Tuesday, January 29, 2008

U2 in 3-D

Last night, we went to see U2 3D IMAX. What a cool experience. It was just about as good as being at the concert. It was even equipped with a guy singing quite loudly and off-pitch and his little boy that coughed continuously and talked throughout the entire show, at least until they left early and had to crawl over the others sitting in our row.

But, I digress.

If you have the opportunity to see it, you must! It gives you a perspective that you won't get even being at the concert.

Here's information about the film:
"U2 3D" puts viewers within the pulsing energy! of a live U2 stadium concert.

Marrying innovative digital 3D imagery and 5.1 Surround Sound, it creates an immersive theatrical experience unlike any 3D or concert film that has come before.
Read more

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Third Tynes the Charm

Here's David Letterman having a little fun with Giants' kicker, Lawrence Tynes.

The best line came when Tynes described what was going through his mind after he missed his second field goal.

Said Tynes: "I'm thinking, what's it going to be like to live in Green Bay."

The End

I'm fine. Really. OK, I will be fine.

My season recap: no one expected the Packers to come near 13-3, let alone a run at the NFC Championship. So, from that point of view, it was a great season. However, now to have come that close, it's rough. There's never a guarantee that they can come close to that again next season, especially with the tough schedule.

Home/Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings

Home:
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Dallas Cowboys
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts

Away:
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

This was a quote from Mike McCarthy's final press conference:
(After watching the film, is there anything you would or could have done differently from a strategic standpoint on Sunday?)
Well, personally, I haven't watched the film. I know the coaches have graded the film. We talked about it as a staff. Strategically, I mean, off the top of my head, I would say no. I think anytime you go into a game-plan, you look to put your players in position to be successful. Based on the way the Giants played us, I don't think anything they did was a complete surprise. It was more about execution.

REALLY? Nothing? I know he's not serious, and he just has to say that as the coach. I know, I'm no coach. I'm no player. So, I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who thinks they played an entirely different game-plan than the other 14 games they won.

As I've said before, no one entity lost this game, you can go down the line: offense, defense, play calling, special teams, Favre's INT. And, I'm taking nothing away from the Giants, they brought their best game. But, as awful as we played, and it was pretty ugly, the score was tied at the end of regulation. We just could not get it done. It was our game to lose. And we let it slip away.

OK, I'm done. This has been cathartic. When does pre-season start?

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Still Wailing, Still Gnashing

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth

This was a brutal loss. The whole team failed, you name it: offense, defense, play calling, special teams, Favre's INT. No one entity lost this game. This did not look like the same team that won 14 previous games.

All season I have been realistic about the Pack's chances. I let myself get a little too excited.

This one hurts.

GO PACK GO!

Here's a little game warm up. If you're anywhere near Lambeau, you'll need a warm up!

NFL's 2007: Best of Brett Favre:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8060e4f6

GO PACK GO!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Game Prediction...7 to 3...Degrees that is

I know predictions aren't worth the paper, or in this case the internet, in which they're written, but a little optimism never hurt anyone!

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan's bottom line:
The Packers can beat you a number of different ways, and they are healthy. The Giants don't have the speed at receiver, and they aren't healthy in the secondary. This game is supposed to be played in frigid conditions, which could affect the play-calling. Favre is superb in home playoff games, and now he faces the best road team in the NFC. It should be a lot closer than the first meeting, but New York's great season comes to an end at Lambeau Field as the Packers win it, 24-14.
Read more

Do I personally have a prediction? I don't have a score in mind. My wish is a Packer's blow out, but I'm realistic enough to think it will probably be a close game. Any team that's been able to get this far in the playoffs is no push over. The Giants have earned this spot as much as any team. I think there are some key match ups. Both teams will be playing in the same weather so I'm not sure I buy into the weather will be a factor storyline. I think turnovers for either team could make a difference. I can only predict that it will be a great game. If tickets fell into my lap to go sit in zero degree Lambeau on Sunday, would I go? There's no question. Where's my cheesehead and hand warmers? GO PACK GO!

Green and...White?

We now return to the regularly scheduled Packer love fest. (Well, you knew it wouldn't last for long.)

