Why Rocky would want EWU to win...

With their dramatic win over North Dakota State yesterday, Eastern Washington University is just one win away from the national championship game. Standing in their way? Villanova.

Now this is a slight problem for me since Villanova is a suburb of Philadelphia, home of Rocky Balboa. I'm going to have to talk myself into thinking he would want EWU to win instead of the Wildcats.

1. Is there a more Rocky-esque moment than this?



2. Villanova is for rich people
And after Rocky 5, you have to know that Rocky has no money anymore. Eastern Washington on the other hand? Well I went there, and I'm not rich. In fact, I just stole napkins from a McDonalds.

3. Villanova is the defending champion
You know what Rocky does to champs right? Fights them to a draw, beats them, loses the title, befriends them, regains the title, watches the former champ die in a fight with a Russian monster and... okay I have no idea where I'm going with this.

4. Michael Roos kind of looks like Clubber Lang
If he grew a mohawk, that would be perfect.

5. Bo Levi Mitchell, Beau Baldwin?
Those sound like pretty solid boxing names right there.

6. You know there's going to be a training montage of Taiwan Jones training by running through Cheney
... and outrunning cars. It would look something like this...



7. Isn't Wildcats the name of a Goldie Hawn movie?
Just saying...

8. Did you see the EWU team photo this year? Pretty epic...

So there you have it, and make sure you head out to Cheney on Friday for the game!

Epic Video: Even the Montana Griz fans are having a rough time...

The Montana Grizzlies had the same problem this season...

Christmas gift idea: A puddle

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

The sun comes out and dries up your gift. All you wanted to do was jump around in your puddle but you couldn't even do that before it dried up because an elk was. Sadness.

Gift 12 of the 24 worst gifts ever: A puddle

Christmas gift idea: Pet Rhino

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Rhinos are big creatures. They are meant to run around in the fields of Africa. Not snuggle with you on your coach. Plus, as the following video shows, even talking rhinos are kinda' rude.

Gift 11 of the 24 worst gifts ever: A pet rhino

Bears are getting smart around here...

In a continuing effort to consume human flesh, these bears have resorted to using tree stands. Uh-oh.

Christmas gift idea: Killer Robot

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Everyone thinks that having a robot would be cool. I used to. But not all robots are going to look like Rosie and do your chores. Some could look like the one in this video. Bad gift idea. Just stick to remote control cars.

Gift 10 of the 24 worst gifts ever: Killer Robot

Epic Photo: Casey went a little crazy with the snowman he made

Portland Timbers new alternate jersey

In addition to the new green regular jersey of the Portland Timbers, they will also feature a red alternate one.

I actually really like the red jersey. It's very sharp with the white sleeves. Nice job Portland. Nice job.

Portland Timbers new jersey

Today was the unveiling of the Portland Timbers jersey.

I watched it online. It was a pretty neat little ceremony. Since Alaska Airlines is the sponsor, the event was held in the Alaska Airlines hanger.

The unveiling started by opening the hanger to showcase the new "Portland Timbers" painted jet for Alaska Airlines. The jet was then rolled in and the participants came off it.

Most of the gear is pretty standard. But the big item was to see what the jersey would look like.

Here it is:

The kit was completed by pairing with white shorts that had green stripes. It really is a nice color combination.

Not bad looking at all. And sadly, much better looking than the new "X-Men" Seattle Sounders FC jerseys.

The Chronicles Of Narnia : Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I'm a dork. I know. But all growing up my favorite book series was always the "Chronicles of Narnia." I loved those books.

I have seen the first two movies. And thought they were great. Really kept to the story of the books. This movie is produced by FOX instead of Disney as the previous ones have been. So it will be interesting to see the difference. But I'm excited.

Epic Video: Pizza Place freakout

I've been known to freak out a time or two when my fast food isn't ready but this is ridiculous.

I've made this argument about the BCS and bowl system for a long time. People pine for a playoff system but look how meaningless the college basketball season gets thanks to conference post-season tournaments. I have no urge whatsoever to watch college basketball unless its my Eags or the Zags are losing (which they did against WSU last night). Check this out.


Under the current system, 70 schools and hordes of fans arrive days before the big game and immediately become the toast of the town. Fans and families plan vacations around bowl week. Student-athletes are celebrated as the players get to see places and do things they otherwise never could do. No wonder a poll of student-athletes taken by ESPN the Magazine earlier this year showed that 77% of players would prefer a career with three bowl games to a career with one playoff game.


