On To Something Good

My runner-up to Jana Kramer's "sexiest and most talented country-songstress" award is Ashley Monroe, who recently released "The Blade." Chock full of tear-stained balads, kick ass songs and other emotional songs with catchy lyrics and soulful singing, "The Blade" is fantastic. Ever since she released "I Dont' Want To" (shout out to Ronnie Dunn), I've been a fan. She should have hit it big sooner, but after this album, I have a feeling she will.

I have several photos from the past couple weeks (July 16-21) to share today, but before I get that far, I am going to drop some fantasy football knowledge on the readers, whether they like it or not. First here is how my predictions went last year for quarterbacks:

Picked No. 1 for 2014, Aaron Rodgers. Actually finished: 2. Yay! Pretty good job by me.
Picked No. 2 for 2014, Drew Brees. Actually finished: 4. Not bad.
Picked No. 3 for 2014, Nick Foles. Actually finished: 28. He only played eight games, but bad pick.
Picked No. 4 for 2014, Peyton Manning. Actually finished: 3. Not bad.
Picked No. 5 for 2014, Matt Ryan. Actually finished: 6. Another solid pick.
Picked No. 6 for 2014, Andrew Luck. Actually finished: 1. He took the leap a season before expected.
Picked No. 7 for 2014, Jay Cutler. Actually finished: 14. Not good, and this is where it goes downhill.
Picked No. 8 for 2014, Tony Romo. Actually finished: 12. Not particularly impressive.
Picked No. 9 for 2014, Cam Newton. Actually finished: 17. Out with that truck accident for two.
Picked No. 10 for 2014, Matt Stafford. Actually finished: 15. Not fantastic.

Feel like that wasn't half bad, but here is this year:
1. Aaron Rodgers: Hard not to pick the Packers signal caller here. He kept all his weapons from last year, and he can do things like this. 
2. Andrew Luck: He's only going to get better now that he has a veteran target in Andre Johnson.
3. Ben Roethlisberger (I spelled that write on the first try, yay!): He has the best wide receiver in the league catching passes from him, and a good offensive line keeping him safe.
4. Russell Wilson: His rushing abilities (ran for 850 yards, 6 tds) keep him near the top.
5. Drew Brees: Lost top target in Graham, but didn't have him that much last year either, and he still threw for more than 4,000 yards and was third in QB fantasy points.
6. Matt Ryan: Julio Jones is still elite, and an improved offensive line should help Matty Ice.
7. Eli Manning: With the emergence of OBJ and a healthy Victor Cruz back, Eli could have a career fantasy year.
8. Peyton Manning: Peyton is getting up there in age, and his arm seemed to fall apart late last season. I expect him and the Broncos to fall off again in the second half, which will hurt his value, especially late.
9. Tony Romo: Got Dez back, so he should be solid.
10. Matt Stafford: With a healthy Megatron, I expect Stafford should bounce back a bit.

Here are those photos I promised:

Little blurry, but it's Justin Jenks attempting to complete a double play, Thursday, July 16 against Nisswa in Legion ball.

Rick Kurowski (near) and son Nathan, weld Nathan's derby car for the upcoming Morrison County Fair Demolition Derby.

Little Falls Legion's Thomas Bell crack's a shot, July 16.

Not entirely sure who this is, but it is the Little Falls VFW's third baseman.

Braden Backowski takes a healthy cut at a pitch at Joe Faber.

Thomas Miller takes a swing.

I think this is Pierz' Matt Tautges, but I could be wrong.

No. 21 is Little Falls' Jay Strack, and the diving players is Lane Girtz of Pierz.

Drift

Ratatat always produces some pretty good music, and the band's latest album, "Magnifique" does not stray from the norm.

I especially enjoyed the song "Drift" the guitar effects were cool, and it would be a perfect summer beach song.

A few photos from this week here, enjoy:

Royalton teammates congratulate Nathan Psyck after a solo home run.

A young man enjoys a milkshake at the Swanville Carnival, July 11.

Evan Athman slides into the fence after a foul ball.

Thomas Bell tries to avoid a tag into home.

I Feel Good

The latest Lil' Wayne album, "FWA" or "Free Wayne Album" is definitely not a bounce-back album for a man who once as the best rapper alive. Now, everything Wayne does sounds the same, he hasn't been able to do anything new or innovative in a long time.

That's not to say that the album is bad per say, but it is just more of the same: decent beats, corny puns and good guests (Wiz Khalifa, Jeezy, etc.) No Drake though.

Anyhow, here are some photos!

The Royalton lion accompanied the Royals' marching band at the Bowlus parade, July 5.

Majorette, Beth Cimenski, leads the Royalton marching band.

Ben Borash plays the quads for the marching Royals.

Jeff Burg of Holdingford ushers his large horses on top of a carriage.

Fort Ripley's Ray Austin takes a cut at a pitch against Opole, July 5.

Carrie Zabinski of Bowlus rides in a parade float.

Brett Kramer with a vicious pitch.

Street Punks

The beats are fresh, sick, and the flow is fine. But the biggest triumph of Vince Staples' debut album "Summertime '06" is the passion-filled and authentic lyrics. This is on fully display in the song "Street Punks" toward the end of the album. For some reason the line, "You ain't never caught a body, know it cause you talkin' 'bout it." He certainly gives off a Kendrick Lamar vibe, not sure if that's the Cali in him or what, but it's a fine album. He's the future of rap.

I have a few photos to share from June 16-30 or so. Something like that. Should be more next week, including some Bowlus Fun Days parade photos.

All the past and present Sobieski Skis and Poles at Hall of Fame day, June 19.

Beau Hanowski slaps a base hit, June 19, against Flensburg.

Skis' starter, Josh Wenzel, tosses a pitch.

Wenzel with another pitch toward home plate.

Parker Brezinka of the Royalton Legion team tosses a pitch to a Holdingford batter.

Upsala/Swanville Patriots' Chase Douvier rips a hit in a game against St. Joseph, June 29.

Justin Cichon scoots home on a sacrifice fly.

Holdingford's Trevor Brown rips a hit to the outfield.