Root Canals and UFC 119

I'd been having this really bad tooth ache of late. So much in fact, that I was totally getting the dull, throbbing ache throughout the right hand side of my mou(f)th. I figured that I'd chipped a tooth or something stoopid like that eating ice (as I'm won't to do). It had digressed to the point that I had started to swig whisky as a little Jack never hurt anyone.

I finally got fed up Thursday night, and went to the ER to hopefully get some painkillers to last me through the night til I could get to see my dentist. Thankfully, they were very brief at the hospital over there in Denville (in fact, to show you how focused I was on getting painkillers, I could not even tell you the name of the hospital!!LOL), they gave me a once over, and promptly gave me some Oxy. Thank You Easter Bunny, Buck buck!!!!

I wake up on a cloud Friday morning, and I promptly pop another pill on the way to work. I call the dentist, and they immediately say that they can see me in an hour. Thankfully, I can get to my dentist from work very quickly. I get over tehre, and it turns out that I need a root canal!! I'm already chilled from the Oxy I took, so it was the most pain free, comfortable root canal on record!! IN FACT, I almost fell asleep a couple of times in the middle of it, can you believe that?!?!?!

Having a great, mellow weekend here at the Sincoff ranch. We went to Lowes, and did some home shopping. Vicki actually purchased some hedge clippers, and a Shop Vac to help vaccum up the acorn problem that we have!! hard to believe that we have sooooooo many acorns, but alas, 'tis true. Sadly, we discovered that our electric lawn mower that was here in the shed does not work as it totally conked out in the middle of what we were doing :( we are gonna have to actually buy a lawn mower now, sad!

Just came back from taking Tobin to the local playground. I tell you, there were some high school girls there he was TOTALLY putting the mack on!! There were thousands of littl ekids his own age he could have hung out w/, but he totally made a bee line for these girls, and just sat right next to them. It was quite the performance!!!

Psyched for UFC 119 tonight. It's coming out of one of the most unhip places in America in Indianapolis, Indiana. I think there are very few places that I will never go to in life. Indianapolis, and Oklahoma City are just two towns for example that I can go to my grave w/o seeing. Sad, but true, right there. Anyway, they have a pretty good card coming out tonight.

As I've said previously, I buy a PPV card based on how deep it is, how many good fights are on the televised portion. You start out w/ Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens, and you got me hooked right there. Guillard has always been explosive, and always been flawed. However he has recussitated his career by starting to train w/ Greg Jackson. I Go with the Young Assassin in this one!

In Sean Sherk vs. Evan Dunham you get one of those classic Old Lions vs. Young Turk duels. I always go with the youngster. Even though Sherk needs a win big, I don't think the former lightweight champ will be able to turn back the clock and shock the world. I also think that you have to look at how Sherk did (not wel) against Frankie Edgar in his last fight. You so totally can not turn back the clock and beat Father time.

Matt Sera vs. Chris Lytle is a great fight. Just a fun popcorn fight. Both guys really fight from opening, to closing bell. They never give up. Lytle is often in fight of the night on the PPV's he is in. He does not always win, but he never gives up. In fact, this is a rematch. They fought each other like 5 years ago. I gotta go w/ "Lights Out" in this one!!!

Of course we have our main event in Frank Mir vs Mirko Cro Cop. Mirko was such a feared dude when he fought in Pride FC in Japan



Since that time, he's shown nothing in the UFC. Zero, zilch nada, niente!!! He looks like a boring, old man. Slow and just not into fighting at all. Frank Mir is coming off a loss to Shane Carwin. He's gotta come back strong, and hungry. I totally pick him to choke out Mirko in Round One!!

Home, this must be the place

Well, I made it through the birthday. Although we will be celebrating this weekend w/ an awesome shindig at our house. Friends from far and near will be coming to help me give myself a shout out!! The awesomely cool Mary Foy and Kayly S. Newcomer will be coming all the way from Pennsylvania. It's always awesome to see those 2 kids, and I promise that I will not be sooo belligerent about the State of Israel. In fact, I promise to Kayly that I will not even voice my opinion on the Israeli settlement issue (although, you'd be surprised), or anything like that !! I'm that magnamimous a party host!! :)

It's weird saying it, as I usually look for the hole in the silver lining, but this place here on Cherokee Ave. is starting to feel very home-like. Vicki has done a great job (and I'm sure that Tobin helped "manage" the tidying and unpacking!) of getting stuff done while I'm at work. She''s amazing. Just a great wife and Mom. I don't say thank you enough to her. She's the best; I'm just so lucky. Thanks for doing your thang, Vick!!