A playoff, on the other hand, would be limited to a small number of schools, and it would turn their celebratory week into a series of one-day business trips because the teams would arrive the day before the game and leave right afterward. If they won, they'd need to get ready for next week's game. That's not a bowl party — that's another game on the schedule. For the schools that don't make a playoff, their bowl games would fade away. Sadly, so too would a great American tradition.


If ever a season showed that the BCS is fair and that it works, it's this season. And it happened while maintaining the thrilling regular season in which every game counts.

He does make a good point about how the playoff system would exclude a larger number of schools from postseason play, which in turn, generates more money. The FCS, commonly pointed too as the reason why a playoff system could work, still has the smallest percentage of teams competing in the postseason. The selection process isn't exactly perfect either.

Christmas gift idea: The Tiddy Bear

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

I seriously did not think they were saying "tiddy" during this commercial. Plus, could you imagine getting this? "Here honey, you always nag me in the car about your seat belt. Put this bear on your tiddy and you'll be fine."

Pervert bear is more like it.

Gift 9 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Tiddy Bear

Don't pick on Trent Dilfer...

Come on Lebron, I'm not trying to be a hater but you're going after the beloved Trent Dilfer. Here's a tweet he made...

KingJames 

Watching SC and Trent Dilfer is talking bad on how Peyton Manning is playing as of late! In his wildest dream could never ever do the things

Well first off that tweet hardly makes sense to an English teacher, but seriously Lebron? Going after Trent Dilfer - a stand up guy and former player? Does anyone advise on things that you shouldn't do publicly?

Say what you will about Peyton Manning but regardless, Dilfer is paid to have opinions on television. Having watching him numerous times, he's one of the more bearable NFL analysts. And since when is Lebron a huge Colts fan? Shouldn't he be a Browns fan?

OH wait.

Shouldn't he be a Dolphins fan?

Eagles get duo named to All-American team

Come on, no real surprise here... these two guys are awesome.

Eastern Washington University junior running back Taiwan Jones and senior linebacker J.C. Sherritt have been selected to the 2010 AFCA Football Championship Subdivision Coaches' All-America Team announced today by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

If you're curious about the stats, here they are for both guys...

Sherritt is EWU's leading tackler thus far with 135 for the season, an average of 11.25 per game that ranks 10th in FCS. Last season, the 2006 graduate of Pullman, Wash., High School led FCS with an average of just over 14 per game.

A candidate for the Walter Payton Award given to the top player in FCS, Jones has 1,512 yards this season to rank as the fourth-best performance in school history, ahead of the 1,216 he had last year. He has recorded the 15th 1,000-yard rushing performance in school history this season, including 11 in the last 16 seasons (1995-2010).

He now has an average of 137.5 yards per game that ranks fourth in the NCAA Championship Subdivision. After leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game for several weeks early in the year, Jones is currently second with an average of 196.6 yards (rushing, receiving, returns) per game. He is also 10th in scoring (8.73 per game with 16 total touchdowns).

How many UW or Montana All-Americans will there be this season?

Seattle Sounders FC open tryouts

The Seattle Sounders FC are holding open tryouts in January.

The Seattle Sounders FC will hold Open Tryouts on January 29-30, 2011, at the team’s training ground, the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington.

Tryouts will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Open tryouts are open to male soccer players ages 18 years and older.

Tryouts will feature small-sided as well as 11v11 games. Players will be assessed by members of the Sounders FC technical and coaching staffs, including Head Coach Sigi Schmid, General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Technical Director Chris Henderson.

The registration cost for each player is $125. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Registration fees will go directly to the Sounders FC Youth Academy program.

Perhaps the Northern Rangers should head out to Tukwila and see if we could make the team. But then again, we all remember how Brandon's tryout with the AFL's Spokane Shock went:

Rope Swing Quadruple Backflips

This is one awesome video.

This summer Mike went back to the drawing board and searched the land for the perfect location for his next Big Swing. Promising to take things to the next level Wilson was seeking the perfect spot to throw a Quadruple backflip off of a 100 foot rope swing into the royal blue depths of Lake Tahoe and oh did he deliver.

