Monday, January 28, 2013

The Lighthouse (For Creative Tuesdays)


Over at Creative Tuesdays, this week's theme is Lighthouses.  When I used to work the Maine market I would sometimes drive up and down the coast from just north of Portland down to just below Old Orchard Beach.  I recall a few really nice lighthouses, in particular the one near Cape Elizabeth, which is just south of South Portland.  There's just something very intriguing and freeing about lighthouses.  Please stop by to CT and check out the various inspirations this theme has produced from the excellent artists that contribute there.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Ascending Through Scenes Gathered


I took an earlier piece and played with it a bit.  I wanted to create a scene where you have a stain glass type background off set by a cluster of chaos and in between a cloud-like spiral staircase rising above it all.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Birthday Party (For Creative Tuesdays)



Wow, the new year kicked in and I seemed to have lost my memory.  I was looking at my calendar and saw a CT written that I had missed. So I had to see if it was true, and yep, I most definitely missed one. What a great showing it was too.  Disappointed I missed out on that one.  First one I believe.

I haven't really done much artwork since 2013 kicked off either.  I have a few pieces I put together the past few days and I'll put them up in the coming days, but seeing I had that brain-cramp last time around, I thought it best to post this for CT today and link it up, just in case I wound up forgetting to do so over the weekend.

Birthdays are always fun.  And while I went with a fairly typical image, it was the first thought I associate with birthdays.  At my house we get together for everyone's birthdays.  Gifts are shared, but the big thing is coming up with new cakes.  That's fun.  My mother just had one last week and my sister brought over a cake boss cake.  Was really good too.  Still dieting, but I had to have a piece. :)

Stop on over and see all the Birthday Something themed pieces that are shared for this latest edition of Creative Tuesdays.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2012 NFL Season Review and Postseason Predictions

First off I wanted to thank all those that have been following my game predictions all year.  I hope you found my picks entertaining.  I've been picking games since I was a little kid, but never really tracked the results.  I started last year, going 168-88 for the year.  I compared my results to whatever predictions I could find and I couldn't find any one out there having a better win-loss record.  It's a bit unfair of a claim, as many of those out there use the spread, which I don't.  I guess If I really wanted to, I could look at the scores predicted and see how I faired, but admittedly that's a bit too much work.  So, next year I think I'll do both the games and the games against the spread.

When I started this second season, my goal was to beat last years mark.  I actually wanted to hit above 75% correct, which I didn't do, but I did beat last years mark.  In week 17 I went 12-4 and finished the season with a 175-81 mark, beating last year by 7 games.  So, my goal is set for next year as well.

For this final post for this 2012 season, I'm going to pick the Wildcard games taking place this weekend and then pick the rest of the playoffs. I'll also give my takes on the awards.

Wildcard Games

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans

The Texans were monsters most of the season but had a terrible end to the year.  A month ago nobody would've dare predicted that they'd drop so far as to fall out of the top two seeds.  They did that and they lost their bye in the process.  Instead, they must host the Bengals in a rematch of last years Wildcard game.  Last year Houston advanced past the bengals and lost in Baltimore the following weekend.  This year though, they'll be facing a red hot Bengals team.  They've gone 7-1 in the past 8 games and in the game they lost, to Dallas, they were actually up by 9 late in the game, only to watch the lead and the game disappear.  Houston is rightfully favored, being home and to honor the season that they've put up.  However, I do believe that the Texans defense is hurting and they haven't been getting the running attack that is typical from an Arian Foster based ground game lately.  Cincinnati's defense is running on all cylinders and the Dalton-Green connection is still strong.  I think this will be a close game, but a game that I think Cincinnati will wind up winning when all is said and done.  Cincinnati 27-21

Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore finished well.  But they are not unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination.  Indy is the feel good story of the year.  A team written off for dead before the season even began.  They have the most rookies starting or playing serious minutes out of any team this year.  They saw their new coach Chuck Pagano diagnosed, treated and then return for their final week of the season.  It was an emotional game that saw the Colts beat their division rival Texans.  This year was all about seizing the opportunity at the right time and getting quality play, especially on game tying/winning drives by rookie QB Andrew Luck. Overall though, on paper, they really aren't all that impressive.  But they pulled off 11 wins and they are the Cinderella story of this years playoffs.  I'll be pulling for them, but with all the rookies and inexperience here, they'll be facing a team that's been there and done that in the Ravens, who will be home.  While anything is possible, and I do hope I'm wrong, but I think Baltimore will take this one.  24-20

