Squirrel

Enlighten us ...

Lol ... when put like that, I think it’s moved down to my ‘watch at home when it’s on Netflix’ list.

It looks intriguing and has gotten some good reviews ... have you seen it or just asking because you are also intrigued? I saw the new Jumanji movie. Definitely not award-winning, but fun and had it’s funny moments, especially thanks to Jack Black and Kevin Hart. Just a fun romp in a make-believe jungle.

Concur with all of the above comments! Thanks!

I think it’s possible to admire and acknowledge the talent without worshipping the person and/or supporting their status and/or financial gain. It’s easy to see someone so talented as a youngster, chasing his/hr dream and even reaching it and think, ‘Wow, I want to be like them!’ But I learned a long while ago to be careful with misplaced admiration, to not cloud the talent and achievement with the person they are. And even in admiring and acknowledging the talent, I’m careful to know that that’s the line, and it doesn’t mean I am supporting that person’s talent through the purchase of music, Jersey, books, concert/event tickets, etc. And a hero to me is someone who inspires me to be and do better, like my parents and my siblings.

Saw ‘All the Money in the World’ today. Very well done. Not sure it’s an Oscar-worthy movie, but it was well done and entertaining. But Christopher Plummer’s performance is Oscar-worthy. And considering he was a very last-minute replacement ... spectacular.

Going to see ‘All the Money in the World’ today about the J Paul Getty’s grandson being kidnapped and him not agreeing to pay the ransom. With Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams (who was also in Greatest Showman) and Mark Wahlberg.

This has been a very difficult discussion, one I have not entered into but very little. It has been heated and emotional, with various ‘sides’ being taken. After some discussion, we have decided to give both threads a little bit of some breathing space and to take a little bit of a break and revisit this tomorrow. Locking this is only temporary and both threads will be opened tomorrow for continued respectful discussion. This discussion has gone back and forth in its relation to Sano to a more general topic, and we’ve heard from several of you in various forms ... PM’s, reports and public opinions ... as to it’s continued pertinence in this forum, so when reopened for discussion, it’s possible this may be moved to a more appropriate forum. Thank you. I wish you a peaceful good night.

I don’t wonder, at all.

Mike gave a similar review on FB.

Who has seen what? I’m still hoping to catch Three Billboards and Lady Bird. And then there’s a whole bunch of new ones on my list. But I did see The Greatest Showman last night. LOVED it, through and through. LOVED it.

It’s so maddening ... I’m getting antsy just to know for sure one way or the other. Such an impatient I am ... I want it now!

I think Parker was being very tongue in cheek in his post, knowing everything that you’ve just reminded us all about hosting a website.

I'm wondering if re-organizing the site a little might help with traffic through the blogs. Maybe even calling it something else. Would making it a sub-forum of the Twins Talk forum (like Adopt-A-Prospect is a sub-forum of the Minor League forum is) help with traffic? You can call it 'blogs' but maybe call it ... I don't know ... 'What Others Are Saying' ... or something like that. It would still work the same, it would just be located differently to help encourage those who might interested in writing as well as drawing in readership.

I think it's important to keep saying this. A blog is meant to be about anything an individual (you, the member) wants it to be. It can be reminiscing about a great game you attended, the first game you attended, the first game you took your kid to see and seeing it all over from his/her eyes; it can be humorous takes on current or potential events/news; it can be a researched, analytical endeavor about a person's swing or arm or game; it can be an in-depth review of, well, other articles on other boards, books, movies; it can be about other teams, other sports; it can be relating your own experiences of playing or injuries to what the pros are dealing with; it can be about life and how great or how sucky it is; it can be a long rant on the game not going well. It can be about nothing or everything. And it can be whenever you want to write something. If you want the exercise of committing yourself to writing something, anything, every week, great. If you only want to write when something comes to you, great. Whether it's a regular or irregular occurrence, it doesn't matter. It's up to you. Maybe we need to call the blog area something else ... and maybe make it a sub-forum of the Twins forum ... I've PM'd a few users and have tried to encourage them to writing blogs. There are some of you who generate lengthy forum posts that I think deserve it's own space. Sometimes I agree with what you've said, sometimes I don't, but I am still impressed by what it is you have to say. Sure, you are welcome to start a forum thread any time you want instead, but forum threads can't be converted to front-page articles, blogs can.

