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A Tribute.   -- Primis                                                    10-27-99,  3:45PM Over the past few days there have been a lot of tributes to Payne Stewart, but I felt the need to leave everyone with one final image of Stewart, one that pretty much embodies what Stewart was all about and why his loss has hit the PGA community so hard. After Stewart won the 1999 US Open by defeating Phil Mickelson, and his now-famous fist-swinging celebration and joy, Payne Stewart walked over to Mickelson to congratulate him on a great tournament, and Mickelson was going to congratulate Payne on winning. The TV cameras caught the moment when Payne put his outstretched arms on Phil's shoulders and you could clearly read Stewart's lips -- he was congratulating Phil (whose wife was expecting the couple's first baby any minute) on the fact that he would soon become a father, and how much more important that was than any old golf tournament (Phil had stated earlier in the tournament that if his wife went into labor he would drop out of the tournament to be with her, despite the fact he had a chance to win the darn thing). And by the look of passion on Stewart's face, you could tell how much he meant what he was saying. He had just won a Major, and he was more interested in talking about fatherhood to Mickelson (who himself is also one of the class acts on the PGA Tour). That's why fans, and especially the PGA players will miss Payne.  Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends -- we know how much he meant to us.  We can only imagine your loss. UPDATE: (10/28/99)  The ceremony held this morning in Stewart's memory was a class act all the way, including the lone bagpiper marching off into the morning mist at the close. Tom Lehman's words rang true and honest.  And to be quiet honest it was also really hard to watch... Armenian Prime Minister Assassinated  -- Primis   10-27-99,  3:05PM News outlets are reporting that gunmen infiltrated a debate at Parliament today in Armenia and killed the Prime Minister along with a bunch of other high-ranking officials. I realize this isn't an event that might have the same ramifications as it would have back at the last turn of the century, but it's still always a bit worrisome when you first see reports like this.  Especially when small countries like Armenia are involved because your first thought is "If someone from another country is responsible it could mean war".  Everyone remembers how WW I started. However right now it appears it was perpotrated by nationalist extremists. Screw Bush or Gore, Vote Sobotka!  -- Primis               10-26-99,  4:25PM I'm ashamed I almost forgot about this one. Frank Zamboni is one of the most underrated geniuses of our time (hey he invented the ZAMBONI!  Eat your heart out, Edison).  Is there any cooler vehicle on Earth than a Zamboni machine?  Of course not! And right now www.zamboni.com is holding a contest where voters vote for their favorite Zamboni driver.  To go to the voting section, click here. Al Sobotka of the Detroit Red Wings and Joe Louis Arena in Detroit is probably the most famous (mainly for his practice of picking up octopii off the ice and swinging them around to the delight of the fans), and Sobotka is currently in the lead with 204,012 votes.  In second place is Jimmy Macneil of Brantford, ONT with 125,344 votes.  Noone else is even close, with third place currently being held by Julie Masse with a mere 7,426 votes. All votes must be recieved by December 1st, 1999. And while you're at it check out the rest of the site while you're there -- it's tres' cool. CFL Nostalgia  -- Primis                                                  10-26-99,  3:50PM Even though I reside in Michigan, I've watched and enjoyed the Canadian Football League for years (thanks to our satellite dish).  I was one of the few people who was always pushing for an NFL team to sign Doug Flutie while he was breaking records and dominating in the Canadian version of the game, and I watch the Grey Cup every year I get the chance to. Thus I was tickled when I stumbled across a site called The CFL In America: A 1993-1995 Retrospective.  This site is professional, and gives a great look at the short-lived histories of each of the US-based teams, including their yearly records and such.  The graphics are superb and the layout pleasing. Anyone who remembers the CFL's US-based teams, or quite frankly any sports fan period, should give this site a quick look-over because it rocks.  Kudos to site creator <preeths@tznet.com>. Nerf™ a Team Fortress 2 Killer?!  -- Primis                      10-25-99,  4:00PM There is a huge stir and buzz today on the internet about a shocking and rather surprising new PC game release based on, of all things, Nerf™ War.  The game is called Nerf Arena Blast and it looks HOT.  Just as I was ready to give up and crown Team Fortress 2 the game of the year... The system requirements are awfully hefty (my machine can't handle it *pout*), but the screenshots look amazing, and quite frankly the concept of using Nerf™ weapons for such a game is admirable and a bit gutsy.  And yes Chester, it has multiplayer capabilities already.  This might be one of a few select games to challenge Diablo II and TF2 as Game of the Year. This also has me itching to go out and buy a whole bunch of Nerf™ guns and do war with some friends. To read a preview of the game, check out IGN's preview, or download the demo from IGN's site (22 Meg). PGA Loses a Fine Individual  -- Primis                               10-25-99,  3:45PM Very sad news from the world of golf.  