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Topics - LennG

#331
The Front Porch / Giants fans humor (or not)
November 03, 2020, 11:29:39 AM
 So true
#332
The Front Porch / Lost in the 60's
October 26, 2020, 01:04:29 PM

For those of us that lived thru the 1960s, it really was a turbulent decade, but looking back, so many good memories.

See if you remember them all. I do. I was able to name every person, every event. I can't remember what I ate for breakfast, but these I do remember the 60's

Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AecWbS4auoo&t=10s&ab_channel=ADiamondFilms
#333
The Front Porch / What are we watching these days?
September 02, 2020, 04:50:47 PM

I know we had this topic a while back, but I just didn't see it so let's review.

These days, many of us are going out more and not relegated to just sitting home, going from the computer to the TV. That said, I know we are still watching more TV than we did pre virus and we have watched a lot of pretty good shows, series and movies.

As of now, myself, I am just about finishing up with 'Man in the High Castle' on Amazon Prime. Several others have seen it and some tuned it off after a while, but I have stuck with it and I do like it. For any that may be wondering about it, it is a sort of hypothetical scenario where the Germans and the Japanese won WWII and are occupying the US--German on the East, Japan on the west and there is a neutral zone in the middle. Several people I spoke with about this just didn't like the idea of these enemies at the time winning, but there is much more to it than that. Maybe we didn't lose after all. I find it compelling and a good series if anyone wanted to discuss. It is 4 seasons and the run has ended. I am almost finished with season 4 and I would recommned it.

Another series my wife and I are watching is "This Is Us'. We are watching it on Hulu. This is still an ongoing series that is on NBC and the next season is scheduled for November. Anyway, we are deep into season 3 and it is another series I would highly recommend. This ones much more family-centered. I never knew anyhting about this series, just it received rave reviews every season it has been on, so we decided to try it and we love it. It is all about one family and it takes them thru flashback, to present day and it is intriguing. It continually jumps from maybe husband and wife pre-kids, to new kids, to young kids, to teen kids to present day people and it is done so well, that you never wonder where you are, who is who. There are 5 main characters, husband, wife and 3 kids, (boy/girl twins and adopted Black son) all the same age. There are many other figures who come into the show thru flashback to present day and you just cannot wait for the next episode. We tried it and are hooked and we watch one-two episodes every night. Since it was on regular TV, there isn't any sex, violence etc and each season is much longer than a Cable drama (18 episodes per season). Again, I would highly recommend this show.

In the last thread, I remember mentioning that I am watching Schitt's Creek (my darling wife didn't want to watch, thinking it was stupid). It IS stupid, in a weird way but it is also laugh out loud funny--really. I believe it is 5 seasons and I am deep into season 3. Once you know the characters and their idiosyncracies, watching them go thru a show I start laughing before things happen, just knowing what is coming. Just funny people doing a funny show. A GREAT watch.

I am wanting to see that new Tom Hanks movie made for Apple TV (name escapes me). has anyone seen this and what did they think.

I am also rewatching many movies that I haven't seen in a while. Some old, some new. They ahve a channel on the Optimum line up, I think it is Movies TV or something like that. It is on 113. On certain nites of the week, they show mostly older movies, in Black and white, Film Noir type movies. usually crime dramas, some good and some very good, but I love this genre of movies. I can watch the same type of movie, same type of story, but some great actors and actresses. Guys like John Garfield made a whole career out of them. Just watched Double Indemnity the other day. I have seen this so many times, yet it still facinates me. What a great watch .
#334
The Front Porch / Photography
July 22, 2020, 06:01:01 PM
OK, you asked for it.

Please, there has to be many amateur photographers here ( I know Frank is one), so please let's see what you've got also,  and if you want, a brief explanation of where you were. Myself, I'm not a technical guy so if you mention F stops and lighting, I might know what you are talking about, but no big deal. 

Myself, I try to do a lot of nature shots. I LOVE scenery. I LOVE close-ups of anything I can get close to, especially flowers. I LOVE sunsets. I also try and do a lot of what I call imagination shots (artsy), where I may think something MIGHT look good as a pix, but different than a regular photo.

