South Central Predictions...the Muthas Kill All

South Central Tournament prediction right here: Texas wins everything. Everyone fucking dies. All are annihilated. All are obliterated. The end.

And the Warriors are a strong second. But they too will die. Like I said, everyone fucking DIES. All are torched. And I have to say that KC have been better than I expected during what was supposed to be a rebuilding phase of sorts. But I will be the first to admit...they really are an exceptional team. Too bad they are in the same Regional as the Original Muthas tho. Yeah...cause like I said. Skulls and crossbones.

Who can possibly take on TX in this Tournament?? WHO? No one. Absolutely no one. But the Warriors will be a fun team to watch at any rate. And for those more masochistic Rollerheads...watch any bout that features Texas. All will die. The Muthas will destroy everyone. All shall writhe in agony before them.

I may be falling in love with this Jag...<3

I've tried to resist...cuz ya know...shes not earned my trust yet. I've, perhaps mistakenly, thought of her as the incredibly beautiful, charming woman who I'll totally fall for who will promptly stab me in the neck. She is gaining my trust. Hell, I took her to Cincy and back and plenty of places since. And ya know what?? Despite my reservations, she is rock solid AND gorgeous. I'm starting to believe in her. I'm talking of course about my classic Jaguar XJ6. I've had an Audi 5000, a BMW 635 CSI, 2 VW's and 2 Saab 900's. Of that lot I've always loved the ole bulletproof Saab 900 Turbo convertible the most. I gave it to my son Derek when I bought the Jag, with much trepidation. I LOVED that Sabb 900...for real. I adored her. And she was so good to me. Everything you could want in a car she was.

I've always thought that Jaguar made some of the most sexy, beautiful cars in the world. But ya know...they just couldnt be trusted. You really really WANTED to love them...worship them. But *stab!!!* right in the neck. Ow. That really smarts. But NO!! Not MY beauty! Hell no...shes gorgeous, sexy AND reliable. So PISS OFF all you Jag haters. She is mine...and I'm beginning to feel that love...

She is possessed of the most comfortable seats that I have EVER sat in. Ever. The ride and motor are pure silk...smoooooth. Acres of lovely butterscotch leather surround me. And then theres that burled carpathian elm woodwork, Am I in a freakin ROLLS?? It damn near feels like it. The ultra-thin steering wheel and the elegant, slightly gear shifter are masterpieces. Its so easy to fall. Mmmmmmm....and she is just so damn sexy. 8)

Brawl of America- Day 3...This is IT!

Now THATS more like it. 4-1. Yeahhhh...I like the sound of that...4-1. And, true to form, I gave the Madolls my blessing when I picked Deeetroit to topple them. You can all thank me later with a couple of shots of ice cold Jaeger Madison. I'm a cheap fix! Yeah, the good ole Madolls...ALWAYS goin opposite my pick. Some things never change. Before we get to Day 3's picks can I just go off on a tangent for a moment? Sacred City??? HELLO?? Are you even there?? WTF was THAT last night against Denver?? Are you kidding me? Are my eyes deceiving me? Cuz there is NO WAY you all went down to Denver 309-19 right?? I'm here rubbin my eyes in total disbelief. Yer SAC CITY!! Come on!! 309-19?? Gee...guess I woulda lost the over-under on THAT one! What the livin hell is going on in Sacramento these days? Look-DEN is good, I get that. But they're not THAT good.

Oh well...onto todays sure fire cant miss picks:

1. G Rag v the Minnies

G Rag has been something of a disappointment and something of a mystery. Can I just ask what has happened to this team?? They aren't this mediocre...they're NOT. But ya know the old saying...you are what yer record SAYS you are. And the skaters of Grand Raggidy?? Well....hmmmm. Theirs gotta be something goin on there that I'm not aware of because they are a much better team than they've shown lately. I am aware that injuries have played a part. At any rate its a safe bet to go all out on the Minnies in this one and they'll be out to impress their Homies in this final bout of the Tournament for them.

2. NStar v the Mighty Archies

This may well prove to be the closest, most exciting game of the day. And I think by now we've all seen how good those Northstar girls really are. I'm impressed-you're impressed. But today they will go down to the Mighty Archies. The Archies are just a bit more battle-tested than NStar and have a bit more experience under pressure. Yep...Archies will win a tight one. And dont be surprised if by this time next year the Arch Rival skaters are in the National Tournament. Oh...and Chanel? You kick ASS.

