General – Page 3 – Pine Room Studios

Get Ready For It…

August 26, 2024 by Chris Pavlic

Football is upon us. You can feel it in the air. Each season brings hope, optimism, and plenty of disappointments.

Friends and family gather on a weekly basis to enjoy football and root for their favorite teams. It breeds camaraderie, friendship and at times hostility. But overall it’s a fun experience for all those involved.

However, nothing can derail that fun and excitement more than NFL officiating. There is rarely a game that isn’t directly influenced by their ineptitude and incompetence. There are tons of examples that highlight their poor performance but they’re too long to list.

It takes away from the fan experience. It’s maddening.

So your team does something good. For instance, they score a touchdown. Wait, penalty! Holding on the offense…touchdown nullified. Defense intercepts a pass. Wait, penalty! Pass interference on the defense. Interception nullified. Defense forces and recovers a fumble. Wait, penalty! Unnecessary roughness on the defense. Fumble recovery nullified. Your team returns a punt for a touchdown. Wait, penalty! Illegal block in the back on the receiving team. Punt return touchdown nullified. I can go on and on.

Temper your excitement after the big play. Wait before you celebrate. Hold your breath and keep your fingers crossed before you cheer. There’s the likelihood that you’ll hear “there’s a flag on the play”. Your happiness and joy suddenly turns to anger and despair. Enjoy the season!

Fantasy – Noooooo!!!!!!

August 23, 2024 by Mark Delbrugge

General

It’s that time of year once again….

The chill is in the air, leaves will be changing, daylight is shrinking, kids are back in school, the bands are marching, the Pineroom will be up and running….

But wait, most importantly, it’s time for Fantasy Football!!!!!!! The earth quits spinning, work production is down 75%, and everyone is now an NFL GM. The magazines, computer rankings, tv shows, phone services! What will be the punishment for the last place team? Who do I keep? How many leagues will I get in?

So many decisions!!! I cant sleep! Is Tim Manoa’s elbow healed????? To be continued

Rock Bottom

August 19, 2024 by Jarrett Delbrugge

General

If you would have told me I would be typing this when I released my previous blog back on July 31st, I would have thought that you were playing some sick, twisted joke on me. But, no, no, this is very real. Since then, the Pittsburgh Pirates have played 17 games. They have lost 14 of them. 7 of the losses by 1 run. Before this past Friday, they had lost 10 straight. Today, on August 19, they are officially in last place in the NL Central and 7.5 games out of the NL Wild Card race.

Angry, sad, shocked, confused, are some of the words to describe the way that I have felt over the past couple weeks, but at this point I really have no more words to say. I feel like I’m almost going through a breakup. Not to mention the fashion that they are losing the games. Gut punch after gut punch, then the eventual KO. I could go through every managerial mistake, bullpen blowups, pitching disasters, defensive miscues, offensive disappearances, but this blog would be 15 pages long. I also think I may throw my computer monitor out of the window in front of me.

Whoever you want to point fingers at whether it is Derek Shelton, Ben Cherington, Bob Nutting, the players, I think we can all agree that SOMETHING has to change. MLB.com just released their farm system rankings for this year and the Pirates landed at 20th. Granted Paul Skenes and Jared Jones are not included in that, but we are in year 5 of the rebuild. YEAR 5. Their highest ranked prospect is RHP Bubba Chandler who is at #41 of MLB’s top 100 prospects. Their highest ranked position player prospect is a kid who they drafted just last month out of high school, Konnor Griffin, who lands at #55. Another note, Dejan Kovacevic of DK Pittsburgh Sports wrote in an article the other day, “…while the Pirates rank fourth in the majors in hitter strikeouts, Class AA Altoona leads its league in Ks, Class A Greensboro’s second, and Class A Bradenton’s first.” (Here is the link if you would like to read the whole thing: https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2024/08/14/pirates-fire-derek-shelton-ben-cherington-bob-nutting-column-opinion-mlb-dk ) THAT IS CONCERNING, SOMETHING IS WRONG. Something in this organization has to change.

I could go on and on about this team, but then I might have to start going on blood pressure medication and I don’t want to do that.