Another thought ... for those of you who do write blogs and also comment on the various article and forum threads, self promote. If a thread or article pops up on something you've written about, jump into the conversation and say, 'Hey, I totally agree/disagree with that because of this. I even wrote a blog about it here!' and provide the link. While many won't click on the link to read what you said, many will.

Hey, you could do a regular comedy blog ... everyone wanting to read your 'hawt takes' on a weekly 'whine line' basis might draw traffic to the blogs! Blogs don't have to be thorougly researched writing ... they can be anything. I think that's why some maybe are hesitant. Yes, many use blogs because they want to write seriously about their favorite sports teams, or whatever else, but not all blogs have to be that. A good humorous or reflective kind of blog on a semi-regular basis is awesome. One I used to read all the time ... but hasn't been around at all recently ... was Peanuts from Heaven. Perfect example of just writing because he had something he wanted to say. That kind of 'human nature' writing is something I really like along side the more researched topic driven blogs.

I'm going to insert a little technical 'how to' since several have mentioned not finding the blogs easily in mobile navigation. There's a little 4-paned grid in the upper right corner ... when you touch that, the top row of choices is: Articles, Forums, Blogs. Make sure you are using the mobile version to see this. That grid is there no matter where you are on the site for easy access to other parts.

I’m still hoping for both! Merry Christmas, Twins Fans!

Yeah ... just not sure what 'mum' means, but it doesn't sound like the Cubs are all that close on Darvish, either, but who knows. When that item was tweeted that the Cubs had a deal, Darvish was pretty quick to tweet back 'Fake News' so ... Meh ... just can't worry about it any, not that I have. Out of my control. But speculation can be fun.

Hmm ... wonder if that means they are close to something?

Maybe this is the creative part ... but I wonder what combination will get it done for him ... less years, but more guaranteed money? More years but less guaranteed money? Or will someone go both more years and more guaranteed money? As I've said, I don't see the Twins winning this if others are seriously in on it. And I don't know what other 'intangibles' will have an effect, if they even could, but I'd think the intangibles would only come into play if two teams have similar offers of guaranteed years and money.

The definition of balk is: to hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking. And in your initial post you said this: That is NOT what the article said, at all, so no, you did NOT say 'exactly' what the article said. There have been no offers or statements of demands or any such thing. Yes, the Twins have a history of not wanting to go long on contracts, and yes, they likely have said they aren't 'in love' with that idea (which is what the link you posted said). And yes, it's (I think) very probably Darvish wants 6 years, that's no secret. But it's not like anyone has put anything out there in writing or verbally as to any specifics as your 'Darvish said this and the Twins don't want to' as if it was a specific thing said and responded to, not as rumor and speculation, which is what it is. And, which I think will be the case. I'll repeat it ... I don't think he'll be coming here, something I've said all along, or at least have said 'I'm very skeptical.' And that feeling is from the Twins history of long contracts and money.

It says the Twins don't love the idea of that (and of course they don't, they are the Twins), but not that they are balking at an actual proposal of it, that they still maintain their interest. As I've said before, however, I don't think he'll come here, but that quote is not saying that there was any kind of discussion of years with Darvish and the Twins balked at it, nor does it say the Twins have outright said to Darvish they won't be agreeing to 6 years, which is what you seemed to imply. LaVelle said this in his column a couple days ago: "How the Twins react when/if Darvish asks for six years and $140 million-$150 million — which would easily be a club record for a free agent — will be the test of their willingness to dive into the deep waters of free agency to add top talent." So obviously, nothing concrete has been discussed for the Twins to balk at. Yet. That said, yes, he'll want 6 years, and money. I think that was a given going into the off-season even not knowing from him specifically. And why I've stated all along, despite the optimistic reports, I don't think he will be coming here. I don't think we'll offer him the most years and/or money, despite hoping we somehow will. But it's not a done deal. Yet. If there is more concrete news of actual offers presented, by all means, bring it.

Thanks for saying that ... the Persian part.