As I said before, I can take 25-30 pics of just one thing, as shading or sun give it different looks. I am learning how to shoot at different speeds which can add a whole different look to a pix. But I am an amateur compared to so many other people.

Anyway here are a few pix just to start out

As I said, I LOVE close ups of flowers and when I was able to capture a dragonfly right on this one, and well..............



We venture up to Maine quite a bit (to see Jim et al). This is the Portland Head Light, the oldest working lighthouse in the county and the most photographed.


We also go to Washington a LOT. it is one of the most photogenic places in this country. We happened to be walking away from the Lincoln Memorial right after sunset and caught this shot


We also go to Newport RI as often as we can. It is truly one of the great small cities in the Northeast. We happen to be there in March when they had an 8-inch wet snow and it made it like a winter wonderland. Here is Trinity Church, right in the heart of downtown Newport--like a Christmas card pix


My brother lives in Colorado, so we travel out west every so often. Maybe my favorite place in all the West is Monument Valley, Az. Everywhere you turn, you can just see John Wayne galloping around. Truly a spectacular place for any photographer.We were there on the one day it rained in about 2 months. I was so depressed, but as we were leaving the sun broke thru and allowed me to get a few great shots.


Last is a place that if my wife could visit every day, she would. In Shelbourne Mass, they had an old trolley bridge that wasn't used anymore and converted it to what is known as the Bridge of Flowers. If you like flowers, like to photograph flowers, like to just stroll a path with some of the most amazing flowers, this is the place. I can fill 7 albums of pix with all the pix I take here. You don't know what to shoot first. Here is one pix that I like as the colors are perfect, lighting perfect and just a flower


Now that you got me started, lookout.


#335
BBH Baseball Board / Are these real pitchers
September 04, 2018, 05:09:43 PM
I have been following Davis DeGrom's year with the Mets. He is having, what many would call a Cy Young year. He has the best ERA in MLB and has not given up more than 3 earned runs in something like his last 25 starts. Pretty fantastic, or is it.

I understand that baseball has changed since my day, but I was thinking today after hearing about DeGrom's outing last night. He pitched 6 innings and gave up one earned run. Great, but why did he only pitch 6 innings? Again, I understand how things are done in today's game, but does only pitching 6 innings and giving up only one earned run really make him a great pitcher?
In today's baseball, most pitchers are 6 inning pitchers and then can overwhelm you to that point. But, IMVHO that is cheating the stats. When you compare DeGrom's stats with pitchers of today, it's amazing, but when you compare them with, say some of the all time greats, he IS sort of cheating the stats. The later innings is when real pitchers earned their keep, when hitters finally figured out what the darn guy has been throwing. Not in today's baseball.

How would a guy like DeGrom stack up in relation to any 'older' pitchers, or even guys like Clemens and his generation? Does only pitching 6 innings each outing make you a Cy Young winner?
Just curious how others see this.
#336
Josh Gibson: The Black Babe Ruth
#337
NFL Draft, NY Giants style / Trading draft picks
March 13, 2017, 06:11:07 PM
I understand draft picks are like gold, teams seem to want as many as they can get. Even foirgoing salary cap to gain more.

But my question is, would you trade a #1 for a sure starter?
Would you trade a #2 for a starter?

MY thought process was after I read that article about Belichick and the Pats trading away their #1 for a great WR, and then their #2 for another starter.

So is it better to get a sure starter instead of wondering if your draft pick will amount to anything?

Myself, I would take the sure NFL ready player, basically knowing what you have and being able to plan for next year instead of worrying if your pick will sort of 'fit in' or be NFL ready.

I understand people say you build thru the draft, but in certain cases, when you can get a sure fire starter and a decent one at that, why not trade that draft pick away for it. It sure seems to work for Belichick and the Pats.
#338
The Front Porch / Re: Good (or bad) Movies PART 2
January 23, 2017, 07:44:24 PM
Saw a couple of movies this weekend, first time in a while we watched some of the newer releases. On looking at the list of newer releases, I see we are way behind, so hopefully, we'll be doing some watching, and reporting.