Let’s Go Bucs. I guess.

Jarrett

Why are so many people afraid to talk about politics?

August 14, 2024 by Matt Watson

General

As the country becomes more divided, it’s less likely that people will discuss
politics with their friends and family out of fear that someone may become
upset.

Could this be causing the exact problem we are trying to avoid? Could not talking
about it be even more harmful?

Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, it wasn’t uncommon to have political discussions at
family gatherings or in an open forum at school.

In today’s increasingly wretched society, people are afraid to discuss their own
thoughts and theories with others out of fear that they will be labeled as
bigots or racists, or perhaps even have their careers ruined by erroneous
accusations.

What is worse than someone who is afraid to give their opinion are those who have no
opinion at all and lack the knowledge and awareness to have an enlightening
exchange.

In contemporary times, it’s easier for those who disagree or have a different view
to denigrate others and characterize them as unconventional thinkers who are
harming humanity.

The very concept of America was based on liberty, and all citizens are equipped
with freedom of expression, which is being suppressed more and more. The right
to a free press is no longer appreciated or revered, and the majority of the
media choose to control the narrative for one side when that was never its
purpose.

Aiding in the problem are many of our schools, which are not teaching children to be
accepting of all viewpoints or even teaching multiple views. Healthy
deliberation and debate are the principal requirements for contributing to the
republic. Those practical measures have been replaced by absolutism and a
scarcity of logic. The indoctrination of America’s youth from elementary school
through college is something that has poisoned the minds of the electorate
quite substantially in the past few decades.

The fact of the matter is that avoiding political discussions makes you complicit
in eluding life….It’s impossible not to be affected by at least something on
the political spectrum. Ironically, the less than 5% who are so wealthy and
connected that politics and elections do not affect them are some of the
loudest voices and self-appointed representatives of the oppressed.

It’s time that we face the stark reality that if we continue to not discuss or
educate ourselves and others about how important politics are, the country will
continue in a state of advanced decay. Additionally, God and religion are not
as prevalent in our nation and home’s in present times, aiding in a
civilization of ill-repute.

So whether it is basic politics, religion, COVID vaccines, guns, immigration,
abortion, or extraterrestrials, all those born or naturalized legally in this
once great nation should educate themselves enough to have a true opinion… If
we continue to demean critical thinking, we run the risk of having the
government and the media make all the decisions for us. Just ask China, Russia,
North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and most of the Middle East, etc.

In 1775, colonials led by South Carolina’s Christopher Gadsden developed the
unifying rallying cry “Don’t Tread on Me,” which warned the British that the
colonists would resist any attempt to take away their rights and freedoms….Not
since the American Revolution has this mindset ever been more important!

“If we all think alike, no one is thinking.” (Benjamin Franklin)

I am a realist and understand that we don’t live in a rainbow and butterfly society…

August 12, 2024 by Jeff Doyle

General

I am a realist and understand that we don’t live in a rainbows and butterfly society.

As a young buck, I attended Corpus Christi grade school. Back in the day most catholic schools hosted Friday Fish Fry’s and being a student during lent, we had the role of delivering paid meals to the Warwood high rise. These buildings then were filled with the elderly, who were good, decent people, who maybe didn’t have a lot of money or just chose to live somewhere, that daily upkeep was not such a daunting task.

Well, the times have changed tremendously, where now these establishments are filled with every Tom, Dick, Mary and Harry, ranging from 21 to individuals who are longer in the tooth. I am not here to place judgement on people but I do not think it is fair that our elderly, 65 or older do not have a place to reside that would be considered more of a retirement community with more like minded individuals in the same age range.

Unfortunately, currently they are used for the lazy, who do not want to be productive members of society and take advantage of the building requirement on being income based, that most do not have and living off the working class, with government assistance.

These places are a very unique dynamic of age ranges inside a living community, with zero similarities. We need to go back to the day were the elderly had a safe place to reside, later in there lives and quit catering to the individuals that have zero drive and live off assistance there whole lives.

As a society we have lost the ideology of taking care of the elderly and giving them places to live, to not have to deal with Jackoffs of the world!!

