London Update

So instead of posting everyday what I have been doing (lets be honest, that would be boring,) I figure I will give an update every two weeks or so. Or anytime I have something really interesting to talk about. So yea London is great, I am having a fantastic time so far. The adjustment isn’t really that hard, I mean they speak English. And the city only gets better after you get a general sense of where you are and where things are located.

Anyway so I arrived on Monday January 4th. (By the way, I hate that they put the date before the month, so annoying.) They put us in some hotel across from Hype Park for 3 days. The hotel was really nice but those first few days are always hard I guess. The good thing was that they gave us free breakfast, which was awesome. At the time, England was going through their worst winter in like 50 years and snow was falling across the country. Basically a few inches shut the place down. I met a few people the first few days, went to a few pubs in the area, and went to Piccadilly one night, which was awesome. We also went to a musical called Blood Brothers starring Sporty Spice. It was eh. The orientation process is never a fun thing to go through but it wasn’t terrible. I though orientation at Dickinson was much worse. My roommate at the hotel was Paul from Bucknell, definite bro so we hit it off naturally haha.

I think everyone was happy to get out of the hotel on Thursday and finally get to campus. Moving in was very nice. And finally having internet access. Once we were all at Queen Mary, it was a lot easier to get to know people. The east end of the city is a really cool place. And things are slightly cheaper. Also every other store is a fried chicken joint. That first night we all got together in one of the kitchens and drank together. You always learn a little more about people when they are drunk. Especially when Miley “Party in the U.S.A,” comes on or Nelly “Hot in Here.”

Anyway the Queen Mary orientation process was one of the more painful experiences ever. We were in the gigantic lecture hall and the heat wasn’t working. I had zero leg room which really sucked and my back and legs were killing me. And they talked for over 3 hours when all I really needed to hear should have taken no longer than an hour. At one point when the English department was droning on, I went numb and my brain shut down. I didn’t feel or hear anything for the last twenty minutes, it was awesome.

I picked all my classes, which are all history course, or modules I guess. The best part is that I worked out my schedule to where I have a 4 day weekend. No classes on Monday or Friday, which is fucking incredible. I have only gone through that once, but I know I will love that.

Most of the weekend was spent hanging around the area and drinking in someone’s kitchen. Saturday I ventured out with Adam to some Bar in Marleybone to meet up with Ian and watch the Jets somehow beat the Bengals. (Ok the Bengals were never that good.) Sunday we went back to the same bar and saw the Patriots pull a no show against the Ravens. Also I met the most annoying ravens “fan” of all time. Hopefully he is lying in some gutter right now. What a shitty game. Earlier that day, I met up with one of my sisters friends, Emma, who has lived in London for a year in half. We went to this amazing place for breakfast. One of the best meals I have had. Monday was the boat cruise on the River Thames. Beer was 3.50. Good thing I didn’t bring a lot of money. Also not enough Cudi. That Tuesday I pre-gamed with some Brits and went to some club in the Liverpool Station area. That was a crazy night. We were very tempted to go to McDonals that night but we didn’t. Kinda disappointing to be honest.

Wednesday night saw Dan, Justin and I venture back onto Liverpool Street and get dinner. We stopped at some pub famous for their bangers and mash. (CASH BANGERS MASH.) It was delicious. Like amazing enough for me to go back there, again and again. That night brought the arrival of Dickinson friends Jack and Emily. My room is a single so fitting 3 of us in there was a challenge but fun. Trying to use the bathroom was a little harder. That Thursday I met up with them in the center of London for some dinner. We went to The George, this legendary old pub and again I got Bangers and Mash….so fucking good. Then began the quest for ping pong balls. Jack, Em and I literally ran around the city for over an hour trying to find them only to be denied every which way possible. Finally heading home I decided I was so angry that I was going to get very wasted.

We played ten pence (quarters) with the rules that if you make it, you pick who drinks plus what drink goes into the cup. A combination of beer, cider, rum and coke, straight rum, vodka, Bacardi and some cranberry vodka drink ended up in that cup. A deadly game. I ended up passing out at the Half Moon down the street.

After brunch with Jack and Emily in Camden Town, they left for more European adventures in Spain while I headed to the British Museum. That place is incredible. Definitely will be back there soon, especially since I forgot my camera. That night finally had the first pong action in England. We played 15 cup with 21 cup rules. After winning the first game I think my team lost the next 6. These kids just don’t know. Some of them proved to not be rookies while others I questioned what they do with their time at college.

That Saturday night I met up with my friend Emma from Dickinson and her friends. The crew of 4 Montana girls and a jersey boy was quite hilarious looking back. We spent the night in Camden town, which was a lot of fun. I ended up drinking a lot more then I thought I did. We split up around 2am so I tried to find my way home on the night buses. Big mistake! I got on a bus figuring it would take me somewhere that I recognized. I ended up falling asleep on the bus and waking up at the end of the line in North London. Oooooo noooooo. So it was 3:30am and freezing with me having no clue where I am. I ended up getting back to Camden town and found a bus that took me somewhere close to campus. I also got offered a ride for 32 pounds. Yea fucking right. So I finally walked into my dorm at 5:30am. Not the best end to the night.

