The Evil Twin Experience

Baylor 40, Mizzou 32

2009-11-08T14:09:00.003-06:00

Wow...didn't see that one coming.

But then again, since the B12 conference season started, Mizzou football has been a season of surprises.

From the 27 points surrendered to Nebraska in the 4th quarter to ZERO touchdowns scored by the Mizzou offense in the second half of any conference game this year. In the non-conference games, Mizzou was a 2nd half team. Remember the comeback against Bowling Green? Seems like a distant memory now.

I'm thinking Mizzou is gaining a reputation as a choke artist the way they keep coughing up leads in the 2nd half of games. Baylor was not only considered a must-win, but by many it was also considered a "can't lose." At this point, MU goes into its game with conference leader kansas St next week with a 1-4 conference record. It's still possible, assuming Mizzou beats k-St, for MU to tie for the B12 north. Probably not very likely, but its possible.

This season is starting to remind me of the 2004 squad - a year that the division as a whole was having a down year and the B12 championship was there for the taking. Mizzou went into a 5 game slide, I think it was and lost to teams they had no business losing too. Personally, I'd say that at 5-4, Mizzou needs to quit worrying about the B12 north and start focusing on becoming bowl eligible.

At least basketball season is right around the corner....

Save the season, save the world...

Mizzou 36, Colorado 17

2009-11-01T20:37:00.003-06:00

Guess those Tigers got that monkey off their backs, huh? Wanted to watch, but our satellite system doesn't carry FSM so I had to follow along with Gametracker again - which froze up with about 10 minutes to go in the first half. Glad to see the offensive breakthrough, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't been concerned about how easily the Buffaloes seemed to be scoring points in the 2nd half! But the defense held tough and Mizzou got the "W". Baylor is up next, in Columbia and with a little more luck Mizzou can start to put a little win streak together.

Some folks are giving scenarios showing how Mizzou could wind up winning the Big 12 North again, but personally I think they lost too many games too soon. Kansas State looks strong, and Mizzou would have to win out to even have a shot at it, plus MU would need help from other teams in the league to have a shot. My thought is that one of the two kansas schools will win the B12 North this year (I think I just threw up a little typing that) but it would be nice. Doesn't really matter though, I guess because Texas will likely steamroll whoever plays them in the conference championship game.

I missed my Sunday night cartoons this week....I am seriously in need of a fix on Family Guy (ummm, new episodes please?). I was searching for episode guide info earlier tonight and it seems the long awaited Empire Strikes Back parody has been pushed back to May, possibly a season ender? A parody of Return of the Jedi is also listed for season 8, but I don't see them running both this year.

World Series...Seriously?? Whatever happened to tradition of day games in the Fall Classic? Why must all of the games be played at night now? And don't give me the excuse of TV ratings because you can't tell me that everyone across the country wants to watch the Yankees and Phillies. Being a fan of the NL myself I will root for Philadelphia, but I can find better uses of my time than listen to broadcasters sing the praises of the Yankee players and organization for 4 hours a night.

Finally tonight, I want to say Happy Birthday to my son, Tom Hendricks, who turned 20 today. Another year and he can legally have a beer! Also happy birthday to my girlfriend's daughter Sarah who turned 16 today. And we've entered the home stretch for the true birthday of my first grandchild. My daughter Kaitie is due to deliver any day now...she was hoping for yesterday. Trick or Treat!!

Save some birthday cake and Save the world...

Heroes Update

2009-10-26T20:25:00.003-05:00

Another good show this week...I'm kinda liking the idea of not summarizing the entire episode of Heroes. It makes typing (and watching the show) much easier. Here are a few thoughts to ponder while we wait for next week...

It appears Sylar will get to have some fun afterall as he as taken over Matt's body. Question: Is it technically cheating for Matt's wife to have sex with Sylar, even though Sylar is using Matt's body to do it?

So I kinda got the impression Claire kinda liked that kiss. Becca's cover is blown and I'm sure Gretchen and Claire will likely pass off Claire's "injuries" as part of a joke, as she was never really injured. I just want to see Gretchen and Claire deal with what is happening without someone interrupting them...or trying to injure one of them.

Shame about Jeremy's situation...vigilante justice could have been addressed, but it seems Samuel had the problem well in hand in the long run. And what of Samuel's attempt to draw Tracy into the carnival? Do you think she'll head there as well?

So next week we are treated to Hiro & Charlie, part Deux. I'm looking forward to it, but I've read a few spoilers about the episode that makes me wonder how it's going to play out. Hint: Hiro kills Sylar.

********************************

Now to change the channel for a moment, I'll leave you with this burning question:

Does anyone not on the east coast actually give a damn about a Yankees/Phillies world series? Discuss...

Save my fingers, Save the world...

Been a while...what the hell happened?

2009-10-25T20:40:00.004-05:00

My apologies for the lack of information coming from this page! Just one of those things, I guess...

Combining work and school are one thing and adding in some real life is another. But I digress.

On the subject of Heroes...after the 1st week back of the new season, when I summarized the first two episodes, I began to wonder just what the heck I was setting myself up for! I don't remember last season being anywhere near as fast paced as this season has been. By the time the next week rolled around I was a bit under the weather and since then I have been doing good just to keep up with the show. So instead of summarizing, I think maybe I'll just throw in a few key thoughts and go from there. Feel free to jump into the discussion...

So how about that kiss between Claire and Gretchen?

Will Sylar/Gabriel be redeemed or is it time to kill him off? I think if he is not going to be redeemed a villainous character deserves to go out in a blaze of glory. Not necessarily one of those deaths or explosions where the body is never recovered, leaving us to wonder about his fate, but something more resembling the battle at the end of season 1, where all of the "good guys" took a turn in the battle. I don't think they could send him off to prison just because his abilities would never allow him to be held.

