Call Me Crazy....

Last night was the start of a five day stretch of what may seem crazy to some, but will most likely rival some of my greatest adventures I've experienced in my lifetime. I may sound like a broken record here talking about my favorite band, but I don't care. They [Dave Matthews Band] were in my town last night so of course I had to attend. Back when I lived in the Great White North, the other groupies and I routinely drove countless hours to see a show. So when the baddest band in the land is playing 20 minutes away from where I lay my head at night, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't go. Not that I didn't want to go, but in lieu of the events planned during the next four days, I was hesitant at dropping cash on a ticket. Let me explain.

Back in March, I purchased DMB tickets to the St. Paul show as a graduation/birthday gift for my little sister. Even though he's a bum and he doesn't read this fantastic publication, I bought a ticket for my brother as a birthday gift. If I was really cool, I would have bought a ticket for his girlfriend without expecting her to pay me back, but my generosity only goes so far. Maybe I'll buy her a mixed drink before the show. Sorry, I'm getting sidetracked; the point is, we planned on going to this show and it would be a good time blah, blah, blah. That was as far as this story went. The Execl Energy Center show was scheduled as the last stop on the 2010 summer tour. The key word in that last sentence is 'was.' It 'was' the last show of the summer tour until a couple months ago when they added two shows at Wrigley Field. Combo the addition of the Wrigley shows with the band's announcement that there would not be a 2011 tour and the groupies and I decided we had to be in attendance. Shortly after they went on sale, we had a crew of six going to both nights in Chicago. Boom.

As I said before, last night was the Omaha show. I'm leaving in an hour for St. Paul. Tomorrow, Meow is meeting Addy and I in Des Moines and we'll be in Chi-town by 5 PM. Now it's time for you to get out your MLB schedules and see who just happens to be in town playing the rival White Sox. Oh what's that? My defending Central Division Champion Minnesota Twins are wrapping up a three game series versus the south-siders? Well it would just be stupid not to go to that game decked out in Twins gear, obnoxiously drunk, screaming long-time White Sox television broadcaster Ken 'Hawk' Harrelson sayings. I think the game is going to be broadcast on MLB Network so if you don't live in Twins or Sox territory, look for us on the TV.

The Twins magic number is currently at 12 so we can't clinch the division while we are in attendance, but you could imagine what it'd be like if we could. Right? Right? Right? Funny story: I just told the short version of this post to my buddy El DeanYo. This is his response: Wow.. you are doing more this weekend then I've done my entire life. You should write a song about it. Or blog.'

Are You Ready For Some Football?

The National Football League kicks off the regular season tonight with the rematch of last year's NFC Title game. My favorite band will be playing on the pre-game show and my favorite team will be playing in the game. Could be fun.

Aaron Rodgers has fear for the mullet. The rest of the National Football League should get in line.

I love how quickly people have gotten down on the Vikings this year. It's laughable to hear all the people taking a turn to negative town. I'm not even mad though, it's amazing. I'm impressed. I'd like to take the time to point back to last year before the regular season. What were people saying about the Vikings then? I don't recall many people predicting much different than what they are saying now. I think the Vikes came in to last season with more question marks than this year.

Here are the preseason complaints I remember from last year: Sidney Rice was basically an unproven scrub. Percy Harvin was an unproven rookie with chronic migraines. Adrian Peterson had a fumbling problem. Brett Favre was old. Brad Childress was a bad play caller. The secondary was banged up and not very good. Bernard Berrian is just a so-so player.

Here's what I'm hearing this year: Sidney Rice is out. Percy Harvin has chronic migraines. Adrian Peterson has a fumbling problem. Brett Favre is old. Brad Childress is a bad play caller. The secondary is banged up and not very good. Bernard Berrian is still a so-so player. The Vikes don't have a replacement for Chester Taylor.

I'll give you the Chester Taylor argument, that's it. Everything else is the same. Sidney Rice being out for 6-8 weeks is actually better than where we sat last year, since we didn't know he could be an impact player. I don't doubt the Vikings can plug in an unproven scrub, like Rice was last year, and have success, see: Greg Lewis Espy Award. Harvin showed what he is capable of last year. I only see improvement and more involvement in the offense this season. The migraines have been there his entire life and, to me, are a non-factor. Forget about them. Favre is still old. That old guy still managed to put up the best season of his career last year. As for his durability, see: Consecutive Games Started record. I don't like Childress. As long as he doesn't screw up a can't miss power house offense, I'll let him be. Our defense is still one of the best in the National Football League despite whatever our secondary does. No team is perfect, I'll deal. Who cares if Berrian isn't a pro-bowler? See previous statement regarding perfection.

This is what Moss had to say to Vikings haters back in the day. I bid the same to Vikings haters today.

Whew! I'm glad I was able to get that off my chest. Seriously though, I do love how everyone is writing the Vikes off early. Coming in with all the pressure is much tougher. I wonder which team has more pressure tonight. I wonder how long it's been since a Super Bowl Championship team has even won a playoff game the following season. Good luck Saints; you're going to need it.

Although nobody really cares, I have my playoff picks for this season, below. I just want to see how bad they are when the season ends. This way I can easily look back and say 'Cripes! What a bunch of worthless predictions those were!'

NFC East: Cowboys NFC North: Vikings NFC South: Falcons NFC West: 49ers

Wild Card: Packers, Giants

AFC East: Patriots AFC North: Ravens AFC South: Colts AFC West: Chargers

Wild Card: Titans, Jets

Super Bowl: Vikings over the Colts (Peyton becomes Jim Kelly incarnate with the exception of his one SB win)