From Newsday.com:

The Jets had a deal with the Cardinals to move up two slots in the 1991 draft -- ahead of the Atlanta Falcons -- so general manager Dick Steinberg could draft their quarterback for the future.

"We were going to pick Brett Favre," Ron Wolf said by phone from his Jupiter, Fla., home Tuesday night. Wolf, now retired, is well known as the Packers general manager who acquired Favre and built a Super Bowl champion, but before he worked in Green Bay he was an assistant in the Jets front office. And he pushed hard to draft Favre in 1991.

"But when it came time for the Cardinals pick, they told us the guy they wanted was on the board, so they didn't do the deal," Wolf said. "They picked their guy, the Falcons picked Brett Favre and that was it."
Read more

We're happy that Favre is in Green and Gold, the Packers hired Ron Wolf and that Atlanta's Jerry Glanville traded Favre to Green Bay for a first round pick. What a different 17 years it could have been. By the way, the article noted that the Jets have started 15 quarterbacks since the 1991 draft. We know how many have started in Chicago.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Brothers Forever

We interrupt the Packer love fest for this important musical interlude.

I will admit that the only time I watch American Idol is during the try outs. I find them absolutely hysterical. I'm sorry, but if you're at the point where you are trying out to be the next American Idol singer and you will be devastated if you're not, and no one in your life has gently taken you aside to say that this might not be the competition for you...then, really. Here's some favorites.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Snowman

Very cliché, but the Pack have to play a perfect game on Sunday to beat the Giants. Actually, I take that back! What I've said to people that have asked, IF Green Bay plays like they did post the 14 turnover points, they will be hard to beat no matter who they play, no matter where they play.

January 21, 2008 Volume 108, Issue 2
The Packers prevailed at frosty Lambeau.
Photographer: Simon Bruty/SI

Monday, January 14, 2008

Favorite Picture from the Divisional Win

Milwaukee Sentinal Journal
Photo/Tom Lynn

Packers 2.0

Here are my current favorite Packer blogs.

  • The Once in a Lifetime Fan http://www.theonceinalifetimefan.com/ Wayne Scullino, from Sydney, Australia, and his wife, "the very best, non sport loving wife in the world" made a "decision that flies in the face of all rational thinking."

That was, to pack up our things, children included, and move to Green Bay for a season of unadulterated “fandom”. As “The Once in a Lifetime Fan” I can do that. My wife and I have sold our house, I’ve left my job and we’ve organised passports and visas for all. With great thanks to the World Wide Web, we’ve found a place to stay, a car to buy and the tickets that’ll see us follow the Packers from coast to coast all season long. Crazy? Maybe.....but let’s face it, there’ll be other jobs, there are millions of houses and Sydney isn’t going anywhere in a hurry.

Be honest, how many of you want to live vicariously through Wayne?

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Déjà Vu

The NFC road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field. The Giants upset the Cowboys in the Divisional game today in Dallas. Next stop: Lambeau. Someone pinch me, because 1) I never imagined Packers would have a 13-3 season; 2) have a first round playoff bye; 3) have a playoff home game; 4) be able to overcome an 0-14 deficit with six subsequent touchdowns; and 5) host the NFC championship game at Lambeau Field.
On the AFC side, there was another upset as the Colts lost to San Diego. They will now face the Patriots.

A little trivia: Both the NFC and AFC Conference Games next Sunday are week #2 rematches.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

GO PACK GO!

Final Score Green Bay wins 42-20. Next stop: Lambeau or Dallas.
GO PACK GO!!!!

From NFL.com:
The Green Bay Packers broke a franchise record for scoring in the playoffs on Ryan Grant's 1-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the fourth quarter in near blizzard conditions. The touchdown put the Packers up 42-20, breaking the previous record by one point and sealing their spot in the NFC Championship game.
[...]
Brett Favre became the second quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 yards in the postseason. His three TD passes tied a career playoff-high (he's done it five times) ... The 28-point opening quarter ties the NFL record for the highest scoring first quarter in playoff history. ... Green Bay's 28 first-half points tied a franchise record for points in first half of a playoff game.