Will Sylar turn on his new friends? If Samuel pisses him off, or if he wakes up and realizes just who he is, I think Sylar could find a smorgasboard of abilities ripe for the picking.

How the hell is Peter going to heal Hiro? Will Peter hold on to his current ability until Hiro comes back (anxiously awaiting the scenes with Jayma Mays, aka Charlie, again!)

And finally....it appears to me that Heroes characters don't die. They just move over to Glee on Fox (Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig, even Elle's dad "Bob" is over there now.)

Mohinder will be back, or so I've read....

FOOTBALL --

Well, it has been 3 games since I last blogged about Mizzou football. I really thought we had a chance to win at least 1 of the next three games, possibly two. Did we? Nope...try 0 for 3. And not just losing them, but losing them in grand fashion. I mean, I went to bed at the start of the 4th quarter of the Thursday night game with Nebraska with MU winning 12-0. I wake up the next morning and Mizzou has lost 27-12?? WTF?? Then there was Oklahoma State last week and Texas this week. Here's a tip for the MU defense. When you have the opposing quarterback (or any other opposing team member who happens to have the ball) wrapped up in your arms, PUT HIS ASS ON THE GROUND!!

And Style Points?? Excuse me?? Seems like when Mizzou was winning the past two years by large margins, Mizzou was being unsportsmanlike. But when Oklahoma did it to people, including Mizzou, Texas did it to MU last night, it was "Style Points" and they get applauded for it. What a crock.

So MU is now 4-3 and are still 2 wins away from being bowl eligible. I still think they can get there and honestly the next 5 games are winnable. Its' a weird season this year. I mean, Iowa State won at Nebraska? Texas A&M beat Texas Tech? I was slightly surprised to see kansas lose to Oklahoma yesterday too. With Bradford out, and Reesing at QB for the beakers, I expected a closer game. Even winless Ball State got their first win of the year yesterday. So a lot can happen still...

Give me your thoughts, or at least something to talk about.

Save my mind, Save the World...

Mizzou 31, Nevada 21

2009-09-26T15:16:00.002-05:00

As much as I wanted to plop myself down in front of the tv last night to watch this game (for FREE), I was unable to do so because I had homework to do for my math class. So, as before, I just followed along with GameTracker on the internet.

GameTracker left me confused at times as to just what was going on, but it appeared to me that Nevada put everything they had into stopping the rushing offense of Mizzou. They pretty much succeeded in doing that as the running game was almost non-existant, minus a 42 yard run by Derrick Washington. Mizzou countered as expected with Blaine Gabbert's passing game.

Let me repeat.

Blaine. Gabbert's. Passing. Game.

This dude has an arm. 414 Yards?? Are you kidding me?

Gabbert is going to force teams to defend against the pass, and this SHOULD open some running lanes for the rushing game. I say should because through 4 games this season, I have yet to hear about many huge gains on the ground.

But at least Mizzou did survive again and came away from a quality opponent ON THE ROAD with a win. Yes, Nevada is now 0-3, but look at who else they've played. Nevada is going to really surprise any team who takes them lightly.

Bye week next week, then it's a Thursday night game in Columbia against Nebraska. Words that have been unable to be said for quite some time regarding these two teams can now be said with a smile: Nebraska has lost 3 straight in Columbia, and 2 straight against the Tigers. Now if Mizzou can just put together 23 more straight wins against the Huskers, I'll be a happy man. But just one more win against Nebraska will be just fine too.

So after another undefeated non-conference season, let's ask: Is Mizzou for real? Did the Tigers truly reload instead of rebuild? The next 3 games will answer that question and I would expect MU to win 2 of the next three. What is your opinion? (only serious discussion please. Any attempts at flaming will be deleted, no questions asked.)

A Double Helping of Heroes

2009-09-21T21:04:00.000-05:00

Heroes is back!

Season 4....Volume 5 "Redemption", Ch 1 "Orientation"

It's been a long summer, filled with relocation, job searches, concerts, and college classes. Fall can mean one thing....Heroes is back!

We open at a funeral seen in an open field; a man in a pine box is being eulogized by who we are lead to believe is his brother. He talks about being different from everyone else and we are shown scenes of Peter, Claire, Sylar, and Nathan. Tracy, Matt, and Hiro. Return to the funeral as he pulls out a compass stating that these people will soon search them out and come join their family. Tossing the compass into the grave, the man says, "Find your way home brother." Then with a lift of his arms, the earth moves in and covers the coffin. The group slowly turns and walks away, a carnival in the distance.

Clair-Bear goes to college! Arriving in her new dorm room, she is greeted by her new roommate, Annie (Rachel Melvin, formerly Chelsea on Days of Our Lives) and the two get to know each other. Annie likes to talk apparently, and has lots to say as she demonstrates how she has her entire life all mapped out.

Tokyo, Japan now and Hiro & Ando have formed their own company..."Dial A Hero". Business ain't exactly booming as no calls have come in. The two reminisce over a photograph from the past and Ando talks about how he fell for Hiro's sister Kimiko and how she started hating him. Enter Kimiko who isn't exactly thrilled with how Hiro & Ando spent 50 million yen on Heroes for Hire.

Moving on to New York City, Peter is exiting a cab in a traffic jam and running between the cars. Climbing walls and staircases reminiscint of Spiderman (minus the webbing), Peter makes his way over a garbage truck to a traffic accident. Peter rips the door off of a vehicle saying to the injured man inside, "Hi. I'm here to save you."

Clair is entering a lecture hall as an excited Annie sees her and gets her attention, waving her over. Enter the professor who introduces them to Linear Geometry, shows them a problem on a board and says they have 45 minutes to finish it. Clair is sweating as she notices a red laster on her chest....she stands to run but is suddenly shot by tranquilizer darts...then she awakes, realizing she was daydreaming and leaves, saying the class wasn't for her.