We've met a few people in the neighborhood also. I'm not saying I'm gonna invite them over for the next UFC PPV yet, however. People seem to go out of their way to say hello and talk to you, and they seem to really mean it. There are alot of little kids in the neighborhood. I plan on trying to get Tobin outside as much as possible so he can meet folks, and form his toddler posse out here. I don't want to diss Marcellus, however!! Belynda's little boy is his main man, and those kids are gonna remain BFFs!! They get on so well together! I hear it's very cute to watch.

Work is going ok. Nothing either too bad, or too great going on. Just one foot in front of the other, really. You can develop a way of just keeping your head down, and getting through tyour work day. I'm not saying I didn't wish that work was a bit mor fulfilling or whatever. It's called work, after all as my Dad would say!! It's a bitter pill to swallow, to realize that, but what can you do?

Well, what you can do, is blog to get your creativity out!! That's just what I'm doing here!!!

It's amazing how quickly UFC has put out a better product than boxing. I caught the last HBO "Boxing After Dark", and it was such a snoozer. I remember the days of Kennedy McKinney versus Marco Antonio Barrera on HBO. Sadly those days are gone . UFC knows how to market their fighters, make them stars, so they are the reason you watch/buy the fights. Somehow, boxing has seemed to get lost along the way.

I'm not sure if it if the lack of true personalities in boxing, or what.. However, it is evident. I dont know about you, but I'd gladly watch Frank Mir fight Mirko Cro Cop rather than Sugar Shane Mosely fight Sergio Mora!! I mean puhleeeeeze. Somebody give Bob Arum a smack, and wake him up. Bob, and Don King need to start working hard to catch up to MMA! They're totally getting left behind in the dust!

Why can't I post 2x in 24 hours?

Who can say that I can't? Huh, huh?? I wish I had the cynicism of my good friend, Rockstar Rollie Fingers. Though he is not the infamous Oakland A's relief Ace from the 1970's. I mean if it was Rollie Fingers, what would I talk to him about? His sharp mustache? See RR has the cool stuff happening, stuff that he can vent about. With his rockstar life in the Heights of Jersey City, and the new outdoor Beer Garden place that opened up.. I sure he was there 1 month ago during a pre opening shindig! Seriously, Rollie knows I love him! However, it's fun, and crazy being a parent to an almost 8 month old! Sometimes you run out of time!

I know everyone is awaiting my UFC 100 review. I will only say this, Georges St. Pierre is an incredible athlete, perhaps the best of his generation, and a true gentleman. Dan Henderson was out of line (but SO awesome) in hitting Michael Bisping with that flying forearm after he was already out cold. And Brock Lesnar was a total douche bag of the highest order in beating Frank Mir, and then getting into his face afterwards, and flipping the crowd off!

I mean, you don't get in the face of a guy you beat, and get all macho on him, that's bogus. Not to mention, I think that some of Frank's stand up was working prior to getting taken down, and just viciously pounded out

What the Hell is up w/ the Republicans??? Oh, and RIP Michael Jackson too

Dude,

Why are the Republicans such hypocrites? They can't merely be fiscally conservative; which to a point, I can fathom (i.e. not necessarily agree with, but understand), but when they start trying to say who can marry and who can't, and about prayer in school, and stuff like that... it get's to be too much, y'know?

Which is why it is highly ironic when they Talk the Talk, but are unable to Walk the Walk! Take in point South Carolina Governor, and onetime 20012 Presidential Candidate Mark Sanford. He's big on the family values thing. Why is it he hooked up w/ a lovely lady from Argentina, who does not seem to be his wife (GASP!!)? I mean, Adultery is a private matter, so I don't delight in seeing his families' pain being front page news. HOWEVER, in the same respect, when he acts all mighty, and holy, and these skeletons appear. You have to say "I told ya so" in a kind of happy way!! The fact he admitted to more daliances today makes it even more of a hysterical story.

We lost Michael Jackson this past week on Thursday. I must say, I have never been so underwhelmed by a celebrity death!! I can appreciate his contribution to music, and I certainly remember the "Thriller" era dominating my 7th Grade year.. However, the man became a freak show in the past decade or so. Reality did not get along with Michael Jackson. We'll never really know WHAT the deal was with him. I feel sorry for his kids though. Who are these people who are hanging out in front of his house, and dancing by the Apollo Theatre??! I don't get that.

I am SO psyched for UFC 100 . That is when Brock Lesnar rematches against my main man, Frank Mir. The last time they fought, Brock was streamrolling away like a bull in a china shop, but he forgot how to guard against an ankle lock , that became a knee lock. Frank Mir lost the first minute of that fight.. it was only the last 10 seconds that mattered! Do it again Frank! I'm also psyched to see GSP dominate over Thiago Alves, and I want to see Dan Henderson kick Michael Bisbings butt!

