I admire the feeling of sustenance all living things carry. Those little movements and gestures indicating that tomorrow is on the mind. I’m not thinking about it anymore. Whatever that is. It’s doing great. Abandoned the ideology of freedom. I’m a walking moment which is harsh. There is the pain and the absence. I’m such a plastic bag.
Megan and Reggie have been together for 3 years. They’re both 24. They’re walking on the Las Vegas strip for the first time as a couple. Reggie had visited many times as a kid. His father, a truck driver from Iowa, loved to take his small family of three during Thanksgiving. After some time, Reggie realized his dad was wagering $500-$1100 every Vegas trip on the NFL games. Reggie respected his dad for not losing his temper since he himself would’ve found it hard to restrain his emotions. Nope, his dad was nice and helped bring into life the spirit of Thanksgiving. As the couple passes the casinos and the fake tits and the bright lights, the couple holds each other tighter. Megan suggests they play some slots. The graphics and little animals are intriguing. They are about to start playing and, suddenly, Reggie says, “wait, let’s play like $20 a pull. I hear that works.” He always thinks he knows some sort of inside information. She doesn’t care, she just wants to play. He pulls the lever. Nothing. She pulls the lever. Nothing again. $40 down and these two servers and Uber drivers from Florida are looking at each other wondering what the hell happened. Reggie smiles because he knows that it’s all play and she just hits him. While her back is turned he pulls it again and horns and whistles start going off. Numbers start getting jacked up. There are little buffalos and wolves bouncing up and down. There are gold coins shouting out of the mouths of cactuses. Call the pit boss! Call the pit boss! Reggie yells in an annoying high-pitched way that Megan loves. Megan is slowly realizing what’s happening. That rascal, pulling the lever behind her back. They’re both jumping up and down. It’s jubilee. $250,000 to the head. 250k. They call the restaurants they respectively work at and say they won’t be back. Next, they tell their families that they’ll be in Vegas for a little bit while they decide what to do with the money. Fortunately, they have 30 free nights in the guest suite at the Aria. It comes with a conference room and a fully equipped kitchen and living room. They’re going to eat at Hell's Kitchen, watch Penn & Teller, swim at every hotel’s pool. Megan is already getting the Instagram posts ready. Reggie is already making jokes to his friends about only buying things as long as the price tag has a comma in it. They like to play around and make jokes but they’re vain and kinda stupid. They’re weirdos in the sense that they’re always in on their own private jokes. Hush-hush over here, hush over there. Thirty days in Vegas has never sounded better to two pairs of ears. Oh, and don't forget, with 250 bands in the pocket. The sky is the limit…[TO BE CONTINUED]
i wrote this out so we could have the words:
it's all beautiful
and it's even better
and i'm here
i'm more here than i've ever been
and i'm so gone
and i don't act like this usually
and you're a good friend
but i'll throw my fist
all i know is that i feel
and i felt
and i can't touch stars
therapy of fingers
i am disillusioned
but
i've been wrong before
and i'm no victim
but i do want outs
and that's ok
get close but this is not the ends
depressants get far
i'm thinking about stadium swim
please believe i'm giving it 100%
honestly
i was a running back
i just want to at least explain
ill grow older
so let me go on the Ferris wheel real quick
i'm done with the excuse that we can go on
instead of just getting together $600
i'm so sick of it
and i don't get sick
i just don't really get it
i've been bought out by another company
see how many times i talk about myself
it's natural
i can only imagine what you're going through
and i want to sit in it with you
i'm going to be at the park with it
and i'll sleep with it
and
it will drive me insane
and four years of yours will go by
and nothing goes by
i
there's a word
you
there's a word
who is feeling that
i want hands in the air like its laurel canyon
fuck if it ends up being a cultural difference
i can't sit with that
and that is why
i will fight for my own eyes
my brother swings with white pupils
fuck him he's getting gouged and lock jawed
if it's a cultural difference say it
but i'm just here to enjoy myself
floors wet
more matches, please
floors wet, please
please let us have a ball, please
that's all i can plead for
and i should wrap this up because
sin city is here
but i just wanted to talk a little
and
Why Not
because
it takes nothing out of my day
and i just don't want to take out your day
and that's why the gauge is always there
like i'm 12 and kissing her
i love to kiss her
so please just let me kiss her(?)
id rather be alone because i'm a rose petal
and i don't mind
it's a lot of time without sleep
or food
you're just striving for beauty
drink water so the vessels don't pop
they'll look no matter how much rum
i went to the library
caught up with you
realized
it makes sense
they know not what we do
we take up technology and ideology
spread it like peanut butter
i just think its better if i'm alone to eat the sandwich
i'm on a raft in a casino
venice but i'm crying for you
because you couldn't help but get your ass
in a seat for my numbers
i'm so worried about what i can't help but do
because even if i didn't want it
you want it to be one way
but its the other way
i can't help it
i was boxing the bleedin' head off him
did i just hear the last of it
last time i saw those eyes i saw it fall down
there was only praise
and that's my delusion speaking
i guess i just want to impress myself
NFL
Here's some unwarranted fantasy advice. My first 30 fantasy picks off the board this year (PPR of course because I'm not a mouth breather):
1. Christian McCaffrey - CMC til I'm MIA. He's the man. I hope he can stay healthy. When he is, he’s the best double threat player in the league.
