Thurston Blogging

Sestriere, Cesana and Susa

Where's Jay?

Since I find myself stuck in Northern Italy once again, decided to go exploring today.  Visited some of the towns in the Torino region where the Winter Olympic events were held - Sestriere, Cesana and Susa.  Met some very charming and warm people, and enjoyed the food a great deal.  Had simply outstanding weather considering the extreme elevation of the Alps.  At one point, we were over 2 kilometers about sea level.  Think that's high up.

If you happen to find yourself in Sestriere, you could do a lot worse than dining at the Les Chalmettes Bar & Ristorante.  Their phone number is +39 333 328 5027.  They have beer cans from all over the world, so bring one with you.  I had the lasagna, and it's quite good.

If you find yourself in Cesana, stop into the Cantina Del Sole.  Nice restaurant that we stopped for ice cream.  The place is owned by a husband and wife.  The wife runs the bar, and speaks outstanding English.  She lived in New York for a year as a nanny.  Their number is +39 0122 89 7266.

Lastly, we went to Susa.  Saw the ruins of a small Roman Arena which was excavated over 50 years ago.  You are able to walk onto the arena floor and see the cages where people and/or animals were penned.  Kept thinking of Maximus in Gladiator - "Are you not entertained?"

Here are a few photos of yours truly from my trip:

All-Time Detroit Lions Team

Since I recently bashed the worst draft picks in Detroit Lions history, I thought that it was only fair comment on the truly great Lions players of all-time.  Here we go:

OFFENSE:
QB: Bobby Layne.  Still all-time passing leader in Detroit with over 15,000 yards and 118 TD's.
Backup QB:  Dutch Clark.  Earl played for the Lions when they were still called the Portsmouth Spartans.  Quit the Spartans to become a head coach, only to rejoin the team after they were sold and renamed the Detroit Lions.  Was All-NFL in six of the seven seasons that he played.
RB: Barry Sanders.  Hall-of-Famer with over 15,000 yards and 99 TD's.  No one was more exciting to watch.  The best player I've ever seen.
RB: Billy Sims.  Like Sanders, he won the Heisman Trophy.  They both wore #20.  He's #2 on the Detroit all-time rushing list with over 5,000 yards and 42 TD's.
WR: Herman Moore.  Could jump out of the Silverdome.  Leads Lions receivers with 670 catches for over 9,100 yards and 62 TD's.
WR: Cloyce Box.  Who?  The guy caught for over 300 yards in one game!  Get this, it was in December of 1950.  Leads the Lions with 15 TD's in one season - in 1952.
TE:  Charlie Sanders.  Played from 1968-77 on bad teams, yet still amassed almost 5,000 yards and 31 TD's.
T: Lou Creekmur.  Played for the Lions from 1950-59 during their Championship years, which they won three.  Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996.  Played in an amazing 165 games in a row.  Was in the Pro Bowl 8 times.  Shouldn't have taken so long to put him in the Hall.
G: Mike Utley.  Was paralyzed during a game in 1991.  Gave the famous "Thumbs up" to the rest of the team, letting them know he was okay.  First Team All American in college.  Became a started his rookie year in 1989.
C: Alex Wojciechowicz.  Hall of Famer who played with the Lions from 1938-46 before ending his career with the Eagles.  Two-way player who also played linebacker.  Was a member of the Seven Blocks of Granite along with Vince Lombardi at Fordham.
G: Harley Sewell.  Played from 1953-62 and went to 3 Pro Bowls.  Apperently, he was a redneck.
T: Lomas Brown.  Played with the Lions from 1985-95.  Loved to block for Barry, and probably hated most of the lame-ass QB's behind him.  Three time Pro Bowl starter.  He was never hurt, and always was smiling.