The Baby and the Bathwater

Tobe took his first tub bath today. I actually thought he kind of enjoyed it! He kind of mellowed out in the suds, and did not scream or act cranky!! I actually think it was kind of success. He was a good boy, and let us wash his hair! What a trooper!!!

The UFC show this past weekend was memorable. A bunch of exciting fights. Seeing Frank Mir KO Nog was a big shock. I always knew that Frank could overcome his motorcycle accident, and return to the guy who was the best Heavyweight in the UFC. To see him do it in such a decisive fashion, was amazing. Nog was never in the fight. He seemed slow and just "off". I think all of those wars caught up to him. Sad.

Vicki was very upset to see Wanderlei Silva get KTFO'D by Quinton Jackson. He was wide open, punching wildly, and got caught flush w/ a counter right hook. What sucked also big time was that the Ref tried to pull Rampage off of Wandy, but Jackson kept on hitting him two or three times more..Not good sportsmanship!!

Rashad Evans won via TKO over Forrest Griffin to get the Light Heavyweight title in a semi compelling fight. Griffin had won both rounds when Rashad just destroyed him w/ strikes from the mount position in the 3rd round. Nice to get some new champs!

My ol' skool buddy Mike "The Man" C. came up to check out the fights. It was awesome to see him again. Also, Susannah, a long time close pal of Vick and I came in from Crooklyn to meet Mr. T. It was awesome cool to see her as well. She should come back again!!!

Well Ho Ho Ho Everybody!

Good tidings everyone. Hope all of my Gentile friends are having a healthy and a happy Christmas. To all of my fellow Dead Sea Pedestrians out there who may be reading this: Much respect to you my fellow Son/Daughter of Abraham!!! Go and listen to some Sammy Davis, Jr. Cd's, check your 401k portfolio, and just relax :-)

Well, my Dad left on Tuesday morning. He got home safe and sound. It was great to have him, and just as great to drop him off. My therapist was very apt in saying that "hey this isn't the early 1900's on NY's Lower East Side. This isn't some Schtetyl in Russia. You don't have to live on top of your parents. You have to do for you & your immediate family. Let your Dad make his own way". Some good food for thought, I think.

On a different note, my in-laws, Galen and Shirley arrived today. It's a totally different scene having in-laws over, as opposed to your Dad. They are great house guests (and I'm not just saying that because they may read this). It was very sweet to see how doting Tobin's Grandma and Grandpa were to him!! Galen makes a mean Christmas ham as well!!!

We checked out the lovable "Fred Claus" w/ Paul Giamatti and Vince Vaughn on On Demand tonight as a family. What a groovy Christmas film. I dig VV, and Paul G. I think that Vince has a natural effortless way of performing. I hope that he pushes himself in some of his roles in the future. He can do more!

I'm psyched to see UFC 92, "Ultimate" on PPV Saturday night. My old buddy Mike "The Man" C. (don't know if he wants his last name posted on here) will be visiting us that night here in Madison to watch the fights with me. Our (Vicki and I) friend Susannah may be coming in from Brooklyn as well. However, she's no mma fan. She is coming in more of a "let's see the baby" spirit. Oh, and let's also see Vicki and Ethan" mindset. This is totally groovy, BTW.

The PPV card has several KILLER fights. This is the UFC's "big" "special end of the year card from Las Vegas. It's ironic, because Vicki, Dad and I attended last year's big end of year card. The big fights on the card:

Forrest Griffin is gonna defend his light Heavyweight title against Rashad Evans. Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva is gonna go against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (for the 3rd time!) and Frank Mir is going to go for the interim Heavyweight Title against Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" (KILLER NICKNAME!) Nogueira.

Seeing 2 of the best Ju Jitsu ground fighters at Heavyweight in Nogueira and Mir go at it will be awesome. They both were on "The Ultimate Fighter" this year on Spike TV. Mir came off as cocky, but cool. Nogueira came off as possibly one of the nicest guys ever. I did Mir's backstory in that he was Heavyweight champ, and suffered a catastrophic leg injury while on his motorcycle (he was hit by a car). He was lucky to even survive, let alone fight at an elite level. It's quite an achievement for him to come back, even. I do not know who I will be rooting for the night of the show...

Frank was half of one of my most vivid fight memories. In the Heavyweight title fight in June 2004 against Champion Tim Sylvia, something happened that is still etched in my memory. Sylvia was going to slam Mir, and Mir threw his legs up, and got Sylvia in a perfect arm bar. You literally see the arm pulse w/ the pressure, and then snap!! The ref started screaming and stopped the fight!!! Sylvia didn't even know, and he still wanted to fight. Even though his arm was hanging at a weird angle.

On that note, let me share that video with you, enjoy!