Sunday was a beautiful day that I wasted mostly inside sleeping. Although around 5, Dan Justin and I headed to Brick Lane to hit up the market. AMAZING! They had all this cheep food, which was delicious. All this crazy shit that I will definitely be checking out again. We also hit up the amazing 24 hour bagel place that I will definitely be going back to. I met up with Emma and her friends for dinner before they went back to France. We were all tired and the restaurant was very dark so everyone seemed to be falling asleep. After saying goodbye to them, I met up with Ian to watch the first half of the Jets-Chargers game. That literally put me to sleep, so I went home and missed the Jets winning.

So I figured Monday was a good day to actually start doing a little work. Of course I procrastinated and watched two episodes of the Wire. Then I got the offer to come to the Clapham Frisbee practice which I felt like I couldn’t pass up. So Monday night, I went with two of the captains to the pitch where they practiced every Monday when it was half decent out. Well for a January evening it was beautiful. Mid 40s and zero wind. It was an awesome experience. It was just a collection of great ultimate players. I was able to hold my own yet I was incredibly out of shape. I got my butt whopped physically but I was feeling better by the end. My partner and I did win our last sprinting exercise so that felt good.

When I got home all I wanted to do was pass out but I had to prepare a 5 minute presentation on Joe McCarthy. I stopped working around 3am. Finished up just before I had to go to class at noon. I emailed the presentation to myself but the room didn’t have a computer so I winged it. The one thing about Queen Mary is their shit of a Library and their lack of technology. Anyway my 4pm seminar was cancelled so I slept for a while. That night I played some indoor ultimate with the Brixton team. A lot of fun and a bunch of cool guys but I was still incredibly sore from Monday.

Last night featured the return of 15 cup in flat 46 and the return of Jack and Emily. Lets just say the night ended with some people passing out with their clothes on, serious Dixie chicken runs at 3 in the morning and everybody singing Backstreet Boys in the hallways.

Anyway I am off to Paris today. Hopefully I will have some more interesting things to write and I will get my camera to somehow work and get my pictures online. Also next week will be the Top 10 movies of the decade from the Feldman brothers and myself. Get Pumped.

7 Miles Over the Pond, 500 Days of Summer and First Night

Cheers from London. I got here on Monday morning but I wrote this on the plane before I got here. So just remember that. So think like 1/4/10. Or in any other part of the world 4/1/10. (That's really annoying.

-I got to JFK airport 4 hours and got through security and all that what not just as quickly as any other flight. So the rumor of getting to an international flight 3 hours early is not really true. Or maybe I just got lucky, who can tell these days. The flight was supposed to depart at 9:05 PM. I would say we left around 11PM. I am in no rush because no one is waiting for my arrival, well maybe there is but I guess that's the point I am trying to make. I really don't know what awaits me and that's kinda cool I guess. The departing gate and the flight are mostly people from England and yes, I love their accents. I have always liked accents, well good ones anyway. (That didn't make sense) Dinner on the plane was mediocre at best (Breakfast was worse) I have no leg room and my TV tells me that it's 2AM in Jersey and the sun is rising in London. Well maybe its not but I would like to think it is.

After a brief departure nap (were talking 30 minutes at most) I took advantage of Delta's built in TVs to finally watch "500 Days of Summer," the so called indie hit of the summer. Critics loved it, my fellow summer intern Jason Goldstein had it listed on his top 5 summer movies blog entry
http://jakerainblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/5-movies-you-cant-miss-this-summer.html
My brother who's movie opinion I value greatly didn't like it so maybe that's why I didn't go out of my way to see it. Well I really enjoyed it. I have always liked Joseph Gordon-Levitt from his Angels in the Outfield days, one of my favorite movies growing up. I thought he did a terrific job playing the young handsome awkward lovestruck kid at heart guy. Zooey Deschanel (who I am still unsure of. I mean definitely attractive but idk, just doesn't really do it for me. And her name is Zooey...anyway) was great as the quirky love interest who doesn't really believe in love and labels and all that relationship stuff. But yea I liked it. Her ending the relationship with JGL for no real reason made sense, because that's who she was. (She did catch the bouquet though.) JGL carries the movie and I thoroughly enjoyed the progression of the movie. The ending might of been a little cheesy but I liked it. And what shouldn't of happened, doesn't, which I was very happy about. Just a very enjoyable movie. Great writing and also a great soundtrack to go along with it. They even featured a song from one of my favorite albums, Spoon's "Gimme Fiction". The song "Infinite Pet" which is probably one of my least favorite songs on it, worked pretty well in the scene it was used.

500 Days of Summer: 3/4 (I wanted to give it 3.5 but I didn't. Usually a movie will grow on me but this one didn't. It was what it was. A nice enjoyable little flick.


And finally there was First Night of Flight. A great send off from the country. Megan Fox's Minivan (2 in the Front! 5 in the Back!) led by Captain Chappers Millichap was a crew of Dickinson people plus Tim fro ND. Our first 5 games were against teams of lesser quality to put it nicely. It was fun but at the same time not fun just blowing out teams not being challenged at all. By the time we played a legit team, it was single elimination and it was the Forge team. It was not our best game. Our girls played really well but were a little over-matched against the other teams girls who all played club and had been to Nationals in October. Pretty much they were amazing. (I even got one to flip me off and call me an asshole) Normally I would agree with her but this time I felt it was kind of uncalled for. They won comfortably by a few scores I thought I played well, made some big plays and represented Pike well. (At least we beat Forge when it mattered. Sectionals champs bitches. Ok that's not saying much.