2. Alvin Kamara - They've never really just run him into the ground like other great backs in the league, I feel like this is the season they do it.
3. Derrick Henry - As the passing game gets better, I think it will create bigger holes and favorable red zone looks for King Henry. He only gets stronger.
4. Saquon Barkley - He's a generational talent, please don’t forget the hype. My first hot take.
5. Dalvin Cook - He might just prove me wrong two years in a row and be number one again. The cookie monster should have a great year even with Kirk at the helm.
6. Tyreek Hill - I think Reek is going to have a career year. The way this offense is shaping up and thinking about what he's already done, it feels like he's about to take a leap into the next stratosphere of greatness.
7. Najee Harris - I might as well go back to back to back with the contentious takes. All I know is that coach Tomlin likes to run the ball with one guy, and Najee is the kind of guy who can do that.
8. Austin Ekeler - He catches a lot of balls *lol* and Herbert is a sharp QB who will help him out a lot as long as he stays healthy.
9. Travis Kelce - T-Rav is unguardable. Nobody can post those kind of numbers at TE that consistently.
10. Davante Adams - Green Bay likes to throw it in the red zone and he's good at running routes in the red zone.
11. Aaron Jones - Mr. JOOOONES aaaand meeee / looked into the future / Yeah, we stare at the beautiful women / She's looking at you / I don't think so / She's looking at me. Great running back who doesn't get nearly enough touches. I said I wouldn't mention the YAC, but look at the YAC.
12. Stefon Diggs - Steffy Diggs has broken my heart so many times in fantasy. Regardless, I think he's another wideout who is set for a huge year.
13. Nick Chubb - Cleveland realized their identity last year towards the end. They know that Baker is more of a game manager than they first believed but that's fine. Run the rock.
14. Deandre Hopkins - The birds out of the southwest are gonna fly high this season.
15. Ezekiel Elliott - I've won a lot of fantasy games with Zeke. I’ve gotten to championships with Zeke. I fought against nostalgia and put him lower than most project him to be. Maybe I’m fighting it too hard.
16. Deandre Swift - I might be reaching on this one. I just can't ignore that stretch of games he had last season. Oh, and he can catch.
17. Jonathan Taylor - Pretty much everyone has him going in the first round, I just don't feel it. The Colts with Frank Reich are a win-at-all-cost type team. The lack of identity in a way scares me but whatever he's an RB1 on an NFL team.
18. Antonio Gibson - Another guy that catches a lot of balls and is an RB1 on an NFL team. Those two things will get you drafted high. I like this dude, he can ball even if the former R-Words suck.
19. CEH - Things are getting more clear in the Chiefs backfield and I think the game plan is going to become more consolidated in a way that will help Edwards-Helaire.
20. George Kittle - Kittleman had a tough season dealing with injuries but I expect him to bounce back with a career year. Rookie QBs love their check-down TE.
21. DK Metcalf - Superstar year for DK. Might have gone low on this one when it's all said and done.
22. Justin Jefferson - An absolute baller. He establishes himself as someone who is in the conversation as a top 10 receiver in the league. Well rounded wideout.
22. Joe Mixon - I'm just doing this because he's an RB1 on an NFL team. I would much rather put Etienne/Robinson in this spot but because of the weird split, I have to go with a strong cup of Joe Mixon.
23. Keenan Allen - Mr. Reliable. He will always get his in terms of PPR.
24. Calvin Ridley - WR1 on an NFL team. That's it. I don't like Matty Ice or the run game. He gets targeted a lot but I don’t buy it.
24. Josh Jacobs - The Raiders have a great line on paper and they run the rock a lot. I feel like everybody, including myself, is down on Jacobs and we might be wrong. A bit of a reach.
25. Allen Robinson - The dude is a baller through and through. He's played with so many different horrendous QBs, still, he’s been able to produce. I expect the same this year.
26. Miles Sanders - RB1 on an NFL team and caught fire at times last year when he was used correctly. Jalen Hurts and him could somehow combine into a deadly combo. They remind me of younger, healthier versions of Dak and Zeke with lower ceilings.
27. J.K. Dobbins - I think the Ravens realized all too late what they had in Dobbins last season. They won't make that mistake this year.
28. Darren Waller - Gruden knows how to free this guy up in the passing game. I think he will build on last year.
29. Chris Carson - He could always be ranked higher. He just can't stay healthy. Wishing him the best this year because he can play like an elite back when he's feeling right.
