Flag on the Play

I am first and foremost an NFL fan. I love the sport, the league, I love the way in which the commissioner strives to make the NFL classy and professional. I like the policy that has zero tolerance for drugs, bad behavior off the field and
how they encourage members of the NFL to be good citizens and volunteer and give back. But what I witnessed tonight watching the Saints vs. Vikings Championship game, is shameful. Sure the Vikings turned over the ball too much, so did the Saints. But the officiating and lack thereof was embarrassing to me as an NFL fan.

The game itself up to the second half was great. Excitement at every moment. Then the fumbles. More fumbles. More fumbles. Back and forth. It was pretty exciting. But at some point in the fourth quarter, things took a turn and all of a sudden the game had a different feeling. First off, for some reason, the NFL's rules on late hits were suspended temporarily for this game. Brett Favre was getting all but mugged and stripped of his wallet, after passes, handoffs and again and again. Where was his offensive line you ask? Well they were done with the play that's where. No one was protecting him because well there is a rule in the NFL that generally tries to protect quarterbacks from egregious or late hits. According to NFL.com the rule for protection of the passer is "No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle the passer while he still had the ball." and "No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s) or below when approaching in any direction."

Obviously neither of these rules was consistently enforced on at least 3 plays that I saw with my untrained eyes, but the montage of Brett Favre being knocked around like a rag doll was proof enough for anyone. This rule apparently only applies to Tom Brady or Carson Palmer apparently. I mean did anyone see Brett Favre after the game?

Next is the bogus pass interference call that was called when Brees tossed it out of bounds as he was getting pressure from the Vikings Defense. NFL.com states; "It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress
of an eligible player of such player's opportunity to catch the ball." The receiver basically turned around tripped over his own feet and did a colossal flop for the pass interference call, practically shoring up his Oscar nomination. This is hardly significant, if anything his shoe may have scuffed the other player's shoe.

Then we get to the real arguments. The forward progress play. The Vikings are going for the 1st down and the guy jumps what looks like 10 feet in the air over everyone launching him in the air only to be knocked back by two defenders. From the view we were shown, we can see the ball clearly not in his possession while he is at the peak of his forward progress and he recovers it when he lands in the pile.

The angle we are shown distorts the correct view of where he was in his forward progress but to me, after watching it over and over again, I am not convinced that this was a first down and I don't see how any ref could see indisputable evidence that it was by review or standing in front of him. The only rule on NFL.com that explains measurement is the forward most point of the ball is used for measuring.

How can you measure a plane being crossed in mid-air? When he came down he was 1-2 yards from the 1st down line. Had this been the place where they were forced to give the ball back to Vikings, they may have won the game. But if that wasn't enough the most frustrating play of the game for me, was the catch that was "allegedly" made by Robert Meachem. I watched it over and over again from whatever views that they showed me, I have to believe that there were alternate views that us the viewers were not shown or the referee's who reviewed this tape have a severe vision deficit, they have been paid off, or they are clearly unaware of what possession of a ball is in the game of football. At no point did I see his hand underneath the football, he bobbles it, and then he is pinning it to his body as it lays on the ground.

In a room of 8 people, everyone was in agreement; it was not a fair catch. But when the review came back, and ever so quickly this one did, it was in complete disagreement with what anyone expected it would be. I mean some of these plays were arguable, but to us, this play was not. It was the most arguable and the one we thought for sure would be overturned. I will go to my grave on this one, saying Meachem did not make this catch according to the rules of possession I have known the NFL to look for in the past 10 years that I have been watching football. But that's just me.

I watched it over and over again and now for some reason there is no longer up close footage available of this catch, or the lack thereof. On the highlights reel on news stations, NFL.com, they don't show the up close footage either. I find this suspicious, especially because of the
outrage I have seen from comments on the blogs about how fixed this game looked, how people have never seen such horrible officiating in a game before, how dirty the New Orleans Saints defense played this game and many say they lost respect for the Saints defense because of it. The officiating wasn't just horrible to the Vikings; I saw at least two calls that were flubbed going against the Saints also.

In closing, I will say I was rooting for Favre and the Vikings, but I wouldn't say I am a die-hard fan; I just like good football, good plays, respectable talent, big efforts and fair play. Although going into the game, I really had no hard feelings for the Saints, because Brees and Bush are from my Southern California teams having played for the Chargers and USC. I had a lot of respect for this team because they truly deserved to be there, unlike the Jets who just got hot in the end. But by the end of this game, I not only lost respect for New Orleans, but I lost a lot of respect for the credibility of the NFL as a whole. What is really going on out there? Are the number 1 and 2 seeds what the commissioner wanted to see? Well, if it is, he got his wish, but I tell you, the Colts just inherited a cheering section in almost all Viking fans tonight. No one should win that way, it's too bad for the Saints that they had to. But it mars the NFL's shiny image and if the Saints happen to win the trophy it may look a little tarnished to some.