So yea it was fun. My body felt great during and after which always surprises me considering I have terrible eating habits, drink excessively at school. I haven't worked out seriously for the past month and I occasionally dabble with a good smoke. Really upset about missing the Hat tournament but I was lucky enough to make one night this year considering New Years was on a Friday. (Signs that 2010 will be a great year, ok probably stretching it but why not.)

Really cant wait to be playing Frisbee in London. O shit, I'm going to London. And by the time I post this, I will already be there. I guess its that time in life. Throw me out the airplane window, I am sure I wont end up in too many pieces.



More to come later. An actual update of things in London. Plus the top 10 movies of the decade. You don't wanna miss that one.

Up in the Air: Movie Review

On December 22, the crew got together for the biggest movie going event since...well I really don't remember. I mean I have never spent 14 dollars on a movie ticket before but I guess that's what I should expect heading into the next decade. I didn't mind at all spending 14 dollars to see Avatar in IMAX 3D. I had never seen a movie in 3D so I was pretty excited and Avatar did not disappoint. By no means a great movie, but very impressive and just really really cool. I have never seen a movie like that before and the more you think about it, it grows on you. Well done James Cameron, that was a visual treat!

The following day saw the movie crew cut in half, only Jeff Feldman made the trip and we only had to pay a measly 10 dollars (did I just say that) to see Up in the Air. Going into it, I didn't really know what it was about. All I really knew was that it was getting serious praise and hype. Up in the Air held up and some. It was easily the best movie I saw in 2009, slightly edging Up. A little under 2 hours, the movie does everything it wants to and really touches the viewer.

Starting with the director Jason Reitman, one of the best young directors today. His two movies before this were Juno and Thank You For Smoking, two great movies in my opinion. Up in the Air tops both of them as Reitman does a phenomenal job and has written a wonderful screenplay.

The plot is fairly simple, George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham who works in a company that has him flying around the country, going to random offices to fire employees. Ryan loves what he does and loves living out of his suitcase. He does not let anything tie him down. When a new girl Natalie is hired to the company, she develops a method that will have the company fire workers over the internet, hence grounding Ryan and destroying the life he loves.

He takes Natalie around the country teaching her the intricacy's of the job. While Natalie learns the disheartening realities of the job, Ryan starts to change his perspective on the life he lives as he begins to fall for Vera Farmiga's character Alex, who like she said, is Ryan with a vagina.

Jeff and I agreed, the cast does an amazing job in this film and that starts with Clooney. An incredible performance from quite possibly the best actor out there today. You will notice a change in him halfway through the movie and that is when Up in the Air really takes off. While Clooney carries the movie, every supporting cast member does a great job.

The first half of the movie is great but it is the second half that really starts to captivate the audience. The slow transformations in the movie and the characters, especially Clooney really deliver. The message that Ryan delivers in his motivational speeches is finally challenged by the growing relationship between him and Alex.

I don't want to give away anything but I absolutely loved the ending of the movie. It really leaves you with something that is touching, realistic and poignant.

I wouldn't classify Up in the Air as a romantic comedy but there are definitely elements of both. Whatever you want to classify it as, it is still a fantastic movie. The movie also features an incredible soundtrack that really works in every scene.

Unlike Juno, Up in the Air doesn't suffer from being too indie cute. I though Ellen Paige was great but I thought her character was annoying and I wasn't a big fan of the soundtrack. Up in the Air avoids all that and really puts it all together and reminds me of why I love going to the movies. The message that life is up in the air for everyone, especially for those that lost their jobs is fascinating and moving. Up in the Air is a must see this holiday break and you would be doing yourself a great injustice by not going to the theater and seeing it. You will not be disappointed

Final Rating: 4/4

Best movie of 2009 (And I just hyped this up way too much...Sorry!)

2009 Club Nationals Diary.

Oh my fucking god I finally did it. It only took about two months. But I finally finished the diary and got it on the blog. Just warning everybody, it is very long and not really edited. So read at your own risk. Not every detail is perfect and I am writing about myself which I dont like doing but whatever. Hope you enjoy

10/28/09

6:47 PM- Got to BWI on time and after pounding some Quiznos, I got to the gate and am currently waiting. I have already seen some players going down to Florida; I talked to a couple dudes from Slow White who looked strangely familiar.

Right now I am kind of sick, as my dick of a roommate has had the flu since Sunday. I did my best to stay healthy but I am noticing some symptoms. I have about 10 Emergence packets in me but who knows. Obviously I have Frisbee goals for the tournament but number 1 is staying as healthy as possible. I may not be 100 percent but I just need to be good enough to play well

10:00 PM- Landed in Tampa. Starting to feel like shit. I feel a fever coming which is the last thing I need. Fuck you Tyler! The Airport does have free Wi-Fi, which is sweet. Waiting for Nick and Kinsey to get here. Trying not to die.

10/29/09

1:00 AM- Got to the room. It is fucking awesome. I am feeling a little better since the airport and I am hoping the trend continues tomorrow.