All news outlets are reporting that PGA golfer Payne Stewart has been killed in a Learjet crash in South Dakota.  The details are still sketchy, and quite frankly a bit bizzare, but it appears the cabin depressurized for some reason or another after take-off.  It's a shame too -- not only was Stewart playing some of his best golf in recent years, but Stewart was one of the Tour's most enjoyable characters.  He will no doubt be sorely missed by his fellow golfers and all PGA fans. What Gives, No Updates?  -- Primis                                     10-25-99,  3:35PM Some of you may have noticed the lack of new updates on the site.  Well, you're right.  There are various reasons why, some of which involve being out of town along with a heavy weekend work schedule lately. The updates are coming back though, and we might be closer to unveiling a site name and logo sometime soon, stay tuned. Isn't Life Delicious?  -- Primis                                     10-14-99,  1:35PM I can't speak for anyone else, but I have a thing for hard candy in general. I keep everything from Everlasting Gobstoppers™ to Nerds™ to Butterscotch Buttons lying around at all times just in case the craving hits me. Thus, I was shocked to find out that Lifesavers™ candy wants to change their line of flavors -- apparently pineapple is under the gun. Aficionados of the candy can head on over to www.lifesavers2000.com and vote to keep pineapple, or vote for a new flavor to replace it such as watermelon or strawberry.  Quite frankly those three are a difficult choice for me. The one question I have those is "Why are we picking on yellow  pineapple when there's still that god-awful white Lifesaver™ in the bunch?". Phillip Morris Tells the Truth -- Finally  -- Primis          10-13-99,  3:45PM I caught an article by Reuters moments ago about how the leading cigarette maker Phillip Morris has finally admitted that tobacco causes cancer, period. The company has acknowledged "overwhelming evidence" that smoking causes lung cancer, amongst others.  The company also admitted that tobacco is addictive, including smoking tobacco. Well duh. OK, they've admitted outright it causes cancer, and admitted outright that it's addictive.  This by all rights would be the end of any other company or industry, but how much do you wanna' bet nothing comes of this? Please refer to the banner ad above... *grumble* Still No Name Submissions... -- Primis                           10-13-99,  3:25AM Well after a lot of thought and a couple suggestions (why does everyone think the word "Rant" should be somewhere in the name?), the name of this site still hasn't been finalized.  What we're shooting for here is something unique, interesting, and memorable with the name, (and preferrably something short) so keep your ideas coming in. Also, when we finally get a name to tack onto the site it will be considered in "full release" (yes Virginia, there is a Beta webpage).  My point is, for those of you who've been to the site, feedback and ideas are important at this stage.  It's also important for you guys and gals to submit stories, links, and such.  I know a lot of you cruise certain sites daily or weekly, so when you find something cool tell us about it. I'm really having fun with this site and looking forward to what it can become.  Check it daily, tell your friends, and let nature take its course.  With your help this site can rock. . . The Sabres Fans' Revenge? -- Primis                           10-12-99,  3:05PM WldChld wrote in with this great tidbit of information for all of you still mad about the way last year's Stanley Cup Finals ended: "They had a funny commercial break clip at the Sharks-Stars game the other night...it was like a MasterCard commercial and Sharky the mascot broke into an office and it went....'Flashlight $8'....and then he gets to the desk and you see...'Crowbar $18'....then he gets the drawer open and finds a picture of Hull's foot in the crease and you see.... 'Proof there needs to be an asterisk in the record book ... priceless'.  The Stars did not see the humor in it at all. ;)" That is just beautiful!!  I want a copy of that. :-)  If I manage to obtain or find an .AVI or .MPEG of that, it'll be posted ASAP. Proof of the Great Flood? -- Primis                                  10-12-99,  2:45PM National Geographic is running an online feature on the search for proof of The Great Flood of the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh.  In fact, there are Greek, Roman, Indian, and Irish versions of the story as well.  The interface is a bit clunky, but the information is really cool and fascinating.  To check out the section of the site on the Great Flood and such, click here. PC Gamer's Top 50 Games, 1999 style. -- Primis              10-9-99,  8:05PM PC Gamer once again has computer gamers everywhere arguing and debating over the recently-released Top 50 Games of All-Time list for 1999 (as they do every year), which appears in the November issue.  Not only is there a new #1 at the top (I'm not telling, go buy a copy yourself), but several very-deserving and underrated games are once again on the list, including Chuck Yeager's Air Combat, and Front Page Sports: Football Pro.  I only found a few problems with the list -- Zork is no longer on the list, and online games are once again under-represented IMHO.  