3. Tricky Cincy v Deeetroit

Well, I went off a bit on Sac City already so what the hell...I'll ask the question. Why isnt Deeetroit performing better this season? They're slide began last year but I really believe that Car City has a much better team than we've seen thus far. I'm totally serious...they are BETTER than this! Whats the reason for their recent decline? Deeetroit should always be at least a Top 10 team. I mean, they have one of the greatest Jammers in all of Derbydom...Racer McChaser. That Jammergirl is ridiculous. Awesome skillz!! LOVE her game. But she cant do it all by herself Deeetroit. I'm going with the Sadies in this one. oops...did I just say the "Sadies"?? I MEANT to say Tricky Cincy...really I did. Promise.

4. the Madolls v the CRUSHERS

Its all over. Its all been decided, before this Tournament even began. Windy kills all in their path with fierceness and mad talent. The Crushers will dominate. The Madolls will look promising early but its only a matter of time until they begin to get worn down by the crushing force of Windy. Their willpower will wither by the 2nd half and it will all be over. Cuz the Crushers only have 4 opponents in al the land to fear: the Goths, the Original Muthas, the Cheesesteaks and the Lucky Charms. For real. And I dont believe they're too damn frightened of those 4 teams really. WCR= North Central Champs!

Brawl of America-Day 2

Yeah yeah...go ahead. Rub it in. I only went 2-2 yesterday although the Mighty Archies damn near caught up to Tricky Cincy in the last few minutes of what was an amazing bout. Oh if only. Then I woulda been a respectable 3-1. And Chanel woulda been smiling a lil bigger. I'm not gonna lie...2-2 SUCKS and I'm not happy about it. The ONE time I dont pick the Burns and they burn ME. Shit. Sorry C-town...ya know I WANTED to pick ya...didnt I say that?? Huh?? Yeah, I'm scrambling here. I did pick one mild upset tho...the Brewskis came thru! Well, I'm a gambler and sometimes ya just gotta go for it. But enuff about yesterday...on to todays action:

1. #26 NStar v #25 the Minnies

Ah yes...the battle of Minnesota. The well established and more experienced Minnies take on the upstart NStars, who may lack experience but have loads of skill and heart. I do believe that this bout will be a 4-5 point spread thru most of the game and who ends up in the penalty box the most will most likely lose. I gotta go NStar here. They played their asses off against Beer City yesterday and I just feel that they dont wanna go winless in their first Tournament. Dont be surprised if the Minnies pull this one out because its gonna be VERY close. Still...NStars.

2. #34 G Rag v #18 the Archies

G Rag really seemed overwhelmed and lackluster yesterday against those Burns and I dont really get why. YES the Burns played exceptional Derby but still...ya gotta wonder. After what I saw yesterday from both of these teams I predict the Archies in a landslide. They'll pull away early and never look back. And thats not the Fanboy in me talking either. For that matter if St L was goin up against Cincy again today I would STILL pick 'em. Sorry. The upside with the Archies is huge. And G Rag?? What the hell happened yesterday??

3. #36 the Burns v #32 Beer City

Yikes. This is the tuffest pick of the day...really. I've tortured myself on this predict and I just havent convinced myself that one team has any distinct advantage over the other. IF the Brewskis can play consistently the WHOLE bout and not get streaky then I hafta go with them. Yeah...I'm gonna lay my $$$ on the Brewskis here and I could easily get burned. but when in doubt just go with yer heart. Even if ya lose, well, ya went with yer heart so...<3 Brewski LOVE <3. Sorry Burns, ya know I've been pullin for ya all year. So dont kick me when I see ya several months from now against Race City 'kay??

4. #15 Tricky Cincy v #2 the Crushers

Cincy?? You know yer good...WE know yer good. So now that we've established that, it doesnt matter if Sadie has the game of her career it just wont be enuff today...not against THIS team. Chi-town will prove to be waaaay too much and should win comfortably. It wont be close after about 15 minutes.

5. #16 Deeetroit v #11 Madolls

Mad Rollin has a way of going opposite of my picks. All the time this happens...I pick em to win-they lose. I pick em to lose-they win. And so it goes. well I'm picking em to lose against the fiesty skaters of Deeetroit today. Which means of course, good news for the Madolls. Wait a minute...what am I thinkin?? Its soooo obvious...the Madolls will WIN!! Which is to say that they will lose. Uhhhhh wait a minute. Thats not right is it? Ummmm...no. Lay it out for Deeetroit. I'm serious. Sorry Madolls. I mean, congratulations!!

Well, Friday was one of those days when I just broke even. I mean, I was entertained and all, but the money just broke even. Be careful today laying big money on that Burns v Brewskis bout. Actually...just stay away from it. Go the safe route and bet the house on Windy. And let the warm feeling of winning envelop you as you go to the cash window with that WCR ticket. The Crushers will DOMINATE this Tournament. Just watch.