Peter is at the hospital, learning that the pregnant woman he just brought in from the accident is going to be fine. Peter is changing clothes as his partner asks where he's going. Peter answers that he is about to cover for someone, even though he just came off a double shift. Peter's partner tells him, "Dude. There is life outside of this building."

Hiro and Ando are on a case to save Muffin Man, a small kitten trapped up on top of a building sign. Ando bravely climbs up to save him as a little girl yells "Be careful! She doesn't like strangers!" The cat lurches and Ando falls off the building. Hiro stops time and freezes him just before Ando would have gone splat.

Noah Bennet and Angela Petrelli are talking about the situation behind Agent Danko and Tracy Strauss. Noah is in a hurry to get to see Clair on her first day of college. Noah spies a newspaper headline in his car about a series of drowning victims when his car won't start. Suddenly water comes pouring out of the vents, filling the car up and trapping Noah inside as ice starts to form around the door frame on the outside of the car. Noah manages to break out a window in the car so the water can drain out. As Noah pulls himself out and to his feet, he looks up and sees Agent Danko, who had been responsible for breaking Noah's window. Danko says it looks like the work of Tracy Strauss. Danko wants to continue the hunt, but Noah isn't interested. Danko asks if he's back in business with the Petrellis and Noah denies it. Later after Danko leaves, Noah watches the water drain into a sewer.

Clair is walking across campus where she meets another new friend, Gretchen. Gretchen recognizes Clair's name from the headlines in Odessa Texas a few years back and Clair just wants to forget about it.

Angela is dreaming about meeting up with Nathan for lunch. It's Nathan's voice, but Sylar's face. She realizes its a dream and goes into the restaurant. This time Nathan approaches and Angela handles it better. She still appears shaken (obviously remembering the events from last season's finale). Nathan is soul searching, and Angela is counseling him, advising him to find a new car and a younger woman.

Matt Parkman and his young son are playing when Angela calls him up, to tell him that she believes "Sylar" is returning. Matt tells her he is done, he is out. Angela says he can't be out, you are never "out". Matt says its not "our" problem, good luck with it.

Nathan reaches across a desk for a coffee mug and it comes to him. He looks confused as he knows he doesn't have the ability of telekinesis. Then he looks at his hands as blue sparks come flying out and he jumps in surprise at these newfound abilities, unsure of where they came from.

Noah and Annie are having a talk in the door room as Clair walks in. Noah explains his lateness and says Annie was just catching him up, as she excuses herself to go play Guitar Hero 3. Clair talks about how she was recognized (if in name only) as a survivor of the Odessa Homecoming Massacre.

Back to the carnival as a woman walks into a tent, takes off her top and the man giving the eulogy from the opening of the episode says show me who he is. An image of Agent Danko appears on the girls back, as if it were a tattoo. The man tells an accomplice to find Danko and kill him. The accomplice doesn't want to do it, so the man grabs a tattoo pen and injects ink into his hand. The ink travels up his arm and forms a hand around his neck and begins to strangle him. The man finally calls off the "attack" and gets his point across.

Noah and Tracy Strauss are meeting in a cafe. Tracy tells her side of things after she explains why she was killing people. Noah offers her his help and she is suspicious. He asks if they have a deal. Tracy says You wish it was that easy as she gets up and walks out.

Danko and Noah are meeting in the old Bldg 26. Noah offers Danko a chance to start over, courtesy of the US Govt. Danko turns him down saying he will get what he wants. Danko turns around as his head is covered by the Haitian who then does what he does best. Noah smiles.

Nathan is calling Peter, leaving a message on an answering machine as Nathan expresses his suspicions that something is happening to him. Peter is listening to the message as he pins up a newspaper clipping of the saved pregnant woan on the wall.

Danko is going into his apt, as Tracy confronts him. He doesn't recognize her as she realizes "they made you forget." He walks inside the apt where he is confronted by the "accomplice" from the carnival. The man tells Danko "they want it back" and when Danko doesn't know what he is talking about, the guy starts slicing and dicing. Literally. He is moving around with super speed, swinging long blades, and when he is done, Tracy watches as Danko falls to floor, dead. The man sees Tracy and tries his abilities on her, only to discover that knives don't work too well on water. Tracy grabs his wrist and freezes the knife, shattering it before the accomplice manages to run away.

Clair is at the rec center watching, walking in as Annie plays Guitar Hero. Clair spies her new friend Gretchen being a wallflower and goes over to talk to her, trying to explain her situation. Annie sees Clair and calls her over, Clair and Gretchen start playing Guitar Hero ("Superstition", if you really need to know!)

Ando wheels Hiro back to the office on a 2-wheel dolly, where Hiro finally comes back to present time. Hiro notices a nose bleed and Ando thinks he should get checked out. Hiro says he already has and the news isn't good. He's dying, maybe soon. He doesn't know. Hiro reminices over the photo again, remembering when it was taken. Ando thinks they should go back and change that night, Hiro says he must never change the past. As he is talking to Ando, Hiro disappears.

Hiro reappears 14 years in the past, at the carnival.

The topless woman develops a new tattoo of Hiro as she explains to the boss who Hiro is. It's a little rough to blog this part because we don't really know names yet, but the boss talks to an elderly man, asking him he thinks he may have found someone who can help them change the past. He needs the man to send him back, about 14 years.

Clair goes back to her dorm room, expecting to find Annie, but she isnt' there. The window is open, and when Clair goes to shut it, she sees Annie lying on the pavement below.

Matt Parkman goes to check on his son, but can't find him. Instead Matt turns around to find Sylar holding his son, saying, "I want my body back."

NOTE: Previews show that next week, we can delve deeper into the world of Lydia, who apparently is the topless woman who can form tattoos of people on her skin.