The events that followed took place on Lake Tahoe between Sunrise, and Sunset, were out of control. Hula Networks and the Shreddy Times Crew worked hard to get the shots while Mike delivered the goods. Mike Wilson catapulted himself into the record books with this one throwing huge quadruple backflips from a 99 foot swing that sent him flying over 115 feet into the air.

Epic Photo: Larry Bird... Renegade

Crazy... awesome...

Why am I beginning to hate the Heat?

I don't blame Lebron for leaving. I really don't. I just don't like Dwayne Wade.

He had one tremendous, once-in-a-lifetime postseason and everyone has anointed him with praise. I understand he's a great player that is able to make his teammates better but Lebron is better.

SOOOOO much better.

At 14-8, the Heat don't appear to be sucking but I'm sure we'll talk about how they're not quite up to expectations after they lose to another elite team in the NBA. That's really pointless though, it's too early to make judgements, let's just see how they do in the postseason.

But one very annoying trend is how Lebron is almost holding back on his game because of Wade. The two look like alpha dogs out there not trying to step on each others toes.

It's time for Wade to grow up and realize that this isn't his team anymore, it's Lebrons. Lebron thrives on being the leader on a team and being the guy that makes things happen. He's the focal point. He's the guy that should always be handling the ball. Can you dig it, sucker?

Lebron may not be quite the killer scorer that Jordan or Kobe is, but he's close. It's everything else about his game that makes him great. His passing skills are fantastic and he always seems to be all over the court. Then add on that when he wants to, he can take the ball to the basket.

Isn't that the guy you wan't leading your offense, not Wade? Wade's older and injury prone. He doesn't have as much talent, as Lebron, I'm sorry. He should take a secondary role and be the go-to guy for  Lebron not the other way around.

I can't get over how important this is. You've got to play roles on basketball teams and right now, Wade isn't doing that.

Exploring North Dakota

Since Eastern Washington University is playing North Dakota State University this weekend I figured that I'd let the Just South of North readers know about the state of North Dakota.

Now I have lots of family (hope they don't disown me after this post) that live in North Dakota. So I've spent my fair share of time in the state.

Here's some facts about the state:

Population: 646,844
Capital: Bismarck
Highest elevation: 3,506 ft
State bird: Western Meadowlark
State fish: Northern Pike
State tree: The telephone pole
State rock: yep

Hold on, where am I getting these facts? The state tree is really the telephone pole? Alright, that one I believe. But the state fish is the Pike? That's got to be made up.

Well, I was going to continue with my information session on the state of North Dakota, but then I found this video. It was made by a North Dakotan about the state. Pretty much sums it up. Yes, even frost bitten in May is possible.

Portland Timbers 2011 jersey

Earlier this week I showed you a preview of the 2011 Seattle Sounders FC jersey.

Well tomorrow, December 9, the Sounders biggest rival, the Portland Timbers, will unveil their 2011 jerseys.

Seattle's other rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps, showed off their new logo and jerseys earlier this fall. And I must say that I really like their logo. It's very sharp.

The jerseys on the other hand, are pretty plain and simple. But at least they don't have the dumb "X" pattern that the Sounders do now.

The Timbers jersey sponsor will be Alaska Airlines. While the Whitecaps jersey sponsor is Bell Communications.

Here's a look at the logo and jerseys for the Whitecaps:

Christmas gift idea: Extenze

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

How awkward a Christmas morning would this be. You wake up and run to the tree to see what Santa left you. There is your Uncle Bob opening his present from your Aunt Judy. At first you think it's gum, but then you see the container. And realize that Jimmie Johnson has sold his soul for a dollar, and a larger....

Gift 8 of the 24 worst gifts ever: Extenze

Corso's mascot head found

People say that TV personalities can have big heads. For the case of Lee Corso, that has never been more true. Corso of course is famous for his picking of the team on College Gameday by using the mascot head. ESPN even made a Corso mascot head as a joke. Well on Saturday it was stolen in Corvallis.

Oregon State Police say the oversized mascot head of ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso has been recovered, and two men have been cited on theft charges in the case. The $5,000 prop used each week on ESPN's "College Gameday'' show was reported stolen in Corvallis on Saturday after the annual game between rivals Oregon and Oregon State.

The funniest part of this whole story is that ESPN this year has been running a commercial featuring Corso switching heads with the Oregon Duck. So it only seems fitting that Corso's head was stolen in a game featuring, well, the Ducks.

Perhaps it was the Duck all along!