DEFENSE:
DL: Alex Karras.  Tough as nails, and crazy as hell.  Played from 1958-70.  Had the 63 season off along with Paul Hornung for gambling.  4-time Pro Bowler who was the one of the toughest defenders of his era.
DL: Jerry Ball.  Huge son-of-a-bitch who played in 3 straight Pro Bowls from 1989-91.
DE: Bubba Baker.  Played in two Pro Bowls and was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1978.    Has 75.5 career sacks.
DE: Robert Porcher.  Classy, fast and tough to stop.  Lions career leader in sacks with 95.5.  Led the team in sacks in 8 different season.
LB: Wayne Walker.  Played from 1958-72 and played in 200 games as a Lions.  Was also a kicker and a 3 time Pro Bowl pick.
LB: Chris Spielman.  Was the a 4-time Pro Bowler who played from 1988-1995.  Tough fucker.
LB: Joe Schmidt.  Another Hall of Fame player who was a Lion from 1953-65.  Played in ten damn straight Pro Bowls.  Team MVP four times.  One of the first middle linebackers.
DB: Dick LeBeau.  Played in 171 consecutive games from 1959-71.  62 Interceptions for his career.
DB: James David.  5 trips to the Pro Bowl for David, who played from 1952-59.  Has 36 career picks.
DB: Yale Lary.  Hall of Fame Defensive Back played from 1952-53, 1956-64 with the Lions.  Was in the Army during the break.  Lary not only had 50 career picks, but he has a career 44 yard punting average.
DB: Dick "Night Train" Lane.  Bad mofo who played with the Lions from 1960-65.  Hall of Famer in 1974 who has 68 career picks.  Died in 2002, at age 73.
NB: Jack Christiansen.  If I want a nickel back, I can have one.  Eat it.  Played when the Lions won things back in 1951-58.  Led the league in interceptions two different years.  People were afraid to throw near him.  6 time All-Pro player, and went to the Pro Bowl five times.

Special Teams
KR: Mel Gray.  Number 23 was as fast as fat guy falling down.  He was a four-time Pro Bowler and was a terrific punt returner as well.  Holds the NFL record for 309 kick returns and 7,650 kick return yards.
PR: Lem Barney.  Hall of Famer who was a terrific cornerback and was Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1967.  56 career picks.  7 Pro Bowls.  The guy even punted.
P: Jim Arnold.  He was the punter from 1986-93.  Pro Bowl punter in 1988-89.  Boomed big kicks in the old Silverdome.  Crazy Wayne wasn't afraid to let #6 run a sneak or two.
K: Jason Hanson.  Current kicker has been to the Pro Bowl multiple times, and is the only current Lion to have played with Barry.  The two went to Hawaii together in 1998.  He's going to tie the most seasons played with the Lions this season.  Converted 98.7% of his extra points, has booted a 56 yard kick and even has 20 career tackles.  Has 1420 career points.
Need Player: Doak Walker.  Hall of Fame Halfback.  Played from 1950-55.  Caught the winning Touchdown in the 1952 title game.  Returned kicks and punts - he also played defense, punter and placekicker.  Up yours, Deion Sanders.

Head Coach: Wayne Fontes.  Never won a championship, but did win a playoff game at the Silverdome in 1991.  I think Wayne can walk on water and that's why I chose him over Potsy Clark who won 54 games from 1931-36, George Wilson who coached over 100 games in the 50's-60's.  Wayne coached more games than any other Lions coach (138) and had 67 wins which is also tops.  Buddy Parker would be second as he had a .671 winning percentage from 1951-56.

Honorable Mention:
Great players that are left off include Tobin Rote, Kevin Glover, Erik Andolsek (killed by a semi while just hitting his prime), Brett Perriman, Eddie Murray, Erik Kramer, Doug English, Bennie Blades, Mel Farr, Pat Studstill, Charlie Ane, and Bob Beer.

Detroit Lions Draft Busts

For the past few years, I have been a season ticket holder to one of the worst NFL Franchises of the 2000's - the Detroit Lions.  What makes them bad - the owner, the facility, the lack of money?  No, the Ford's are fine, Ford Field is terrific, and Bill Ford has never  had a problem tossing around cash.

What really makes them bad is their GM, Matt Millen.  He's a clown, and has drafted terribly.  He's not the only one - Chuck Schmidt was the GM until he was replaced in 2001.

Here are some of the major screwups:

10) Terry Fair - CB taken in the first round of the 1998 draft.  Started 10 games as a rookie, but broke down by 2001 and was inactive for the last quarter of that season.  Bounced around to Carlina and St. Louis after leaving Detroit.  Why does this pick suck?  Randy Moss was taken one selection later by Minnesota.  Donovan Darius and Alan Faneca were also taken after Fair in the first round.

