2011 Goals #1 & #2

First off, i rebounded from my 0-4 NFL Playoffs Divisional weekend by going 2-0 last week.  I'd also like to point out that I picked the Packers to be in the Super Bowl back in September in my NFL Predictions post - unfortunately the opponent I picked for them, our Colts, did not make it.  I was also off on most of my picks, but came close to nailing the Favre one...oh well.   I'm now 4-6 for the NFL Playoffs and 31-16 on the year.   Best year I've ever had and a winning % a professional gambler would kill for. 

I've identified two goals for 2011.  I may add a few more over the next two months. 

Goal #1 - Become more flexible.  Seriously.  I wake up almost every morning w/ my lower back in pain....this wasn't happening 5 years ago.  Even when I was playing college tennis, I was never really that flexible.  I'm possibly the only college tennis player in history who can't touch his toes while stretching.   Sounds dumb, I know, but i want to be able improve my flexibility.  I think this will help w/ my lower back pain, which I assume is being caused because I'm still fairly active w/ tennis, basketball, and lifting (and a little running).  To achieve this, I'm going to stretch about 1000% more than I was doing on a daily basis, which was minuscule at best.  In addition, there are many types of exercise class On Demand that I can follow along to for free, including Yoga. 

Goal #2 - Actually buy a spare bed for the other bedroom so friends or family who stay at my house don't have to sleep on a couch.  Most likely I'll just by myself new bedroom furniture for my room and then just move my current bed into the other room.  Slowly becoming more domesticated.  Mom - you still have to call before you come and visit. 

Ritter alumni league started this past week.  I played OK for the first time out - 2-3 dumb passes/turnovers that Andy, Dave, & Scott can attest too, but it felt good to run full court and hit a few shots.  We won as well, so that's always good.  Booked my Mexico trip to Playa del Carmen for Matt & Abby's destination wedding - super excited for the all-inclusive awesomeness.

dusting off the rust

Ritter Alumni BBall league starts next sunday (1/23).   The gym was open this morning though so Dave, Scott, and I went to shoot around and try to dig deep into our inner trenches and remember how to play basketball.  It seems like forever since I last played, which was last September.  I don't think we shook off enough rust, not to mention I was gassed after about 3 minutes of playing 2 on 2.  We'll see how an actual game goes next week. 

NFL Playoffs.  First and foremost, the Colts loss was very disappointing, although it was a great atmosphere and fun game to be at.  Watching the Steelers play the Ravens last night, I think it would have been tough to see us beating that team, but it would have been nice to get the chance. 

It's also fairly funny how things have changed in the last 2 years in regards to Colts feelings towards the Patriots when compared to the Jets.  Obviously 99% of Colts fans want NE to lose every time they take the field, but I think the resounding sentiment currently is that most Colts fans are starting to hate the Jets worse than the Pats.  It's just sorta weird to hear Colts fans say "I hope the Patriots kill the Jets"  .... but I think I'm with them.  It's just hard to hate Tom Brady anymore, you just gotta respect him (unless your Antonio Cromartie).

2-2 last week in the playoff bets.  Rough start to this round going 0-2 yesterday, bringing me to 2-4 in the playoffs.  However, still 29-16 on the year, so gotta keep it in perspective.  2-0 today would be nice....going w/ the Seahawks (+10) and the Patriots (-9).   I want the Bears to win, but hard to give double digit points to a team that scored 40 last week.  I'd love to see a Bears/Packers NFC title game, so lets go Bears!

Tax season is picking up - time to battle not becoming a hermit for the next 3 months.  On a positive note, IU won by 19 POINTS over hated Michigan last night!!  where the hell did that come from? 

NFL Playoffs

January, ugh.  Cold, tax season begins, it's dark.  just a bad month...however, the NFL Playoffs begin which brings a smile to most of our faces.  The Colts once again are in the playoffs, so I'll be spending my Saturday night at Lucas Oil watching us take down the Jets.  On a sidenote, I love how the NFL charges season ticket holders for playoff games that we "could" host.  So Dave and I already had to pay for a potential AFC Championship game that we could theoretically host - oh at about 65% markup over regular season prices as well.  Oh well, if we don't host, they just apply it to our 2011 regular season tickets.

As is tradition I bet on every NFL playoff game.  I started in 2008 and went 9-2.  Unfortunately it's been down hill ever since.  6-5 in 2009 and then 3-8 last year.  However, there is hope.  For the 2010 NFL regular season I'm a startling 27-12 (69.6%) on my actual bets, which includes my Vegas trip.  I also pick every game against the spread (no $ wagered) just to track how I do on all games and I came in around 55% for the year.   Here are my picks for Wild-Card weekend

Seahawks (+10.5), Colts (-2.5), Ravens (-3), Eagles (-3). 

I hate picking the Eagles over the Packers, considering the Packers were my pre-season NFC Champion pick (NFL Predictions post).  Speaking of my NFL predictions, i only got 6 of the 12 playoff teams, but did get a few of my other predictions correct. 

In other news, the Ritter HS Alumni Basketball league starts up on Sunday January 23rd.  We finally won the league last year so looks like we have a title to defend.  Looking forward to it!  Thanks to my friend Kara, I went to Crackers Comedy Club this past Thursday.  It'd been a few years since i'd gone to a comedy show, but it was well worth it.  All of the acts were good, but the headliner, Tim Gaither, had the audience rolling!!  I highly suggest you catch him live or on Comedy Central features. 

Colts 29, Jets 24 - GO HORSE!