Watch this classic Favre play: http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d805ecedf

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Favre throws a shovel pass to tight end Donald Lee #86 for an 11-yard gain in the second quarter.

GO PACK GO!

It's Sister Marie at the coin toss!

GO PACK GO!

So far...

Score 21 - 17

Blood Pressure 130 / 80

GO PACK GO!

Well, as you can tell, the blog has devoted this week to preparing for the big playoff game against Seattle at Lambeau.

GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!
GO PACK GO!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Lambeau Field Time Warp

Click the link below to see a very cool time-lapse photography from the Vikings-Packers game on November 11, 2007.

From jsonline.com:
www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=684920
Using time-lapse photography, Journal Sentinel photographer Tom Lynn offers a day in the life of a game at Lambeau Field. Tom began by stationing a Canon EOS Mark II digital camera, mounted with a 16mm lens, atop the southwest corner of the stadium, encapsulating the entire bowl of the stadium with the field at its core. Powered by an external battery pack, the camera automatically fired every 20 seconds, shooting from 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., capturing the stadium as it filled with fans, as the game unfolded, and as the stadium emptied. The entire process captured 1,194 total images, which have been compressed into this two-minute video.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Sister Sean Marie

Packers.com sponsored an essay contest to represent all Packers' fans as the 'Honorary G-Force Captain' of the game.

The winner was Sister Sean Marie who will receive two tickets to the game and will accompany the Packers' team captains for the coin toss prior to the game.

Here's Sister Marie's winning essay:
Loyalty, enthusiasm, positive thinking, and prayer for the safety of the players are my qualifications for being an honorary captain. These attributes have been steadfast through good seasons and disappointing ones.

I have known well the previous teams and have respected each individual player since 1945. My Dad taught me at an early age all the fine points of the game and expected me to know numbers, plays, rules and strategies....now for a girl, this was a novelty at the time. My last game with him was the "Ice Bowl" and by then I was already a Manitowoc Franciscan Sister who did most of her play calling from a chair near the radio or TV. This game was a challenge.I was stuffed, long habit and full garb into a sleeping bag up to my nose and almost bunny hopped over the bleachers on the last play. Lucky for me,the people in front of me had left a minute before the end so I had a spectular view from the 50 yard line. if the game had lasted any longer, my fingers would have been permanently stuck to my rosary beads.

This year's team has had some of the enthusiam and drive of the "glory days." It has brought back many memories and I would be proud to be on the field with them to show my support of their dedication to the game and improvement as players.

Each team in our history has included much character building, dedication and unselfishness by the players, and the wisdom and drive of the coaches. There always has been a diversity of personalities but a common goal.....love the game , give your all,and respect the fans who support the team. I would bring this same philosophy to being an honorary captain.

--Sister Sean Marie

Is that great or what? I voted for Sister Marie yesterday. I'm glad she won!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

New Road Sign in Milwaukee

My step-brother sent this to me!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Go West to the Lambeau Leap

Who do you think has the edge in Saturday's game?

By Pat Kirwan NFL.com

Conclusion
This game should be a clinic on the West Coast offense. Holmgren is still considered the "purist" when it comes to the Bill Walsh system. Of course, Favre is a guy they broke the mold, and he does things his own way. I see both teams scoring in the high 20s but the Packers moving on to the NFC Championship Game. Home field is always a critical factor on Divisional Weekend.
Read more

Honestly, this game has me nervous already!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

The Bookseller of Kabul

Over the Christmas holiday, I finished reading The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad. It was a good book if you haven't had the chance to read it. The very basic gist is that the Norwegian journalist provides a portrait of a Muslim man and his family living in post-Taliban Kabul, Afghanistan.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Hope you had a Merry Christmas! We spent Christmas with family in Wisconsin and Florida. We got back yesterday. Our 2:45am alarm for a 5:40am flight negated anything too late for New Year's Eve. We had dinner with friends at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant and then decided to see "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." Did you have special plans?

Second

Well, my fantasy football season came to an end after week #15. In regular season standings, I finished second, which is better than last year's result of second to last!

The Packers fared better. They secured a first round bye, had an ugly loss against Chicago but bounced back in the final regular season game against the Lions.