North Central Bout Predictions! The Brawl of America!!

Hey...I know I've been fairly absent lately but its been a very ummmm..."interesting" summer. And I mean "interesting" as in the Chinese curse. Ya know...like "may you have an interesting" life". Uhhhh huh. SUUUURE. Uh, I gotta better idea...howzabout YOU have an "interesting" life. No more drama please...thank you. This summer had some high points too tho. Dont know why I'm always so compelled to rate my year according to how the summer went. At any rate, on to the predictions. The first 4 games:

1. #32 Beer City v # 26 NStars

I make no apologies...I'm a heartfelt fan of those skaters that hail from the land of the Brew. So it could just be my heart overwhelming my brain but I dont think so. I honestly believe that the Brewskis are gonna take this one. They have matured and play a more disciplined game than last year. This team has talent and theyve played some tuff teams the past couple of seasons. Now, dont get me wrong...I like Northstar...really. I hafta admit that I'm still a bit surpised with how good NStar really is.Who knew?? Well we all know now. Those NStar skaters have skill. Having said that I would also have to look at the fact that the Brewskis are more "battle tested". And ultimately I think that may prove the difference for Beer City. And I love Jammer Rejected Seoul...when shes on-shes ON.

2. #34 G Rag v #36 the Burns

I have been bragging on those Cleveland rollergirls for a while now and I like the direction that they have gone over the past year. For one thing, they really have a "fight to the end" attitude and a lot of desire. You would THINK that I would pick the Burns in this match up wouldn't you?? Welll...no. I cant quite explain it but I just have this gut instinct telling me that the skaters of Grand Rapids are gonna win this one somehow. I WANT to pick the Burns. I do. But for whatever reason I just dont "feel" it. BRRG fans can kick me in the shins if I'm wrong. But...uhhh...just one at a time okay? That shit kinda hurts. I really thought that this was gonna be a rebuilding year of sorts for the Grand Raggidy rollergirls. But their progress has been quick and they've surprised me with how solid they are.

3. #25 the Minnies v #2 the Crushers

The Crushers. WCR. Chi-town. Windy f'n CITY. They are mighty and they are strong. And they will make quick work in this one. And thats no insult to the Minnesota skaters...really. I dont think that theres more than 4 teams in the world that can beat Windy. Seriously. So dont feel bad Minnies...the Crushers are BRUTAL. They have everything. Speed, power, tuffness, smarts...ya know, the total package. The real shit. I will also say right now that the Windy Girls will win this whole tournament. Ya know that I would LOVE to pick an upset and be all bold, but I'm pickin THIS favorite. Cause I'm not stupid. Ya bet to win. And WCR have IT.

4. #18 the Archies (*swoon*) v #15 Tricky Cincy

Its all come to this in a way for the Archies.The past 2 years that is. They are HERE...in the Tournament. How awesome is that? You cant find a more likeable team in Derby than Arch Rivals. You can find teams AS likeable but none MORE. St L has a very charismatic team and have improved steadily over the past year. And ya know what? I have no problem picking the Archies in this one. Of course you also know that this will be a tooth and nail battle the whole way. Trips to the Sin Bin could spell all the difference in this one. I expect a very close bout to the end and Cincy DOES have much more experience. And they DO have the intense and ultra-competitive Sadistic Sadie. What a freakin player she is too. So much talent. But if the Archies contain her?? What then? That must be goal #1 for ARRG. CONTAIN SADIE. Yer not gonna stop her, I can tell ya that! Anyway...yeah...Archies...in a close one. Win it for Chokehold Chanel...#5!! You will always RULE Chanel. Best of luck to you!

I'll actually try to update as the Tournament proceeds, really I will. No...really, I will. Ya know, if "interesting" shit doesnt happen. If life doesnt kick me in the junk. Cause if I've realized anything this summer its that you really never know how sideways life can go. And then sideways again shortly after. And in the end...ya just gotta laugh. Thats what I do.

