I have quite the weekend ahead of me. Tomorrow morning I'm flying to the Cackalack to meet up with some high school friends that I haven't seen in over 10 years. We're all heading to our 15 year high school reunion. (Sidenote:I'm OLD) Should be interesting. I'm alternatively excited and terrified. I haven't seen anyone from high school since before I moved to NYC seven years ago.

And if that's not enough, I have a 7 a.m. flight back to D.C. on Sunday (yeah, that's going to be awesome) so I can be back in time for MLS Cup, which kicks off at noon. Even though D.C. United didn't make it through to the finals, I'm very much looking forward to the match up between New England and Houston. Both teams are fun to watch and hopefully that will translate into an exciting game. They're predicting a high of 48 degrees on Sunday, better bundle up.

Speaking of United, Luciano Emilio won MLS MVP honors yesterday.

Completely unrelated:
Gary Payton, pretty much retired.

Wired likes the new Canon 40D.

The rocky history of rockers in videogames.

Wu-Tang Clan's RZA breaks down his Kung Fu Samples by film and song.

10 video games that should be movies.

I was in the Pacers locker room tonight after the game and after getting a few quotes from visibly frustrated former Dukie Mike Dunleavy Jr., I headed over to Jermaine O'Neal's locker to join the crowd trying to get quotes from him. I was late getting over there and was forced to stand on the periphery of the crowd. While I was straining to get my voice recorder near JO, I felt someone tugging at the printout of the final box score in my free hand. It was Danny Granger (4-13 from the field, 11 points, 5 turnovers, 5 fouls). I let him have it, he gave it the once over, looked at me and said, "Damn." Then he handed the sheet back to me and headed to the bus.

D.C. United tied Chicago last night but ultimately fell on goal aggregate 3-2, thus ending their season. I'm sad. I lovelovelove going to United games and covering them for DCist. I get such a rush being on the field and taking photos. To see them lose last night was tough. The silver lining here is that by winning the Supporters Shield, United will start their season early again (February?) next year. That and my Mom said I was on TV a few times during the game. I DVR'ed the game, screenshots (and Julie Foudy photos) forthcoming. Until then...

After the game I headed over to the Black Cat to meet up with my new friend Jim Fairchild (aka All Smiles). I missed Jim's set but met up with him while David Bazan was playing and we had a great time hanging out downstairs at the Cat. I'm certainly glad I don't work in the music industry anymore, but at the same time, I sure do enjoy talking about it and its ailments. Jim is a great guy and a joy to be around, as is David. I think I talked Jim into trying to snag the opener slot on the upcoming Super Furry tour (scheduled for January '09) so hopefully we'll be seeing each other again very soon.

Also, Jim said someone that bought a CD from him at a recent show told him that they did so on my recommendation. Awesome! And cheers to you whoever you are.

Morrissey. Tonight.

With a photo pass.

!!!!!!!!

You should take my absence from the interwebs (on a week where I have not one but two Morrissey shows on tap in addtion to the MLS playoffs coming to town and the NBA tipping off) as an indication at just how frigging busy I am at work right now. Lots of stuff to be said but no time to say it.

At Natalya's behest, I saw Jimmy Eat World last night at the 9:30 Club. They were good but not great. Actually they are great at what they do but I'm not really a fan of that. They tend to have two types of songs: shouty and sing-alongy. The set was more the former than the latter. Although "The Sweetness" was pretty bad ass. Always secretly liked that song. Due to the dreaded ticket snafu(it eventually got sorted), I missed 90% of Viva Voce's set, which is a shame because I really wanted to check them out. But I loved what I did get to see. I had to sign a photo waver for the headliners, so head over to DCist to see a few photos from the show.

After the show I came home all ready to watch some NBA only to have my cable and internet go on the fritz. Thanks Comcast. Also, I'm going to have to pull a Sports Guy and run my NBA preview over the weekend or next week. I got my Washington Wizards press credentials renewed this year so (assuming he's not traded for Kobe) expect more leaf v. Agent Zero posts in the very near future. Best.

Morrissey at Ram's Head (capacity 600) tonight. I decided just to shoot photos at the D.C. show on Friday (still waiting on confirmation). I hope I don't end up regretting that one.

Here's an mp3 to make up for this lame post:

[MP3] UNKLE | War Stories (The Psychopab Def Mix)

My grandmother, a Red Sox fan until the end, lived a long and full life and never saw a Red Sox team crowned World Series Champion. She died in June of 2004 and never got to see The Idiots conquer the Yankees and sweep aside the Cardinals.
She's definitely on my mind tonight.
So's my grandfather. He's lived to see two Red Sox Champions.
So have I!
It's a wonderful feeling and it never gets old. '04 was a different sort of ride, but I got the goosebumps and the shit eating grin all over again tonight.
It's a great feeling.
I know being a member of Red Sox Nation today doesn't mean the same thing it did in '03 or '04 (or before that for that matter) but I don't give a fuck. Haters can hate all they want.

The Red Sox are World Series Champs again!

Time for Manny to hit the strip club.

**UPDATE** Like Ghostface, I just want to celebrate.

[MP3] Ghostface | Celebrate

And you too, Fox.
It's the 8th inning of the fourth game of the World Series and you announce that Purple Lips is filing for free agency now?
The Red Sox are six outs away from their second World Series in four years.
The offseason hasn't even started yet!
What's next? An update on Kobe's trade demand?
This is a new low.

**UPDATE** Go get 'em Petey!

[via]

Enjoy that flight home Cleveland.
We have some excellent parting gifts for you.
Thanks for playing.

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't a nervous wreck tonight. This thing turned into a laugher at the end but those double plays in the first few innings were driving me crazy! Dustin Pedroia was already a fave in casa de leafblower, so it was all smiles tonight.

I'm so glad they gave the MVP to Commander Kick Ass. Without him this series would have been over real quick like. Youk played great too.

Chris Meyers says Beckett will start Game 1. Bring it!

World Series!

PS - Awesome.

Because, as everyone knows, Josh Beckett is fueled by testosterone, Coors Light, and the blood of his victims.

The Cleveland Indians are now two games away from elimination.

"Remember the days when the 2007 Red Sox bled pitch counts? They ended about three days ago without any real explanation. I don't get it. I continue to be mystified by this sudden collapse-in-progress, as well as the manager's abject unwillingness to shake things up in any way."

I know it's not fashionable to quote The Sports Guy these days (unless he's knocking Dane Cook - BTW, this is hilarious), but he pretty much nails it here. Last night's game was muy depressing.

I should be more depressed about all of this, but
1) I think Ms. Smith has been assimilated! She was watching the game without me last night.
2) NBA season starts in 13 days and KG is going to be wearing Green! That still hasn't totally sunk in for me yet. Wow.

**UPDATE** Hilarious. [via Deadspin]