A lot of action to keep up with this week, but its a lot of new morsels that have been missing from the show for a while. If the first episode is any indication, it's going to be an exciting ride...

Oh but wait...there's more! Tonight it's a 2-hour episode!!

Chapter 2 "Jump Push Fall"

Sylar is talking to Matt about how he wants his body back, when Janice enters the room. Little Baby Parkman is back in his crib as Matt begins to debate whether Sylar was real or not. Inside, he knows the truth.

Noah is in his apartment, living the single life and staring at a nearly empty refrigerator. He makes a bowl of cereal and picks up his cell phone to call his ex-wife Sandra. A man answers and Noah isn't happy and hangs up. His phone rings back and its Tracy. Noah now pays a visit to Dankos apartment where Tracy says "I didn't do it."

Hiro is at the carnival, realizing where he is. He is approached by his younger self, who hands him a camera, asking him to take a picture. He then snaps "the picture" that was obsessed over in episode 1. Hiro tries to return home, but his ability just doesn't want to cooperate. The boss (Samuel) calls out to Hiro by name, telling him he thinks they will be great friends.

Clair is being questioned by police over Annie's apparent suicide. Clair swears the suicide note wasn't there before and the officer asks police to get the "gawkers" out of there as we see them trying to snap pictures of the room with their cell phone cameras.

Samuel talks to Hiro and explains that he also has powers. Samuel points to young Hiro and asks if its him. Hiro explains yes, but he cannot interfere because of the Butterfly Effect. Samuel tells him he has the power to change things, he shouldn't be afraid to do that. Samuel pushes Hiro backwords where he knocks Kimiko out of the way of Ando's fallen drink. The drink lands on adult Hiro instead, and Hiro teleports back to present day and in the office wiht Ando. Kimiko enters and informs Hiro of his rent increase. Hiro leaves as Kimiko and Ando kiss. Hiro: "Yatta!"

Tracy and Noah are talking in Danko's apartment as Tracy tries to explain what happened. Noah examines Danko's body as they wonder why Danko was killed. Revenge? they reason. No, had to be something else. Noah gets an idea and fishes around, finding a key somewhere within Danko's innards.

Matt Parkman is getting dressed for work as the water delivery guy is playing with Matt, Jr. Matt talks to Janice about Roy the Water Boy and tells her why he is pissed about it. The two talk and get things calmed down as they kiss, Matt telling her he has things under control.

Noah goes to Peter's apartment, wanting to talk. The two make small talk about their lives, how they've adjusted since "the company". Noah tells Peter that Danko is dead and shows him the key. Noah thinks he knows where the key goes and says he needs a partner on this, telling Peter the guy is super fast and good with knives. Peter: "How fast?"

Clair and Sandra are at college as she introduces her mom to Gretchen. Gretchen wants to talk about Annie's death, but Sandra isn't wanting to take part, saying goodbye.

Noah and Peter are inside a bank, with Peter posing as Danko. Noah opens a safe deposit box to find a compass and as he discusses it with Peter, there is a knock and the bank employee is standing there. Noah says they'll need a few more minutes and the employee falls to floor, his back all sliced up. Standing behind him is Danko's killer. The ban walks toward Noah where he is stopped by Peter who takes his powre. Peter and the man engage in a speed/martial arts battle with knives before the guy begins to wonder who he is up against and takes off. The bank employee is still alive and as they examine the compass, it goes crazy in Peter's hands, yet stands still in Noah's. Peter wants nothing to do with the compass.

Back at college Gretchen arrives at the student union, carrying a stack of books and takes a seat next to Clair. They discuss the "Jump Push Fall" test and how it relates to an episode of Crossing Jordan. Gretchen wants to test the theory and see if Annie jumped, was pushed, or fell.

Matt is in a therapy group, when Sylar bursts into the room. Of course, no one but Matt can see him. "Hi. My name is Sylar. It's been about 6 weeks since I've seen my body and I want it back!" Matt is trying to talk about how ghosts from his past keep popping up. Sylar continues to taunt Matt as other members just watch and listen to Matt. The group leader tries to get the group to move on.

Hiro is making copies and Ando and Kimiko are making eyes at each other. Hiro brags that he made it happen. Ando talks about their first kiss on a ferris wheel. Hiro realizes that he must go back and right the wrongs he made in his life.

Matt leaves the group session to interrogate someone. Sylar continues to taunt Matt as the prisoner is highly confused. Sylar tells Matt to just use his power, and Matt starts arguing with Sylar, resulting in a thrown chair at the wall. On the plus side, the prisoner gives up the name Matt was seeking.

Peter and his partner wait in the ambulance enjoying some clam chowder (Peter says he knows a guy, lol) as a call comes in. Peter takes off and finds Noah lying on the ground, sliced up. Noah tells Peter, "He took the compass."

Tracy is visiting Noah in the hospital, where Noah is recuperating. He relates the story of the compass and how he lost it to the man with the knives.

Matt is back home where he is greeted by Roy and Janice (Roy just fixed the hot water heater). Matt decides to "convince" Roy that his services are no longer needed, as Sylar laughs silently.

Clair gets up and walks to the window, staring out at the pavement below. Climbing up, she stands there, about to conduct her own test. Clair falls forward, going splat on the pavement, comparing her landing position to Annie's. Clair decides that maybe Annie did kill herself. Gretchen appears in the window above, looking down at Clair in shock. Clair looks up and waves.

Samuel and his accomplice meet back up to discuss future plans. Samuel injects ink into Lydia's back and we see Peter, Sylar, and the face of a woman appear (Tracy? Clair? Sorry...I couldn't tell).

And the credits role....

NOTE: All in all, this looks like a much better season than we've seen the past 2 years. Sylar now exists in Matt's mind, influencing his behavior. Peter is trying to use his abilities to save lives. Hiro is using his to make things right that once went wrong (Quantum Leap, anyone?). Could there be a Tracy/Noah romance budding? And who will be Clair's "experimental game"? Can't wait to find out!