Second Chances

So, as many of you know, my blog titles have been titles of X-Files episodes.
Until now.
It's a new year, or it will be in a few weeks. Thus I shall be ringing in the new year with titles from some of the best episodes of my favorite show.... CSI: New York.

Speaking of CSI: NY, did you guys catch that episode last night? Holy freakin' fantastic. I was grinning from ear to ear and had dubbed it the best NY episode ever all within the first five minutes...


Mac and Stella are walking down a busy sidewalk carrying a large pine tree; snow is falling softly as soft Christmas music plays in the background...
"So you had to pick the biggest one, huh?"
"It's a Taylor family tradition! Every Christmas we'd visit all the tree lots, looking for that one. And then the day after New Years, when everybody puts their trees out by the curb, my dad'd drive us us around the neighborhood to see if we could find a bigger one than ours."
"And?"
"Seventeen Taylor Christmases. Never once did we find a tree that beat us."
"Oh, you must be very proud." -regrips the tree-
"You know we can rest here if you're gettin' tired."
"Ah, this is nothing! I was in college, I used to haul my tree up ten flights of steps all the way to my apartment in the Bronx."
-grins- "Uphill, both ways, in the snow, with no shoes."
"As a matter of fact, yes."


Oh man, that scene was so beautiful. And then at the end of the episode... the team in their goofy elf costumes, handing out gifts to the children with Santa, while Mac and Stella looked on with their proud faces. Then Mac gently grabbed Stella and pulled her close, placing a kiss on her temple... the episode was just perfection. There's no other word for it. I think I even had more fun watching Second Chances than I did watching Grounds for Deception... which is kind of a big deal. Like a really fucking big deal. -squees-

In other news, I've started working on Synnie's new story. It's off to a rough start, but with some editing and polishing, it'll turn out alright.

Anyways, yeah. I can't really think of much else to say besides.... MAC AND STELLA ARE SO TOTES DOING IT OMG!

Thank you
Jezza

Ascension

Wow, it's been forever since I updated this. Darn school gettin' in the way and all. I don't know if I've said this enough, but I love my new classes. I really really do. Creative Writing is by far my favorite - the teacher is absolutely hilarious and it's so much fun to learn new techniques to writing.

Speaking of writing, after two gruesome years, I've finally figured out Synnie's backstory. Now, for those of you who don't know, Synnie is actually Synnöve Tyrovolas, one of my current characters to a story I'm working on (and just finished completely rewriting!) Craziness. Anyways, if for some reason you don't know my girl Synn, then by all means, follow her on Facebook. Yes... my character has a Facebook. So shoot me, it's fun. I've seen her evolve into her own person, and it's been quite a ride. I never thought she'd end up living where she does, and be in a relationship, of all things.
Sorry. I'll stop rambling now.

My bestest, Julia Carter, has got me into country. COUNTRY. I never thought I'd see the day. Seriously, Jenna liking country. It's a conspiracy, I tell you. Anyways. Contemporary country is pretty damn awesome. Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood is love. Brad Paisley is a genius. Dierks Bentley is my hero, and Lady Antebellum is the best group of all time. Seriously. Love, love, love, love! Damn you Julia and the CMT's. Seriously.

And since we're talking about music... INGRID MICHAELSON. I went to her concert earlier this fall at the Fine Line Music Cafe. It was easily one of the most enjoyable moments in my life. The show went from 6pm until 11pm, and it was amazing. Ingrid is fantastic and her music tells the story of my life. I love her to death.

Other news! Um, I got another blue bass. It's gorgeous and blue and shiney and beautiful. It's the Ibanez GSR200FM. Also! New amp! I have no idea the model, but it's the incredibly large and heavy bass amp made by Line 6. I wanna say it's 50 watts, but I'm not sure. I totally recommend it, though.

Perfect Revenge has been kind of on and off lately, and at the time of this blog, off, but luckily there are some pick-up bands at Normandale so anyone who is musical in anyway can just go hang, learn the music, and rock. It's loads of fun.

I'm totally running out of things to talk about. You'd think I'd have more, considering how long it's been since I updated, but I guess I'm just fail like that.

