Akron defeated Kent State for the MAC Championship ~ Go Zips!

I tweeted this last night, but I should do a post because it's worthy.  I only watched the last couple of minutes of regulation and the entire overtime, but I want to say congratulations to my Akron Zips on defeating the Kent State University Golden Flashes for the 2011 MAC Championship.  As a result of winning the MAC Championship, the Zips punched their tickets to the Big Dance... 

March Madness is a rarity for my alma mater compared to my brother's school (i.e. Duke) so I'll take the victories I can.  ****  Don't get it twisted.  I was accepted into a number of other schools but my dad wanted me to become a doctor and sent me a school where I could complete an accelerated BS/MD program and become a doctor in 6 years instead of 8.  I'm starting to digress and this has nothing to do with sports ~ but let's make it clear...  I'm SMART.  I went to medical school ~ I just didn't want to stay, once I got there.

For those of you that don't know, Akron and Kent State are close to each other.  Most nights you can find students from either school out and about in the other city.  I found the match-up interesting because of the degree program I was in.   ****  Three schools:  Youngstown State University, Kent State, and the University of Akron were a consortium that fed into one medical school.  When I attended the school, it was named: Northeastern Universities College of Medicine.  Incidentally, I think they've renamed it recently.  But I digress again....

Final score of the game was 66-65.  Akron won, and I took $20 from a Kent State alumnus.  It was a good night!

****  Here's some trivia: Jason Taylor, the football player went to Akron when I was there.  Yes, that really good basketball player was born in Akron also...  Who am I talking about?  Stephen Curry of course.  Who were you thinking of?


THE WIRK

Jets lose their MNF home opener to the Ravens ~ Football with my cousin, Nick

I had had tickets to the New York Jets home opener for a while, and just wasn't sure who I wanted to take to the Monday Night Football game.  Problem solved when I pinged my cousin, Chris, and told him that I wanted to take one of my cousins with me.  Sure enough (i.e. in less than 24 hours) my cousin, Nick, sent me a text.  I love my cousin, Nick.  He's my buddy.  When he was in college, I once flew him from Jersey to Houston to come with me to see the Rockets in the Playoffs.  I'd do anything for family and Nick's great so I knew we'd have a fun time.

I took the train to Secaucus and then to the New Meadowlands Stadium.  It was easy, but you need to be aggressive when getting on the train or you'll be left in the dust.  The train drops you right off, next to the stadium.  Incidentally, on the train I met a man who was taking his son to the game.  The son was home from boarding school and wearing a Jets jersey, but his father is part of the ownership group that bought into the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise.  He showed me his Super Bowl ring.  I asked the kid if he was a Steelers fan and he just shrugged his shoulders.  Yeah, I guess "money" can't change "heart".

I was looking forward to the hype surrounding the Jets.  I wanted to see what Darrelle Revis could do.  I wanted to see LaDainian Tomlinson prove to the Chargers that they were wrong to let him go.  I couldn't wait to see Jason Taylor on the field in football pants.  I was curious to see if Mark Sanchez could win.  Granted I'm writing this piece late in an effort to catch up, but all I can say about the whole thing based on what I remember is that Jason Taylor is still fantastic to look at, "No" the Jets cannot win with Mark Sanchez as a quarterback.

I watched an episode and a half of Hard Knocks.  To be honest, that's a generous estimate since I may have seen the same episode twice. Regardless, I saw a scene in the show where Sanchez was at a table and more or less berating himself.  I don't think he can win and it appears that he doesn't believe he can either.  Awesome.  That must just be Fan-tas-tic for Jets fans.  During the game, the guys behind me were yelling for Mark Brunell...  Yep, it was like that.

On another note, I was curious to see how the stadium staff would transform the venue from Giants to Jets in a day.  Seems like plenty of work - but they got it done.

Did I mention that Green Day performed at half-time?

Jason Taylor still looks good!

Incidentally before the game, Nick gave me a black Power Balance bracelet.  He said that Mark Sanchez wears one too...  Ugh, I wonder if I'm going to start delivering lack-luster performances and disappointing people now, also.  Man...  I hope not.

Great night, but a Jets victory would have made it better.

Jets fans waiting for the train to leave the stadium

Get your Power Balance bracelet here, and see if it improves your performance.

THE WIRK

Rick Fox ~ Only reason for me to watch Dancing With the Stars (DWTS)

I enjoy watching Dancing With the Stars.  In previous seasons, there's usually been someone that I've rooted for in the competition. I caught myself rooting for Jason Taylor (i.e. a fellow University of Akron Alumnus, former Miami Dolphin, and current New York Jet) because he's ridiculously handsome and we went to college together.  Most recently I caught myself cheering for Pamela Anderson because she's "likable" and seems genuine.  Actually, right now I'm watching "Kate Plus 8" and I'm remembering the terrible performances of Kate Gosselin.  ****  Incidentally, can someone PLEASE give me $5 every time Kate says the word paparazzi?!?!!  Alas, I digress.

I just noticed the current line-up/cast for the upcoming DWTS season and let's just say I'm not impressed with the list of people I saw.  Granted, the season hasn't started yet.  However, there is no POSITIVE visceral reaction that I feel (i.e. that would really compel me to watch the show) when any of the following names are mentioned:  Brandy, Jennifer Grey, Margaret Cho, Audrina Patridge, Florence Henderson, Bristol Palin, Michael Bolton, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, David Hasselhoff, Kurt Warner, Kyle Massey, and Rick Fox.

OK - I may have spoken too soon.  Former Los Angeles Laker, Rick Fox, is attractive and I've seen him most recently in Las Vegas during NBA Summer League.  However, I don't know how compelling he'll be on the dance floor. 

This is going to be a rough season with such a lame cast...  I predict terrible ratings.

For those of you that stuck with this post, here is the footage of Pamela Anderson dancing the Rumba.  It's hot...  If you haven't seen it ~ you're welcome.




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Jason Taylor signs a 2 year deal with the Jets ~ Time to look for a ticket

I just saw that fellow University of Akron alumnus, Jason Taylor, just signed a 2 -year deal with the Jets.  I have very few memories of Jason on campus.  In fact they're so few, I may have dreamt them.  Regardless, I've always been a fan and supporter of my fellow, Zip.  I never made it to see him with the Dolphins, but I just hit that stadium for Super Bowl XLIV.  Regardless, you better believe this girl, will be heading to check out the new New York Jets stadium sooner better than later, now that Jason Taylor is on the roster.

Now I just need to wait until 7PM tonight for the NFL to release its schedule, so I can make my own schedule and work towards completing my stadium tour.  There are still some great stadiums to hit! 

Ok, I've told myself that I'm not going to use other people's images, but since I don't have a pic of Jason Taylor, and I'm getting texts and emails from annoyed women, here's one I found on:
http://www.theinsider.com/news/753601_Shirtless_Celeb_Of_The_Day_Jason_Taylor

You're welcome.


THE WIRK