9) Reggie Barrett - WR from Texas El Paso.  Taken in the 3rd round in 1991, the same year Herman Moore was drafted.  One problem - he was a receiver that couldn't catch.  Wayne had him get contacts, and it still didn't help.  Aeneas Williams was drafted one pick later than Barrett.  So were Erik Williams, Ed McCaffrey and Keith Traylor.

8) Giving up a first round draft pick to the New Orleans Saints for Pat Swilling.  That pick turned out to be Willie Roaf, a 10-Time Pro Bowler.  Swilling was at the end of career, and did nothing special.  Boner move of 1993.

7) Chuck Rogers - missed more games due to injury and ganga than he's played in since being drafted in 2003.  Showed promise, but now shows high THC levels in his bloodstream.

6) Andre Ware - run-n-gun QB from Houston drafted in the first round in 1990.  Was part of the three-headed QB monster in Detroit with Peete and Kramer.  Never picked up the pro game.  1990 did produce Jeff Campbell and Willie Green - two average receivers.

5) The Entire 1999 Draft.  Such talent like Aaron Gibson, Chris Claiborne and Sedrick Irvin rounded out the last draft of the century.  Gibson was so fat, he ate his way out of the league.  The only player still on the roster from this year is Jared DeVries.  We wasted TWO first round picks in a year when Daunte Culpepper and Javon Kearse were available.  In the later rounds, players like John Janson, Joey Porter, Brandon Stokley (taken two picks after Irvin), and Dat Nguyen were all available.

4) Stockar McDougle & Barrett Green - 2000.  First and second round picks repsectively.  Both players are long gone, and I could care less.  Never did shit while they were here, and I hope that they both contract Polio.  I remember yelling at Green while he was laying on the turf at the Silverdome, calling him a pussy.  He got up.

3) Chuck Long - Iowa QB, 1st round 1986.  I'll catch hell that he shouldn't be higher than Andre Ware.  Yes he should, as Bo Jackson was taken at the top of this draft by Tampa Bay.  The Lions should have worked out a deal for the rights to Bo Jackson - one of the most exciting NFL players ever.  Long sucked.  Charles Haley was available until pick #96 in that draft.  Mark Rypien was drafted at 146, and all he did was win a Super Bowl, beating the Lions in 1991 for the rights to go there.  Clyde Simmons who went to Philly and and old Ray Brown were late draft choices that year.

2) Joey Harrington - QB taken 3rd overall in 2002.  Everyone likes Joey.  Joey could not and did not win in Detroit.  Poor coaching, mediocre talent, and a stupid system (West Coast Offense) all hindered him.  He had class, and always kept his head up and his nose out of trouble, but was blamed by the media and teammates for the poor performance of the entire team.  Sherm Lewis, crappy West Coast flunky, wrote the Ford Family a letter saying that the team could not win with Joey.  Enjoy broadasting Spartan games on Saturday, Sherm.  Jeremy Shockey and Ed Reed were also drafted in the 1st round in '02.  Clinton Portis was a second round choice.

1) Whoever gets drafted in the 1st round of the 2006 draft.  He'll be another wasted talent, and better players will be drafted after him.

Drunk

Polished off a growler of Founders IPA.  After that, Sharon and I have moved on to the case of Goose Island Variety Pack.  I've been chugging their IPA while S-Bomb has been drinking their Honkers Ale.

On the Web:
Founders Brewery

Goose Island Brewery

Sharon has now taken to bidding on eBay items smashed.  That's hilarious...

Bird vs. Window

Today, I was sitting in the Torino airport, waiting for my flight to Frankfurt.  There was a bird inside the terminal.  This bird, who I named Frank, would sit perched on a metal railing for minutes without moving.

After a short time, Frank would try to leave.  Perhaps because Frank saw other birds outside, or the fact he too was supposed to be in Frankfurt, Frank would fly head-first into the window.  Hard.  Usually, Frank would try two quick jaunts dead-on into the window, and then he would retreat back to the railing.