Christmas gift idea: The Gazelle

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

I wouldn't buy this product just because of this commercial! But then again, if you gave it someone they can always work on their "butt-OH-tocks!"

Gift 7 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Gazelle

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge turns 50

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge turns 50 years old today.

ANWR is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. It consists of 19,286,722 acres in the Alaska North Slope region. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the country, slightly larger than the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.

Seattle Sounders FC 2011 kits

I cruising through the MLS blog when I came upon a post about the new 2011 team kits for the Seattle Sounders.

And what I found was disgusting.

At first I really liked the new "away" kit. Instead of the blue of the past two seasons, it's a "shale" gray and looked sharp. To start with.

Then I noticed those strange silver lines that ran down the shoulders and into the armpits. I thought these lines were pretty tacky looking. Then I scrolled down more and saw the back of the jerseys.

YUCK!

What is up with those silver lines?!?!

They look like a gun holster. Or maybe a bad X-men uniform.

Terrible Sounders. Terrible.

Christmas gift idea: Slender Shaper

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Who needs to go to the gym anymore? Buy one of these silly belts and you'll be able to "watch the fat melt away" as the commercial states. It's like a fat melting magic machine! Just hook it up and bounce around. And guys, good luck if you give this to your ladies. Because you are sure to get slapped.

Gift 6 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Slender Shaper

Best. Comic. Ever.

This is actually somewhat close to where I live...

Anyone want to move to Montana?

LINCOLN, Mont. – A 1.4-acre parcel of land in western Montana that was once owned by Unabomber Ted Kaczynski is on the market for $69,500.

The listing — by John Pistelak Realty of Lincoln — offers potential buyers a chance to own a piece of "infamous U.S. history."

"This is a one of a kind property and is obviously very secluded," the listing says. It doesn't say who owns the property.

The forested land, which had been listed at $154,500, does not have electricity or running water. Photos posted with the online listing show tall trees, chain-link fences topped by barbed wire and a tree with "FBI" carved into it, though it's not clear why. Pistelak said Friday he couldn't immediately comment on the listing.

The property does not include Kaczynski's cabin, which is on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

I've already put in a bid...

Red is awesome

Yesterday, I terrified more than a few people in Polson by cheering on my Eags via the NCAA's internet feed of the game. You see, I had a few idle hours between a wrestling tournament and a basketball tournament yesterday to edit photos and watch the Eag game at my favorite coffee shop in the town, the Big Sky Bistro and Art Bar. So there I was, huddled around a laptop doing akward fist pumps with my headphones on. I kind of looked like this guy...

It was a 37-17 victory over Southeast Missouri, and what was most impressive what was the Eags' D did in the second half. They allowed just 26 yards of offense and turned what was a dogfight into a blowout. Taiwan Jones was pretty awesome too, racking up 168 yards and two touchdowns. He was also the game leader in "causing the other player to lose his jock strap" moves.

What gets me about Taiwan Jones is that he's a human highlight reel. Everytime he touches the ball, you hold your breath because anything could happen. If he grew wings, and flew to the endzone while getting chased by a bear... I'd believe it.

"Ah, so Mr. Red Robin, you've put on some weight I see. Love your burgers by the way. And the endless steak fries is always awesome."

By the way, did anyone realize there was a Gonzaga game yesterday or care? They lost. I love how they're 4-3 but their four wins have come against horrible opponents (EWU is one of them, considering they've suffered roughly 3,823 season-ending injuries on the roster). They're lacking that signature win against a top-ten team and it's looking like they'll have to win the WCC and get that automatic bid. No at-large this year. How awesome would it be if they didn't make the tournament!

So EWU will get another home football game on the red turf, next weekend against North Dakota State. By the way, I Google searched North Dakota State University and this is what I got...

Oh this should be a fun week of trash talking...

Christmas gift idea: Hawaii Chair

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Now today's gift is just plain silly. Watch the video. There is no way that you could do a normal work routine on this chair. No way! Could you imagine trying to type while spinning around like this? What a joke and that's why it made the list of terrible gift ideas.

Gift 5 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Hawaii Chair

Happy Apple Cup Day

It's here!

The Washington rivalry.

The Apple Cup!

Christmas gift idea: Handy Peel Gloves

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Today's gift is strange to say the least. Anything that has "molded rubbing nubs" I'm going worry about it.