First of our watches was the latest in the Bridget Jones saga, "Bridget Jone's Baby' starring Renee Zellweiger as Bridget, as she did in the other two movies about her. Myself and my DW are fans of this series and we loved the first tow movies in the set. This one fell a bit short and really had to revert to to sex and 4 letter words to get some laughs. Overall, it was OK, but if you ARE a fan of Ms Zellweiger and her portrayal of Bridget Jones, then add a star as they say. We enjoyed it, but if we had to rate the 3 movies, this one would be last.
Story wise, Bridget is out in the dating field, goes to a sort of rock concert and sleeps with a guy.  A few days later, she sleeps with the lost love of her life and low and \behold, she's pregnant and isn't sure who the father is. The rest is a complication of her pregnancy and how she deals with the two possible fathers.

Again, a decent enough watch if you are a fan of the series, you will enjoy it more. Ms Zellweiger has this part down to a tee.


The second watch is a brand new release, "The Accountant' starring Ben Affleck as an accountant who minors in Jason Borne areas. The subtitle should be Jason Bourne gets a calculator.
Let's start out slow here. Affleck,a s a child, has autism and is a lot weird. He grows up, becomes an accountant for many of the world's riches men (legal and illegal), and when he is not saving people money on their taxes, he is secretly Jason Bourne's alter ego (not literally) but he is a kick ass hero who rids the world of many bad people. Funny, but as I'm watching this movie and Affleck, I just don't know why but I kept picturing John Travolta in that part).

Story wise, like many of these action movies is not the main part, it is the character and the action. Affleck surprised me and was pretty good in his role as meek accountant, turning Jason Bourne when needed to be. Action was good and I enjoyed the movie. Not to the point where I would even pout it in Bourne's class, but for this genre, it wasn't bad. I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes these sort of movies. It isn't deep and the actors won't win any awards, but it was entertaining.
#339
75 years ago today, maybe the most famous streak of all time, Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak ended.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/joe-dimaggio-ends-56-game-hitting-streak

This was even before I was a glimmer in my parents eyes, but as a youth I knew all about baseball history, and the history of the 56 game hitting streak. Even though I was a Yankee hater forever, names like DiMaggio are still legendary and his 56 game hitting streak may live forever.
#340
BBH Baseball Board / Ted Williams
May 13, 2016, 05:25:55 PM
Just watched a great hour long biop of Ted Williams and thoroughly enjoyed it. I never got to see him play (or, at least, I don't remember him playing), but as a child, even then, knew him as the Greatest hitter in Baseball.

The Biop was very interested. I knew about his performances on the field, and knew about his time in the service in WWII, but I didn't know he saw combat and was shot down during the Korean War. I also didn't know he had a tremendous ego and many thought of him as an ass, never tipping his cap to his loyal fans, even when he hit a HR on his last ever at bat, he refused to acknowledge the fans.

Still a fascinating story about the greatest hitter ever to play major league baseball.
#341
BBH Baseball Board / Rules quiz
April 07, 2016, 04:44:28 PM

The new baseball season has started and I've begun my 47th year of umpiring. WOW. I still get a thrill out of starting a new season, being back on the field.

So, with a new season, comes a few rules questions and some knotty problems, I thought I would pass on.

One out, runners on 1st and third. Better hits a fly ball to deep center. Center fielder makes a circus catch and throws to first to double the runner off. The runner on third had tagged up and scored, but he left a bit early.
The 3rd out was made on the play at 1st base. Does the run count?


While the team was trotting off the field, the 1st baseman happened to step on 3rd base. Would the umpire call out the runner who left early?
#342
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/greatest-mlb-players-not-in-the-hall-of-fame/ss-AAdg0dM

I see several that I already thought were in and are not. Many deserve to be HOFers
#343
BBH Baseball Board / Baseball question
June 17, 2015, 08:20:12 PM
This was presented to me at our umpire's dinner last night and it did stump many of the umpires.

How many hits can one team get in one inning without scoring a run, and please explain?