Heroes Summaries Return This Week!

2009-09-20T21:40:00.002-05:00

With the start of the 4th season of Heroes, I am anxiously awaiting to see what new adventures await! Hiro's disease, Clair-bear's experimentation, Sylar's inhabiting of Nathan's body....it's going to be interesting!

And I am going to do my best to blog episode summaries each week, so if you miss something, come on by and catch up....

Mizzou 52, Furman 12

2009-09-20T09:30:00.004-05:00

Now this was the kind of game I expected Missouri to have against an overmatched team. Like last week, I did not actually watch the game, since I am too cheap to shell out $29.95 to watch on pay-per-view (we thought about it, but lower the price a bit, and we'll talk) so I followed along with the help of an occasionally slow updating Gametracker.

Mizzou did take a few series to figure things out and apparently it was time well spent. Mizzou was up 42-0 at halftime. In the second half, I wondered how much time QB Blaine Gabbert would spend on the field. He played the 3rd quarter, while backup Jimmy Costello got the 4th.

Mizzou managed 10 more points in the 2nd half while Furman attempted a comeback with 2 touchdowns, but missed the point-after kick both times.

Now, here's a little bit that has bothered me the last few years. There are people around Missouri who don't like to see the Tigers run up the score on their opponents. I believe Coach Pinkel even subscribes to that notion. But how many years did we watch opponents run up the score against MU? Anyone remember the Norman Conquest? (Oklahoma 77, Missouri 0, in Norman, OK) Last season prior to the Big 12 Championship Game, the Oklahoma Sooners were PRAISED for scoring 60 points or more in so many consecutive games. Yet if Mizzou does it, people think the Tigers are unsportsmanlike? I really think that had OU not been scoring so many points, that the Texas Longhorns would have been ranked higher during all the confusion that had to decide the Big 12 South champion and would have been playing against MU instead. Not to say Mizzou would have beaten Texas, but what bothers me is the notion that the Sooners were granted "Style Points" by the pollsters which gave them the extra little push to put them in line to play for the championship. (end rant).

So next week, Mizzou is on the road for a Friday night game at Nevada. Despite a 3-0 start for Mizzou and an 0-2 start for Nevada (losses against Notre Dame & Colorado State), this game concerns me. First, it's on the road. Second, despite the record, Nevada is a more experienced team (Anyone remember Mizzou @ Troy a few years back?). And 3rd, after this game Mizzou has a bye week before opening the conference with a home game against Nebraska. Can you spell Nevada "T-R-A-P"?? In fact, following Nebraska on the schedule are Oklahoma State (in Stillwater) and Texas (in Columbia).

It may appear that all is well in Tiger Nation for the moment, but how well will be determined over this next stretch of 4 games. Winning 2 of these 4 is a must. Winning 3 of these 4 is possible and would be nice. Winning all 4 would spark - I don't know what. But the Tigers will definitely need to maintain their focus and take one game at a time to get through this stretch.

Where the hell is Spider Burke when you need him?

Missouri 27, Bowling Green 20

2009-09-12T23:07:00.002-05:00

I did not get to watch this game. I could have, but I chose not to shell out $29.95 for the pay-per-view broadcast. Just a thing I have, where I disagree with the concept of pay-per-view broadcasts of games against what is supposed to be inferior competition.

I say supposed to be because Bowling Green was anything BUT inferior. I don't know if it was Mizzou believing their hype this week, or enjoying its spot in the rankings, or if Bowling Green is just that well coached and prepared but the Falcons have certainly had Mizzou's number this decade.

I was away from home this afternoon and when I got home this evening, I had some errands to run before the game. I got back home about half an hour after the game started and when I turned on the computer to see how things were going (thank God for Gametracker!) Imagine my surprise to see Mizzou trailing 7-0, followed by a Bowling Green punt that was fielded by Mizzou, then fumbled away. The Tiger defense managed to hold the Falcons to just a field goal, but I still had hopes that it was just a fluke.

That was late in the 1st quarter.

Mizzou actually trailed 13-0 before they managed to put a pair of field goals on the boards to make the score 13-6 by halftime. Incidentally, is anyone going to give props to Mizzou's new field goal kicker, Grant Ressel?? Where the heck did this guy come from? He only has to replace the most prolific kicker in Mizzou history (no pressure though) and so far this season he has been money from over 40 yards out.

In the second half, Bowling Green came out and scored another touchdown on their opening drive to make the score 20-6. Mizzou could have easily quit at that point, but I like to think that these guys saw the moment as a true gut-check and decided right then and there that they were not going to give up. They battled back and scored three unanswered touchdowns to steal the win away from the visiting team. Twice they went for it on 4th down and twice they succeeded in keeping the drives alive.

This team may be full of youngsters, but tonight they showed that they have no quit in them. If they go down, they will go down swinging. From a fan's perspective, I would have preferred to see a blowout, but when I reflect on this game, I think what we ended up with is much more valuable. These Tigers were given a test. A chance to battle back from adversity and fight for respect. Bowling Green had aspirations of coming in to Columbia and scoring an upset on the road (much like Houston did to Oklahoma State) but it wasn't to be. These Tigers passed their test and I would venture a guess they will be better prepared for Furman next week.

I don't think Mizzou will go undefeated this year, but I do think we are looking at something special. The start of something Mizzou fans have been dreaming of for years. Watch for good things to happen as this team begins to gel and barring early defections to the NFL, an undefeated season is certainly possible within the next two years.

M-I-Z!!!

Mizzou 37, Illinois 9

2009-09-05T19:34:00.002-05:00

I guess this should answer one burning question: Is Missouri rebuilding or reloading?

