On -- It's still really weird that this song took off like it did. Unlike songs by other good bands like the White Stripes, it actually got played on Mix stations and stuff. It really was inescapable, and I'd consider it the first of many Bourbon Street specials.
2. Kelly Clarkson, Since U Been Gone -- I'll never understand why more songs like this one don't become huge hits. Or to be more specific, why artists as visible as Kelly Clarkson don't record more singles like this one: a simple, three-minute rock song with a massive chorus.
1. The Killers, Mr. Brightside -- Not only is this the best Top 40 single of the decade, but The Killers are clearly the best singles band of the decade. Their albums might blow, but damn if they don't write two or three keepers every time out. Also, this song owned B-Street for the better part of our college careers, which has to count for something.
Also considered: Franz Ferdinand -- Take Me Out, Beyonce -- Crazy In Love, Jay-Z -- Izzo.
* My sense of what was “actually listened to” is probably way off.
Now for the stuff that interests no one:
The Actual Top 5 Songs According To Anymouse
5. TV on the Radio, Wolf Like Me -- Yes, it's a song about turning into a werewolf. No, it's got nothing to do with all those movies about teenagers turning into various mythical creatures. Which begs the question: Slic, you seen those Twilight movies yet?
4. Neko Case, I Wish I Was the Moon -- Sometimes it's hard to remember that country music exists outside the realm of The Beauregard's, but Neko Case's voice is able to remind me every so often.
3. Drive-By Truckers, Goddamn Lonely Love -- You knew I had to get Drive-By Truckers/Jason Isbell onto this list somehow. I'd say this was Isbell's finest moment with the band.
2. The White Stripes, Ball and Biscuit -- Best song by the best band of the decade, pretty much.
1. The Hold Steady, Stuck Between Stations -- Song's got everything. It's loud, catchy, has smart lyrics and a Bruce Springsteen piano breakdown. On the right day, I'd call it my favorite song of all time.
Also considered: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists -- Me and Mia, Songs Ohia -- Farewell Transmission, The Libertines -- Can't Stand Me Now.
And finally:
The Top 5 Albums According To Anymouse
5. The White Stripes, White Blood Cells -- I really could have put anything the White Stripes did this decade in the Top 5, but I guess this is the most deserving record. Partly because it was my, and just about everyone else's, introduction to them. Partly because “Fell In Love With a Girl” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” probably are the quintessential White Stripes songs.
4. The National, Alligator -- I know it's really hacky to just post things other people have written, but I'm running out of steam at this point, so that's exactly what you're getting with the next three: “...wry, filthy, and often eloquently sad tales of materialism, sex, and loneliness... The National may sound like a garage band turned down, but there's as much primal energy lurking behind Alligator as in any mop-topped group of city kids with bloodstained Danelectros in a dusty warehouse. (AllMusic)”
3. Neko Case, Blacklisted -- “Case has a voice so soaked in the nuances of country music that she might well have been born to sing it. Blacklisted brings in a torch to accompany the twang... The songs are spectral, yearning, and a bit opaque, the kind of music appropriate for a bar in which everyone has had a few and feels no better for it. (AVClub)”
2. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday -- “Separation Sunday is mostly about the nostalgia of decadence, but it's also about Catholic schoolgirls, blackouts, wrong-way drives, and putting your mouth around a difficult question. You can trip over hyperbole just thinking about this record: they really are the country's most intuitive bar band fronted by our most original songwriter. (PopMatters)”
1. Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot -- Everything you read about Radiohead in every other “best of the decade” list this month should go for this album as well. You have to take most of the things I post on this blog with a grain of salt, obviously, but I'm completely serious when I say that Yankee Hotel Foxtrot floored me as a 16-year-old two years into high school and still holds up seven years later.
Also considered: The Strokes -- Is This It, Ryan Adams -- Heartbreaker, Drive-By Truckers -- Decoration Day.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Relationships of the Decade
10: Rick Schwarz and Emily Barbee
Where do I begin? They went ice skating together. They frolicked on the trampoline. He was really tired one night, but he still managed to make it to a viewing of Paycheck. Things flamed out once Swarz had to get back to business in Athens. Still, they were together for the infamous New Year's party at my house where sofas were broken, I threw up, and vacuum cleaners ate shorts.
9: Bishop Boland and Ms. Dolan
Star-crossed lovers, these two have caused more of an uproar in our area than any other couple of the last decade.
8: Erica "Meyer" Adams and the Benedictine graduating classes of 2002-2005
Kappa Delta. Red jeep. Margarita pitchers. My sweet green anorak.
7: Shane and Joelle Gzniayktx
One Memorial Day Shane drank about a dozen warm beers on the beach. The tanned bimbo ended up being the little spoon at the Love Palace. Unfortunately, she's never been back.
6: Rick Schwarz and the Bama Beauties
These ladies rolled into Savannah with Alabama's own Robert Fender last St. Patrick's Day. They met Schwarz through mutual friends, and he showed them the time of their lives. While they were unable to keep up with his rock n'roll lifestyle, this is a relationship that is far from over.
5: Schiv and Katie Crider
"True love is the soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another." This quote from the movie Wedding Crashers sums it up. Watching these two together makes even the toughest guy smile. Currently, she's in New York finding herself while Bryan remains in Athens studying law and group behavior at Bourbon Street. This relationship is likely to be on the list next decade as well.
4: Joey Sims and Brooke Blanton
I am not sure how they met or who introduced them to each other, but I am so happy for them!
3: Katy Sauers and Rand Boyd
RAND!!!!! Apparently, this match made in heaven provided a lot of entertainment, but I only got to see them go at it a time or two. Ask JJH4 for the details on these two, and ask Rick for an impression. JJ.
2: Donnie Bell and Molly Holmes
So we've hit a rough patch. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. She will grow her hair back, and we will work things out.
1: Us and Bourbon Street
It's always there for us. And it is awesome.
Honorable Mention: Clowe and Plowe, Andrew and the SVA graduating class of 2005, Connolly and Savannah Cougars, JJ and LSU Lauren, Meg Johnson and myself, Schiv and Leigh, Peg Holland and Jonathan Williams, Kacey and Brandon/Sam, People and Tim Tebow, Kris Durham and Courtney Kupets, O'Hayer and Annie's friend, Shane and Nolan, and Rick and Tatoo.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
OIA College Bowl Pick 'Em
Group name: Only In America
Group password: Tigerwasframed
Scoring type: Straight up (no confidence points)
Special Rules:
1. The first tiebreaker is not the one listed. Instead, you must pick the winner of the OIA Bowl with the spread. Team '03 minus 2 scores. Submit your tiebreak pick in the comments. The backup tiebreaker will be the UT/Bama score prediction.
2. Instead of trying to collect $ and go through that hassle again, here's what the winner gets:
The right to one free drink from each participant, redeemable at any time, not to exceed $8.00
*The first bowl is on December 19.
ALL READERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE
A little OIA Bowl info (to be followed by a more in-depth post)
Last year's rosters:
Bryan, Donnie, PMac v. Jack, Rick, Shane resulted in a three score loss for the '04 hybrid team
This year's roster:
Bryan, Donnie, PLowe v. Jack, Rick, Shane
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