A Couple Random Thoughts on a Friday-- 3

It's Friday and I'm Bored

1. If you live in NYC like I do, do yourself a favor and give Smith and Wollensky's a try. Went there on Tuesday night, now I've been there three or so times in the past so I am familiar with their service and meat quality. I have not been disappointed yet. Its a classic steakhouse with men's cuts and delicious apps and desserts. Wine list is good enough for me and the drinks are made like a 14 year old watching Baywatch, stiff. I had the crab meat cocktail and calamari for an app, a fillet for dinner and chocolate mousse cake for dessert. All very plentiful and filling. I was so full I had to limp home b/c 14 ounces of succulent beef was stuck in my left chamber of my stomach. Either way try it out... it's not only in NYC either other locations Chicago, Miami, D.C. Vegas, Philly, Columbus, Houston and Boston. I have had better steaks, but this place is consistently an A rated place for a men's meal.

2. Youtube video of the week-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHH-6ZQktRQ A co-worker sent this to me earlier this week. Most of it appears to be fake, but its freakish anyway and really fun to watch.
Especially three kicks in a row to the bell tower from Mason Crosby, are you kidding me?

3. Spent last weekend in Dallas, TX for a college friends wedding- People were very friendly, don't know what kind of Tequila I was drinking maybe Silver Souza but it was potent, plentiful, and pleasing. Yes that's an alliteration.

4. I had 5 or so brews last night, nothing heavy or anything, but I did forget to eat dinner. You wake up the next day with a weird feeling in your stomach. I'm not sure what the feeling is, but I can assure you its not pleasant. Strangest part is, you try and eat a disgusting breakfast eggs, bacon, and cheese and you can only put half of it down because you don't feel hungry, even though you haven't eaten in 16 hours. I'm no science major, but lets add this one to the list of things to figure out... Cancer, AIDS, why people like OPRAH, day after hunger followed by no appetite. In that order!! I hate Oprah and her book club.

5. I work on wall st we don't get paid high salaries we make it up on bonus. I officially hate Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Welcome to the United Socialist States of America. He is going to screw a lot of people over and NYC will only weaken when no one can afford to live here etc. He won't understand the effects for a few years when his approval ratings are bush-like. I hope I have to eat my words... but right now I'm going to eat a sandwich...

Have a good weekend all faithful--

UFC 94 Preview/ Prediction

It's the biggest fight of the year and it's only January! The rematch everyone has been waiting for: B.J. Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title. 

Who is Georges St. Pierre?

He's the UFC Welterweight Champion and is universally considered the #1 ranked fighter in the world in the weight class and one of the top few pound for pound fighters ever. Except for a flukey loss to Matt Serra that he's since brutally avenged, GSP has completely cleaned out the very tough Welterweight division and is left with no real challengers, making this the perfect time for this superfight. 

Who is B.J. Penn?

Oh, he's only the UFC Lightweight (155 lbs.) champion, former Welterweight (170 lbs.) champ, and the greatest and most decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner that the United States has ever produced. He earned his black belt faster than any other American and won the 2000 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. He's starred at Welterweight in the past but has since slimmed back down to Lightweight and he has ruled the division with an iron fist. He's got something to prove since his contraversial loss to St. Pierre in 2006 and has been waiting for a chance to move up in weight again for a shot at GSP's title. 

What's the case for St. Pierre?

No one can question BJ's talent, but his conditioning has always been a question mark. BJ gassed out in the first fight with St. Pierre, and though Penn dominated Round One, GSP's superior conditioning won him the last two rounds for a split decision. As a title fight, this one can go a maximum of five rounds and this plays directly into GSP's strategy. He can use his world class wrestling to try to control BJ and drag the fight into the later rounds. A tired BJ will be susceptible to St. Pierre's extensive arsenal of kicks and take downs. 

What's the case for Penn?

Though a great striker in his own right, GSP will want no part of standing and trading with BJ as Penn has shown time and time again that his boxing is among the best in the world. In addition, BJ has an advantage on the ground over just about anyone on earth. BJ has made a commitment to conditioning in recent fights and the results have shown with his domination of the Lightweight ranks. If he's brought his new gas tank with him to the 170 lb. division, then he is capable of brutalizing GSP on the feet and submitting him on the ground. Questions have been raised about GSP's heart and that he is a quitter due to his tapout loss to Matt Serra. I don't know about that, but he'll BJ will definitely put those claims to the test.

Who will win?

The Suite Spot believes that BJ has trained hard and wants to cement his legendary status. Penn will win by submission in the 3rd round. That said, this is going to be a hell of a fight and even if BJ shows up ready and in shape, GSP is a phenomenal talent and has every chance to come out victorious. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this huge super fight that the UFC has put together for you this Saturday!

Taken with Taken

Liam Neeson stars as a badass in search of his kidnapped daughter in Taken. Otherwise a by-the-numbers thriller, Taken scores big in the action department. The film starts slow, setting the mood and casually introducing Neeson's character as a sympathetic figure due to events in his life, but once Taken gets rolling... look out! Liam Neeson is an inspired choice as the lead and you can tell that he really buys into the role. In a world of warmed over Bournes and Transporters, Taken is as good as it gets nowadays if you're looking for an action thrill-ride.

Our Answer to Yesterday's Hoop Question

A couple good comments on the blog yesterday, a decisive answer from Paulo, and an "I'm in second year law school answer" from Mene Gene. The question is a tough one to answer, hence I asked it.

On one side of the coin you have the ACC, with perennial powerhouses in Duke and UNC, and a strong supporting cast this year with Wake Forest and Clemson. We'll say these four teams are locks in the tourney. After these four you do fall off a cliff a bit. Virginia Tech, FSU, BC and Miami are all teams that have showed signs this year, but are not consistent enough to be locks and two if not three of these teams might see themselves playing in the NIT instead of the big dance. Keep in mind, every team has that one night where they don't perform and lose to a lesser opponenet but these four teams do that too often. Lets break it down...
V-tech- Big wins- @ Wake, @ Miami, BC. Bad losses- Seton Hall, @ Georgia, Wisconsin.
Miami- Big wins- @BC, BAd losses - N.C State and a blow out by UNC
BC - Big wins- UNC Bad losses- Harvard, St. Louis (yes you read that right, Harvard and the Billicans of St. Louis)
FSU- Big wins- Florida Bad losses- Northwestern

After these teams competition drops off and competitive teams of old - GA Tech, Maryland, NC State are just not good this year!

As of now I see 5 teams dancing from the ACC- Duke, UNC, Wake, Clemson, and V-Tech . I do worry about the alliterative Classic Clemson Collapse which seems to happen when they get to 15 wins. They have 17 now and have lost 2 of their last 3. Watch out!

Also from the polls, the ACC has 4 ranked teams, 3 of which in the top 10...

The flip-side of that coin is the Big East- A tough, physical, gritty conference with league legends Georgetown, Syracuse, UCONN, and St. Johns. People are talking that this league can get 9 teams in to the dance this year, and maybe even 10 (that I doubt the committe will ever let happen) Right now I think that the Big East has 6 locks with three teams on the bubble. Marquette, Louisville, UCONN, Pitt, Syracuse, and Nova are in. Georgetown, Notre Dame and West Virginia are on the verge, and Providence has a shot as well. Mene Gene made the argument of sample size and how the extra teams in the Big East help aid it in being a more "powerful" conference. Agreed to a point but that same argument can be said if the big east had only 4 strong teams and 12 weak teams, you would say that since there are 12 weak teams and only 4 teams with merit, that it was overall a weak conference. I look at it as how many teams are going to get in the tournament, the Big East's RPI's when the numbers finally come out, will be very strong, and their SOS (strength of schedule) will be one main factor in such a good RPI. That stat basically spells out a great deal how strong your conference is, as a higher percentage of games are in and not out of conference... advantage big east

Conclusion-
Big East has 8 teams in the top 25 with a few lurking on the outskirts. To the ACC's 4.
Big East has 4 top ten teams to the ACC's 3.
Big East teams play a harder schedule.

Not saying that the best team is in the Big East, I think its either in the ACC (UNC) or Big 12- Oklahoma, but as far as a conference goes, this year Big East is the cream of the crop.

Which Conference is Stronger in NCAA Hoops?

ACC or Big East? Let us know your thoughts!!

The Suite Spot turns 2000

It took just a hair over a month to go from 1000 to 2000 hits, we appreciate all the support, comments, and feedback we have received. We had some real solid posts this month, A Life Without Cable, UFC Previews, NFL briefs/playoff predictions, Some random thoughts on a Friday, and a few other sports/TV related posts. We have linked up with two other blogs. Jackie's Corner Table is a good blog for anyone interested in food and eating out in NYC. The other is a San Fransisco sports blog dedicated to the 49ers. Both friends of The Suite Spot, so give their site a try as well!!! Look forward to turning 3000. Please tell your friends, family, co-workers anyone who would find this blog interesting, and leave us feedback on anything we can do to enhance your experience.