6:47 AM- Woken up by Dusty making breakfast. I feel a million times better and I definitely feel like I am ready to go. I still need to get through warm-ups but I should be ready to go at 9:30 against GOAT. Anyway I wanted to get down some team goals and maybe more importantly, my individual goals for the tournament.

Pike

1. Break Seed- Basically that means to win a game
2. Make teams respect us- We want to prove that we belong in this tournament and compete with all of these teams
3. Be competitive in every game we play- This kind of goes hand in hand with goal number 2. Even if we are down by a lot, we fight for every fucking point.

Individual Goals

1. Stay Healthy- Being sick is not fun. I need to be careful, especially in this heat and playing at such a high level
2. Do not get beat deep- My job as one of the taller Pike D players is to not get beat deep. I won’t really be able to bait the huck at this tournament so I must be extremely tight on my matchup at all times.
3. Better marks- One of the biggest areas of my game that has improved this year. Force the thrower to be uncomfortable and avoid getting broken. This will kill you at the elite level
4. NO Turnovers- Pretty self explanatory
5. Make people notice me- Do something awesome. Make a sick play. People are always watching

8:00 AM- Fields are Beautiful. This is the Mecca of ultimate

9:00 AM- 30 minutes till game time. My body feels good for the most part. Running for extended periods of time is going to suck but its Nationals. I have dealt with this kind of illness before (I think). I just need to rest more than usual.

GAME 1: GOAT (8) vs. Pike (16)

-First D and turned it into bookends. With the score tied at ones, I slip on an in cut and my guy took off deep. I sprinted to the end zone and saw that the disc was floaty and that my guy thought he was wide open, not boxing me out and giving me a perfect lane to crash the party. After skying for the D, we set up our Ho stack. My defender for some reason played in front of me so I took off deep and Tim Johnson hit me in stride for the bookends and a 2-1 lead. Hey, I can play at this level. Normally I would stay on the field but because of my pseudo swine flu, I could barely breathe.

-Game tied at 4. My second break goal. Nick Ongpauco led me to the endzone where I slid to make the grab.

-Halftime 8-5 GOAT. We had a chance for another break but struggled to get the O-line in sync. I’m starting to feel really shitty and it’s becoming really hard to sustain energy.

-It’s now 9-7 GOAT. On my first offensive point, I had a ridiculous sky on my dude on a floaty flick from Ship legend Dave Baer. Had to pull out the Plax bow after that one. We then followed that with an almost Callahan from Tim Johnson. Break Pike!

Final Score 15-11 GOAT (Final Stats: 4 Goals + 3 D’s + 1 TO = Not good enough)

We should have had this game. I knew coming into this game, that this was the one we could sneak up on GOAT and steal a win. Not bad for our first game at Nationals but we had chances and we blew them. Very frustrating. And now we play number 1 seed Revolver. Awesome!

GAME 2: Revolver (1) vs. Pike (16)

-This one was fun. Our first point was on D and J Dono made a nice layout bid on Mac Taylor to get the D but a no contested foul followed. After the stoppage, Taylor immediately hucked to Beau who was already in position on a perfect throw from Taylor. Beau made the play, which was fairly easy for him to make since I was out of position. I would of liked to go up once with him on a 50/50 but it didn’t happen. Later in the game, I came in on an O point and threw a turnover (One of the rare times I played an O point and our team didn’t end up scoring). I made up for it by scoring a point on an upline cut. Revolver 8- Pike 3 at Halftime

-First break for Pike. Dono put a beautiful flick to me and I skied my defender for the goal. Almost got my first D of the game but Revolver called a foul. I contested it but they would eventually score. Revolver was just too good. They were the only team we played at Nationals that I felt that we would not beat if we played them 10 times.

-Final Score 15-5 Revolver (Final Stats: 2 Goals 1 TO) I wish we played better that game. But what can I say; they were the best team I have ever played in my Frisbee career.

GAME 3: Truckstop (9) vs. Pike (16)

-After being down 7-4, we scored on an O-line than ran off two breaks. I was able to get another D on a cross-field pass (I love those) Truck took half 8-7.

-The offense was flat in the second half, the D made a couple nice plays but it wasn’t enough. I did have a ridiculous sky right outside the end zone that turned into an easy assist to Grin. I also had an up line cut for a score. I also almost died in the second half from swine/heat/death.

Final Score: 15-11 Truckstop (Final Stats: 2 Goals, 1 D, 1 Assist)

Truck was good but it was another game we could of won. I was pretty frustrated going 0-3 on the day. Two of those games were winnable but we simply did not play enough good teams before coming to Nationals. I think that was one of the biggest factors of us not doing better. I mean not having played any teams that qualified for Nationals is ridiculous and did not prepare us well for what to expect.

I though I played really well despite being sick and it being my first day at Nationals. Maybe my best day there. Not a bad start but I could do so much better. I can’t wait to do so much better.

DAY 2 10/30/09

GAME 4: Bodhi (11) vs. Pike (16)

-A disappointing and winnable game. Our offense got broken 3 times to start the game and whenever that happens you really don’t stand much of a chance. I got put in on the next O-line and made a deep cut that had me open but the throw was a little low. I made a nice play going over my defender and caught it but the defender called a foul. It was probably a good call because I had to make a play on the under thrown disc but I contested it since I felt I went more over him than through him but there was definitely contact.