Gift 4 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Handy Peel Gloves

Eastern Washington University football playoffs

It's playoff fever around Cheney, Washington today!

Eastern is the number one team in the nation and the number five seed into the FCS playoffs.

Check out this video that Brandon and I made about the Eastern gameday experience last year.

Go Eagles! Defend the Red Turf!

Washington State football uniform

The official uniform of the Washington State University football team.

Brandon also has the same item!

Epic Photo: What UW does best on grass

Elephant predicts 2010 Apple Cup winner

Chai, one of Woodland Park Zoo's Asian elephants, predicts the winner of the 2010 Apple Cup football game between the Huskies and the Cougars. At the end, he stomps on the loser.

Top that Brandon.

Southeast Missouri State getting ready for frozen Cheney

Eastern Washington University football and their playoff starts tomorrow on the Red Turf of Roos Field.

The first playoff game for the Inferno.

But despite the heat of the Inferno and the Red Turf, the snow is in Cheney.

And Southeast Missouri State players will be cold.

In an article from the Southeast Missourian talks about how the Redhawks are gearing up for the cold weather.

The red-hot Redhawks are set to play in a cold and snowy climate when they face off Saturday against Eastern Washington University in the first round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. And Southeast Missouri State football players are getting some new equipment to survive the blustery Northwest conditions. It's the first playoff berth in the history of the football program, so it's the first time the Redhawks have played after Thanksgiving and in temperatures expected to dip into the low 20s.

First time playing football in the 20s?!?!Wow.

But that's not all. When they say the team is "gearing up" to play in the snow, they aren't joking. The University dropped over $20,000 on cold weather gear for the game. These include hooded capes, hats, gloves, hand warmers and other cold-weather gear.

And the best part is how the writer described Cheney.

Cheney is a cold, windy, wet place in winter, but this fall it has been especially snowy. The region set a snowfall record in November, and ground crews at Roos Field, where the Eastern Washington Eagles play, have spent the past few days clearing about a foot and a half of snow from the field and stands. Yep that pretty much sums it up.

Welcome to Cheney, Southeast Missouri State. Sorry you'll be heading home with a loss.

Apple Cup bet

Tomorrow there are two football games that Brandon and I are really interested in.

First, our alma mater Eastern Washington University will be taking on Southeast Missouri State in the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs. GO EAGLES!!! Defend the Red Turf!!!

The other game will be the Apple Cup which pits the University of Washington vs. Washington State University.

Brandon and I have decided to up the odds a bit this year with a friendly Just South of North bet.

The winner gets bragging rights for a year. The loser will videotape themselves doing the following dance and post on the blog for the world to see.

The video will start with these words, "Hello. My name is ______. The __________ proved during the Apple Cup that they are the superior team in Washington. And because I was very very very wrong in rooting against them. I now will do this dance."

And that dance would be:



I'll be going for the Huskies. Brandon will be going for the Cougars. It's sure to be a fun Saturday!

Epic Photo: Apple Cup tomorrow

Enough said.

High school hurdle fail

This video is hilarious. And sad. All rolled into one big emotion.

The music and the messages have me so inspired! Yet the video is so funny that I almost feel sorry for the girl. Almost.

Check out this epic high school hurdle fail:

Christmas gift idea: Eggstractor

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Today's gift not only takes a simple task and makes it very complicated, but you look ridiculous while you do it!

Gift 3 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Eggstractor

NASA changes the rules of life

Finding life outside of our planet just got a new playbook. NASA has discovered arsenic-based life in California (not Al Davis, trust me), which throws everything out the window in terms of finding life on other worlds. Before we've looked for specific conditions for life that didn't include this possibility. Now? Heck there could be life on Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto for all we know, depending of chemical composition.

Looks like we need a bigger telescope.

NASA-funded astrobiology research has changed the fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth.

Researchers conducting tests in the harsh environment of Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. The microorganism substitutes arsenic for phosphorus in its cell components.

"The definition of life has just expanded," said Ed Weiler, NASA's associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at the agency's Headquarters in Washington. "As we pursue our efforts to seek signs of life in the solar system, we have to think more broadly, more diversely and consider life as we do not know it."

This finding of an alternative biochemistry makeup will alter biology textbooks and expand the scope of the search for life beyond Earth. The research is published in this week's edition of Science Express.

No word yet on whether this means that Ozzy Osbourne can now be classified as living.