Go get a copy and check the list out -- it's a fascinating look at the best computer gaming has offered. "Boris Yeltsin Hospitalized... this is a recording." -- Primis                    10-9-99,  6:05PM Russian President Boris Yeltsin is reportedly in the hospital with bad health again. Not that this is exactly shocking news.  As my own mother says, the only proof we have that he's even alive anymore is that Yeltsin surfaces and fires his entire staff every now and again.  However crazy and drunken a reputation as he may have though, I'm genuinely afraid of what might happen if/when Yeltsin passes on/"leaves office".  At least Yeltsin isn't a total nutcase, which can't be said for most of the others who appear to be frontrunners to eventually replace him.  What do you think? Weekend of Great Rivalries in Sports. -- Primis          10-7-99,  2:05PM The past couple weekends have been very, very good to us die-hard sports fans (imagine, a geek who is a sports addict?).  We've had the Ryder Cup, Tiger Stadium's final game, the beginning of the NHL season, and now this weekend we get the bitterest college rivalry in the nation as undefeated Michigan travels to take on undefeated Michigan State in East Lansing. For the loser of this game, their season will basically be a failure, regardless of how many other games they win.  People who will try to say that Florida VS Florida State or any other rivalry is better are nuts -- this rivalry goes far beyond football.  In basketball it's life or death.  In CCHA hockey MSU versus UM means a war on ice.  In just about any sport, the Spartans and Wolverines hate each other.  For a great site on this rivalry check out bitterrivals.com, the only rivalry with its own site (and a good site it is). And since we're discussing rivalries and two schools that hate each other, I have to put a blurb here about the bitter rivalry happening tomorrow night as undefeated Quincy plays undefeated Reading for the Victory Bell, and possibly the Big Eight Conference championship. High school football has never been so nasty, and noone can truly understand how deep this rivalry goes until they've actually seen a game.  These two schools do NOT like each other (the brawls breaking out at Reading-Quincy track meets is probably a good indication of that). Ah, rivalries... how I love thee. UPDATE (10/12/99):  Michigan State won (yay)... Reading lost (ugh), and a good time was had by all except me who didn't get to watch either. SportSlam™ explores NFL realignment. -- Primis          10-6-99,  3:45PM So now that the NFL has decided to realign, where and how?  SportSlam Online™ explores the possibilites, the hows and whys, and comes up with the best solution... More... NFL Accepts Houston, and realignment. -- Primis          10-6-99,  2:45PM The NFL accepted Houston as the 32nd franchise today, and has accepted realignment that will bring the league to 8 divisions of 4 teams each.  Houston will be placed into the AFC, which means one current AFC team will have to move to the NFC.  This sounds all good and a bit overdue, but only if a few things take place.  Tampa Bay logically should be one of the teams moving divisions (if the NFL splits up the NFC Central any other way they will make a grevious mistake).  Also St. Louis and Arizona need to be in divisions that make more sense geographically.   But now the fascinating question remains... which one of the AFC teams will be joining the NFC?  My money is on that Tennessee (being a newer team/market) will join the NFC in a Southeastern Division with Tampa Bay, and possibly Carolina and Atlanta (or maybe New Orleans even).  This would also allow for Houston's new team to be back in a similar division as last time with similar rivals (which would be a very good thing).   I'll have more predictions and ponderings in an upcoming SportSlam Online™ colum which I'll link to on this site, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, for more info, check out the article at ESPN.COM. My Mind, She Is Leaving?... -- Primis                        10-2-99,  1:55AM This posting serves no purpose other than to point out how insane the entire world has gone.  In the past two days I have witnessed no less than 5 seperate pickup trucks, on five seperate ocassions all in different locations, all inexplicably driving down the road backwards in reverse.  This wouldn't be terribly noteworthy other than at last check you were supposed to drive your vehicle FORWARD down the road!  Yeesh.  It's bad enough to be driving down the road and have a car following me inexplicably disappear from time to time.  But enough about my hallucinations.... People in Suits Who Need Lives. -- Primis                        10-1-99,  1:15PM Yahoo! is running a story from Reuters about a Coca-Cola employee who was fired for *gasp* drinking a Pepsi product.  Coca-Cola is claiming breach of contract by drinking a competitor's product (it's interesting to note that the "breach" ocurred in a sweltering Amazon jungle where no Coke products were even available).  Am I the only one that thinks it's none of their freaking business what their employees drink? On a happy note, the employee sued and won $5,300 in damages, and hopefully Coke's image is tarnished beyond repair, because quite frankly this whole thing about companies trying to control as much of their employees lives as possible is just getting to be ridiculous. DISCLAIMER:  All materials above and contained herein are the property of the owner and individual contributors, and may not be reproduced without permission of the afformentioned. Copyright 1999.  This site is optimized for no browser in particular -- we're not that ambitious.