Naptowns 2009-10 Schedule...a Few Thoughts

Naptown has just released their schedule for the upcoming season and I'm both excited and disappointed. I'm gonna run thru the whole Home season real quick-like...so hang on:

1- Nap v the Hearts

I actually was privy to this match up a few months ago when I heard that the bout was a go at the Bleeding Heartland v Hard Knox game in Bloomington. I've been DYING to see these 2 teams play and the time is right to start up a new rivalry that could potentially match the intensity of NRG v F Dubb or Tricky Cincy. The Hearts are ranked #66/FTS because of low participation. B'ton IS a WFTDA team now and they have an amazing Jammer named KaKa Caliente who totally impressed me both times I've seen her play. She has "it"...that fire and skill that seperates the merely good from the great. It will be interesting to see how she fares against tuffer competition. Currently the Hearts are 1-1 overall with a win against Hard Knox and a loss against G Rag. HK are ranked at #53, so that was a real nice win for them a few months ago. This is gonna be a cant miss bout and I'm real excited to see that these 2 teams are finally gonna get it on. Oh and I gotta mention another very nice Jammer for the Hearts named Bad Mudda Trucka. When I last saw her she was injured but I would think that she'll be ready to go for the Nap bout.

2- Nap v the Burns

First thing I'm gonna say about this bout is that Burning River has come a very very long way since we last saw them getting beaten handily by Naptown here in Indy. And I know their overall record is an unimpressive 3-9 but dont be fooled. The Burns have a very good team and they have gotten progressively better over the past 1-1/2 years. They defeated F Dubb along the way 78-70 but FW got even a few months later. I'm sure that the Cleveland skaters are gonna give Race City all they can handle in this bout and its gonna be much more competitive than the last time they met. Some names you may remember from the Burns roster: Milfinator (if she rejoins the travel team), Ivanna Destroya, Rogue Cheddar and Coco Sparx.

3- Nap v the Derbies

You all know that I'll be supporting our Homegirls and all but I hafta admit that I'm a Derby City fan. They just have a real likeable team and thats important to me. I finally got a chance to see the Derbies play last year when they took on the Hearts in Bloomington. Even tho they lost, largely because of a questionable call, the Derby C skaters were a blast at the afterparty and I can still see some of them leaping up on stage and dancing with hula hoops and laughing. I have no idea what Louisvilles record is but they've played mostly "Division 2" level teams. The Naptown girls should win this one from experience alone but you can bet yer ass that we'll all have a blast at the afterparty!! The Derbies are just cool.

4- Nap v Memphis

Ya know how I was saying that the Burns had a somewhat deceptive record? Well so does Memphis, the opposite way. Memphis' record overall is 5-2 but they lost against the only 2 serious teams that they've faced...Nash and the ATL. They'll be taking a BIG step up when the face off against Indy so it will be interesting to see how this one goes. Yeah...I know that Memphis is ranked #27 and Nap is at #39 right now but the NRG girls have been waaaay more battle tested against major teams. Memphis?? Uhhhh...not as much. So much for rankings eh?

5- Nap v the Sioux

Oh yes...the Fighting Sioux. Sioux Falls have a very nice team and I was suitably impressed when I got the chance to see them in action at the last Fall Brawl. They are largely unnoticed but everyone better be ready for a real nail-biter when this bout goes down. The Sioux will lay it all on the line and play with a lot of energy and spirit.They are ranked #41 with a record of 2-2. They BARELY lost to Ohio 88-85 and that one really could have gone SF's way. Win or lose, I'm quite sure that the NapFans will find themselves impressed with this under-rated team from the Dakotas.

6- Nap v OH

Yeah...someday a clever nick will emerge for those Ohio skaters but not today. Ohio is 8-16 and ranked #36 but did ya know that they have gone 6-1 this summer? Oh my. Ohio have found themselves and are finally rising up in the rankings and have been very determined lately. You all remember this team from last season when they JUST did win against Race City. Remember Drrty Girl,Phoenix Bunz and Chewblocka? And I better see Kitty Liqourbottom on the roster this time or some heads are gonna roll!! Shes so cool. Hopefully we'll get to see Jaden Blayze too. Ohio has a team that ranks very high on the likeability scale and thats always good. So expect a dynamite afterparty regardless of who emerges victorious. And that Ohio Coach is awesome too. Intense.

I was so excited to see Bloomington on the Home schedule. And up and coming teams like the Sioux and the Burns. But no Cincy? No F Dubb? Wheres that fiery rivalry bout? And from a purely personal perspective it would have been awesome to see one of my faves like Beer City or the Archies. Or how about a BIG step up? Ya know...Deeeetroit. Madolls or G Rag? I know that schedules can be very tricky...timing, opportunity and scheduling conflicts all play a part. As well as a bit of politics. At any rate, the schedule is set and it should be a very entertaining season as the NRG skaters debut their new home...the Pepsi Coliseum. I hope that it doesnt seem too cavernous in there and that the sense of intimacy and comeraderie isnt affected. However it was just time to take another step up and see if this loud and spirited Naptown crowd can grow....I can understand that. It should still be as nice and bright as the Toyota Pavilion (photographers rejoice!!). Get ready NapFans...NRG4LIFE!