Pixelated Pigskin Prognostications: Championship Round One

It's championship time again in Division 1-AA, er, the Football Championship Subdivision. And Richmond is looking to defend their national title, but the Fightin' Christians Phoenix stands in their way. This is how the Great Xbox 360 Swami sees it going down, via a CPU vs. CPU game:



Richmond 24, Elon 31

Fret not, because I have it on good authority that the Obama administration has calculated that Richmond will in fact save or create an additional 54 points this afternoon, taking them to a 78-31 victory. You cannot dispute their math.

Is this the dirtiest commercial currently on TV?

Or is my mind just really in the gutter?

Regardless, the devilish little smile that she gives at the end makes me go all weak-kneed.

Pixelated Pigskin Prognostications: Week Twelve

Well, the regular season is coming to a close (for these two teams, at least), but the Great Xbox 360 Swami is not daunted by the significance of The Game and the Oldest Rivalry in the South Capital Cup as it determines the outcomes through a set of CPU vs. CPU matches.



Ohio State 47, Michigan 24



Richmond 48, William & Mary 30

Word is bond. Unless there are any commenter requests for the outcomes of any other game, the Great Xbox 360 Swami shall take a much-needed rest until bowl/playoff time.

Requiem for the Equalizer

R.I.P. Edward Woodward, 1930-2009.



Okay, so I remember "The Equalizer", but I don't think I ever watched it. He was the bomb in The Wicker Man and Hot Fuzz, though.

Song to close out the weekend: "You Belong With Me" by Butch Walker

Though I don't dislike her, I'm not a huge Taylor Swift fan. But a Butch Walker cover of one of her songs? That may put me firmly in with Team Taylor.

Pixelated Pigskin Prognostications: Week Eleven

The season's winding down, but the Great Xbox 360 Swami feels no emotions that could cloud its impartial predictions. As such, the results of today's CPU vs. CPU matches:



Ohio State 38, Iowa 17



Richmond 20, Georgetown 34

I, on the otherhand, am fretting that Richmond result (though I believe UR will win handily against the Hoyas' JV squad).

Micah World Top 25

Here they are, the top 25 songs burning up my iPod (as of 11.11.09):

1. "Tell It To The Volcano" - Miniature Tigers
2. "Stadium Love" - Metric
3. "Hot Venom" - Miniature Tigers
4. "Summertime Clothes" - Animal Collective
5. "Chinese" - Lily Allen
6. "I'm Walking This Road Because You Stole My Car (Don't Go)" - Fascinoma
7. "Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night" - The Fratellis
8. "Passing Afternoon" - Iron & Wine
9. "Going Back/Going Home" - Butch Walker
10. "The World Will Deem Us Dangerous" - Her Space Holiday
11. "Remedy" - Little Boots
12. "Librarian" - My Morning Jacket
13. "Yardwork In November" - Actual Tigers
14. "Dammit" - Blink-182
15. "Sulphur To Sugarcane" - Elvis Costello
16. "If You're Into It" - Flight of the Conchords
17. "Me, You and Steve" - Garfunkel and Oates
18. "God Help the Girl" - God Help the Girl
19. "Top of the Bottom" - John Wesley Harding
20. "Twilight Galaxy" - Metric
21. "Where Is My Mind?" - Pixies
22. "New Slang" - The Shins
23. "Another Likely Story" - Au Revoir Simone
24. "Song Without a Chorus" - Butch Walker
25. "My America" - A Camp

Not too much of a change from the last chart; just a bunch of shuffling around.

Death by pumpkin spice

As soon as I heard that Dunkin Donuts is offering a pumpkin spice latte, doughnut, and muffin (thanks for the tip, Mindy!), I knew I had to try them. So last weekend I braved a rainstorm and made the trek out to DD to order their Autumn Triple Threat.

First, the pumpkin spice latte. It wasn't bad, but I prefer Starbucks' version of this treat. There was something a little off to the taste, but I can't quite nail it. Maybe it's because the ever-present overpriced coffee slinger actually hand blends the ingredients while the latte that I was served at Dunkin Donuts came apparently pre-mixed and shot out through an automatic dispenser. Still, you can't beat their price: $1 for a small. It's not bad if you need a quick fix, but in this case, as with shoes, you get what you pay for.

Next, the pumpkin spice donut Their name suggests Dunkin Donuts is primarily concerned with the doughy treat and it shows here. Cake-like, but not too dry, with a hint of a glaze on the outside, it was tasty and on par with every other pumpkin spice doughnut that I've eaten.

Lastly, the pumpkin spice muffin. This offering turned out to be the unlikely winner of the autumnal triple crown. Topped with a creamy icing, it was so moist that you practically needed a spoon to eat it. Absolutely delicious. Who knew that a doughnut joint would excel at producing muffins?

These three indulgences also served as a going away present of sorts, since on Monday I temporarily ditched carbohydrates for the next month or two. But I vow that someday we will meet again. Oh, yes, we will.

Pixelated Pigskin Prognostications: Week Ten

And now we're in November, when the games really matter. But such a bias does not phase the Mysterious Xbox 360 Swami and its CPU vs. CPU predictions. How two games will fare this afternoon:



Ohio State 55, Penn State 20



Richmond 45, Villanova 31

Mysterious Xbox 360 Swami out.

Song to close out the weekend: "My Body's a Zombie for You" by Dead Man's Bones

Ryan Gosling + a children's chorus + spooky songs = awesomeness

Samhain wrap-up

Candy, Ghost Busters, zombies, a cheetah, Thomas the Tank Engine, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", pizza, pumpkin beer, a kitty, the World Series, Night of the Living Dead, brownies, Paranormal Activity, and some comfort episodes of "30 Rock".