Worthy Punishments

August 9, 2024 by Tyler Cooley

General

Hello everyone! Today I am going to talk about things people do that I hate, and what I

think their punishment should be for doing said activities. As always, keep in mind that this is

written by someone who used to struggle to stay awake in his mythology class. Alright, let’s get

rolling!

To kick this off, we are going to talk about people who wear clothes that are completely

irrelevant to a sporting event. I know my fellow pineroom guys can back me up on this. For

example, if you are going to a Pirates game, WHY are you wearing a mario shirt?! WHY are you

wearing PAJAMAS?! As Coach Del always says, “Hey honey! Can you grab my purple shirt,

I’m going to the Pirates game!”. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. Therefore I believe there

needs to be a punishment for people that do this.

PUNISHMENT = 10 years in your local jail

Up next we have people who clap on a plane! Now this one isn’t horrible but nonetheless,

I still hate it. We don’t clap when John Harris finishes making your sandwich at Subway? Or

when Susie makes your McChicken at Mcdonalds? They landed a plane congrats. Millions of

planes land a day.

PUNISHMENT = 2 years of being Homeless

Okay last but not least, people (ADULTS) who WEAR FULL BLOWN mickey mouse

outfits to Disney. I get it, sport some mickey mouse ears. But do we really need to wear the ears,

mickey shirt, mickey pants, mickey socks, mickey shoes, and a mickey sticker on your face? No.

You don’t. Grow up!

PUNISHMENT = Execution

That’s all folks! As always remember, this is all fun and jokes. I love you all and thanks

for reading!!

– Tyler Cooley

Vacation…..I Wanna Go Home

August 7, 2024 by Chris Pavlic

General

Vacation, had to get away … .that’s what the pop group The

Go-Gos told us with their 1982 hit “Vacation”.

Time away from the stresses of one’s life, job, and family is

something we can all benefit from. Whether you’re vacationing

with a significant other or a large group of family and friends,

going on vacation is fun. Recently, I went on 2 separate

vacations to Ocean City, MD (first in early June and second in late

July) and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Probably a little too much

but hey I’m still standing!!!!

Despite all of the fun we have and enjoyment we get from going

on vacation, let’s face it, vacations can be stressful. I’m not

poo-pooing on them but they can be a lot of work. And I think

once you’re away and your vacation lingers, you become eager to

get back home. We begin to miss the comforts of our natural

surroundings and daily routines. And most importantly, our own

beds.

But once the dust settles and the curtain closes on the vacation, it

brings to mind a lyric from legend John Denver…”hey it’s good to

be back home again”.

Enjoy what’s left of summer people!

C Pav

Worth It or Not???

August 5, 2024 by Mark Delbrugge

General

After 5 unsuccessful, very frustrating attempts to have a freezer delivered to our house from Home Depot in Washington, PA., we finally received the unit on the 6th unannounced try last week. I had countless hours of being put on hold, unanswered phone calls, excuses, frustrating miscommunication, and just plain stupidity. In the end, we received the freezer for free. We were outraged. I shouted at the delivery company, the store managers, the dispatchers. I said I would never buy anything at Home Depot ever, ever again!!!!!!!! But then, I had A thought! An Idea! A Vision! An $1100 freezer for free! What’s a few frustrating moments? No big deal! Right? I’m ordering new outdoor furniture tomorrow! Thanks Home Depot! I’m gonna go get a popsicle!

How I fair at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games: Part 1

August 3, 2024 by Jub Delbrugge

General

It goes without saying that The Olympic Games – since it’s conception back in 776 B.C. –

highlights nothing short of the world’s greatest athletes. From every walk of life, physical

specimens beyond that of the average individual come forth to stake their claim amongst

legends of the past in the most highly coveted sporting events since the dawn of man. Children

across the globe dream of one day shouldering the cheers of their nation to take part in such

displays. That being said, myself – an overweight man in his mid-20’s – despite my modicum of

athletic experience, will never see such glory. Instead, I will forever browse the event from

behind any given television screen whilst eating middle-grade sushi and drinking zero sugar

A&W root beer as I lounge – immobile for hours on end – in my seat of choice.