Where UW fans get it wrong...

They get confused sometimes so I'm here to set things straight.

1. Husky Stadium is an awesome place - I've been there and the place is a dump. It's actually crumbling apart in some parts and the wind from Lake Washington conveniently lofts the smell from the porta potties into the stadium. They need to tear that place down and have games at Qwest Field.

2. Jake Locker is awesome - He's had a terrible year. The kid is a gamer and I love watching him for that but he's not a good quarterback. GOOD ATHLETE. Not a good quarterback. GOOD LEADER. Not a good thrower. In 2007, I was at the Apple Cup and the Cougs held a slim lead with Huskies having a chance to drive down the field and win it. Did you think Jake Locker inspired any fear? Nope, he chucked it downfield four times and the game was over. Cougs win.

And I'm sorry but he'll be awful in the NFL. Rex Grossman anyone?

3. The Huskies are awesome - You haven't been to a bowl game in forever. The Cougs may be bad, but you've been horrible on a more consistent basis in the past ten years.

4. Oregon is UW's biggest rival - I'm sure that Oregon State-Oregon has meant more in the past decade. This is an absolute dick move by UW fans. Nevermind that you're in-state rival competes with you for recruits and the Apple Cup has resulted in the Space Needle being bathed in Crimson before. You can't ignore WSU, or their 30,000 fans that show up to Husky Stadium every two years.

5. You're real football fans - How's that sellout streak at Husky Stadium going?

Spokane crosswalk sign flips of pedestrians

Heck. I'd flip off crazy Spokies too if I had the chance. Spokane has made national news because they're crosswalk light is giving people the one-finger salute...

SPOKANE, Wash. -- An electronic crosswalk sign near the Maple Street Bridge is apparently showing its disapproval of either the weather and / or local drivers by giving people the "Bronx Salute."

The crossing sign, located in downtown Spokane in the northbound lanes of Maple south of the Maple Street Bridge, has been somehow modified so when the "Don’t Walk" hand is displayed, only the upraised middle finger is visible.

City of Spokane spokesperson Marlene Feist says that street department personnel think the electronic sign may have snow somehow wedged into the sign, obscuring all but the palm and raised middle finger.

Feist added that clearly the display is “unintentional.”

And in North Spokane there's actually a cross walk sign that threatens people's kids. Hooray!

PVC pipe instrument

This kid is really awesome. He built this PVC pipe instrument and can actually make it play really good songs.

Perhaps since winter has set in on Polson, Montana Brandon should build one of these and practice.

Check it out:



Songs are...
-Office Theme Song (0:18)
-Linus and Lucy (0:38)
-Turkish March (1:13)
-Mario Brothers Theme (1:27)
-In the Hall of the Mountain King (1:54)
-Bad Romance (2:07)
-Viva La Vida (2:50)
-Like a Virgin (3:03)
-Crazy Train (3:23)
-Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (4:01)
-James Bond Theme (4:15)
-Pirates of the Caribbean Theme (4:35)
-The Final Countdown (featuring my friend, Quin) (4:56)

Christmas gift idea: Flip and Fold

It's that time of day! Time for the "24 days of bad Christmas gifts!"

Today's gift is a real treat! The commercial says it's fun to use and even works thanks to it's patented hole technology. Wowza can't wait!

Gift 2 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Flip and Fold

The Lamb of Cougar

Top this, Casey.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk to support the Arthritis Foundation

I was watching New Day Northwest today and they had a great feature letting people know about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

If you've been reading the blog over the past year then you know that topic hits very close to home for my family as my niece actually suffers from it.

It was for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that we formed Team Brooklynn this summer and raise over $7,500 for the Arthritis Foundation and the People's Coast Classic bicycle ride. The videos of our 6 day trip down the Oregon Coast are still up on Just South of North.

One of the guests on the show today was Scott Weaver of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. I actually had the pleasure to meet Scott on the People's Coast Classic and he's a great guy.

The show also had on Nine-year-old Synnove Solberg who suffers from Juvenile Arthritis and I couldn't help but think of Brooklynn.

The segment was talking about the upcoming 26th annual Jingle Bell Run and Walk which benefits the Arthritis Foundation. The event happens Sunday, December 12th at Westlake Center in Seattle.

There's still time to register. You can visit the Jingle Bell Run/Walk site to sign up.