While the first two times you watch this happen, you cannot help but laugh a bit to yourself.  Or, out loud as I did.  After times 3-5, you really started to feel for Frank.  With the Bird Flu epidemic, no one is too interested in attempting to grab Frank, and take him downstairs, through the security checkpoint, and free him outside.

No one wants Frank to go on their flight, so perhaps Frank just stays in the airport.  Much like Tom Hanks in that flick, The Terminal (was that the name of it) - he just finds a new life for himself.  Sans Catherine Zeta-Jones, Frank the bird will feast on fine Italian bread and cheese, while every now and again forgetting what he learned and flying dare I say unabashed, into the window once again.

Good luck, Frank.

Bye, Bye Boot

Looks like this is my last night in the super-terrific Holiday Inn Express in Torino, Italy.  Damn, I've felt so smart for the past three weeks, it is a shame to see this trip end.

Tomorrow, I fly to Frankfurt for the night.  Spend the night in the Marriott and then back to the Frankfurt flughaven 12 hours later to depart to the best city in the world - Detroit.  I'll arrive in the D early afternoon on Thursday, and will then catch a small jet to cruise on to Gerald Ford International on the Left Coast of Michigan.

Look out Ada, Coach is coming back.  However, it's only for a limited engagement.  Back to Italy in a week after I get home.  More work, more soccer, more corrupt elections, and more pizza keep bringing me back to Italy.

The Sites from Torino, Italy

Well, I'm starting to get ready for Week #3 of my third trip to Torino.  Yesterday, I spent the day walking along the Po river, where I ate ravioli and pounded a few beers.  Afterwards, I walked up to one of the higher points within the city and snapped a few photos.

The weather yesterday was nice, but a bit overcast and humid at times.   Could have been worse, as it's been raining today.  Today is the first day of their elections.  Should be a tough battle.  To read more, read this.  Berlusconi vs. Prodi.  For real.

Later in the day, I took a tram ride up to Superga to see the famous Basilica.  The tram was like a roller-coaster - chain driven, but without the steep drop at the end and the 6 dollar souvenier photo.

Speaking of photos, here are a few from yesterday:

2006 Detroit Lions Schedule and Predictions

Here it is folks - the 2006 Detroit Lions Football Schedule.  Well, what do you think Rod is going to to?  I think he's a fraud, and for all three of you (that may be a stretch) that read this, you'll be witness to my bold prediction.  In 2006, the Lions will fare no better than 4-12.  Here is where the Frightening Four will come from:

Preseason

Date Opponent Location

Friday, August 11 DENVER BRONCOS Ford  Field - Loss

Friday, August 18 at Cleveland Browns Browns Stadium - Loss

August 25  Oakland Raiders McAfee Coliseum - Loss

Thursday, August 31 BUFFALO BILLS Ford  Field - Win

Regular Season

Date Opponent Location

Sunday, September 10 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Ford  Field - Big Loss.  Kitna goes down.

Sunday, September 17 at Chicago Bears Soldier Field - Loss. Urlacher knocks out Jones.

Sunday September  24 GREEN BAY PACKERS Ford Field - Win.  Favre retires afterwards.

Sunday, October 1 at St. Louis Rams Qualcomm  Stadium - Loss.  By 40.  Take that Martz.

Sunday, October 8 at Minnesota Vikings The Metrodome  -Win.  Only road win of the year.

Sunday,  October 15 BUFFALO BILLS Ford Field - Loss.  Craig Nall throws 4 TDs.

Sunday, October 22 at New York Jets The  Meadowlands - Loss.

Sunday, October 29 Bye Week - Somehow we tried to lose on the bye.

Sunday, November 5 ATLANTA  FALCONS Ford Field - Win.  Vick steps on Dre Bly.

Sunday, November 12 SAN FRANCISCO 49ers Ford  Field - Loss. Alex Smith throws 7 TDs.

Sunday, November 19 at Arizona Cardinals Cardinals Stadium - Loss.  King plays QB.

Thursday,  November 23 MIAMI DOLPHINS Ford Field - Loss.  Game is called in 3rd quarter.

Sunday, December 3 at New England  Patriots Gillette Stadium - Loss.  Come on.  No shot here.

