Kinda funny kinda not

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/etrade-baby-turns-momo-blows-it-all

Surprise Surprise

Please read my earlier blog on the "government shutdown". Yawn.

Hastily Prepared Phillies Prievew

So, the 2011 baseball season is upon us and the Philadelphia Phillies are the clear favorites in the NL. With one of the most dominant starting pitching staffs ever assembled and a track record of post season success, it is easy to overlook that this Phillies team is significantly weaker in every other aspect of the game than they were over the past three years. They've lost their number one right handed bat in Jayson Werth, their number one left handed bat (sorry ryan howard it's not you), and their closer who was already on the decline.
For all those who are expecting a bounce back year from Jimmy Rollins, don't. He is what he is. The mvp season was the anomaly. And the track record of speed guys who get older and start having injury problems does not bode well for J-Roll, especially considering he does not have the most fluid running motion.
For all those expecting a bounce back year from Ryan Howard, don't. Guys know how to get him out. He cannot hit a breaking ball, and he's not exactly getting any younger.
Ditto for other regulars Ibanez and Polanco. This lineup is OLD. When guys get old you can't look back at their career numbers and say they're going to hit like that again. And the bullpen? Ugh.
On a positive note, for all those who are expecting a bounce back year from Shane Victorino, do. The Flying Hawaiian is not the issue here. But that won't stop this team from making the playoffs and losing because they can't score any runs.

Happy Opening Day

Get out your winter coats, gloves, and balaclavas and head to the ball park because it's Opening Day! Even though it's Thursday, MLB had the brilliant idea of starting the season off a little early. This will certainly backfire when no one shows up in the Bronx for 40 degree weather and rain. And can someone explain to me why the World Series Champs are starting the season on the road in LA?

Now on to what our readers care about most - predictions. Obviously there is nothing shocking about these picks since only certain teams can be competitive in MLB. So here you are:

National League

NL East - Phillies (Mets will finish 4th)

NL Central - Cards

NL West - Rockies

Wild Card - Braves

American League

AL East - Red Sox

AL Central - Twins

AL West - Angels

Wild Card - Yankees

World Series - Red Sox over Rockies

Gus

In case you haven't seen this already.

Nice Going, M.T.A.

Over the last few years, the M.T.A. has made several service cuts and fare increases in the face of significant budget gaps. In June 2010, the V train (with service from Forest Hills to the Lower East Side of Manhattan) was eliminated and replaced by the M train (with service from Forest Hills to Middle Village, Queens via Manhattan).

This and other service changes required the M.T.A. to replace a significant amount of signage across the subway system. One of the geniuses at the M.T.A. (probably some Local 100 worker) was clearly unaware of the popular acronym "FML," or "Fuck My Life." This embarrassment caused the M.T.A. to promise to change the signage as soon as possible. On the bright side, this sign is only at one station on 14th Street, but surely this is another example of wasteful spending by a NY State agency.

Government Shutdown

It seems this weekend as if anyone not preoccupied with riots in the Middle East or Midwest is focusing on the budget and the potential for a government shutdown following an Obama veto. So let me tell you all how it's going to play out, and then you can thank me later for saving you valuable time and eye power. It will get leaked that the White House is in "negotiations" with Republican leadership to reach a compromise bill. After much starting and stopping and many additional leaks expressing the anger and frustration of the various factions, voila said compromise will be reached. The new bill will closely mirror the initial Republican proposal save for a few changes designed to appease the ignorant public. Such is pragmatism in a one, I mean two, party system. Nothing to see here. Move along.