Hats off to Scott, the Arthritis Foundation, all the participants in the Jingle Bell Run and to the kids that keep fighting against this terrible disease.

Christmas gift idea: The Collar Card

Today is December 1. And just like the song "12 days of Christmas," we here at Just South of North are going to be doing "the 24 worst gifts ever."

These are the gifts that when you open them you actually wish you would have gotten socks instead.

Gift 1 of the 24 worst gifts ever: The Collar Card

Montero signs extension with Sounders

The Seattle Sounders kept one of their most recognizable players by signing an extension with Freddy Montero. Montero is now the team's third designated player. I am a little bit curious if Montero enjoys playing in Seattle or would like to move to a bigger stage.

RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC has signed forward Fredy Montero to a contract extension and completed the permanent transfer of his contract to the club and Major League Soccer, qualifying him as the club’s third Designated Player. Per MLS and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Montero, 23, has finished as the Sounders FC Gold Boot honoree in scoring each of his two seasons, totaling 22 goals and 17 assists in 56 league appearances. Only two other players—Conor Casey and Jeff Cunningham—have totaled more points the past two years.

Montero is a two-time MLS All-Star selection and was voted the 2009 MLS Newcomer of the Year after scoring 12 goals. He has made four appearances for the Colombia National Team.

“I am happy and proud to be a part of Sounders FC. This is a good contract, but my goals are not complete and I aspire to grow as a player and get better,” said Montero.” Everything we have achieved has been through hard work, and there is still work to be done to realize our dreams.”

“This team has made a name for itself from the first match. That’s because of the fans, first and foremost. The owners, the coaches, the players and the people who work outside the lines--we are all on the same page. We have been in existence for only a short time but with the quality of players we have on this team, our aim is to win an MLS championship.”

No word yet on if Casey has thrown a "Sounders have signed Freddy Montero" party yet. 

Olympic National Park quarter design released

2010 marked the beginning of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. This program is similar to the state quarters. But instead of states, these quarters feature sites from each state.

In 2010 the first five quarters were released. I haven't personally seen any, but supposedly they are out there. These included designs honoring the Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas), Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Yosemite National Park (California), Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) and Mount Hood National Forest (Oregon).

Today the United States Mint released the design for the Olympic National Park quarter that will be released in 2011. The image is to the right.

The quarter design shows a Roosevelt elk standing in the Hoh River with a view of Mount Olympus behind it.

The other four quarters to be released in 2011 will be designs honoring Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania), Glacier National Park (Montana), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi) and Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahoma).

According to the United States Mint, the quarters program is a multi-year initiative during which the United States Mint will issue 56 circulating quarter-dollar coins with reverse designs emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories – the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The quarters are being released in the order in which the featured site was first established as a national park or site. The designs will rotate five times each year through 2020, with the final coin being released in 2021.

Apple Cup week

I love college sports. More than professional by a long shot. As a kid you claim a University and that's the team you root for. Then you grow up and maybe you go to a different University for school. Well, you still root for your old favorite team, but you now have a special place in your heart for your alma mater. And fans of your rival, well they might be your friends but for a few hours one day each year when the two teams meet, the trashtalk flys and the rivalry spurns. But it's all in good fun.

Take Brandon and I for example. I grew on the westside of Washington and before I could walk I was a Husky Pup.

Brandon grew up on the eastside of Washington and unfortunately became a WSU fan.

However, we both went to Eastern Washington and our Eagle pride outshines all. But once a year our favorite FBS teams meet in the Apple Cup.

Since Brandon already got an anti-Husky post up, I figured I would post why I hate the Cougars. But then I figured, why do that? Why not just compare the two programs and let the stats and numbers speak for themselves.

Sure UW fans haven't had a lot to cheer about in the last 5 years, but then again, neither have the WSU fans. With a win on Saturday UW goes to a bowl game, and with a win on Saturday WSU goes to a....oh wait....3 wins doesn't get you to a bowl game?

Let's start with the Apple Cup itself. This game hasn't really been a battle for the length of the rivalry. The Huskies lead with a 65-31-6 record. UW has won eight consecutive Apple Cups twice (1959–66 and 1974–81) while WSU's longest win streak is two.

UW won last years game 30-0.

Now on to National Championships. UW claims four (1960, 1984, 1990, 1991) while WSU has a big ol' ZERO.

As for bowl games well the numbers aren't even close. WSU has been to 10 bowl games in the history of the program while UW has been to 30.

