On My Radar: Hope-Calvin, of course

on January 24, 2008 at 10:05 PM, updated January 24, 2008 at 10:19 PM

Has it really been two months since I last wrote about what was On My Radar? It doesn't seem like it's been nearly that long. And with exactly zero people clamoring to know what I'm into at the moment, I can't believe I've been so neglectful.

Then again, I seem to remember when I first started the feature that I was only going to make this an occasional feature since it only occasionally deals with sports-related topics. Of course, my memory also thought the "Fifth Down Game" was between Nebraska and Missouri, and look what that got me.

I suppose the On My Radar list has become the online version of a child's Christmas present. You play with it for a few weeks, grow bored with it, but refuse to throw it out because you never know when you might want to play with it again (and because you're a bit of a pack rat). Wait, isn't this how John Mayer's love life works?

But enough rambling. Here are the latest items On My Radar:

1. Hope vs. Calvin
2 p.m. Saturday ... Game No. 167 ... Hope (yay!) has 83 wins, Calvin (boo!) has 83 wins. Be there! Wait, you don't have a ticket? Humph, neither do I. Apparently all that tuition money got me was a bad case of guilt for skipping church on Sunday mornings and a Flying Dutchmen bumper sticker. Then again, that bumper sticker might have been a graduation present.

2. "Juno"
Finally got around to seeing the movie, which means I've fully bought into the hype. Assuming you can get past the first five minutes when they try to force-feed you overly quirky dialogue through none other than Dwight K. Schrute from "The Office," it's definitely worth watching. It's the best flick I've seen since "Into the Wild," which was robbed by the Oscar committee, Hal Holbrook's moving portrayal of Ron Franz notwithstanding. Thankfully, the Oscar clique didn't overlook the movie, star Ellen Page or screenwriter Diablo Cody.

3. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge Gauntlet III" on MTV
If this aired on Fox, it would draw at least at 13 rating. Seriously, the recycled "American Gladiators" wished it had this much competition, sex and drama. (OK, NBC probably doesn't want the sex part. It's not like "Law & Order" is filled with gratuitous topless scenes.)

Regardless, there's no one on TV quite like CT, Coral and Brooke. They make the whiners on "Grey's Anatomy" seem like redeeming individuals. Yet I can't turn away.

4. Isiah Thomas
I can't get enough of this guy. Why aren't cameras following this trainwreck around like they do Britney or Lindsay? Does this make sense to anyone else? I want to know what he's doing right now.

Is this Bill Belichick's outfit for Super Bowl XLII?

5. What Bill Belichick will be wearing to the Super Bowl
Hmm, it should be warm in Arizona, even in February. That would make Belichick and a hoodie the worst combination since milk and Ron Burgundy in "Anchorman." He has gone with the sleeveless hoodie look in the past, but even that might be too restrictive and sweat inducing. But your average polo doesn't do enough to further the Unabomber image he's going for either. I'm afraid only Tim Gunn can solve this mystery.

6. NHL skills competition
Forget the actual All-Star Game. Sure, it's a nice honor for the guys, but it's as ridiculous an exhibition as the Pro Bowl. But a contest to determine who has the hardest shot or who is the fastest skater? Now you're talking. I'm convinced it's even more riveting than a home run derby or dunk contest.

7. "Friday Night Lights"
Are you watching yet? No? Well, it's your loss.

8. iPod's "shuffle songs" feature
Coming from a kid who thought Walkmans were the height of technology in 1988, this blows my mind. I currently have 1,300 songs downloaded on the best Christmas present this side of some desperately needed pairs of boxers. I just listened to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," followed by "I'm Slowly Turning Into You" by The White Stripes. It's like I have my own radio station, only I don't have to sit through Creed or the Spin Doctors.

9. Revolutionary War history
This mainly stems from the book I'm currently reading, "1776" by David McCullough. Some might think it's tedious or boring, but I think it's fascinating. Then again, I also thought Paul Revere was cooler than Gobots when I was a kid. So, uh, yeah.

10. The return of "Lost"
In your face, writer's strike! I don't care if they only have three and a half episodes in the can, I can't wait to see what they do with that "flash-forward" scene that ended Season 3. It practically melted my brain. ... Awesome, "Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp" by Led Zeppelin just started on my iPod.
Wait, what was I just saying about my brain?

E-mail Michael Zuidema: