Riddle Me This, Jishman

Last week, America was tone deaf again, which made me wrong! My record is now 10 for 15.

This week I start the Megan Joy must go…. because face it, there ain’t no Joy from Megan Joy! None.

…is there any way this is a joke? I mean, is it possible that the world is not going to hell in a handbasket and that Congress truly has this little to do?

Obama and some members of Congress favor a playoff-type system to determine the national champion. The BCS features a championship game between the two top teams in the BCS standings, based on two polls and six computer ratings.

Behind the push for the hearings is the subcommittee’s top Republican, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. People there were furious that Utah was bypassed for the national championship despite going undefeated in the regular season.

Maybe, perhaps, we should be focusing our energy on more important things? I’m just saying…

Also, this just in, it’s an RMTJ exlcusive: Lost your NCAA bracket already? That’s okay! Now you can now keep the polling going. You can pick the world’s worst company! I know people who’ve already started it. Unfortunately, their company names are on the “not sponsored by” sections, or I’d release their name in true “McHates-You” style.

JishSis, our sarcastic reporter in our newly formed Southeast Asian bureau, bring us the following thoughts on her award winning thoughts from the road. She’s like Kerouac, only with less poetry.

I think, of all of them, my favorite my be the idiocy of number 5. Trust me, it’s worth a read. You should also enjoy the rest of her blog too. Make sure to look at the pictures too.

Last week, I was wrong. Fact of the matter, the viewers got it wrong in a BIG WAY!!! Still, my record is 10 for 14…

This week I will not waste time or mince words.

Kris Allen sang and I thought, “Thank goodness!! Finally this hack will get sent home!!!

Then Scott MacIntrye sang… First words out of my mouth, “He just saved Kris! Damn!” And I was pretty confident that Scott was going home, it just couldn’t get any worse, could it?!

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Yup, as many of our most loyal fans know, I was the victorious recipient of this year’s New England Rotisserie Football League. As you know, I was surprised - shocked, even! Even more surprising to me, though, was getting the trophy in the mail yesterday. Yup, that’s right, I got it. I opened it. I put it right where it belongs:

Right on top of the TV. Ah…the only thing that made me feel better than having it there was this:

And it is with that, that I open a newest poll:

I love fantasy football!

Word of the day:

Nonversation

A completely worthless conversation, wherein nothing is illuminated, explained or otherwise elaborated upon. Typically occurs at parties, bars or other events where meaningful conversation is nearly impossible.

Sounds like another word of the day: “Meetings.”

Just in time for the NCAA Tournament, Forbes has ranked the most valuable Men’s College Baskeball teams.

Forbes’ rankings, which rank men’s basketball teams based on the money that they contribute to their universities, athletic departments, athletic conferences and local communities, again put the Tar Heels on top. Carolina led the inaugural rankings in 2008.

UNC’s team is worth $25.9 million, Forbes’ rankings estimate. Last year, the Tar Heels generated $16.4 million in operating income – second only to the $16.6 million brought in by fellow NCAA No. 1 seed Louisville.

Follow the link to Forbes for the complete story.

Thanks to the Washington Business Journal for the story tip.

Yup, that’s right, folks. On television, I have a twin…either that or I work at the White House. Chuck Todd, as you NBC fans know, has been promoted to role of White House correspondent. Many people have told me that they’re confusing the two of us. Tell me, what do you think?

Mcmenamins – Corvallis, OR – Ember - A series of breweries/distillaries/hotels/movie theaters/spas/etc all over the pacific northwest - they are each unique and ALL amusing

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – Chico, CA – Though I have frequent had their Pale Ale on the East Coast, I have to say after visiting this brewery that I am impressed.  Any taproom whose beer sampler is 16 samples on one sheet – they want you to like their beer.  16 is a heck of a lot of beer to write about, but here’s goes…

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Last week I was 1 for 2, which brings my total to 10 for 13 on the season.

This week was country week. Enough said.

In my opinion as the RMTJ correspondent, here are my worst four performances of the evening from American Idol’s Top 11 Grand Ole Opry week:

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I know we generally stay away from politics on this blog, but football is always open for discussion. Today, President Obama announced that he will appoint Steeler’s Owner Dan Rooney as Ambassador to Ireland. Here is what the New York Times has to say:

On the day of the year that America gives its practically undivided attention to the Irish, President Obama announced that he is naming Daniel Rooney—owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers—to be ambassador to Ireland.

Mr. Rooney, who campaigned for Mr. Obama and presented him with a Steelers jersey during a campaign event, co-founded the American Ireland Fund, an organization to promote peace in Northern Ireland through education programs.

“Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.

Happy St, Patrick’s Day!!!

(or as my friend Damon posted at his Facebook account, “Happy St. Drink until their cute day!” It applies to both men and women. As a former Bartender I saw many people go home at 2 with a 10 and wake up at 10 with a 2… Today, more thank likely!) Make sure to include me in your toast when you lift your pint or two of Guiness! “Slainte” is the preferred toast!

Remember: “There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.”

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderul day!!! Enjoy the Festivities!!! Enjoy the Music!!! Enjoy the Day!!!

Eireann go Brach!

So, I will admit, in my lifetime, I have been an impulse buyer. Shocking, I’m sure to the people who know me, and if you don’t…well, just take it on faith. I definitely owned more CDs, DVDs and Cookbooks than any one soul should. Luckily, I have a kind hearted, softer spoken guiding soul who has helped move my impulse purchasing ways to a definite middle. I definitely don’t buy as many things as I used to, and even at dinner with a few friends last night, she was overheard saying the words “Yeah, you haven’t bought anything in quite some time.” On one side, part of me (we’ll call it Id) thought that was an open invitation for one thing: “NINTENDO Wii!” The other side (we’ll call this Responsible) said: “Good man, keep that up!” Being born at 50, I also found pride in the fact that I truly hadn’t made the major purchases I had threatened…ahem, promised, I’d make once I got a job. I just didn’t need the Bose speakers I’d largely been lusting after since I graduated college nearly 10 years ago. Nor did I buy the flat screen TV pretty much everyone I seem to be friends with owns these days.

I don’t need these things, and I have much more important things to spend money on - or things that cost less and I’d enjoy more. I like going to see concerts and shows on Broadway. I’m going to New Orleans this summer and I wouldn’t mind eating my body weight in beneighs (not that I’m expecting them to cost that much). But mostly, in today’s market, I really just don’t see the need to spend $1000 on something that I’ll use, but would only be replacing something that works perfectly fine right now. I own a TV. We don’t play video games.

I was cruising around on Facebook and I saw my friend’s status message (thank you, Lori!). It contained this link. I realized, with subtle hints, I had been following most of these already.

When will I use this?

Do I have another one like this already?

If I buy this, where will I put it?

If I buy this, can I pay cash?

Can I buy a good-quality used version for less?

Do I know anyone who already owns one I can borrow?

Can I wait to buy this?

Why do I want to buy this? And why do I want to buy it today?

Are there better options available?

What would my wife say if I bought this?

Yes, subconsciously, I have already used some of these questions to talk myself OUT OF buying things, but even into finding alternative solutions. I have speakers and a receiver. Both of which were originally someone else’s. When one person found out I was interested in getting new speakers, he offered up some that he had in his office. And I’ll be honest, I listen to more music than I have in YEARS since getting them. They sound awesome. For a receiver, I was given that when a friend was moving out to the suburbs and didn’t want to move his. He bought a new one. So, I got a receiver that way. I have an iPod that I’ve had since the late Clinton administration (okay, not really, but definitely from before President Bush’s second inauguration). I haven’t gotten a new one because this one hasn’t died. Same reason for my television set and my Tivo.

I am certainly not cheap, but nowadays, would being cheap be such a bad thing? Take a read through the article. I am not saying it will change your life, but you might find you don’t need that 4th Rachael Ray cookbook when every recipe you could possibly imagine is on Foodnetwork.com or Epicurious.

In the spirit of our new guest poster ravbeer, I came across this airport beer guide.

http://marketing.cheapflights.com/guides/beerguide.pdf

Enjoy!