And let's not forget about the Granddaddy of them all in the Rose Bowl. WSU has made it to four coming away with only a win only once, and that was in the 1916 game. UW has gone to 14 Rose Bowl games and won it seven times. Most recently in 2001.

This weekend will mark the first time in years that the game has more on the line than just state bragging rights. And that is thanks to UW with their possible bowl birth on the line. Well I guess that's not totally true. A win by the Cougars might buy Paul Wulff another year with the program.

I'm sure Just South of North will have more posts throughout the week before the Apple Cup. But one thing that is for sure is come Saturday I'll be rooting on the Dawgs and Brandon will be rooting on the Cougs. A blog divided.

Just for fun...

We've posted this before but... Jake Locker kissing his Mommy never gets old.

Why I hate the Huskies

Casey will no doubt pepper this blog with his rather loathsome fandom of the Washington Huskies. I can proudly say that I've never rooted for those purple abominations. Growing up on the east side of the state, it was always Cougars, Cougars Cougars. Since my high school's mascot was the Cougars, I naturally gravitated towards them.

It wasn't easy. Some of my teachers in school were Husky fans and they did their best to sway young minds into believing that the Huskies were the better football team to root for. I never budged. Not one bit. They told us "They're always really good!" and "Look at their cool  gold helmets" and "They have a big stadium!"

No sir. I'll take the Crimson and Gray every day. With the smallest stadium in the Pac-10, probably the poorest alumni base in the Pac-10 but certainly the pluckiest football team in the nation.

Back in 1997, the Cougars had this guy called Ryan Leaf. Certainly he ended up being the biggest draft bust in NFL history and a drug addict. Whatever. When I was 12, he was a god out on the football field. It's still emblazoned in my mind when the Cougs thumped the Huskies 41-35 in Seattle to go to the Rose Bowl. It was especially sweet because those teachers who had guaranteed a UW victory were at the game. Coug fans stormed the field and tore down the goalposts, I had secretly hoped they fell into a UW fan section.

Since then, the Cougs have had a heck of a lot of success (the past few seasons excluded) while the Huskies have been terrible. What's weird is that nobody who roots for UW seems to notice. You guys use to win national championships and now you're happy if you make it to a bowl game.

What's your signature win in the past 15 years? The Cougs have had plenty and have been ranked in the top 5 for college football on numerous occasions. What have you guys done?

Sure, the Paul Wulff years have been more than a little rocky, but I'll take the Cougs over you snooty UW fans any day.

Nothing to see here with Cam Newton, move along

The NCAA in all there wisdom has decided that Auburn's Cam Newton has done nothing wrong and may continue to play for a potential national championship.

I don't want to get into the whole pay-for-play argument about college athletes (the NCAA and schools makes a heck of a lot of money and doesn't pay these kids), but I would like to point out how ridiculous Cam Newton's father is...

Newton's father, the Rev. Cecil Newton, and another person, who wasn't named, tried to market Newton "as a part of a pay-for-play scenario in return for Newton's commitment to attend college and play football," the NCAA said.

Auburn has limited Newton's father's access to the athletic program and Mississippi State - which tried to recruit Newton - has cut off relations with the other person.

...

The NCAA investigation concluded that although his father violated the rules, the player did nothing wrong and should be allowed to continue to play.

"The conduct of Cam Newton's father and the involved individual is unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics," said Mike Slive, Southeastern Conference commissioner. "The actions taken by Auburn University and Mississippi State University make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC."

Glad to see a religious man take such an upstanding position on the marketing of his son. Cecil might be the worst sports parent I've ever heard of. Cam Newton is incredibly gifted, so instead of trying to pull a paultry $100,000 or $200,000 from a university - why not wait until he's in the NFL and make millions? Cecil doesn't sound like the smartest book in the library.

Here's an idea Cecil, if you would have done that... you wouldn't have to worry about Cam being investigated by the NCAA and his career potentially derailed. I'm sure you didn't think of that though, you were probably too busy doing god's will.

I never blame the athletes, because they're usually 18-22 years old. If somebody showered me with money at that age, I'd be up for it too. What's really sad is all the other bloodsuckers, including parents, who just want to make a buck.

Sports agents and relatives are the real cancer of collegiate sports and if there was one way we could do away with the effects of these clowns, it would make everything a lot better.