We scored anyway but we were still down 3-1. I spent most of the game covering Jon Hirschberger, a senior at Cornell and a hell of a player. He was Bodhi’s main deep threat. He threw one huck off me for a score but other than that I did a good job of shutting him down. I felt confident cutting on him whenever we got the turn. The one time he got thrown to deep with me on him, I got position and caught the disc for the D. Unfortunately the thrower called a foul after the throw so the disc came back. We went on a little run to make the score a respectable 15-11 but Bodhi was too good from the start.

Final Score 15-11 Bodhi

GAME 5: Streetgang (14) vs. Pike (16)

-This might have been my worst game defensively at Nationals but we ended up winning 15-12. By far, the worst I felt all weekend. The combination of being sick, sore and it being a blistering 90 degrees was slowing me down. I was getting beat early on but the Pike O was finally putting it together. I did catch 2 hucks for scores and played very good offense but my D just wasn’t there. In the end, we had enough and were able to hold on for the 15-12 win. I felt like I was going to die physically but the win was so rewarding. No matter what, I had to leave my first Nationals trip with a win and I did.

3:30 PM Pre Quarters

-Done for the day, I moved over to watch the pre quarters match up of Truck vs. Jam. On the other field was GOAT vs. Bravo. Truck looked hungry at the beginning of the game scoring first and getting the next break with some amazing defense. Jam was good but it looked like Truck was the better team and wanted it more. For some reason before the first half, everything fell apart for Truck. They missed a lot of opportunities and Jam ended up taking half. Truck looked deflated in the second half and just played poorly. Jam ended the game on a 10-2 run or something ridiculous like that.

-The end of the GOAT-Bravo game was incredible. After passing out on the ground, I woke up to a 14-14-tie game. GOAT was up the entire game but Bravo battled back to tie it up. At 14s, GOAT was called offside on offense twice to set up the reverse break mark 15 yards back in the end zone, something I have never seen before. Bravo ended up taking the game 16-14 to move to the quarters.

-That night, the Pike team went out to dinner. Awesome time with a great team! Tired and ready for bed, the goal is simple for tomorrow, break seed!

10/31/09

GAME 6: Machine (13) vs. Pike (16)

-Game was a battle from the start. While we seemed to have no answers for their offense, Pike O was looking the best they had all weekend, scoring with smooth disc movement and some big plays from the usual suspects. J Dono got a huge D and we turned it into a break after a guy that was a foot shorter was covering me and I finally got the disc in the end zone to make it 6-4.

-With the score 7-5, Machine threw a cross field hammer that I jumped for and got a piece to tip it but my match up for the entire game (John Kolb, who is listed at 6-6…fuck me) made the play and stuck with the disc. They would eventually score to make it 7-6. Those are the kinds of game changing plays that you look back at and remember. If I make that D and we take half 8-5, Pike wins. Machine broke us to tie it at 7s but Pike took half 8-7.

-With the score 10-9, Machine stepped it up and began their run. We just weren’t battle tested enough throughout the season to pull out the win. Pike plain and simple choked. We were the exact opposite of clutch and ended up losing 15-11. This one hurt the most.

-Final Score 15-11 Machine

I played pretty well on defense. I shut down my match up in the second half and I am pretty sure he didn’t score let alone touch the disc downfield.

GAME 7: Streetgang (14) vs. Pike (16)

-This would be our last game and definitely our worst. It might have been my best game besides the GOAT game. Maybe because I was so fucking pissed off about the last game and how our team collapsed under the pressure. Our offense came out flat and got broken 3 times again to start the game. Now I am furious about everything, I got out there and made shit happen. Put on the O-line, Dono hit me in the endzone to make it 3-1.

-With the score 4-2, Streetgang did what they do best: huck the shit out of the disc. They tried to throw a blade huck to my guy but I was able to get my hand in there and over my mark to get the D. A couple D’s and some scores later, Pike had the 5-4 lead. Coming out in zone, we kept Streetgang trapped and made their deep game very ineffective. In what might have been my best D, Streetgang hucked a floaty disc to the back of the end zone and I jetted to the spot and completely annihilated my guy, going over him and catching the disc. Unfortunately, we turned it over and Streetgang punched in the score. Pike fell apart afterward. They took half 8-5 I believe

-In the second half, Pike looked overwhelmed. Very frustrated, I tried my best to fire up my team. I skied two players for a score and was so amped I kick spiked the shit out of the disc only to have my cleat fly 30 feet in the air. I got another D on a hammer to make it 3 on the game but even I became victim to Pike’s black hole and threw away the disc on an up line flick. This was followed by me kicking the recycling can over. Shit happens.

Final Score 15-8 Streetgang

-After watching Revolver beat Sockeye in the semis, I spent the rest of the afternoon in the beer garden. Good times! Consumed about 10 cups of beer, got destroyed in a chugging contest and got drunk. I tried to trade my Pike jersey for a GOAT jersey but couldn’t get a deal done. Ellis was hilariously drunk and was somehow able to trade a Pike white and an old wildwood jersey for a Red BODHI jersey which made me extremely jealous.

-We went back to the houses and headed to the beach, which was incredible. We had a drunken Pike vs. Pike 500 game in the water, which was awesome. The weather was beautiful, the water was warm and the sunset was picturesque. Sarasota is fucking awesome. I need to be here every year.

