I totally forgot to take pics at our TBD Referral Group get together tonight, but we had a great time. There were about 37 folks at Camel City BBQ Factory tonight. It was a lot of food, beverages and gaming happening. My Steelers traded up (a rarity for them) to get the LB they needed. That’s a great thing.
I told you about my headshots and Stallone sent them to me. I don’t like them. Don’t get me wrong, Stallone did as good as he could but the canvas he had to work with (me) is hideous. I’ll leave one of them here. Everyone else seems to think they’re okay, I just hate the way I look. Oh well…
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “With the 10th pick overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Devin Bush, LB out of Michigan.” – Roger Goodell
We recorded Fan Interference today and TC and HB interviewed Greg Dortch, a former All-ACC WR from Wake Forest who is attending the NFL Scouting Combine in a few weeks and hopes to be drafted. It was a cool interview.
Sam (l) and Seth performing live on The Less Desirables
Then I ran down to Uncle Buzzy’s and attended a tasting especially for food bloggers. I ate myself stupid. I probably had around three pounds of food. That may or may not be the case, but it sure did feel like it. It was all so good, though. Look for a post about it in the next few days, over on The Man Who Ate the Town blog/podcast. Again, it was a lot of food.
Then we recorded The Less Desirables and we had Sam Foster and Seth Williams of the band Whiskey Foxtrot and they played three tunes on the podcast, live. I did Facebook Live teasers of the three songs. So you should go listen to them, as they’re pretty awesome tunes.
To hear the interview with Mr. Dortch, listen HERE. To hear the songs from Whiskey Foxtrot, listen HERE.
I’m done. Oh, the “posting movie” this week is 1984 starring John Hurt, Richard Burton and Suzanna Hamilton.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “I need a wheel barrow.” – Me after Uncle Buzzy’s today.
Yesterday, as I said on my post from last night, we had some internet problems but Nate from X1 Communications was able to get us up and running later in the day. Today, I was able to post The Man Who Ate the Town and the first Fan Interference in almost two months.
For TMWATT, Ray and I talked about Quanto Basta and Campus Gas. For Fan Interference we spent a long time talking with Intern Haley McFadden about the Kareem Hunt situation, and of course, TC had to go off on his Redskins. I’m sure he’s not happy today after last night, either.
Anywhat! I, Ray and TC would greatly appreciate if you’d listen to our episodes. You can listen to TMWATT HERE and Fan Interference HERE.
Happy listening and thank you for it!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Classic Bites & Brews located right outside Wake Forest University” – Campus Gas
Love when my Steelers play on national television and they run all over the opposition. I’ve made no bones about that I don’t care much about our home team. I don’t dislike them, I just don’t care. So, when the Steelers play and it’s against the home team, it’s kind of fun watching the locals squirm. It’s sadistic, I know. I mean it in fun and with no malice. It helps that I have Roethlisberger and A.B. on both of my fantasy teams. I do wish The BCPF would have played the Steelers defense.
You know what, though? The game is still going on, so I’m not going to go on about it. I’m going to watch it. You should, too! Here we go, Steelers… Here we go!
So, this Thursday commences the 2018 NFL Draft. And, in celebration, or preparation, of this event our The Less Desirables Network show, Fan Interference, does our (almost) annual draft special.
This is never a quick event. Most of the time, Fan Interference is about an hour long. Usually just shy. This special, though, is almost two and a half hours long. Yeah, it was a bit grueling but we did it.
Ty Collins didn’t do this one alone, either. He brought out some big guns for this podcast. He had SEC expert Gabe Austin call in from Atlanta as well as PAC10 expert and host of UCLA Network’s Bruins Insider, Bryan Fenley. Each talked with TC about prospects from their conferences, player bios, where they may land and what to look for from each. TC also gives his own analysis of the players all across the country and where they may go, as well. It was an in-depth show and if you’re a fan of the NFL Draft and what your teams may do, you can listen HERE. We’d appreciate the listen.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “As a sportscaster, whether it be from his time in Memphis, to prior stops in Spokane and Winston-Salem, North Carolina and even going back to his college days at UNC-Greensboro, Bryan has shown what it takes to carve out a path in this industry and climb up the ranks.” – Bryan Fenley’s website
Yesterday, about the time I posted the post, word came down that Gronk was suspended for one game. Kind of figured that would be it, okay. Brady is good enough to not have him and still win. He’ll be back just in time to be ticked off when they play the Steelers in Week 15.
But, the game last night pitting the Steelers against our hated rivals the Cincinnati Bengals (or Bungles as I call them) was a doozie. First, in a freak accident and not really any one’s fault, Ryan Shazier, the Steelers defensive leader jammed his neck making a tackle (from behind) and ended up with a spinal “contusion.” They carted him off the field and took him, by ambulance, to the hospital. He’s still there today and probably until tomorrow as they are doing more tests and evaluating him.