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

Minnesota's been another superb story this year.  They were another team that nobody predicted anything out of before the season and quite frankly, they are one dimensional on offense.  But boy oh boy, that dimension is crazy good.  They beat the Packers last week to get in this game, but I don't see them doing it two weeks in a row.  It's tough to pick this, seeing how they played last week, and it's not like GB packed things in early, as they didn't.  But, the Packers are a tough team, especially at Lambeau.  Sure there powerhouse team got beat up by the Giants last year, and they did lose to this very Vikings squad last weekend, but I just think the odds are in GB's favor.  GB 35-32

Seattle Seahawks @ Washington Redskins

Another game of two teams nobody thought would be playoff bound this year.  Both teams have stellar rookie QB's and are playing an entertaining brand of football with their pistol/read-option sets.  I really think Seattle deserves to be the road favorite here, but, I have a feeling RGIII will get things done. Garcon on Marshall will be a great matchup to watch, one that I do believe will determine how the game goes.  If he can take Garcon out of the picture, then look for a healthy dose of Moss and RGIII scrambling from the pocket.  Washington in a great game 38-37

Divisional Rounds

Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos

I like Denver to make it to New Orleans.  Manning is unbelievable this year and the Denver defense can attack.  Denver 35-21

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

New England will be healthier and they'll beat Baltimore in consecutive years.  New England 42-28

Conference Finals

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

Brady Vs. Manning.  One of the best QB duels of the decade gets to do it again.  I think this game would've gone to whoever has the home field advantage and seeing Denver does, I'll pick them to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.  Denver-31-28

In the NFC

Divisional Rounds

Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta won the home-field advantage but I'm just not that impressed with them on defense.  I like RGIII against them and will take Washington here.  Actually, If Washington loses to Seattle, I'll take Seattle over Atlanta as well.  Washington 24-17/ Seattle 21-20

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49'ers

Niners have found new life with Colin Kaepernick at QB.  They still have an outstanding defense as well.  I like Green Bay though.  Green Bay has so many weapons and are getting healthier as each week passes.  I can't wait to see what Rodgers does in the playoffs. GB 30-13

Conference Finals

Washington Redskins/Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers

Either way.  The feel good stories end.  Green Bay is more experienced. They are more talented.  I like what RGIII can do, but in Lambeau at this time of the year, I have to say determines the game.  If it's a blizzard, I think either Washington or Seattle wins, pretty much for the same reason, that neither know they aren't supposed to win and I love both teams running backs.  Green Bay is sorely lacking a back to rely upon, so if the weather is frightful, I think Aaron Rodgers and company may get grounded.  But, seeing I can't predict the weather, I'll take GB over either by the same score.  GB 34-24

Superbowl

Green Bay Packers Vs. Denver Broncos

Manning vs. Rodgers.  Draw.  Thomas and Decker vs. Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, Jones and Finley  Packers.  McGahee and Moreno vs. Grant  Denver.  Denver D Vs. GB D  Denver.  Coaching.  Fox Vs McCarthy Draw.  I'll take Denver 34-31.  Manning MVP

As for Awards, briefly:

AFC Offensive Outstanding Player- Peyton Manning
NFC Offensive Outstanding Player- Adrian Peterson- Also wins NFL Offensive MVP

AFC Defensive Outstanding Player-JJ Watt-Houston-Also wins NFL Defensive MVP
NFC Defensive Outstanding Player-Richard Sherman

AFC Rookie of The Year- Andrew Luck
NFC Rookie Of the Year- RGIII  also wins NFL ROY

AFC Coach of the Year- Chuck Pagano/Bruce Arians-Also wins NFL Coach of the year
NFC Coach of the Year- Leslie Frazier

NFL Executive of the Year- John Elway/Brian Xanders


Okay.  Hope everyone enjoys the playoffs.  And for those of you whose teams are not in the postseason, perhaps you'll be in on this coaching frenzy going on right now.  I'm certainly enjoying it right now and very eager to see how things shake out.  My pipe dream is for my Bills to land either Chip Kelly or Jon Gruden.  But more than realistically, I'll take Lovie Smith, Mike McCoy, Mike Zimmer, Gus Bradley or Ray Horton.

See you all around Draft time.  I'll put up a few mocks before then, starting about a month before April's Draft.  

Thanks again, and see you later on in the year.