I digress. Here is how I believe I would fare in the official list of Paris’ 2024 Olympic Games

events. Of which, I will give a 1-5 star ranking as far as my skill level and a percentage likelihood

of injury.

1. Archery

★★

Chance of Injury: 10%

Although I’ve never shot a bow and arrow in my life – this is one of the very few that I will most

likely go unscathed and at least perform averagely. Apart from a sore forearm or potential

blowback of the bow’s string, I think I’d be pretty safe. Then again, this just considers my own

safety so… I hope to Christ there aren’t bystanders behind the target.

2. Artistic Gymnastics

★

Chance of Injury: 99%

Severed spinal cord, shattered vertebrae, countless torn ligaments, internal bleeding, and head

trauma… I did tumbling when I was like two years old but being that my flexibility is that of a steel

beam – I’d not only fumble around like an idiot, I’d break and snap everything in my body trying

anything other than hopping around on a mat.

3. Artistic Swimming

★★

Chance of Injury: 25%

I had to tread water when I was a sophomore in college and my tactic was simple: hold my

breath and sink to the bottom… When I felt like I was going to drown, I’d push myself back up

and do it again. Not only do I think I’d look like one of those pelicans in Dawn commercials back

in the early 2000’s – I’d likely run out of stamina within a minute and sink to the bottom. Only I’d

stay there this time.

4. Athletics (Track and Field)

★

Chance of Injury: 80%

I don’t run at all these days nor do I do any sort of abrupt, strenuous movement. Any sort of

sprinting or distance running would put me with two blown out quads or hamstrings if some sort

of respiratory-induced cardiac issue didn’t take me first. Any throwing activity would have my

already-blown-out shoulder in pieces and the hammer-throw would take my arms with it.

Overall, I could do the events… Albeit poorly.

5. Badminton

★★★

Chance of Injury: 45%

Rapid movement is not good for me but shockingly enough, I think I’d do alright with this one. A

knee blow-out could definitely be in the cards but with generally decent hand-eye coordination, I

reckon I could whack it back and forth for a little bit.

6. Baseball/Softball

★★★

Chance of Injury: 60%

This is probably the only one I have a decent shot in. And, when I say decent, I mean I’d be the

embarrassment of the nation. In both sports, I could be a middle-relieving pitcher who could possibly luck out of a few innings of ground-contact at-bats. I’d never lift my arm again, but at least I’d be alive.

6. Basketball

★★

Chance of Injury: 20%

This is one of those sports where I don’t really know what I’d do. I can’t shoot and I can’t move. I

think maybe I could dish the ball around decently but getting up and down the court would have

me seizing on the Olympic logo within ten minutes. I’d most likely get bullied off the court but I

think I could at least survive. I bet I’d hit one good three.

6. Beach Volleyball

★

Chance of Injury: 85%

Broken ankles. Broken Nose. I can bump the ball good as hell (shoutout Miss Maxwell at

Warwood Middle) but other than that I’d take a spike off the face and wake up with my jaw wired

shut.

6. Boxing

★

Chance of Injury: 100%

I don’t think I have to write anything here. Give or take 14 seconds awake in the ring before I’m

bedridden for the rest of my life.

7.Breaking (Breakdancing)

★★★

Chance of Injury: 60%

I wouldn’t do good – don’t get me wrong – but I think I could at least survive this event. I’d look

like a deer with broken legs but I used to do that sit and spin thing back at middle-school dances

that really got the crowd going. I also always have wanted to try that thing where you stand on

your head and spin around but given my stature – my head would cave into my neck.

8.Canoe (Slalom and Sprint)

★★

Chance of Injury: 75%

I’ve never been in a canoe in my life but I figure it’s not impossible to do. Once again, I think I

could survive if that was my only goal. If I was trying to ‘sprint’, I’d most likely tip over and get

stuck underneath.

8.Cricket

★★★

Chance of Injury: 30%

Similar to baseball, if I was the bowler in Cricket – I’d never lift my arm again but I know how to

swing a bat and I know how to vaguely field a ball. I still don’t understand the rules of cricket and

I’d probably be beheaded by whatever professional league fanbases watch the sport – but I think

out of all of this, I’d do alright.