30. Terry McLaurin - SCARY TERRY.
Honorable Mentions:
AJ Brown - Could be an enormous problem if he gets more looks. Played through tough injuries last year and still posted great numbers.
David Montgomery - It's weird but he can sometimes just go off. Maybe he becomes consistent.
Robert Woods - Stafford to Woods just sounds right. Nice little connection.
Diontae Johnson - League winner.
SOCCER
Today marks the official start of the soccer season for the power five leagues in Europe. I’m sitting here getting ready to watch Arsenal vs. Brentford along with Valencia vs. Getafe and I feel so grateful that it’s all back. The Olympics have been a nice bandaid, but I can’t comfortably live life without consistently watching fighting, soccer, or football. I start to feel light-headed and my existential dread flares up. I’m just looking to see some good competition wherever I can find it. That’s all I want, good comp. Simply put, the first two weeks of August are my personal hell every year. It’s over now. It’s over and I’m grateful to be here still with my wits about me writing about the power five’s big storylines of the year:
Ligue Un -
I guess I’ll start with the most imbalanced, yet, arguably most star-studded league in Europe. Sure, all the stars may be on one team, but there’s no denying that the names of Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi all call the French league home. Those are three of the four most important names in all of soccer and it’s going to be unreal to see them play together. I’m so ecstatic about it in fact that last night I was looking up Airbnb’s and plane tickets to Paris just to watch that three-headed monster. That team represents a lot of what’s wrong with the sport but, in the same breath, is easily one of the most spectacular monuments to the game. Obviously, I think PSG runs away with the title due to the team's immense talent, but also because they want some payback after losing the title last year to Lille. That was an incredible result for the humble side from the north, and I’m sure the powerful Pareseans are itching to once again establish themselves as the bosses of France.
La Liga -
If France is the least competitive league, then La Liga looks to be the league with the most parity. Any other year, I would say it’s the premier league, but La Liga has a completely new feel to it this year without Messi. Atlético are the reigning champions, Madrid and Barca look as weak as ever, Villarreal has an actual scoring phenom in Gerard Moreno, and Sevilla along with Valencia are always tough sides. This La Liga title race is wide open and I predict this is the year Joao Felix finally takes that step up in class and brings a repeat title home to Atlético.
Premier League -
All the big boys were active in the transfer market this summer. Arsenal with Ben White, City with Kane and Grealish, United with Sancho, Chelsea with Lukaku, Tottenham with Romero and Gil, Liverpool with Konate. On paper, it looks like a close, competitive season but I disagree. I don’t think either Tuchel or Ole have the experience on the pitch and as managers themselves to do anything about the Manchester City steamroller. City just added Kane and I don’t think people realize how much that changes everything. Harry Kane was a one-man wrecking crew at Tottenham. He pretty much single-handedly kept them relevant in title races and got them to a champions league final. He scored 25+ goals on teams with Wanyama and Harry Winks in the midfield. Not only did City just acquire that guy, they got the services of Jack Grealish who is arguably the best dribbler in the premier league. I hear people talking about Chelsea and Manchester United and I don’t hear it at all. Chelsea will definitely give City problems but I don’t think that team has enough depth in certain positions to stand up against Pep’s boys. Manchester United I have even less hope for simply because of their recent history. I feel like they’ve gotten so many things wrong that I just can’t trust any decisions made by the club. Finally, I think that Liverpool is once again just going to try and throw their front three at everyone and see if it works. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie, and the production of the front three has been declining for all members in the trio not called Salah. City runs away with it again.
Serie A -
Allegri is back, Dybala is a pivotal piece again, Ronnie looks happy, and Inter lost Lukaku - everything points to Juve reclaiming the title they held consecutively for so many years. Or is that just wishful thinking? I don’t think so. The only side that could surprise is Milan. They’ve been patient with their signings and I think Tonali along with Kessie make an amazing duo in the midfield. Seriously, I think it’s a top 5 center midfield combination. Just go back and watch Paqueta in this last Copa America. Nonetheless, Inter got weaker (also sold Hakimi) while Napoli, Roma, and Atalanta all struggled financially. Juve now knows what they have in Chiesa and Dybala which means bad news for the rest of the league and potentially all of Europe.
Bundesliga -
HAALAND! That’s all I can think about when I think of this year's Bundesliga race. He’s the kind of player that can win a year-long competition for you. I don’t know why but I just have this feeling that he’s going to score 35+ goals and somehow win the shield for the fans of the yellow wall. Bayern only lost Alaba and will undoubtedly be their same old highly competitive selves, still, I think Dortmund somehow wins it. Even if they lost Sancho, all it did was bring on the emergence of Reyna who I believe can be elite when he's on his best day. The kid is an opportunity machine, plays great on defense, and he’s American. Also, don’t forget that Jude Bellingham is flat out one of the most exciting prospects in world football. I like everything about the boys in yellow.