#344
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l9kVd6a3ajc&feature=related

Really brings a tear to my eye. Just so sad
#345
The big wigs in baseball have finally gotten the point, the game is just too darn slow, with too many time outs, too long between pitches, too long for batters to get in the box and just too long for just about everything.
Now some may like that, which separates baseball from all the other sports, but overall, most fans and players just do not like to stand around for 3 plus hours basically doing nothing for most of that time.

So here are a few of the new rules that will be implemented this year.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12351883/major-league-baseball-announce-pace-play-rules


The bullet points:

#346

Most know I have been a baseball umpire for well over 40 years now and always considered myself a good to very good knowledgeable person as far as rules go. So if anyone ahs any rules questions, ask away and I'll see what I can do to answer them.
#347
BBH Archive / Get Together--Which dates are good
October 03, 2012, 05:58:31 PM
During the season, the BBH has always tried to have a get together to watch a road game together and either have a sort of tail gate or venture to a sports bar for some eats and then a game.

For the past 2 years our own Tomeee has been gracious enough to offer his house as our place to hold this great event, and, if the dates are right, he has once again offered to host  this year.

Here are our choices for Tomeee's house
Sunday October 14 vs SF with a 4:30 game
Sunday Nov 11 vs Cincy with a 1:00 start.

The date we were originally looking at was October 28 vs Dallas with a 4:30 start. That date is not good for Tomeee, so if we choice that date we will find a centrally located Sports bar that would be convenient for as many as possible.

Tomeee's house is in Yorktown Heights NY.

So these are our choices as we do not want to get later into the season when the weather has a better chance of turning nasty.

Just for any who haven't been to one of these get together. It is great. For the past 2 years we have BBQ and sort of tail gated at Tomeee's and then settled in to watch the game.
In years past we also have gotten a nice crew together in Fishkill, NY at a sports bar and had some brunch and then watched the game. Either way, all who attend have a great time and if you are interested, please indicate which date is preferable, or which you cannot make. We will try and please as many people as we can, but we go the way of the majority.
If we use the Oct 14 date, it is only about 10 days away so we need to know ASAP to help Tomeee along.

This is different from our BBQ in Albany, in that if you want to attend at Tomeee's just bring some food you or others might enjoy, as you might do for a tailgate.

Again, please indicate if you would like to attend and which date is good.
#348
BBH Archive / NFT--Zimmerman and Martin
June 01, 2012, 08:53:55 PM

As Ed has alluded to, we are trying out some NFT topics to get a feel for how they might be received, and maybe to start a new forum for them. Unlike the old Back Porch, this will be for topics that people would like to discuss, even debate, but in an intelligent way, and NO  references to politics allowed. This is a very slow time in the NFL, so we thought let's try out a few topics and see how they fly.

One of the topics I would like other opinions on, because there are many on this one is the George Zimmerman shooting of Trayvon Martin. I know we all have heard this case and we all must have opinions on it.
For starters, was George Zimmerman right in what he did?
Did he deserve the punishment, criticism and media blackballing,  he has received?
What does one think of the Florida Law of standing your ground no matter what?.

I have a good friend who is a criminal attorney. We talked about this case and he feels the prosecution will have a very hard time convicting Zimmerman of any sort of murder charge. He explained the Florida stand your ground law to me, compared to a state like NY. In NY, if you feel your life in danger and have the chance to run away, you MUST run away. If there is no other option and you cannot run, then you have the right to shoot. Like if some one broke into your house, you cannot run from that. But Florida is different, and Zimmerman had the chance to leave, but they do not require that, so he stood his ground and killed another man.
Does that make him a killer??

Evidence now seems to point to Zimmerman was telling the truth that Martin was assaulting him, beating him up, on top of him when he fired his gun and killed him. That part seems pretty clear. But the police said Zimmerman should never have gotten out of his car and confronted Martin.