9.Cycling (BMX Freestyle/Racing/Mountain Bike)

★

Chance of Injury: 99%

If I didn’t have to try and do good on either of these, I think I could pussy-foot my way through

but if I had to go 100%… Well, I’d be in full traction in a hospital bed within the hour of

competing. I can ride a bike, sure. But, if it means going down some mountain path, I’d be

wrapped around a tree in a broken heap.

10.Diving

★★★

Chance of Injury: 70%

No serious injuries would be incurred but I can just barely do a front flip off of a regular dive. If a

pencil would suffice, this could be up there in my most ‘able-to-do’ events but being that we’re

assuming I have to try… I’d over or under rotate and shatter all my facial bones against the

water. I just changed from 15% to 70%.

11.Equestrian

★★★★

Chance of Injury: 80%

This could potentially be my overall highest chance of success and injury. The only animal I’ve

ever ridden is a camel at the Pittsburgh zoo when I was around 9 years old, so I’m not sure

where my skill resides there. However, aside from being kicked into oblivion before I even get

on the horse or having it rear up and crush me like a bug underneath it… If I had a good horse,

they’d get me through!

Look out for Part 2!

The Pittsburgh Pirates: Going for It?

July 31, 2024 by Jarrett Delbrugge

General

I can’t believe that I am typing this on July 31, 2024, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were buyers (and sellers) at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel like I had a weight on my shoulders over the past few days as the July 30th, 6:00 PM deadline rapidly approached, and the Pirates had yet to make a significant move that improved the team NOW. I couldn’t even focus during our 12-3 radio show (Tune in Monday, Tuesday, and Friday www.watchdognetwork.com), as I was constantly refreshing Twitter/X looking for some kind of hope that something would happen. However, as the time was dwindling down towards 6:00, Ben Cherington woke up from his nap and something DID happen.

The Pirates acquired OF Bryan De La Cruz from the Miami Marlins in exchange for the Pirates #17 prospect RHP Jun-Seok Shim and their #18 prospect 1B Garrett Forrester. In 424 ABs this year, De La Cruz is hitting .245/.289/.706 with 18 bombs and 51 RBI. He also is under team control until 2027. Shortly after, the Pirates also acquired INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Toronto Blue Jays for #29 prospect INF/OF Charles McAdoo. Kiner-Falefa is hitting .292/.338/.758 with 7 HRs and 33 RBI in 257 ABs this season. He has a 3.1 WAR, which is the same as Bryan Reynolds, who is by far the best hitter in the lineup. Earlier this week, the Pirates shipped away RHP Quinn Priester to the Boston Red Sox for their #6 prospect INF Nick Yorke, who has potential to make it to the big leagues in late August.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and act like these are franchise changing trades. Are these guys like Luis Robert Jr., Brent Rooker, or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? No. But do they improve this team? Absolutely yes. The Pittsburgh Pirates are undeniably a better baseball team than they were 24 hours ago. They did so without giving up any of their prospects inside their top 10. Unfortunately they lost Charles McAdoo, who was having a monster year in the minor leagues and was likely going to rise to about the organization’s #15 prospect, but you have to give up something to get something. Plus, you never know how these guys pan out in the long run. Side note, if Michael A Taylor can continue to hit like he has in July, that would be like picking up another player at the deadline.

Anyways, the fact of the matter is that the Pirates finally got the offensive help that they so desperately have been looking for. No doubt that this should have happened days, if not weeks or months ago, but it shows that Bob Nutting, Ben Cherington, and the rest of the front office believes in this 2024 team. Something that not only the fans and the city of Pittsburgh have been waiting for, but the players too. You could see it last night in Houston. There is a buzz, a new found energy surrounding this team as they have won three in a row and are looking to sweep the Astros tonight at 8:10, and are 2 games back of the third Wild Card spot in the National League heading into August.

I try to be a realist and not get my hopes and expectations too high with this team, but I can’t help but be pretty damn excited right now. They may not make it to the playoffs this year, but if they do, I know I wouldn’t want to face Paul Skenes, Jarod Jones, and Mitch Keller and company in a series.

Let’s Go Bucs

Jarrett

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