TSS- Herbie,Beardo,Tooms, KLB

MLB Network-- Thank you God (and Time Warner)

Finally Time Warner Cable has done me some sort of good... some sort of (David) Justice. They picked up one of the official major sports networks. For the same lofty price of my monthly bill, I can now watch the hot stove report every night, can watch games of old and specials on players during and before my time! Last night over a brownie and some delicious 1% milk, I caught a special on Nolan Ryan's 7 no-hitters. His last no hitter came when he was 44 years old, and his last out against a youthful Roberto Alomar. That would be like Jamie Moyer pitching a no no last year... only The Ryan Express was throwing 95 still and taking personally endorsed Excedrin before and after every game. Remember how cheesy those commercials were, Nolan sitting in a blank Russel Athletic shirt with grey chest and dark blue sleeves. He would throw into a pitching target with a flame and smoke tailing the ball with every pitch. Commercial must have been great for Excedrin as it gave every viewer a headache!
Regardless, this channel has it all, and it will air some out of market games during the regular season, and will have so much spring training coverage it will be like a month long Christmas for baseball fans. Hopefully if this channel is successful it will spur the NFL, NBA, and others to come through my cable box. I'll settle for now

Merry Blartmas!!!

A Couple Random Thoughts on a Friday-- 2

Its Friday and I'm bored...

1. It was so cold out this morning, that even waiting for the subway I could still see my breath. I won't get into the many ways the NYC subway system is flawed, but my feet, all three legs, hands and face are still freezing now and it's been 3.5 hours since I was last outside! I 'm shocked that in a city filled with technology, we can't have space heaters (and air conditioners in the summer) underground in the subway system. More importantly bus-stops where you aren't underground and shielded from the brutal cold/ wind. Either way I'm cold, as was my heart as I wrote that.


2. American Idol-- This is the only time I'll watch, or even entertain the thought of watching American Idol, the very beginning. This is the pure entertainment value of the show, some people are strong, some people are just god awful, some people just do it to get on TV. I watch it solely for the laughter I get from Simon's expressions when one of the said awful is trying out. Usually a jaw drop, blinkless face followed by a hilarious comment. This week after telling a contestant he was one of the worst he'd ever seen, the contestant said maybe he needs a year of practice and that he'd come back next year. Simon responded by telling him that he should find something else to do with his life, b/c a lifetime of practice will never make him have a good voice. The truth is, he's right!! I know being white and under 6 feet tall I will never play professional basketball no matter how hard I practice. Growing up, I practiced hard, taking jumpshots til midnight in the winter time, learning how to dribble without looking at the ball by looking at the sky at night and learning the constellations, playing with kids 4-7 years older than me and getting to their level of play. It made me a very good basketball player, but I lacked some of the genetics that would have helped me play competitively at a higher level. I fully believe in dreaming about doing something great and achieving it, and I do believe that hard work will always pay off. The problem is, some things are just plain unattainable and people need to realize that sometimes dreams are just that --- dreams. Sorry to bash peoples hopes out there. Certain people aren't built for certain things, no matter how big the dream. Which leads me to one of the best things I've seen on American Idol followed by one of the worst things I've ever seen. Scott Macintyre was the first blind contestant I'd seen on the show, and they setup a whole story about his road and his talent. He showed up with the aid of a walking stick and human companion and absolutely wowed America. This man dreamed big, and in this case it aided by his talent, came through. A mesmerizing audition and a golden ticket to Hollywood was followed by a disgrace to him on national TV. Host Ryan Seacrest, how he is hosting a major TV show is sill a joke to me, tried to hi-five a blind person after he came out of the audition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmrmwm3FHMQ The man is blind Seacrest, cut him some slack. Either way this show is only good to watch for another two weeks, until it matters!

3. A lot of responses to my Rose Byrnes comment. Yes she is hot, but I never said she was the hottest thing on TV. I will be watching Damages episode two later today, Will keep you updated!

