As a friendly reminder, my name is Jacob. You can follow me at @Jacob_Anstey. To your luck, I am MH’s summer intern. I accept constructive criticism, so please send it my way.
Starting Five
It was all fun and games for California Chrome’s co-owner Steve Coburn before the race.
1. Not Today, Maybe Never Again
Three races, 36 days. To win the Triple Crown in America’s beloved horse racing season, one horse must complete — and win — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in a grueling five week period. Only 11 horses have completed the feat in the 139 years the racing event has been conducted. After watching yesterday’s Belmont Stakes, and listening to California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn, we may never see another Triple Crown again.
Let’s not be fraught with dashed hopes of a Triple Crown. Instead, remember the beauty the sport possesses. These thoroughbreds are magnificent, elegant creatures. Sure, Tonalist did not race in the two preceding races (Derby and Preakness), but that is not to disregard the fact that he won the 1.5 mile race in Elmont.
I was rooting for Chrome, as were you. But, for Coburn to call Tonalist’s win the “coward’s way out,” makes me upset. Maybe he is right, but that does not make Coburn’s effusive post-race behavior acceptable.
Damnit, Coburn, don’t make this all about you.
2. No Salt, but a lot of Pepper
Meet your future boss.
Watch this video of Softbank’s humanoid robot and be amazed. Pepper, as they so oddly call, is the company’s creation – which can read emotions and move like a human.
And, best of all, you can buy one!
Next February (only in Japan, though; sorry), a multitude of roaming Pepper’s could possibly take over Japan. For the reasonable price of $2,000, you can help perpetuate the end of the world as we know it.
All joking aside, this is a sweet feat. I’ve talked to collegiate engineers before, and those guys and gals are innovative enthusiasts. I’m not going to be incompetent jerk that says otherwise.
3. The Comeback Kings
Call us when the third period begins, then we’ll come to play.
In both Game 1 and Game 2, the New York Rangers jumped out to a two-goal lead in the 1st period. In both games, the Los Angeles Kings fought back to tie the game in regulation, then to ultimately win in overtime.
What gives, New York?
The Kings are going to take a 2-0 series lead into New York Monday night, even though they have not led once in this year’s Stanley Cup Final while in regulation.
On another tangent, and a quite humorous one, the cross-country Stanley Cup Final mates have one day off between Game 2 and 3, even though they must travel from LA to New York. Meanwhile, in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat had not one, nor two days off between Game 1 and 2 of the NBA finals, but three (THREE!) days.
Did I ever tell you that they stayed in San Antonio?
4. Our Land
The 89-year old WWII veteran can do what he so chooses.
Bernard Jordan, an 89-year old WWII veteran, is the epitome of what D-Day stands for. This nimble vet decided to leave his U.K. nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day commemorations in France.
D-Day will always hold a special place in the hearts of many. Literally faced with death, soldiers stormed the banks of Normandy for the freedom of many. People like Bernard Jordan is why this world is what it is; this is why we should always have hope.
5. Willy Wonka Spinoff
That’s not brownies and lettuce…
Hershey’s does not like when you mess with its brand. OK, no company likes when you mess with its brand. Hershey Co. is suing marijuana ‘edibles maker (I love that phrase!)’ TinctureBelle LLC, because Hershey is claiming that TinctureBelle’s products too closely resemble Hershey’s signature chocolates.
With the legalization of marijuana in two states – and much more to come – these are the stories we are going to get. I don’t know about you, but the idea of marijuana-infused goods makes me giggle (yes, giggle – like a child). Marijuana, to me, is just a waste of money and energy – meaning I’ll never be a user in my life. Even though I am in the 1% (definitely no fact checking here) of my generation that won’t use , I still back the legalization of it.
If people want to eat cookies and gummy bears laced with marijuana, more power to you. But, in the meantime, can we get a Willy Wonka spinoff, please?
Remote Patrol
No NBA Finals! What?! Calm down, jolly readers. Sunday night diversity is what we shoot for. ABC is going to milk every second it can out of their commercial breaks, so you might as well tune in to some other events.
Miss USA
NBC 8 p.m.
Imagine the uproar if Brooklynne Young started dating the stud that is the MH intern (I kid!)…
“Confidently Beautiful” is the Miss USA slogan. I’ve never watched one of these pageants before, but will tune in to catch some of the action. By my count, 21 states have not been represented by a Miss USA crown. Before last year’s winner – Erin Brady of Connecticut – won, there was never before a Connecticut winner.
Keep an eye on Brooklynne Young, a Norman, Oklahoma native. She’s 19 (I’m 19…) and seemingly likes the Sooners. Sounds familiar to me.
Anyhow, Oklahoma has not been represented by a Miss USA winner before. After tonight, that may change.
Tony Awards
CBS 8 p.m.
Tonight’s 68th annual Tony Awards will be hosted by Hugh Jackman. Neil Patrick Harris and the cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch are up for eight awards. I’ve heard Neil Patrick Harris has just killed it in that role…
I thought the TinctureBell folks were out of line with the success of their “Pot of Gold” and “Mr. Doobiebar.”