So what's the verdict???
#349
BBH Baseball Board / top 10 world series memories
October 13, 2011, 05:26:44 PM
Top Ten World Series Moments

What do you think???
#350
BBH Baseball Board / Baseball rules
April 16, 2011, 10:10:00 PM
Did any of you baseball people take my rules test on the main board. Come on guys, let's see how much you all know.
#351
BBH Archive / NFT-- I guess money can't buy everything
October 23, 2010, 09:26:12 PM

OK guys you knew this was coming. With being the highest salaried team in baseball, I guess all that money just cannot buy a championship every year. While everyone annointed the Yankees a World Series berth from day one, I guess the samller market teams hadn't heard.

Now all you Yankee fans will be crying for all those new Free Agents to help you win next year.  Wonder how much Cliff Lee will e costing??

Sorry guys, wait till next year.  :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

#352
BBH Archive / The Big Blue Huddle BBQ
August 04, 2008, 12:45:28 PM
 As most already know, this past weekend was out annual trip to training camp and BBQ. To say it was a huge success would be putting it mildly.

For myself, being able to see some of my old friends again, made the experience at camp so much more than what it usually is. And being able to finally meet the Drakester, and the wonderful Mr Weeze, well, my life in now complete.

Just for my time there, which was Saturday night dinner and the full day on sunday, it was just too great for words. Why others here just don't take the time to join us, well, is beyond me. We have such a magnificent group of people, that anyone, no matter who, would be instantly at ease with this group.

Dinner on Saturday nite was great. And to make it even better, when we arrived at the place and mingled at the bar, who was sitting in the booth right behind us, Spags, his wife and Jesse Armstead. We really didn't want to bother them as they were eating, but finally, Mrs Rocky went over and introduced herself, and several other went over to shake their hands. Spags was so cordial, and had a big smile for everyone. Sorry same couldn't be said for Jesse, but it was a great pleasure to shake their hands.

Sunday we all met and sat together for the AM practice, with Spider doing play by play. It was MY first time seeing our Giants since the SB, and the experience is just magnificent.

The afternoon was spent at the near by park, where our annual BBQ takes place. As usual, we had so  much food, and about 6 grills going at one time. My hats off to all the chefs, everything was worthy of the Food Channel. Weeze kept his word and brought his famous fish which the Drakester cooked up as well as Emeral could have done. When I finally got around to having some, it was gone, but what I did taste, just mouth watering. AND, on a side note, the Weezer did keep his word to me, and brought some of HIS famous clear liquid that shall go nameless here, because in Northern territories, it is STILL illegal. Mixed a bit with Drakes famous Hazelnut Java that was brewed right in his hotel room, and I was sure to enjoy the rest of the day.
After, we were surprised when our 'guest' came by. Ralph V from the Daily News said he might stop by, and he did, and stayed for 2 1/2 hours with some terrific insight into the giants and how they are doing and what they are thinking. The time just flew by.

The evening practice was also great and the Giants really look  deep in several positions--WR, RB and even safety now. As was said in another thread, a guy like Dahl, who made the team last year, will be hard pressed to make this team in 08. Forget what you hear from the media,. the Giants will be right there in January, ready to defend their title.

There is so much more you can say about camp, as you observe so many things, but anyone who can make it there, should attempt it. From the fan friendly atmosphere, to the players signing autographs, to just watching whatever part of the team that catches your eye, it is a wonderful experience, and to share it with some great friends, well, the entire time will be long remembered.


To try and thank everyone who had a hand in making this event such a great experience will never work because I know I will leave out several names, so I just wanted to thank EVERYONE who was there for making this the BEST   BBH   BBQ   EVER.

Guys, tip of my cap to you all.
#353
Giants History / Phil McConkey video
July 06, 2008, 05:54:43 PM
 Anther great video about Phil McConkey and the 1986 Super Bowl.
Parcels is a riot. Can anyone ever see Coughlin saying something like that to a player????

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8008fb3d
#354
 Jsut a great story from OJ.
I loved it when he says he ain't going over to see what Parcels wants. He already knows what Parcels wants.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8008fb16
#355

From You tube, here is the entire Bills final drive of SB XXV and the climatic Wide Right kick that made our GMen Champs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJj5BZwNzKI