The Steelers and Bungles have a violent past, especially recently, and especially because of Vontaze Burfict. He’s a dirty player on the level of Ndamukong Suh. The Bungles also have Adam “Pacman” Jones who is at times a dirty player. He’s certainly an instigator. During the playoffs in 2015, Burfict took aim at Steelers star receiver Antonio Brown and put him out of the game. It was malicious and intended. Burfict was then suspended for the first three games of 2016. That just adds to the dangerous mystique of the rivalry.
Last night, when Le’Veon Bell was catching a pass and making a Steelers first down, Steelers rookie sensation Juju Smith-Shuster made a peelback block (where the player goes back toward his own end zone and makes a blindside block on a “defenseless” defensive player – I know there’s a better definition of that, but that’s what I got) on Burfict and it nearly knocked him out. Okay, so, I have to admit a part of me thought that was pretty bad-arsed. But, truly, I don’t want anyone hurt like that. The worst part of it wasn’t that he made the hit. The worst part was afterward when he stepped over Burfict, straddled him and looked at him like he’d just proven a point. That’s called taunting and is not good. Any other time I’d probably be okay with it, but this is after Shazier went down and the whole team was down and jittery. Good block but unnecessarily violent and absolutely ridiculous on the taunt. Now, I admire and am fond of the fire the kid has but you could really tell, by the look on his face, that he felt bad for it afterward. But, in the moment? Nah.
Later in the game, as Antonio Brown made his tie-setting TD catch, Bungles DB George Iloka squares up and delivers a helmet-to-helmet shot to Brown but Brown held on. The Steelers went on to win the game 23-20, staying atop the playoff picture leading into two important games. The Ratbirds (Ravens) come to town next week (when both Gronk and Juju are both suspended) and then the Patriots come in the following week. So, it’s important the guys in black and yellow keep their heads and buckle down! Hopefully, Ryan Shazier isn’t lost for the rest of the season. Really, as much as I don’t like a lot of teams and players, I don’t want them hurt like that, especially not from a Steeler’s moment of mental weakness. So, all of you stop making stupid mistakes and just play the game. Be safe, y’all! Thanks for indulging my sports rants two days in a row!
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “You are suspended for the dangerous and unsportsmanlike acts you committed during the fourth quarter of last night’s game. Specifically, with 7:10 remaining, on a passing play to a running back, you lined up a defender and delivered a violent and unnecessary blindside shot to his head and neck area. You then ‘celebrated’ the play by standing over him and taunting him. The contact you made with your opponent placed the opposing player at risk of serious injury and could have been avoided. Your conduct following the hit fell far below the high standards of sportsmanship expected of an NFL player.” – Jon Runyan, NFL Vice President of Football Operations to Juju Smith-Shuster
So, I’m releasing no secret in saying that the New England Patriots are one of my most hated NFL teams. They share that spot with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens (the Cincinnati Bengals are just a hair behind that). There are many reasons for this. The biggest being Tom Brady. Next, comes Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichik.
In this Sunday’s game, Gronk was unhappy that there was no pass interference called (and it was pass interference) on a pass in the middle of the game. He’d been called for a few things (all through the season) and, to my understanding (which I know can be incorrect), he’s one of the most penalized TEs in the league. So, when the call isn’t called for him, and after the play, he takes a running start and throws his shoulder directly into the back of Tre’Davious White’s skull. So, White was hit in the back and the front of his helmet was driven into the ground. He was visibly shaken and we found out he entered the concussion protocol. With the concussion epidemic that the league is going through right now, we shouldn’t take any of that as “light.”
Now, he said that he lost his cool and apologized. Okay. But, still, you hit someone while driving under the influence, you can apologize but you shouldn’t just get off scot-free. I’m not saying that I believe he should be suspended just because he’s Gronk and plays on that awful team. I’m not even saying that I think he needs to be suspended, but if you look at what recent suspensions have come from, fights, cheap shots, etc., then you have to at least consider it. Also, if Tre’Davious White misses any time in the concussion protocol, then Gronk needs to be out as long as he is. He didn’t deserve to be put out. It wasn’t a regular play that did it, it was maliciousness. I mean he rared back and launched. Now, if White misses no time, does he still need to be suspended? It’s not for me to say, but, if they want to keep him out Week 15, that would be great. I kid about that part, but seriously, any suspension is up to Goodell and Co. I know he’ll get fined, if not then they’re showing some serious favoritism.
Also, did anyone see the whiney-baby tantrum that Brady threw on the sideline against Josh McDaniel? Instead of a mouth guard, he needs a pacifier. Ahole! That’s inconsequential just wanted to throw it in. What are your thoughts on Gronk? Suspension? Fine? Both? Talk to me, Dear Reader.
I’m so tired of it. The in-fighting. The b-with-an-itch-ing. The whining. The finger pointing. The accusations of disrespect. The “those spoiled millionaires” blah blah blah…
I had written a 700-word rant on people on both sides of the flag/kneel situation just shutting up, no matter which side you’re on. Nothing any of us can say is going to change the already made minds of the other side. Nothing. But, after writing it, I decided to just leave it. I’m tired of reading about it. I’m tired of hearing about it. I’m tired of talking about it. I may be part of the problem, I get that. But, I’m tired. That’s all I’m saying today.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” – Abraham Lincoln
We had special guests this week on The Less Desirables,which is recorded live in the Test Pattern Studio. We had Byron and Kelley Weeks of Earth’s Edge Tattoo and Piercing on to talk about their lives, their history, tattoos and piercings in general. Kelley and Byron then hung out with Caitlin and me to talk about pop culture stuffs.
