Raiders' First Day Picks for 2007 Draft

Ok, for my totally uninformed prognostication of what the Raiders should do:

1. Swap picks with the Cleveland Browns. They get the number 1 pick to pick up Jamarcus Russell while we slide to number 3 and pick up their second round pick (36 overall) and their 2008 first round pick. Detroit will pick up Brady Quinn with the number 2 overall pick, leaving the Raiders with Calvin Johnson all for them at number 3.
   
2. Sign David Carr to a 2 or 3 year deal.
   
3. Trade Moss and Courtney Anderson to Greenbay for their third round pick (78 overall) and a conditional 2008 pick.
   
4. And so, we would have picks:
• Round 1 (3rd overall) - Calvin Johnson, WR
  
• Round 2 (33rd overall) - Ryan Kalil, C
• Round 2 (f/Clev, 36th overall) - Justin Blalock, OG
• Round 3 (65th overall) - Trent Edwards, QB
• Round 3 (f/GB, 78th overall) - Josh Beekman, OG
• Round 3 (comp, 99th overall) - Ryan McBean, DT

So now, the Raiders will have David Carr, Andrew Walter, and Trent Edwards battling it out for the QB position. Whatever happens, it will still be an upgrade over last year. Furthermore, Calvin Johnson, Ryan Kalil, Justin Blalock, and Josh Beekman could all conceivably start immediately and/or have an instant impact on the team.

Law Review? More Like Water Torture!

So for the past four or five days, I've been preoccupied with a law review write-on competition. Woot! Basically, it was a nightmare! You're given about 500 pages to read (small-text) and then you're expected to write a coherent comment not to exceed 10 pages. Well, I didn't exceed 10 pages, that was the easy part. The hard part was everything else. Just reading through the packet was tough enough, but writing a semi-decent comment took every ounce of stamina I have left of this out of shape student.

I ended up staying awake for over 24 hours to just finish the comment - with a half hour to spare before I had to turn it in. Once the deed was done though, I spent the next 20 minutes acting like a dumbass, going into my gangsta routine, over-dramatic gyrations, and a few expletives to boot. Man it feels good to be a gangsta!

Just one of those days? Hopefully

My life is filled with work. I do nothing but work. No friends, no laughs, no sharing of insecurity. How do people make that connection and make it seem so easy to communicate with each other? Remembering what my old grade school report cards said, I can see that I need to work on "plays well with others". It's not that I don't play well with others, far from it. I just don't play. And since I've never played, when I try to, it's awkward since everyone is already amongst their own.

But then the question becomes, why do I want to play with others? I'm not "bringing anything to the table". It seems as if I am seeking out these relationships in order to feel a sense of belonging, a degree of care and humanity. Isn't that somewhat selfish of me though? To ask for a human connection because I feel lonely?

Whatever this feeling is, I sure hope I don't end up like these guys. Well, first of all, I need to be a lawyer, then I need to have a stinkin pile of cash locked away. Even then though, it seems awfully shallow of these people to narrow what they want to a single trait. What happens when that single, superficial trait - like time - fades away? Well, I'm being naive here. I'm thinking of a longer term relationship. Most likely, these nice folks are in it for the short term. If that's the case, to hell with time.

However, for the men, isn't it cheaper just to find an expensive hooker? Lets be honest here, the guys are there for attractive women they can either bed and/or have some long term relationship (with their money locked away in a prenup if they ever get married). So isn't a high priced hooker escort cheaper for these guys? As for the women, well, you can't rent a rich escort. But hey, if its good enough for the gander, it's good enough for the goose. Right?

My workout goals

Freeweight bench press (chest):

1. 15 reps at 65 lbs.
2. 12 reps at 75 lbs.
   
3. 10 reps at 85 lbs.
   
4. 8 reps at 115 lbs.
   
5. 5 reps at 135 lbs.
   

Triceps pushdown using metal bar attachment (triceps):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 100 lbs.
   

Cable crossover (chest):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 65 lbs.

Modified cable crossover (upper chest):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 35 lbs.
   

Cable hammer bicep curl using metal bar (biceps):

1. 15 reps at 40 lbs.
   
2. 12 reps at 50 lbs.
   
3. 10 reps at 60 lbs.
   
4. 8 reps at 70 lbs.
   
5. 5 reps at 80 lbs.
   

Seated dumbbell shoulder press (shoulders):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 25 lbs.

Or alternatively, seated side lateral raise (shoulders):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 20 lbs.
   

Dumbbell bench press (chest):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 40 lbs.
   

Or alternatively, inclined dumbbell flyes (chest):

1. 3 sets of 12 reps at 40 lbs.

Sit ups (abs):

1. 3 sets of 24 reps

Air bike (obliques):

1. 3 sets of 24 reps

I used to be able to do this last year. My goal is to get back into that fitness level by this time next year. I've already taken a pre-workout picture. Hopefully by this time next year, I can show off a new body (or actually, my earlier, studlier body). I just need to find time to workout.

Happy Year of the Pig

Happy Year of the Pig. According to tradition, those born in the year of the pig (2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, etc.) are honest, straightforward and patient. They can also be materialistic and obstinate. Apparently, those born under this sign are compatible with those born in the year of the rooster and ram.

So in honor of the Year of the Pig, I'll refrain from ordering bacon bits for my omelet.

Finding My Voice

Yea, so my past articles have pretty much sucked. I've been searching for my voice. Unfortunately, the "voice" that I've been projecting the last few posts have not really been me. I tried the detached-but-still-professionally-relevant-voice with links to other articles to be helpful to other people who might drop in randomly. But that's not me.

If any of you had seen my "about" page on wordpress, you would have seen this quote: This site is less about me and my daily happenings (actually I hope to never have to write an entry like that) and more about marking events that I believe illustrate progression in maturity, sociability, and life. "Marking events that I believe illustrate progression in maturity, sociability, and life?!?! What does that mean? I sure sounded moopy.

Well, welcome to me, version 2.0. You'll see the word "I" in my posts much more frequently. In fact, I anticipate talking about things that catch my attention - and what catches my attention usually is something that pisses me off. No, I'm not going to be another maddox but I will voice my opinion. I'm also a very nice guy who thinks he still should be watching cartoons rather than talk about matters that may offend. Take it as you will, but at least it will be me (or a close approximation of me).

Sleeping Does a Body (and Mind) Good

It can be difficult sometimes to get enough sleep while having so much to do. The question then becomes, what is enough sleep? That answer is probably different with each person, but whatever the case may be, one can probably figure out when they've gotten a good night's sleep.

A study done by the Journal of Sleep Medicine detail how a lack of sleep correlates with lower GPAs, have difficulty concentrating during the day, or have difficulty staying awake during the day. It's helpful to know what we all already know and to keep that in mind when case briefing, studying, outlining, etc.

It's been a long week for me too since I've been getting less sleep than usual. An inability to concentrate was the first sign of a lack of sleep for me. I found that going to bed earlier and staying asleep longer, I would have more energy during the day.

Here's to a good night's sleep.