-That night we hung out at one of the condos, ate tons of food and watched college football/the World Series. Glenn tried to open a bottle with his mouth and broke it on his gums that started bleeding like crazy. Some of the team hung by the pool on a perfect night. I was able to talk to Pike vet Ian McClellan for a while about the team, us and ultimate as a whole. I was really happy to talk with Ian, great player, great teammate and just has so much knowledge and wisdom about the sport. I really hope he decides to come back to Pike next year. Huge loss right there.

-The night ended with Dusty, Dono, Ross, Glenn, Raph and I wondering to the Daiquiri Deck. I didn’t stay for long because I was so tired so I went back to the house and passed out on the floor.

11/1/09

-I spent most of the day getting skin cancer at the fields as it continued to be scorching. None of the championships were especially compelling. I headed to the airport with Tim who let me know immediately that the Eagles were shit stomping the Giants 14-0, Fuck! After lunch at the airport, we parted and I hung around on my comp waiting to board my flight to Baltimore and eventually back to Carlisle. Class on Monday is gonna suck.

So I guess I should put down my final thoughts real quick. I doubt anyone has read this far but here we go.

-I thought I played very well this weekend considering it was my first trip to nationals, I was sick and I am very young. I learned so much about what it takes to play at that next level which I now know I can definitely reach. I know there is so much more I can do before the next time I get back here which better be next year.

-I think Pike has a chance to do a lot more next year if we continue to progress. The difference from 2008 to 2009 was phenomenal.

-Going back to college will be tough after playing at this level but it gives me a chance to work on things that I wouldn’t do at the club level. Plus I think I can help a lot of people become better at the sport.

-I love this fucking team. Probably the best team I have been on my whole life. Thank you Pike 2009.

PS: I hate that there are not any pictures. What the fuck

Review of Nosh Bangers 2.0

After the mediocre reception of Nosh Bangers by fans and critics, Nosh thought about never making another Banger CD again. Critics labeled the release a moderate failure, surprised by the lack of flow and punctuation from the album. While some tracks stood out, overall the album was messy and seemed to be put together over the course of ten minutes. Over the past few weeks, Nosh has spent endless nights in the studio cranking out Nosh Bangers 2.0. This time the nail was hit on the head. The wheels are spinning on this record as Nosh has brought us a rap classic, filling it with songs that are truly "rap bangers." Nosh Bangers 2.0 brings the raw sound from beginning to end. Lets take a deeper look into what critics are already calling a "must own" record for any rap fan and an essential addition to any rap collection.

Now with added commentary from the creator himself. With updates to the playlists

P.S: That is the album cover


1. Dr. Dre - Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin') http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wTU68_fXTA

If you were making a list of the top ten rap songs, this song would get serious consideration. An absolute monster jam off "The Chronic" that really sets the tone for the rest of Nosh Bangers 2.0. One of the best diss songs of all time and both Dre and Snoop bring their best. You turn the speakers up when this comes on. Granted they should already be pumping when this CD is playing.

Nosh: I failed so bad on the first CD that I had to start this one with a bang. Let people know I wasn't fucking around this time. "With my nuts on your tonsils."

2. iLL Street blues by Kool G Rap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o1pnMnNnP0

Nosh: Again I needed to set an early tone with this CD. Plus I wanted to educate these mofos. Listen to illmatic and tell me Nas didn't get his flow from Kool G. P.S. if you like this one check out "Brother on the run"

3. Nelly - Here We Come http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm6GHFe1UX0

A lesser known Nelly song but definitely one of his best. A great hook that goes along with classic Nelly flow and sound. A very fast paced banger with a great beat. Nosh Bangers 2.0 does a great job taking a mainstream artist and putting on a song that you wouldn't expect or just wouldn't hear anywhere else.

Nosh: I got this album in fall 2000 (my senior year) and just remember driving to Charlie Browns bumping this with crazy ass Quincy in the back seat. Then him yelling "And get brains like that." We must have listened to the song 5 times and thats the only lyric he would sing. That mother fucker was crazy. Don't ask me why I remember these things.

Also remember, Nelly's debut album came out in the Summer of 2000 and was a huge hit. We listened to that shit all summer, and actually thought Nelly was kind of gangster. Little did we know.

4. AZ and Ali Vegas - Quiet Money http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXi93y1JuEM

Definite underground banger that I have not heard in a long time. Ali Vegas never quite made it but get its done on this track. AZ is another artist that never hit the mainstream but is very talented. Great beat and this is expected on a song that makes Nosh Bangers.

Nosh: This was on a DJ Clue mix tape I got at route 18 flea market. Over the Summer of 99 I got my drivers permit. I remember one day while my parents were at work, stealing their ford escort and taking it for a little joy ride. I brought this cassette (because shitty old escorts didn't have CD Players) and drove around. I remember picking up crazy Tony Gomez on the street and searching for Metutchen train station for a good hour. Again don't ask me why I remember these things.


5. Kurupt - On Site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4ymoMlUo70

"But I don't give a shit you bitch cause i'm a gangsta for life." A motto for any west coast rapper. This is a classic track from west coast rapper Kurupt. Just a great beat.