Sunday, December 10 MINNESOTA VIKINGS Ford  Field - Loss.  We lose by only 14.

Sunday, December 17 at Green Bay Packers Lambeau Field - Loss.  Rod cries after defeat.

Sunday,  December 24 CHICAGO BEARS Ford Field - Win.  Chicago rests everyone for playoffs.

Sunday, December 31 at Dallas Cowboys  Texas Stadium - Loss.  Moss catches 8 TDs.

After the season, Millen is finally fired.  Rod is given an extension.

Top 10 Cartoon Characters

While sitting in my hotel room today wathcing Japanimation cartoons dubbed in Italian, I started wishing for Cartoon Network.  No dice.  So instead, I decided to create a top 5 list of my favorite cartoon characters.  However, 5 was not enough, so I bumped it to 10.  I can do that, since I have plenty of time.

Here they are in order of world importance:

10) George Jetson - Man of the future.  Dorky son, hot daughter, prick for a boss, but George has a flying car.  Only guy on the list with a flying car.  Space Ghost has a space ship, which is altogether different.

9) He-Man - Cool guy with a great posse that included Battle Cat, Man-at-Arms, Teela and Man-E-Faces.  Skeletor was a bad mofo as an arch-enemy, and had the coolest hideout in Castle Greyskull.

8) Johnny Bravo - Manly man who is a touch egomaniacal.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

7) Shaggy - Only character on this list who was constantly stoned, and talked to a dog.  Would be "higher" on the list if he bagged one of the two chicks, Daphne or Velma, that rolled with him and Fred. However, there's nothing wrong with getting baked and hanging out with the Harlem Globetrotters, Don Knotts and Janis Joplin.

6) Smurfette - Only chick to make the list.  Created in Gargamel's lab, in order to somehow screw over Brainy, Papa Smurf and company.  She lived in a shroom, but was still three apples tall, and had blonde hair.  Not sure how she wasn't constantly getting filled out like an application, but that would have taken the Smurfs off of the Saturday morning cartoon rotation.

5) Barney Rubble - This super-fly mofo had it all: A hot wife, a cool car, a son in Bamm-Bam mthat was as strong as Superman, and a big dumb off of a buddy in Fred Flintstone.  Those two crazy, pre-historic crackers would hang with the Great Gazoo, got wasted at the Royal Order of Water Buffalo, and killed hookers on Tuesday nights.

4) Eric Cartman - Fattest member of the list.  Stupid, racist, insensitive, fat little prick who makes South Park the funniest cartoon on TV today.  Has some of the best lines of any character in the past 10 years of television:  "No kitty, that's my pot pie!"  "Repsect my authority."  "You get your bitch ass back in the kitchen and make me some pot pie."  Well said.

3) Homer J. Simpson - The world's best TV father, or the explanation why so many people think that it is okay to drive drunk and beat your kids.  Loves doughnuts and Duff Beer, the Springfield Isotopes and stealing shit from Flanders.

2) Space Ghost - Super Hero or Talk-Show Host?  Who says he can't be both?!  This super-nizzle has the coolest talk show in the Galaxy with Moltar running things from behind the scenes as the Herr Director, Zorak leading the Way Outs, and Brak just is around for no real reason.  The Ghost has interviewed some of the most cooler people of the past 20 years: Michael Stipe, Steven Wright, Conan O'Brien, Björk, Kevin Smith,  Matt Groening, The Ramones, Jim Carrey and Jon Stewart.  Can't be faded.

1) Beavis - Before there was South Park, there was Beavis and Butt-Head.  Two losers who just wanted to get laid, watch videos, eat nachos and set FIRE to stuff.  Wanted to bang Lolita and Tanqueray, but usually just got their ass kicked by Todd.  This was the best show on TV in the early 90's.  They made fun of stupid videos and did nothing all day but make fun of Stewart and screw with Mr. Anderson.

While Butt-Head was the brains of the pair, Beavis was the colon.  The Great Cornholio was classic; with terrific lines as "I need tee-pee for my bunghole" and "Are you threatening me?"  A true American hero.

Honorable Mentions go to: Yosemite Sam, Optimus Prime, Snake Eyes and Bender.