So, I’ve recently started exploring the idea of not using a pod-style coffee maker anymore. Yes, I’m still doing the green tea thing (every day! it’s great! it’s good for you!), but I also still have my one morning coffee every day. I look at these pods I keep throwing away, though, and I can’t help but feel guilty for all the waste I’m creating – even if they are super convenient and easy.
When I look at more traditional coffee makers on Amazon, though, it’s pretty overwhelming. Part of the reason I went with pods in the first place several years ago is because I don’t know anything about coffee, and I just wanted to keep it easy. But if I want to maybe be able to have slightly better, more diverse coffee – still in single servings at a time – is it worth spending a little money on a good coffee maker, or can I just go with any old cheap one and it’ll be fine as long as I get decent coffee? It’s just heating water, right?
As noted last night in the Spring Training Miscellany, Jon Lester doesn’t sound especially bummed about not being the Cubs’ Opening Day starter this year, an honor that will go instead to Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta. Lester told Cubs.com, in addition to expressing how much Arrieta deserved it: “I think it’s one of the hardest days of the year to pitch, personally. There’s a lot of distractions, a lot of things going on. Everybody’s excited to get the year going. There’s a lot of outside things that are hard to control.” That makes a whole lot of sense, and it was especially true last year, when Lester started for the Cubs on the Sunday Opening Night Game on ESPN, at the recently-renovated Wrigley Field, against the Cardinals, for his new team that just paid him $155 million. That’s a ton of extra stuff to potentially have on the mind when you’re just trying to pitch.
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Importantly, Lester also tells Cubs.com and CSN Chicago that he’s feeling good this year, and much more normal/routine than last year. You may recall that, at this time last year, we were fairly panic-stricken by word that Lester would be held back a bit thanks to a period of “dead arm,” which was in part due to him trying to show what he could do on his new team and justify his contract too quickly. It ultimately slowed his ramp up for the season, and may have contributed to his slow-ish start in April. Now, Lester not starting on Opening Night is kind of a microcosm of how he can blend more into the scenery of the Cubs – an on-paper powerhouse with so many angles to explore and stars on whom to focus – and just be the quality pitcher he’s always been (which, by the way, he very much was last year, too). Hopefully he remains healthy this Spring, as a typically-productive Lester is a huge part of the Cubs’ rotation.
A little more on the Dexter Fowler free agency surprise from Jesse Rogers, who quotes Jed Hoyer as correctly noting that the level of surprise involved in that deal will be hard to match by any team in the future, since the reports of Fowler signing with the Orioles were so firm, not refuted, and by very reputable sources. It’s so true. Setting aside the Cubs aspect or even the baseball aspect … the level of surprise about that deal, even a week later, still sticks with me.
To the tune of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” – “So goodbye, Wrigley McD’s, your post-game Quarter Pounder with Cheese, I can’t use you as my outhouse, I’m going to Taco Bell … “:
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A probably-ticked-off and shooting-from-the-hip David Ross said something after Thursday night's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates that has taken on a life of its own. "That’s not a good team that just took two out of three from us," Ross...
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The Cubs are throwing everyone for a loop today by starting Marcus Stroman, and I don't know that anyone is sure just how deep he can go. It's all in keeping with the mystery that has been Stroman and his...
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FINALLY. The Cubs really took care of business in a game where they were supposed to take care of business. The final regular season Friday at Wrigley Field ends in a W. Jameson Taillon was not super efficient today, but...
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Kenyan Drake and the Baltimore Ravens will play the Indianapolis Colts -- whose rushing defense was ranked 21st in the NFL last season (124.1 yards allowed per game) -- in Week 3, on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.Is Drake's game...
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones will be up against the team with last season's 24th-ranked run defense, the New Orleans Saints (130.5 yards conceded per game), in Week 3 -- kicking off at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday.When...
I didn't plan on touching a keyboard today. It was supposed to be an afternoon of watching college football horizontally on the couch. But the news from Cleveland regarding Nick Chubb's MRI and prognosis was so nice to see that...
The Cubs did what they needed to do again today, beating the Rockies for the second straight day. It required a little comeback this time, which made the experience a little more fun. Not that I ever have a problem...
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The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (1-3) play the New Mexico State Aggies (2-2) on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The Rainbow Warriors are listed as favorites in this one, with the spread sitting at 3...
The No. 5 USC Trojans (3-0) hit the road for a Pac-12 battle against the Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2) on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Sun Devil Stadium.You should head to Fox in order to watch this matchup.When is...
The No. 8 Washington Huskies (3-0) take on a fellow Pac-12 opponent when they host the California Golden Bears (2-1) on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Husky Stadium.The Huskies' matchup against the Golden Bears will be airing on ESPN.When is...
The Fresno State Bulldogs (3-0) and the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-2) square off at Bulldog Stadium (CA) on Saturday, September 23, 2023.The game is on CBS Sports, if you're looking for how to watch.When is Fresno State vs. Kent...
The No. 5 USC Trojans (3-0) and the Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2) will meet in a matchup of Pac-12 teams on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils will need to play a near perfect...
So, I’ve recently started exploring the idea of not using a pod-style coffee maker anymore. Yes, I’m still doing the green tea thing (every day! it’s great! it’s good for you!), but I also still have my one morning coffee every day. I look at these pods I keep throwing away, though, and I can’t help but feel guilty for all the waste I’m creating – even if they are super convenient and easy.