4.- Song of the Week- Dyer Maker by Led Zeppelin-- One of the better songs of all time, and in my opinion the best if not one of the best drummed songs of all time. John Bonham's drum solo about 2.5 minutes in is impressive and the song is very addicting and melodic. Sheryl Crow recently covered the song and does a bangup job, she even plays the accordion. Not the sexiest thing in the world having a girl playing accordion but Sheryl pulls it off and covers the song well. Specifically listen to it at the 1:11- 1:14 mark where she spices it up a bit. Check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNjbGDLf-_8&feature=PlayList&p=0F875E9BBF2ADB9D&playnext=1&index=48

Have a good weekend---

Herbie

71, 77, 74, 73, 74, 73, 72

What are these numbers? They're the high temperatures forecasted for the week of 1/11/09 - 1/17/09 in San Jose, CA. Enjoy the blistering cold rest of the country. Oh, and keep telling yourself that you love having 4 seasons and the crisp cold air and all that jazz. We have enough people out here already. Please stay where you are... and for god's sake bundle up. 

Bagels on Monday

I probably won’t be getting a raise this year.  In fact, it’s highly unlikely that you will either.   Instead, we get the pleasure of constantly stressing over benefit changes, slumping 401Ks, re-orgs, and layoff rumors.  Our current economic state has caused our employers to pinch pennies worse than a ninety year-old man and we feel the repercussions.   But does it really have to feel this bad?

In a conversation a few weeks ago with a family member, I found out that his company instituted a new tuition reimbursement program.   This is the first year that they have ever offered tuition reimbursement.  Shocked that it’s happened now?  I certainly was at first, but after thinking about it for a few minutes, it started making a lot of sense.  Offering education benefits accomplishes at least three important things.  First, it’s a sound investment.  It equips your employees with a deeper knowledge base and an expanded skillset  - both of which should improve performance and increase their overall value.  Second, it increases the likelihood that your employees will stick around.  After all, MBAs degrees aren’t earned over night.  Third, and most important, it improves employee satisfaction.  There is something extremely comforting in knowing that your employer wants to see you get a better education and is willing to pay for it.

On a similar note, a friend of mine recently started a new job and was excited to tell me about her first day.  Of the many differences between her old and new job, one of the first things that she mentioned was that her employer spoils its workers with bagels every Monday morning.  What a great way to start off your week!  Imagine struggling to get your aching bones out of bed at 6:00 AM, spilling coffee on your lap during the morning commute, and having the weather man remind you that it’s going to be below 20 degrees for the entire work week.  But wait!  As soon as I get into the office I’m gonna toast myself an everything bagel, spread a little bit of jalapeno cream cheese on top, and forget about the week’s stresses as a take my first bite.  Talk about improving employee morale and shielding people from the things that they worry about every day.  And all it took was a stinkin’ 99-cent bagel!

People look forward to the little things throughout the day that make them happy:  grabbing a snack from the pantry, walking to the local coffee shop for a break from the office, throwing back a brew at the end of the day with colleagues.  Companies need to start getting creative.  People can live without a salary increase in 2009 but their employers need to do something to help them forget about it.  

- KLB

UFC 93 Preview/Prediction

Two of the best in the game lace 'em up for a match up that is years in the making as UFC mainstay Rich Franklin takes on former PRIDE stalwart Dan Henderson.

Who is Rich Franklin?

He's a mainstream fan favorite thanks to his clean cut good looks and background as a high school math teacher. Holding the UFC Middleweight Title for the better part of 2005-2006 doesn't hurt either. You may also know him as one of the coaches from Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show or as the guy who knocked Ken Shamrock out on the now famous Ultimate Fighter 1 finale show. He's taken two savage beatings at the hands (and knees) of #1 pound for pound fighter in the world Anderson Silva, but really, what's the shame in that? Since then, Franklin has bulked up back to his more natural Light Heavyweight status and showed he belongs with a brutal knockout of Matt Hamill by liver kick. 

Who is Dan Henderson?

He's the former PRIDE Welterweight and Middleweight champion. Along with Randy Couture, he started the Team Quest fight camp in Temecula, CA and produces many top fighters along with his signature Clinch Gear line of fight clothing. He's one of the best wrestlers in mma as evidenced by his participation in the '92 and '96 Olympics for team USA. Though he is only 1-2 since joining the UFC, his two losses came in holding his own against the aforementioned Anderson Silva, and in a close decision in a 5 round war with Rampage Jackson. Needless to say, at age 38 Hendo is still a factor in the elite tier of the fight game. 

Who has the better standup game?

