The Gazelle Man

As part of my ongoing attempt to lose weight I have decided to take up running. I went out a couple times the last couple weeks but quickly realized that Adidas Sambas are not running shoes and will only destroy my legs and feet if I attempt to run in them.

Today I took my fat ass over to the Gazelle Sports and got myself a proper pair of running shoes. After trying on about 4 different styles and a couple different sizes I settled on a pair of New Balance 860v3. They were as comfortable as any of the others I tried on. Style wise they were less flashy than most of the others. (Apparently runners really want you to look at their feet.) And the deciding factor was that they are Made in the USA (of imported materials). A fact that I think is exclusive to New Balance in the running shoe industry.

When Id made my decision, my assistant asked what kind of socks I was planning on wearing with the shoes. My response: What do you recommend? After spending more on footwear than Ive ever spent in my life I decided Id better get some good socks to go with them. We headed over to the $16-$20 per pair of sock section of the store and she explained to me all the benefits of these magical foot devices. They were also running a buy 3 get 1 free special on socks. Anyone who knows me knows that I can not say no to specials like that especially when its on items that have features. Socks with features no less. So I spent the second most I have ever spent on a pair of socks. (Second only to the pair of socks I got to keep that came with the tux I rented for the Teso wedding.)

Perhaps the best part of my trip out was the personal attention I got from my sales person. Rather than just grabbing things from the back room and walking away on she asked me questions about what I wanted the shoes for and took time to see how I walked and based her recommendations on those factors. Its things like this that make me comfortable paying a little bit more then I would have at a discount store or on Amazon. Now, to run...

NFL 12 Midseason

After week 3 I made my first set of picks for the season. I also predicted that the then 3-0 Cardinals would have blown it by now. Well, theyre 4-5, losing their last 5. Youre welcome! I also said that the 0-3 Saints would continue to suck, and they have, barely managing to defeat San Diego and Tampa Bay to become 2-5.

As for my playoff picks from early in the season.

AFC

East: Patriots (5-3)

In a division that it seems no one wants to win I still like the Patriots. Its hard to root against Brady. 

North: Ravens (6-2)

I feel like I always pick the Ravens to win this division. I also feel like Im always wrong about it. So, heres to being wrong.

South: Texans (7-1)

Its up to the Texans to lose this division. They are by far the best team in the AFC and are my pick to represent it in the Super Bowl.

West: Chargers (4-4) Broncos (5-3)

Im not sure why this division is even allowed in the NFL anymore. Its full of teams that lose over and over and over. The Chargers might be able to pull something off. Perhaps Peyton Manning pulls off something special in Denver. I dont know. I guess if I had to Id put my money on Peyton and not Giant Baby Head T Rex Arms.

Wildcard: Jets (3-5), Bengals (3-5) Colts (5-3), Steelers (5-3)

Looks like someone stupid made those picks. How about those Colts? Its starting to look like they may have made a good decision with Andrew Luck. With a big win today over the Giants, the Steelers are one of the few AFC teams that seem to want to be in the playoffs this year.

NFC

East: Cowboys (3-4) Giants (6-3)

Well, just like the Ravens, I love picking the Cowboys early in the season. And just like the Ravens, they always seem to disappoint me. Realistically its the Giants division to lose. I just hate picking Eli Manning to succeed at anything. Which means Ill just pick no one to represent from the East.

North: Packers (6-3)

This is the best division in the league and will probably produce 3 playoff teams this season. Its hard to pick against the Packers with a 4 game winning streak. But its also hard to pick against the Bears with a 6 game winning streak.

South: Falcons (7-0)

If the Falcons beat the Cowboys tonight (which they should) they will have as many wins as the rest of the division put together.

West: 49ers (6-2)

Perhaps the second best division in the league, they also have the second best team in the league. Its hard to think of the Cardinals or Seahawks having what it takes to overcome the 49ers. I think the 49ers make the Superbowl this year.

Wildcard: Eagles (3-4), Lions (4-4), Bears (7-1)

The wildcard slots in the NFC will be filled by whoever of the Packers, Bears, and Lions doesnt win the North. I know the Lions are 4-4 but if they win their next 2 games they will be tied with the Packers and ahead of the Vikings. Then, if the Bears lose their next 2 (Texans, 49ers) the Lions will be only a game behind them.

I know my AFC picks looks just like the if the season ended today scenario. But thats the way the AFC is this year. There isnt much up in the air. There are 6 or 7 teams that actually showed up this season and thats whos going to the playoffs. As for the NFC who knows whats going to happen. The Giants dont mess the end of the season up and the Falcons dont have any competition but other then those divisions everything is up in the air still.