I was pleasantly surprised with today's outcome. Count me among the doubters and those who thought it might be a long and tortuous season. I thought the more experienced Illinois team would come out and put a whoopin on old Mizzou in much the same fashion they do every December in the braggin' rights basketball game.

However, Mizzou's young quarterback making his first collegiate start while playing in his hometown St Louis had other ideas. And so did the normally generous Mizzou defense. Bend, don't break actually held today. I was very impressed with the way they held Illinois to 3 points for most of the game before allowing a touch down in the 4th quarter.

One concern the team might be looking at, I thought, would be rushing. I haven't looked at the box score yet, but I don't recall seeing many decent runs by the Mizzou rushers.

Can't wait till next week! Mizzou at home vs Bowling Green....Should be fun to watch!

Employed!

2009-08-22T13:14:00.003-05:00

So, it's been awhile...and in case you hadn't heard the word yet...

I passed my state insurance exam :)

Additionally, my application for a state insurance license was approved :)

So now I am contracted as an insurance agent with Bankers Life & Casualty.

So little time, so much to learn!

Still studying via online learning modules and I have to complete all of those before I can get paid; they are certainly time consuming, so I'll be around when I get the chance.

Hope this finds everyone doing well!

Save the paperwork, save the world...

Insurance Exam Update

2009-08-10T20:52:00.003-05:00

I've completed everything in the insurance course, scored well on all the practice quizzes and today took the simulated exam, needing an 80% to pass before I can move on to the state exam on Wednesday.

I took the simulated exam twice today, missing my 80% target both times.

WTF??

I'm not sure why this exam was kickin my ass today. Tired? Maybe. Information overload? Probably. But I'll try again tomorrow, when all the kids are gone to school (yay for 1st days!), although noise and outside disturbances weren't really a problem today. This exam has 160 questions and takes about 90 to 120 minutes to complete. The official exam on Wednesday will allow up to 3 hours to finish. But first things first.

Attempt number 3 begins at approximately 9am tomorrow - once I get fully awake, that is. Stay tuned...

Save my brain, save the world...

Time for a new chapter....

2009-07-31T13:23:00.003-05:00

I am trying not to drop down to one post a week again, if that much, but it seems there isn't much else I can do. Life since my move to Indiana has been fairly busy, despite having time on my hands. I find I don't get online a whole lot - ok, I do get on for an extended time - but online priorities have changed somewhat.

How, you ask?

Job searches for one. You would think that being able to apply for a job online would simplify things. They don't. I swear, sometimes I think companies use the online applications as a chance to ask for more information, sometimes even duplicating questions just to see if you'll answer the question in the same way. These things seem to take forever to fill out and out of the ones I did a few weeks ago, I still haven't heard a word. My references have all received (and completed) reference surveys about me, but still nothing.

Not that it matters anymore though. I will be beginning a new career soon. You see, on Monday, Aug 3, I begin my next class with Univ of Phoenix (Accounting), then on Monday, Aug 10, I will start a basic math class - but that's not really important right now. On Aug 3, I also have to take my son to the local high school to get him enrolled for his junior year. But before I do that, I have another appointment.

You see this morning, I was offered an opportunity to become an agent for an insurance company. Out of several people interviewed, I am one of two offered this chance. It means that in addition to my other classes, on Aug 3 I have to enroll in a state-required insurance course, complete it with an 80% on their exam. Then take a state exam and pass it, then get licensed, and finally get certification for long-term care policies. That whole process should take about two weeks. After that, I should be officially employed again.

How much time that will leave for writing, blogging, and participating in some of life's more exotic and erotic pleasures (i.e. hypnosis, porn reviews, etc...) is beyond me. But keep checking in with me. Email me if you want (scottseviltwin@gmail.com), hell I'm even open to receiving your dirty pictures if you want to send them. (No? OK, well it was worth a shot...) I will keep posting updates as time allows and maybe, just maybe, it will be something entertaining.

Save the Diet Dew, Save the World

Sorry for the delays - Moving Update (part deux)

2009-07-27T08:09:00.003-05:00

Yet another week has gone by and I am about 95% unpacked here in Indiana. I still have a few boxes I am not sure where its contents will go. When I moved, I gave up my computer desk (no room) and a majority of the things I have left to arrange used to sit in or on that desk.

I attempted to get my son registered for school last week, but the guidance counselor was out and I was told to call back this week and schedule an appointment. Apparently, this is the week that all of the current students will come to get their schedules (or maybe it's next week - I forget), but the school didn't seem too concerned about having enough time to get my high schooler enrolled. I tried to tell them the folks back in Missouri may be a little slow at sending out transcripts, but it didn't bother them. So I called the school this morning to make an appointment, got voicemail, and left a message. I'm still waiting for a call back.

The job front is....proceeding. That's about all I can say at this point. I interviewed last week for one position and have been expecting to hear something soon about another. I submitted another application with a local hospital who is attempting to fill an Insurance Verification Specialist position. I have experience with that (about 3 1/2 years worth), which I did back at MU in the late 90's. I left that position in January 2001. Not too excited about doing it again, but there are worse jobs out there.

And we arrived here last week to learn that we also have new upstairs neighbors. They just moved to Muncie as well. From Columbia, MO. Small freakin' world, huh? But it doesn't end there...as we were getting our sodas and snacks from a convenience store in Columbia last Tuesday morning, I was talking to the cashier about the move. She is also moving - to Muncie - in a few weeks.

Columbia, MO....taking over the world, one city at a time.

Save the blogger, Save the world...

Update: It's Moving Day (Part 1)

2009-07-20T07:50:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been a whole week already?

Just a quick update to let you know why you haven't heard from me in so long. It's been a very long and productive week with packing and trying to get kids motivated and getting utilities taken care of here in Missouri. I haven't really had time for much of anything else.

