Worst. Relationship. Ever.

You know what a city with already ridiculous traffic congestion could really use this morning?  A visit from the President.  As such, things are running a little behind schedule this morning at the GameTime, TBD© offices and that always gets the Chief a little antsy.  But rest assured that we are operating at full capacity and are to send you off into the weekend on the right foot.

I was talking with long-time friend of the program Q early this week, and she was a little (read: a lot) distraught over her Phillies' lack luster performance in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.  And as a tried to talk her off the ledge (trust me, as a Kings, Lions, and UCLA fan, I have plenty of experience in this area), she said something that really got me thinking: "Being a fan . . . it's like being in a relationship.  Like a complicated one.  When it's great, it's GREAT . . . when it's bad . . . oh man."  My initial response was that that was the perfect analogy.  But the more I thought about, the less I was convinced.

Let us be honest, we all have been stuck in a bad relationship at some point in our life.  [Editor's Note: if you ever want to feel better about your bad relationship, talk the Chief and you'll feel better . . . trust us.]  It is that relationship that is well past its expiration date but for some reason you keep going back for more.  It is that relationship that your friends keep begging you to end, but for some reason you do not listen to them.  You have to put in all the effort; you have to pay for everything; then, at the end of the day, you are not even sure if you are going to get any.  Did I describe your bad relationship?  Probably.  Did I also describe what it is like to be a fan?  You betcha.  Perhaps our good friend Ballgame summarized it best when he said "It's like the girlfriend who is so incredibly awesome at making out, you stick around for all the torture, just waiting for the big payday that never happens."  Does that sound like a complicated relationship?  No, that sounds like the worst. relationship. ever.  Yet here we are, still waiting for that payday that might never come.

The more we talk about this, the more we risk the Chief having some sort of 'Nam-like flashback.  Believe you me, they are never pretty.  So, I think it best we switch gears and get to the good stuff.  Here are some things you might have missed from the past week:

• I can not decide what I like more, the old guy stealing second in public or the reaction of the guys trying to document it all?
• Tiger says he is finally "at peace" with his life because . . . you know . . .  now he does not have to be worried about a wife finding out.
• Here's to you, (former-King) Matt Moulson.  A true class act.
• When I win the lottery tonight, I am buying this.
• Sasha Vujacic has certainly out-kicked his coverage.  Good for him.
• Please, Commissioner Stern, think about the agents, the entourages, and the baby mamas . . .
• MSG's loss is our gain.
• Headed to the Big House for a Michigan game?  Do not forget to pack your M16s.  
• Colts punter seeks to become the Peyton Manning of public intoxication.
• Did you win your fantasy football match-up this week because of Chris Johnson's late touchdown?  Well, apparently you have ESPN's greed to thank for that.
• Speaking of ESPN, this is the kind of publicity they always seem to love.
• Oh, wait, you strenuously deny the charges? Oh, well you must be innocent then.
• Peruvian soccer team takes the phrase "win at all costs" to the next level.

Before we get the videos, a funny story.  As we mentioned at the start of the Link Dump, the President is in Los Angeles today.  His first stop is a rally at the University of Spoiled Children here in downtown and then he has a radio interview in Glendale.  Since many of you are probably not up to date on the layout of the Los Angeles freeway system, you should know that there is only one freeway that gets you from downtown to Glendale and the surrounding area.  Well, that fact has made it quite convenient for not one, not two, not three, but six attorneys in my office to feel as though they should beat traffic and "work" from home this afternoon.  But do not fear, we know that many of you will not be bailing out early.  So here are some videos to help get you through your Friday afternoon:

• No one disputes that Rick Rypien was wrong in grabbing at a taunting fan. No one except the homer Vancouver announcers, that is.
• This seemingly innocent compilation of footage captured by sports fanatics will probably give you the sudden urge to buy rugged cameras, skateboards, snowboards, surfboards, race cars, and motocross bikes. I would warn you more, but I have stunts to practice.
• "Lincecum, [censored] yeah!"  You know, if we are not careful, people might start to think we like the Giants as well.  [Editor's Note: We DON'T! Also, video's language is NSFW.]
• Sadly, this will be the highlight of Pepperdine's basketball season. 
• Wait, this is an ad for a motorcycle insurance company? Weird, I thought it was for a new women's body wash.
• When the robots finally rise up against us, at least we will still be able to out bowl them.
• Mad Lib time: "It's been another wild season of fist-______ and hard _______ . . ."

Have a great weekend everyone!