Still the Most Dangerous Game

As our kids grow up they have begun playing many of the games my friends and I did at their age, including a few I had not heard of such as 500 and gagaball (which apparently existed but apparently were not allowed in Wayne County NY in the 1970s), and of course tag, which most likely everyone has played in one form or another.

A few people out there, it seems, never stopped playing it.

You have to admire the dedication involved in a decades-long game of tag. It's reminiscent of this:

At Least the Dread Pirate Berman Didn't Show Up

JJV sent this a while back and I have been remiss in not sharing it with you while he is on special assignment. Please click through to see an NFL preview show do as many Princess Bride references as possible in thirty minutes.

Wait'll they get started!

Oh, the (Plush) Ursinity

My esteemed colleague JWT reported earlier on the unfortunately adult behavior of Russian youth hockey players. Via Deadspin comes a heartening tale of a great holiday tradition in which adults behave like children. Behold:



I have to say I experienced a moment of tension as the woman holding a small child in one arm flung a similarly-sized object rinkward with the other.

As God is my witness, I thought teddy bears could fly.

The Hot Wheels on the Loop Go Round and Round

Inspired by JJV's Saab post (I also did not know that Saab's started with 2-stroke engines... Weedwhackers on wheels!), we're sticking with a cars theme.

So, this is what happens when children of the 70s & 80s grow up. Forget 1:64 scale, this is 1:1 full scale from the 2012 X Games in LA.

Orange track... check!
Loop... check!
Jump... check!
Brightly painted Hot Wheels cars... check!
Gravity drop? We don't need no stinking drop. We have engines!

Go for launch in 3... 2... 1... Zoom!

In Heaven, Leagues are Always Forming

Laura sent me this obituary of professional bowling's first superstar. She also sent me the lyrics to a song about bowling which has the added benefit of name-checking various Canadian towns. Beauty.

Roll in peace.

That Time of the Year

I am pleased to report that after the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, I am in the lead in my wife's office pool. Not only that, I am leading Dick Vitale as well! Suck it, Dickie V! Filling out his entire bracket with "DUUUUKE BABY" is going to come back to haunt him.

Obviously I needed to report that before the next round sends me crashing back to earth, as it is wont to do. As it is for most people, March Madness provides me with an entertaining alternative, with identical outcome, to simply throwing money into the street.

In the meantime, Go Orange! temporarily, and Rock Chalk Jayhawk! for the long term.

Root for Your Favorite Root

Although more famous as the birthplace of my dad, Ithaca, New York is also home to the International Rutabaga Curl, being held this Saturday. I note with approval the inclusion of a Turnip Toss for the kiddies, although my son could certainly handle the larger root vegetable, as the picture accompanying this recent post suggests.

H/T an anonymous fellow Hamilton grad known for his modesty among many, including those on the masthead.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It -- OK, It Can Stop Snowing Now

We got our first dusting of snow in the DC area overnight. No word on panic levels at various grocery stores.

However, it could have been worse, as this footage from Minneapolis demonstrates:



Having grown up near Syracuse, itself no stranger to snow, this led me to wonder if Syracuse University's inflatable-roof Carrier Dome had ever collapsed. Turns out it never happened, although it tore once, and prior to a roof replacement it would occasionally be deflated during heavy snowfall to reduce the risk of collapse. Nice to see that Carrier Dome staff have offered their services.

Wonder Twin Powers, Activate!

Shape of... a soccer team!



Details here.

H/t J.