But today is the beginning of an end, I suppose. Today (in just a few minutes, in fact), I will be taking down my internet modem and cable box and dropping them off with Mediacom. From there, I am off to U-Haul to pick up the moving truck. Then it's back here for a fun-filled day of hoping nothing expensive gets broke! Then it's meet-with-the-landlord time and return keys and back to U-Haul to have an auto-transport unit hooked up to the truck and load my car up on it.

Finally, tomorrow morning I am off to Indiana. So I'll be offline for a day or two while we get things loaded, transported, and unloaded. Wish me luck!

Vintage vs Retro

2009-07-09T08:36:00.007-05:00

Like everyone else, I have a few minor irritants. No, not THAT kind of irritant! But rather a few things that if I really sit down and think about it, things that can really annoy me.

Imagine driving down the road and you find a good oldies station on the radio. Yeah, songs from people like Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Temptations...all the great groups from the 50's and 60's. And then without warning, the next song you hear on that same station...Hotel California by the Eagles. Or maybe even Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. It's enough to make me want to hit the brakes and scream, "These are NOT oldies!!"

Now, how's this for a segue...

Did you know there is a market for vintage porn?

It's true...while surfing recently trying to find some good porn videos, I discovered some vintage porn sites. Sites containing pictures and vids from as far back as the 1920's and 30's. If you need an example, click here. Surprisingly, I found these pictures to be quite simple really. I suppose back in those days, porn wasn't quite so easy to come by (no pun intended!) so just to see something of this nature had to be quite the shock.

So as I'm looking through the pages there, I am reminded of what the time period was like and how people must have faced quite the scandal if word ever got out that the pretty little girl next door posed for that kind of picture. My own grandparents were people who threw society's standards back in it's collective face by choosing to not get married. For them, that was making quite a statement. And then as I look at a few more pics another thought crosses my mind. These pictures were taken over 70 or 80 years ago! My God, these people are grandparents and great grandparents in today's world! Who would have thought that the old couple who cut you off in the buffet line, or was driving real slow in front of you on the highway might have done something like this!

But back to the point of this post. Annoyances. I thought I would search for more vintage porn and I found this clip for vintage lesbians. Go ahead, I'll wait. Just don't forget to come back and read the rest of this post...

Damn, took you long enough! So what was I saying again? Oh yeah....THIS IS NOT VINTAGE!! Retro, maybe, but it's not vintage! Sure, it may have been made many years ago, but it's in color for Christ's sake! So let this be a lesson here...removing the audio track and showing grainy color footage of porn is just bad porn. I don't care how good the action was, if you don't get the whole picture, you are just missing out. Vintage porn is black and white and from a by-gone era. This clip here is vintage. And so is this one. Yes, it might still be grainy...but you have to look at it with a new appreciation. Not for its face value, of course. But for the way these pioneers laid the groundwork and didn't give a damn about what some busybody might think. Well, I know what I think...

Save the porn, Save the world...

Resistance is Futile

2009-07-08T10:13:00.004-05:00

I've done my homework today, no celebrities have died (that I know of), and slightly bored this morning. So I went digging into my folder of previous writings and found this erotic poem I came up in 2007. Enjoy...

=================================================

Resistance is Futile
Scott Hendricks - 2007

Lust

Desire

I see you across the room

I never knew I was your target

You caught my eye

And from then on I never stood a chance

Your senses zoned in on me

They attacked from all angles

Your eyes captured mine

Your scent overwhelmed me

The touch of your hands sent jolts of electricity throughout my body

The sound of your voice beckoning me was that of an angelic choir calling me home

Your kisses were that of a sweet sweet wine

I would follow you anywhere you wished

I did not know it would be to the depths of despair

As I sit here now longing for your touch

Crying out for the sound of your voice

Aching for just one more kiss

To be inside you again

To feel the heat of your passion

To look into your eyes as I enter you

And to experience a taste of heaven once again

As my seed bursts forth and fills your womb

But you are not here

And you know the pain I am in

You are simply using me to your own ends

I am your pleasure toy

To be at your disposal when you so desire

You have added me to your collection

And I know all too well

That resistance is futile

================================================

Save the blogger, save the world...

Remembering and Reminiscing

2009-07-07T23:14:00.005-05:00

Before I head off to sleep tonight, I wanted to reflect on something and join the other millions of people who paid some sort of retrospect to the memory of Michael Jackson.

Since his death nearly 2 weeks ago, I have avoided all of the tv specials and tributes to him. Why? Cause quite frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to listen to all these people who had been bad-mouthing him do an about face and start talking about what a good person he was.

Not knowing the man personally, I confess to having my doubts about his innocence when the charges of child molestation came out and he was taken to court over them. Was he guilty? Except for the supposed victims, the world will never know.

My 19-year-old son tonight summed it up perfectly. It wasn't all that long ago that people were putting him down for his questionable appearance, health, and "sexual appetite" for lack of a better term. And now here are a lot of the same people praising him for the man he was.

I think we all tend to feel a little guilty inside when we talk bad about someone we know and then something bad happens to them. But at the same time, we have to remember something else that this country's judicial system is based on: Innocent, until proven guilty. Michael was never proven guilty in a court of law. The man is innocent and should forever be seen as such.

I watched footage of his memorial service tonight on NBC Dateline and I saw the person I will remember. Michael Jackson was truly the King of Pop. He was an entertainer and an innovator. It's difficult for young people to know this nowadays, but anyone who was around during most of the 1980's can tell you it was harder then to turn on MTV and not see a Michael Jackson video than it is to turn on MTV now and see any video. I remember trying to get tickets to a 1984 concert in Kansas City, only to find them completely sold out (and well out of my price range). I will remember the man who gave us Thriller (the album AND the video). His music video's alone were must-see. If you haven't seen them, go to YouTube and lookup the videos listed below. I wanted to embed them here, but that feature was disabled at YouTube

Thriller (full version)
Beat It
Billie Jean
Remember the Time (featuring Eddie Murphy and Iman)
Black or White (w/Macauley Culkin and George Wendt)

One video I could embed here is below. The song here is 20 years old, but I think maybe the world has forgotten the message it sends...take a listen...