Nosh: This song was on the And 1 mix tape Vol. 4. Came out right before my freshman year of college. And this was before the street ball shit got too played out. I remember seeing this video and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Seriously, I just want to be black for one day and be able to do all those crazy ass moves and dunks, and do them only against white people and embarrass them. And this song will be playing in the back-round, while people rush out of the stands every time I brake someone's ankles. Come on, I don't ask for much.


6. Fat Man Scoop, Peter Gunz, O.C. and Lord Tariq - Dangerous Remix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C98IovOIsmw

A lot of good rappers on this track. While not one of my favorites, it is still a great song. Catchy hook, great beat and good verses from everyone on the song.


7. 50 Cent and Mobb Deep - Outta Control (Remix) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lNvXaVw_2c

I can't say enough good things about this song. Great song to bump or dance too. 50 and Mobb bring it on this track which has an amazing beat. I have featured this song on some of my own CD's. I remember when this first came out on the radio, both my brother and I knew it was a banger on first listen

Nosh: This was like the official welcome to G Unit Mobb Deep song. I think Alchemist produced it. Not much to say here. Classic club banger. Also speaking of 50 cent and club bangers, is "In Da Club" the best club song ever? I don't go to clubs but I feel like if you played it after people are already pretty drunk they would just go nuts. I'll have to ask my boy D.J. AM, Oh wait, nevermind.


8. Eminem - If I Get Locked Up Tonight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ay6Ttq5FTs

"Now if i only had some fucking hair I'd pull it, faster than a bullet out of Tupac's chest before the ambulance came too late to do it." I was so glad to hear this song on the album. I haven't heard it in such a long time and it is classic Em. Amazing beat, great lyrics by Eminem when he was still awesome and crazy and not gay. While this song is not on my Best of Eminem CD, it now will be now. This track is the heart and soul of this album.

Nosh: This was on the FunkFlex and Big Kap "The Tunnel" album. Best known for the live Biggie Tupac freestyle. Little known fact about that freestyle, a 14 year old, up and coming Wu-Tang member named Shyhiem rhymed at the end of it. I'm sure you can find it on youtube. Kid was a beast. Anyway this Eminem song came out before his second album when he was still on fire. "Became a role model after colorado!"


9. 2pac - Lil Homies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98c7cVjMdbc

You can't have a banger CD and not have a song from the greatest rapper of all time. (Anyone who disagrees with that last statement is wrong. Sorry, no questions asked!) I love the choice of song. Underground Pac banger from Until the End of Time. I don't really need to say much about this song. It's Pac!

Nosh: Where does this rank on Tupacs best all-time? 35th? 40th? 50th? Name me another rapper with 40-50 legit bangers? Can't be done.


10. Bob Marley and Mr. Cheeks - Guiltiness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd20SyaeTLo

Nice change of pace song after the hardcore bangers of Pac and Em. Really like the Mr. Cheeks verse.


11. Cormega and AZ - Redemption http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RuYrnKhBuA

Only a matter of time before Cormega made an appearance on Nosh Bangers. Two great rappers. The first time I have heard this song. Good Stuff

Nosh: 2 AZ songs on a mix CD? I swear I didn't plan this. Honestly I probably could have went with a different Cormega track but I wanted to put on something new. Plus we get this legendary line form Mega "Stubbornly I sold crack to my mans mom."


12. Saigon - Stocking Cap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaFp1M4TWAI

Definitely my favorite Saigon song. Love the girl singing in the background. It makes the track. Talented lyricist right here.

Nosh: I first heard of Saigon before turtle became his manager. I swear! It was either between this song or the alchemist produced banger "Say Yes". Which to be honest is probably a better song, but I couldn't find a version of it online without a dumb ass DJ yelling on it ever 5 seconds. DJ KAY SLAY!!!! DRAMA KING!!! NIGGA!!!! FUCK YOU OTHER MIX TAPE FAGGOTS!!!! I never understood the point of this? Yet it's accepted throughout hip hop. Even though its annoying as hell and the sound always comes in a few decibels louder than the actual song. Maybe I should start doing this too. NOSH BEAR!!! FANTASY BASEBALL KING!!! 3RD ROUND PICK...JOEY VOTTO!!!! FAGGOTS!!!

Bonus Track: Do Ya Thing by Cam'ron http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3f5mtf4CVY

Nosh: I was hesitant to put this on because I'm pretty sure Jake doesn't like Killa Cam. But this song is just too good. Plus Cam is funny throughout. Theres at least a good 10 lines that can be used for fantasy football smack talk or facebook quotes. "Chicken, Cornbread collared on your greens."

13. Xzibit, Juvenile, Nature, Ja Rule and Reptile - 25 to Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PDkSFo4VH0

Amazing beat and one of my favorite songs of Nosh Bangers 2.0. I had not heard this song before this and I love it now. Collection of solid rappers who all have solid versus, especially Xzibit and Ja Rule. And you got the Mobb Deep overlay "for every rhyme I write it's 25 to Life."

Nosh: This was on the "Life" soundtrack. Very underrated movie. This could have sparked an Eddie Murphy comeback but unfortunately he followed this up with "Nutty Professor 2". And don't listen to Jake, Juvenile has the best verse by far.


14. Prodigy, Method Man, KRS-One and Kam - Bulworth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvIfXoCR8D0

Another great collection of rappers. All deliver on this legendary track. Prodigy kills it on the opening verse. The rest follow in similar fashion.