Both fighters are well rounded and extremely dangerous on their feet, but they employ different styles. Franklin uses a measured standup style that mixed in effective punches, kicks, and strong knees from the clinch. He is a force from the outside as well as up close. Henderson, on the other hand, has one of the best right hands in the world and isn't afraid to use it. He focuses on throwing that brutal punch as often as he can even at the expense of taking some shots himself. It helps that he possesses arguably the toughest chin in the UFC, having never been knocked out. I give Franklin a slight edge here as I believe that he will be able to take advantage of Henderson's wild swings with a series of counter punches that could take their toll on Hendo. 

Who is better on the ground?

Dan Henderson is possibly the best wrestler in all of MMA. There are probably a handful of elite jiu-jitsu guys who might think they could get the better of Hendo on the ground but even they would have their hands full. Rich Franklin is also an excellent grappler with strong, but not quite elite jiu-jitsu ability. His real strengths on the mat are superior ground and pound and a knack for avoiding submissions (he's never been submitted though he's appeared to locked into submission on a number of occasions). In total, I give a slight edge to Hendo as his wrestling is just too good. 

Who will win?

So Henderson is amazing on the ground and just really good on his feet and Franklin is great on the feet and just really good on the ground. Either one of these guys would dispatch of 90% of anyone else with relative ease. It takes an elite guy to challenge these two. Both are among the smartest and most determined fighters out there. It's too close to call but since I promised a prediction it'll be Henderson by unanimous decision based solely on his superior chin and mat wrestling acumen. I figure he'll be able to absorb whatever Rich throws at him whilst standing up and will be able to impose his will when the fight goes to the mat. Enjoy the big fight this Saturday on Pay Per View!

A Couple Random Thoughts on a Friday

Its Friday and I'm bored...

1. Damages Season 2- Previewed in an earlier post, I watched the premier on Wednesday night... My advice, watch this show. You'll like it! Also, the main character Ellen Parsons, played by Rose Byrnes, grows on you and gets hotter every time you watch an episode. She has a freckle under each eye that is close but not even from each other, its her Cindy Crawford. It's kinda of like having an extra private part, men crave it for whatever reason. I am not complaining. Show is well written too, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I think Rose Byrne got hotter during the time it took me to write that blurb. She's like moss on a rock, just grows on you over time!

2. Female bathroom etiquette- I hear a lot "Mark, make sure you put the seat down when your done!" And I do understand that since men's intestines are shaped differently that we in general have more and worse gas. I can deal with all of that, but ladies please when going number 1, taking a pee-pee, or whatever you may call it, after your done and you wipe your tinkle (too bad you can't jiggle like the boys huh) make sure it hits the water in the bowl. Don't leave it on the beach, make sure it lands in the ocean. The nausea caused on many men when they enter the bathroom and see a golden sponge sitting on the beach is intense. It is just as easy to hit the water as it is for us men to put the seat down. I'll work on it if you do!! "If you want us to put the seat down, make sure your wipe makes the sound!"

3. 24 premier's on Sunday- Make this a game, a drinking game! Put an over/under on how many people die and drink whenever one does. Remember this is a two hour premier. Drink whenever he raises his voice, asks Chloe to upload anything to his PDA, when he describes his simple location as something very complex. Example-- Simple- Chloe I'm in a sewer on Edgar Styles ln.... Complex- Chloeeeeee, I'm stuck in an underwater garbage and water recycling public works structure with water at knee level. Drink if you see Tony Almeda (oops did I ruin a surprise??) Drink and adjust pants whenever his daughter is shown. Drink whenever he says Bomb. Also by the end of the first episode everyone has to pick their "mole" within CTU of the season. Winner gets a free beer from each participant! Make up some own rules, get creative, leave suggestions in our comments section!!

4. Listen to Jim Valvano's speech from the 1993 espy's this weekend. It is sad, motivating and inspirational. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePXlkqkFH6s Gives me chills every time I watch it, it will go down as one of the best speeches of all time, and I know there are many famous others, Gettysburg, I have a Dream, My Fellow Americans, Jimmy V. If you watch and listen to this speech you will get a lot out of it. I've watched it 50 times now and it only gets better. If you don't feel like watching take this out of it, "To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." Try it out... you will be better for doing it!

That's all for now.... look for random thoughts to become a regular post in this blog!

We're Back....Here's to a great 2009

The four of us at The Suite Spot want to wish you the happiest New Year, and hope that in 2009 you reach all your goals. Our goal is to continue to grow this blog and make it a must as a daily read for you and yours! We've been away for the holiday season, but we are back and ready to go!!! Stay tuned later today for our first post in 2009, the ball has dropped, and now that it has it's time to get that ball rolling!!

--Herbie,Beardo,Tooms, Keith