I choose to remember Michael Jackson as a man who brought a lot of music and a message of hope to anyone who would listen. I will also remember him as a man who left this world way too soon.

Save the music, Save the world...

Rumor - 'Claire-bear" is switch-hitting?

2009-07-07T16:21:00.004-05:00

Wow...oh my...how the hell am I supposed to wait until the 4th season of Heroes starts now??

Here is the rumor/scoop of the month...On the upcoming 4th season of Heroes, the immortal Clair Bennet, is moving into some girl on girl action. As in playing with the home team. It will start off as a kiss with her college roommate (supposedly being played by Rachel Melvin from Days of Our Lives) and will grow into something much more.

I think I need a cold shower already...

Is this an attempt to jump the shark, so to speak? Heroes' fanbase has been dwindling over the past couple of seasons, which wasn't helped by the writers strike during season 2. Perhaps the school of thought is to appeal to a combination of viewers - the gay and lesbian viewers for one, and all the guys out there like me who won't be able to turn away from the screen.

Oh relax, it's network television. How far can they go?

Hint: Anyone remember NYPD Blue?

Save the blogger, Save the world...

25 and 2

2009-07-07T08:33:00.004-05:00

Unless you want to get technical and count the former Rolling Stones manager who passed away recently, we've gone 2 days without a major celebrity death :)

And you were worried when news broke of Rupert Grint's battle with Swine Flu!

Today is Day 25 since I left MU and I'm still listed as an active employee. Sigh... So in a little while I am going to head over to Human Resources and see if we can't get things hurried up a little.

Fun times ahead...

Save the blogger, Save the World...

UPDATE: Rumor has it, I have been terminated! (Yes, that's a good thing, LOL). Another hurdle down...

It's been 24 days since my last day of work...

2009-07-06T12:47:00.003-05:00

I continue to wait for the Human Resources person at MU to either terminate me in the employee database, call me, or return my email. So far, none of which has happened. The rep I had been working with on the supplemental retirement was also going to call me this morning and we were going to attempt to go meet with HR if necessary, but I haven't heard from him either. Could be just one of those days, but seriously, I don't have very many of those days left.

With any luck, I'll hear from him today and things will be all straightened out. Keep your fingers crossed...

In the Mood

2009-07-05T23:53:00.002-05:00

Know what its like when you find yourself totally in synch with someone? Know what its like to be in a relatively new relationship with someone and you've just spent a week and a half with them and then suddenly you find yourself back home, away from them again?

Yeah, me too.

I miss her. I came back from Indiana on Thursday morning and I am moving there in a little over two weeks (assuming MU's human resources gets their act together) yet my body is wanting to know what happened to all those wonderful sensations I was feeling when I was lying next to her. To be able to roll over and put my around her and for her to do the same. Snuggled up close to me as we drift off to sleep, feeling her breasts against my back and her breath on my neck and shoulder.

I know, some of you are thinking TMI, right? Well, you knew the risks when you came in here, didn't you?

You didn't? Oops...My bad. Well now you do. Coming in here is kinda like knocking on my door at 2am. Chances are you're going to see someone naked. And that's kinda what I'm doing now. Baring myself to you, opening up and telling you what's on my mind.

And yes, I'm naked.

And horny. Might as well throw the whole package out there while we're at it.

Save the blogger, save the world...

Days without a celebrity death: 0

2009-07-04T16:30:00.002-05:00

Wow, the turnover (for lack of a better word) in the celebrity world is getting crazy. In the span of a week we lost Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett (yes, I had her poster when I was a kid, even the nude parody poster), Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, and Karl Malden.

Today I read that former NFL Quarterback Steve McNair has been found dead in his home, along with a woman. Both had been shot, and it is being reported that McNair was shot in the head.

McNair began his pro career by playing for the Houston Oilers and continued with Tenessee (Oilers/Titans), before closing things out with Baltimore. McNair was the quarterback for Tennessee's 1999 SuperBowl team that lost to the St Louis Rams.

Day 20 and Counting...

2009-07-02T13:20:00.002-05:00

I felt the need to vent today and since I have this blog, well....why not.

It has been 20 days since I left my job at the University of Missouri. Twenty. As in two zero. Why does it matter you ask? Because they apparently think I still work there.

My employment status is currently listed (still) as active and until it gets changed to terminated, I cannot receive a cash-out check from the 403b plan I participated in. This is important because I need the money to finance my move.

The paperwork has been sent to Human Resources, but the person who is sitting on it tells us that her first priority right now is to assist with Time and Labor implementation. Never mind that there are over 600 people waiting to have their status terminated right now. That, it turns out, is low priority.

So I sit and wait, held hostage by a bureaucratic system that would rather cut costs by employing fewer people to do the mountains of work that waits for...apparently no one. I mean, if she can't get to it now...when will they get to it? Ever?

Sigh...Stay tuned folks...

Hello...You have reached....

2009-06-26T19:20:00.002-05:00

Just popping in to say hello to everyone and apologize for not keeping things up to date. I am currently on the road in Muncie, Indiana as I prepare to move here next month. I just got here yesterday, after spending the first part of the week traveling to Kansas City and back, then to West Plains, MO on Tuesday and back to Columbia on Wednesday. Between homework and traveling and identifying potential new employers, I just haven't had much time to post here.

So bare, er, bear with me and I'll have something new and fun for you to read soon. If you absolutely can't wait for something new, go order a copy of my book, The Erotic Adventures of Steve and Brooke. The link is over on the left somewhere...trust me, I really think you'll find it...stimulating...