Since there was no As Ardmore Turns the previous week, we hit them hard last week with a 16-minute whopper that was full of disdain for a local grocery chain and snootiness about the south in general. Oh and don’t forget the coconut creamer.
Caitlin gives her “Bowl o’Stuffs” about the Winston-Salem Jaycees and their upcoming events.
The music section is brought to you by The Garage. I give a rundown on what new tunes and albums came out last Friday. Kyle Caudle had a CD release on Saturday and we played a tune in honor of it. The song wasn’t from the new ep but I didn’t have access to that.
We then played the latest featured tune from the TLD/MM3AMMC Tap Takeover, who was the winner? Well, you just have to listen to find out!
TC of our sister podcast, Fan Interference, gives the latest in sports updates. Lots of NFL news since the season is upon us. Also, MLB and NBA stuff.
a/perture cinema presents the week in movies including what’s new to a/perture and Netflix movie streaming. I give a review of the film Sideways.
City Beverage presents the beer of the week, Starlight Ale from Bombshell Beer Company.
Before I get into last week’s podcast, I have to toot my own horn a little. Well, not my horn, per se, but of The Less Desirables. Last Thursday, I received, in the mail, a certificate. It was from Yes! Weekly and I couldn’t figure out what it was about. I opened it and found out that TLD was a runner up in the Yes! Weekly Readers Poll in the category of Best Radio Show. I didn’t even know that the poll was happening. I know about the poll, of course, they do it every year, but I didn’t know it was currently happening. I don’t know the criteria of how you make the “runners up” list but we were on it. And, to me, the most remarkable thing about being on that list is that I’m the only non-broadcast show. And, the only WSNC show.
The winners, of course, was Rock 92’s Two Guys Named Chris, of which co-host Chris Demm is a past guest on TLD. The other runners up were Jared and Katie on WKZL, The Brad & Britt Show (syndicated), Bobby Bones out of Nashville (syndicated) and Blues Hangover which is on NC A&T’s 90.1 WNAA. So congratulations to all of the other runners up and 2Guys. I consider us lucky and honored to be among them. To be on this list, someone had to add us and vote for us. Again, I didn’t even know it was happening, so it wasn’t me begging for votes. Just makes me feel good about what we’re doing over here. Thank you, Triad and Yes! Weekly for that.
And since, we’re runners up and not winners, I think that makes us even more “less desirables.” So, from here on, and until I’m tired of saying it, I’m going to refer to The Less Desirables as the “Almost Award-Winning Podcast.”
Jason Anders, the developer and main-most-man at the new “counter culture magazine,” The Arrival Magazine, is on to talk about his new gig and pop culture with Caitlin, guest co-host Tammy Markland (a/k/a She’s Running with Scissors, A Cup of Sugar) and me. The mag only has one issue so far but it’s getting a good bit of recognition, according to the establishments that have the magazine in them. We hope Jason is able to keep this going, it’s a good mag.
TC of Fan Interference gives a rundown of the latest sports headlines including those of the NFL, NBA and MLB.
Caitlin, being the Dude-ess in charge of the Winston-Salem Jaycees, gives the DL on what the Young Professionals Organization is doing and how (and why) you should be part of it.
a/perture cinema presents the week in movies which includes what’s new to Netflix movies streaming (there wasn’t a lot) and my review of the classic film, The Hustler (1961).
Then it was time for our “almost true-to-life soap opera that practically writes itself,” As Ardmore Turns. And this week, it was a doozy. “Shorty” gets loose and so does “all Hell.” Just give it a listen, laugh, gasp and probably shake your head. It’s all entertaining.
The Garage presents the week in music including what was fresh and newly released on last Friday. Also, we hear a tune called “Get Up” from local bad arses Convicted Fate.
City Beverage presents the beer of the week, TropiCannon Citrus IPA from Heavy Seas Beer. It’s tasted and rated by CrewTLD!
You can listen to the other “The Less Desirables Network” shows: the aforementioned Fan Interference and The Beer Dads (with The Man Who Ate the Town coming soon; after the move).
You can hear The Less Desirables on the website, iTunes and Stitcher (with more coming) OR you can just listen here. See how convenient that is?
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
— “Did you mean to call me stingy? Or did you mean to try a different SAT word you don’t know the meaning of in order to attempt to make you sound more educated?” – Ashley, an Ardmore Resident
shutting up, no matter which side you’re on. Nothing any of us can say is going to change the already made minds of the other side. Nothing. But, after writing it, I decided to just leave it. I’m tired of reading about it. I’m tired of hearing about it. I’m tired of talking about it. I may be part of the problem, I get that. But, I’m tired. That’s all I’m saying today.
the criteria of how you make the “runners up” list but we were on it. And, to me, the most remarkable thing about being on that list is that I’m the only non-broadcast show. And, the only WSNC show.