Toodles!
Jenna

Our Town

Tonight is the night, folks. Vikings vs Packers.
The Packers and the Vikings have always had a very cut-throat rivalry, and MN has always hated Favre with a passion... and the same goes for the Packers and anyone who's ever played for us; Chuck Foreman, Donte Culpepper, Cris Carter, Randy Moss... and John Randle. Randle is one of the most epic players on the field, and no one hated Favre more than him. I will, never, ever in my life forget the Chicken-Favre Commercial. Randle was king of trash talk, who could actually back it up... and amazing ammount of sacks for being constantly double teamed.
Now that Favre is with us, it's brought out the passion tenfold. This game is easily the biggest of the season for all midwesterners... that is, until November 1st, when the Vikings play at the Packers. Even so, this is the first time Favre will be wearing purple against his old team, which is definitely a big fuckin' deal.
To conclude this rant, I will say one thing.
GO VIKINGS!

Roadrunners

So Perfect Revenge has been rocking for a little over a month now, and in one month we already have 187 fans. 187 fans! Can you believe it? I still remember the first few days when we psyched about just having 20 fans... this is fantastic. I love these ladies to death.

In other news, school at Normandale has been absolutely fantastic. I have amazingly awesome teachers in every class, which is more than I could say about my last college. I'm having so much fun, and learning a lot about creative writing and music... I'm even closer to getting my book published!

Hmm... what else, what else, what else. OH! CSI: New York is starting soon! Despite some interesting spoilers and the worst promo video ever, I will be tuning in. I haven't figured out how yet as I have a class that runs until nine, but... knowing me? I'll be watching. I wouldn't miss my buddies for anything!

I got to see Jeff Dunham at the MN State Fair. He was fantastic! I laughed so hard I cried.

Ingrid Michaelson's new CD came out a few weeks ago. It's fantastic - I've already gotten tickets to see her in October when she comes to the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis. I have front-table seats. Paid a ton for them, but definitely worth every penny.

So yeah, that's what's new with me.


Featured song of the week: Ain't No Rest for the Wicked - Cage the Elephant
There ain't no rest for the wicked, money don't grow on trees, I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed, there ain't nothing in this world for free.
I know I can't slow down, I can't hold back though you know I wish I could, oh no there ain't no rest for the wicked, until we close our eyes for good.

Unusual Suspects

Big stuff goin' down! For you readers that are not yet aware, I have recently joined a band. It's called Perfect Revenge and I'm play the bass as well as do some vocals. When did I get a bass, you ask? About two weeks ago, at Guitar Center. It's a beautiful blue Ibanez. It's pictured there ->
next to my Washburn acoustic guitar. Also, how epic is my strap? :D
Anyways, I'm going to keep this short. It's almost midnight and I start my classes at Normandale College tomorrow morning. I'm majoring in Music/Fine Arts. I'm so psyched!

If you use Facebook, or have friends that use Facebook, tell them about Perfect Revenge! We love fans!

Perfect Revenge on Facebook

Ghost in the Machine

So my boobear has started school already, leaving me to sit and wish Thursday afternoon reruns would improve. I'm sick of watching the same reruns of the same shows over and over and over and over again. It's always CSI: Las Vegas, NCIS, or Law and Order: CI. What the crap. So I decided to make this blog all about lists. Lists of funny things, TV shows, characters, basically, lists of everything under the sun.

True Blood (HBO) I'm way lovin' this show. I was a fan of Amy Burley (before she went all psycho creeper bitch ) but now I've become head-over-heels in love with Eric - the worlds sexiest Swede. When I first saw him on screen, I was unimpressed. It wasn't until he spoke that I fell off my couch in a very loud squee.
"Vår lilla djurpark börjar växa till sig." ((Our little zoo is starting to grow)) to which Pam replies "Jag viet." ((I know.))
I'm pretty sure he's the world's sexiest Swede.
Also, HBO is producing a caffeinated beverage based on the show. It's quite clever, really- they're using the flavor of a Blood Orange. I've pre-ordered about two cases already. They'll be shipping out sometime in early September. YUM!

In Plain Sight (USA) So I've always been a fan of this show, but after the recent season finale cliffhanger of doom, I can't stop watching the reruns on USA. I've always been a fan of darker humor, which is one of the reasons I love the show.

CSI: New York (CBS) Yes, I am still squeeing over Grounds for Deception.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) One of my new favorites. I began watching this show about a month ago and totally fell in love with it. I watched it with the intentions of not shipping anyone. I failed. Epicly. Besides, Mariska and Chris are hella sexy.

Burn Notice (USA) So I've been watching this show since the pilot episode. Yes, it’s cool and it’s glossy and it’s filled with attractive people. And guns and explosions and spy work and secret undercover coolness. And hilarity. Did I mention Jeffery Donovan? Yummy.