Longtime Sports Illustrated readers have seen the magazine evolve into several iterations over time. Originally, it was known for its breathtaking photography and outstanding, long-form journalism. As the age of the internet dawned, and the publication faced competition from ESPN the Magazine, it tried unsuccessfully to balance the light and frothy short attention span content with their heritage. Lately, it seems they've settled into a nice groove, retaining the integrity of the investigations and brilliant, longer pieces (see the whole A-Roid scandal for a recent example; or read this piece that still sticks with me today about a tragedy occurring in a "fringe" sport), while still having the breezy, fun content in the front of the book (like "this week's sign of the apocalypse" and "they said it").
One of the features I always read is the "Pop Culture Grid," where they ask some pop culture questions to a variety of athletes, male and female, from a variety of sports and backgrounds. I always think "what would I have answered if asked that?"
In what may become a regular feature, I'll do just that. From this week's edition:
Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry or Taylor Swift
Kelly for the music, Katy 'cuz not matter how awfully she dresses, she's HOT.
Favorite thing to chew
IceBreakers gum, which I can't seem to find anymore, dammit.
What hurts right now
My ego.
Reality show on which you'd like to guest star
None. I hate them.
_____ spends too much time looking in the mirror
I had a doubles partner in high school that carried a hair brush in his racquet bag.
Michael Phelps needs to...
A. tell people to fuck off, if that's what he wants to do. And B. not be so fucking stupid with camera phones around, if he wants his endorsements.
Song that best describes you
Highway to Hell
______'s voice is like nails on a chalkboard
Stephen A. Smith
Song playing on my iPod right now
BSG Podcast. Last music was REM's "Walter's Theme"
What about y'all? How would you answer? Feel free to debate or put your own grid responses in the comments.
Friday, February 20, 2009
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1) Kelly Clarkson. I only know one song by Katy Perry (duh), and I have only heard one Taylor Swift song, the one that was mangled by Stevie Wright on American Idol Tuesday night.
ReplyDelete2)Trident - the old school kind in the little rectangular package, not the "White".
3) My fingers, after typing another mammoth Lost recap.
4) American Idol, no doubt. I grew up in Performing Arts. When American Idol first hit the airwaves, the audition cutoff was 25 and I was 26. The year I turned 31, they changed the cutoff to 30. I have somehow pissed Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe off, and I have to find a way to make it up to them.
5) My wife and 3 daughters.
6) Just like all of these idiot celebrities (especially athletes), he needs to toke up AT HOME. With only family and close friends whom you trust around.
7) Dancing Through Life, from the Wicked soundtrack. Told ya I was a Performing Arts geek.
8) Chris Berman. Tool.
9) What's Up, 4 Non Blondes
Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry or Taylor Swift
ReplyDeleteKelly Clarkson, I guess. I don't really listen to music, although I'm rather proud that I could actually identify each of these performers in a line up. I chose Clarkson because she's not a scary-thin stick figure and doesn't seem terribly jaded.
Favorite thing to chew
Buttered Popcorn Salt Water Taffy.
What hurts right now
My right arm. About twice a year my arm does this thing where it feels like the marrow is trying to work its way out of the burn. I don't know how to describe the pain, except that it's more like heat radiating from coals than sharp or stabbing pains. I had to take a hydrocodone to get to sleep, but I noticed that I woke up to a terrific thunderstorm this morning. I wondered if maybe I have one of those "warning sign" bones, even though I've never broken or otherwise injured it.
Reality show on which you'd like to guest star
The Amazing Race
_____ spends too much time looking in the mirror
I'm going to out myself on this one.
Michael Phelps needs to...
Ditto what you said.
Song that best describes you
Hagdalena Magdalena
______'s voice is like nails on a chalkboard
Rita Rudner
Song playing on my iPod right now
I don't have an iPod, but my Walkman (!) is tuned in to the local NPR affiliate.
Scott:
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for a "new" gum, and I've tried Trident. It's okay, but I wish I could find my virtually extinct favorite, which I could chew for days.
I'll have to keep your background in mind when I read your Idol recaps.
Berman's voice doesn't bother me as much as WHAT he says (which is, the same damned things he's been saying since ESPN first beamed into my home oh those many years ago). Although that "whooooop!" noise makes me want to get stabby. SAS, on the other hand, says nothing of importance either, yet says every thing like he's reading from the magna carta while auditioning for a bad Spike Lee knock off movie.
DropE
Katy Perry isn't really a stick figure either, but Kelly does look (and certainly dress) more like a "real girl."
I would commit ritual suicide if I had to be on Amazing Race. I don't watch it, but I understand the premise, and unless I have all my plans meticulously laid out and organized, my head explodes. Also, I have an innate sense of "anti-direction" which compels me to go in exactly the wrong way, each and every time.
Rita Rudner? I haven't heard that name in a while. Which then made me think of another comic from back in the day who had an equally annoying voice, Emo Phillips. (Gilbert Gottfried is also annoying, but can at least be funny).