Nosh: All four rappers crush this beat with politically charged lyrics. Not surprising with KRS on it. From the Bullworth soundtrack. A bad movie with Halie Berry.


15. D12 and 50 Cent - Rap Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lfj6SlRpis

Everyone knows the chorus. Eminem steals the track and another great addition to Nosh Bangers 2.0. God I wish Relapse was never released. Yes he spits in Pig Latin. Diiiiiirty

Nosh: From the 8 Mile soundtrack and really the worlds introduction to 50 cent. Not mine of course, I knew about him back in 99. Just sayin. And yeah Em rhymes in Pig Latin. I think if we looked back at his career this song would have been the high water mark. Considering he just came off his first 3 solo albums ( 2 amazing, 1 very good), the D12 album (while not great, he killed everyone of his verses) and several cameos on mix tapes and other rappers albums. Unfortunately the run couldn't last, and Em now raps like a retarded afghan.

Bonus Track: Shut Em Down by ONYX feat DMX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1U10_Poilc

Nosh: I'm not sure what kids Jakes age think of DMX now, but just know his debut album was the most anticipated Rap Album in my lifetime. Maybe Wu Tang's second CD, but thats it. X Was previously heard on 2 tracks ("24 hours to live" and "Money Power Respect") and proceeded to destroy both of them. Seriously go listen. Right before his verse would come on he'd start growling and barking. As if to say, "everybody shut the fuck up, I'm about to murder this track." Anyway X lived up to the hype with his first album "It's dark and hell is hot" but just couldn't maintain the momentum. Still, he remains the closest thing we've had to Tupac. Nobody spit with more emotion. And what a fucking badass. I put this song on here cuz I figured you guys hadn't heard it. A classic DMX verse opens with " Ayo I bet you this motherfucking double barrel will blast his face, be on the lookout for a basket case!" If this song doesn't make you wanna smoke angel dust and ice pick someones neck, then I don't know what does.

By the way biggest upset of the 90's, rapper Sticky Fingaz loses a 3 round boxing match to a white boy skater on MTV. Its on youtube I swear.

16. The Beatnuts and Big Pun - Off the Books http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYV7FkoUNPY

"Yoooooooooooouuuuuuuu better watch your step" Makes you appreciate how good Big Pun really was. You can always count on a great beat from the Beatnuts. After classics like "Watch Out Now," Se Acabo" and "No Escapin' It," Off The Books is more of the same. I was so happy to hear this song on the album. It's been a long time since I have bumped this track.

Nosh: Probably the best of the Beatnuts many catchy singles of the late 90's. And Pun kills it as usual. I needed something more laid back after nearly having a heart attack listening to the ONYX song. Get it, Heart Attack. Big Pun. Damn, that was just mean.

17. Master P - Stop Hatin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB6HP3ZmLlg

I am not a big Master P fan but still a good song. A great message in the song though. Fucking haters. Gotta hate on them.

This is a good time to give a shout out to some of the greatest haters of all time. On second though, I'd rather not hurt people's feelings.

Bonus Track: Jersey by Queen Latifah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zPQIysZ21Y

Nosh: This song was played on the credits of New Jersey Drive ( a mediocre Spike Lee movie). Think a very poor mans Clockers about kids stealing cars in Newark. Little known fact it was Donald Faisons first movie. Anyway the real story here is, before Queen Latifah started doing horrible comedies she was a gangster ass bitch. Just listen to the song. Sick beat. "I can't, can't forget New Jersey." If you don't believe Queen Latifah was ever gangster, rent the movie "Set it Off". One of the greatest badass characters of the last 20 years. No way you can pull that role off without growing up in Newark.

18. Guru, Kai;Bee and Lil Dap - The Way It Iz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMbqqbaI18g

I have never heard this song before and its pretty solid. Guru is the man and definitely deserved a spot on Nosh Bangers 2.0. Great beat. Yea I have said that about every song but it is true.

Nosh: on the Rhyme & Reason soundtrack which is an old ass hip hop documentary. Like 1992 old. Anyway, just a beastly song from Guru. And I know you mofos haven't heard it.


19. Jay-Z - In My Lifetime Remix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rHSvVA9hoM

I love this song. Couldn't think of a better track to close out Nosh Bangers 2.0. Could Jay-Z be making a case for best rapper of all time? Lets wait a little while longer. But god damn what a great fucking song.

"I know the price, know the risk, know the wrongs, and the rights
Still my blood flows ice, it’s just my life"

Nosh: Jay Z's first ever single. Jay actually made a shitty straight to video movie in the late 90's called "Streets is watching" which I of course bought. It's supposed to be a musical but is actually just like 15 music videos. This video is actually what put me on to Jay Z as it had like half the tracks from reasonable doubt. And the original version of this song. Also there's a video on there and now on youtube called "I can't get with that". It's from 1994 with Jay Z wearing a Reggie Miller jersey. 1. he kind of looks like Reggie Miller in the video. 2. How are you a New Yorker in 1994 wearing a Reggie jersey? Also check out the original version of this song too.

Bonus track: NT by Q Tip feat Busta Rhymes

Nosh: for all you Tribe pussies.

So what are you waiting for, go out and buy this album. Nosh Bangers 2.0 is already being compared to Rainwater Classics 09 and March Bangers. Sheeeeeeeeeet