We Don't Walk Slow

About Tom Stortz

Enjoying my last few responsibility free years left.

Why Live TV is the Only Way to Watch the Olympics

I’ve been enjoying the Olympics the last few days and there is such a difference when you are watching a live event vs watching what NBC wants you to see. I don’t want to know…that other people already know. When the NBC producers are cutting up the events, I’m watching what someone wants me to watch. Even if it’s amazing footage, it doesn’t have the same appeal to me. Take last night, when China was playing the USA in beach volleyball, there was an off chance that China was going to win because I was watching it live. If it was on replay, I would rather watch highlights.

Lily King (gold) and Katie Meili (bronze)

Lily King’s win last night in the 100m breast stroke over Russia’s Yulia Efimova was compelling TV. The broadcast was hyping up the that Lily called out Yulia for doping and a rivalry was brewing. Watching it live was electric because you didn’t know who was going to win. Duh. If the event was on replay, and heaven forbid King lost, I have this odd suspicion that NBC would have framed the story differently. If it’s not live, I don’t care for it.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-09T08:35:05-04:00August 9th, 2016|Sports|0 Comments

Olympic Headplant

I enjoyed the coverage of the Olympics last night. Watching the USA women dominate gymnastics displays a team that is head and shoulders above the rest of the world. Basketball, swimming, and gymnastics are the United States bread and butter. Without further ado, this was the best move of the Olympics.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-08T08:22:38-04:00August 8th, 2016|My Brain|0 Comments

What Planet Are These People From?

Pictures taken at the wrong time can make you look full tard (Beyonce) so this is not a jab at our nominees. Watching Hilary though is the fakest a human can look. What is she looking at? Balloons above her head? For some reason I feel that if Trump was slowed down it wouldn’t look that bad but if Hilary was it’d look just as weird.

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T12:06:48-04:00August 4th, 2016|My Brain|0 Comments

You Do Like Money, Right?

No other species has to worry about dolla dolla bills y’all like human beings. Money is integral to our survival and well being. If you don’t have enough, you end up with a cardboard sign on Delaware Avenue begging motorists to bail you out for your bad decisions. Today is your lucky day. I’m going to give you 3 ways you can make bad decisions by listening to me. I also would like to point out that I’m allowed to make these bad decisions because I’m single and fiscally sound with no dependents.

3000 M Steeplechase

At 9:25am on August 15th, round 1 of the 3000m Steeplechase will take place. There are 3 heats and the top x runners will make the finals which takes place 2 days later at around 10am on August 17th. I will not be sharing this exact pick as it was given to me by Sam and it is still 12 days away. By releasing it on rnningfool.com, the odds could move in such a dramatic fashion that it won’t be worth betting. However, after Sam told me to “bet the farm”, I researched the competitor and agreed that Sam knew what he was talking about. I made a wager in excess of 250 dollars but less than 500. I promise that this will highlight the blog when the race goes off. If 5 people comment on this post that they are interested to know who it is, I’ll share it.

Novavax, Inc.

Click to see 2 year info.

Evan has been touting Novavax for what seems like a decade now to give you an idea of how long it’s been on my radar. NVAX, the ticker symbol, is a biotech firm that is attempting to create a vaccine to combat RSV (a contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract). It is looking to get approval from the FDA to distribute the vaccine which will heavily boost sales. The company currently is losing money but earnings are scheduled for August 9th which could have breakthrough news. Aside from getting approval to distribute the vaccine, Novavax is a takeover target for bigger players like GlaxoSmithKline. This stock is currently trading at $7.61 and has hit as high as $14.00 within the past year. Expectations would hopefully push the stock well past $10 and into the $15-20 range. I saw one message board moron predict $55. I would recommend buying 100 shares if you have some spare money around just to take part of the action. I own more than that and currently have an option play where I purchased 6 contracts of the October $9 calls at $1.20 ($720 investment) that are currently valued at $1.40. That’s a 16% gain in 1 week. I’ll try to sell it off (hoping to god the stock goes up after the 9th) and make another play to extend the time frame.

Traveler’s PGA Championship

Brooks Koepka is my predicted winner @ 16-1

Lacking the big names this week like Spieth, Day, DJ, and Rory but it’s still a decent field. If you read my previous post, you’ll know I had a little run in the PGA last week so I’m in good form (as golfer’s like to say). More importantly, you have to realize how hard it is to pass 6 guys in these events, let alone pick who is going to win. I try to pick players who are playing well and have potential to win. These are the $33 dollar tournaments so it’s not a huge investment and worse case scenario is I try again next week.

Disclaimer: Don’t get mad at me if you lose your own money. Since I’ve been making money, I’ve been losing money. These selections are made with the understanding that it’s hard to make easy money. I’ve had so much experience with losing money that I’d like to think I’m getting better limiting my risks and trying to hit as much upside as possible. No whining.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-03T23:41:29-04:00August 3rd, 2016|My Brain|3 Comments

How Much to Tip Delivery Drivers?

I’ll give you a very small tip.

I have a fine understanding of tipping at restaurants. The wait staff puts up with a lot of shit from asshole customers so I’m happy to give 20+% in most circumstances. As long as they are nice and do a fine job, I like to throw a few extra dollars their way. Now I get a bit more confused for delivery drivers.

If I get a $20 dollar meal delivered, am I supposed to tip 20%? Seems reasonable. What if it ‘s a $40 dollar meal? 8 bucks to drive down the road, I don’t think so. Is delivery a fixed fee for most people? 5 bucks on all deliveries? It seems ridiculous that if you order a different portion of food, and the driver will go through the same exact sequence (aside from carrying a few extra portions), that they deserve extra tip? What do you do?

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By Tom Stortz|2016-08-03T13:19:36-04:00August 2nd, 2016|My Brain|2 Comments

Doc & Darryl

I watched the 30 for 30 (directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bifiglio) about Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden and came away with an appreciation for the ups and downs superstars can face when drugs are involved. Both players should have made it to Cooperstown instead of being known for DUI’s, wife beating, cocaine and crack use, and going to jail.

Dwight “Doc” Gooden

1984-1986 – “The Glory Years for Dr. K”

Dwight’s 1985 season goes down as one as the best in history. The 1.52 ERA is lowest ERA in the modern era for an entire season. To give an idea of how astounding this mark is, it ranks #42nd of all time lowest ERA’s in a season. If you click on the link, the top 40 above him were all done before 1920. The only even comparable season was in 1968 when Bob Gibson put up a 1.123 mark. This is insane to think he put up this season at the age of 20 and it hasn’t been touched in 30 years.

In 1986 the Mets won the world season with the infamous ball through Buckner’s legs in game 6. After the Mets won game 7, Gooden hit up his drug dealer, partied too hard and ended up missing the parade the following day. After the 1986 season, Gooden had an incident where he fought with police during a traffic stop and troubles began for him. Rumors began swirling that one of the 2 “black superstars” on the team was using cocaine and Darryl said it wasn’t him.

He was still an above average pitcher after 1986 achieving records of 15-7, 18-9, 9-4, 19-7, 13-7 in the subsequent years before the drugs really took their toll. Dwight was never able to free himself from addiction and his career never recovered as the years passed. A notable story of his was in 1996 he signed with the New York Yankees and no-hit the Seattle Mariners the same day that his dad had a life-threatening surgery. He passed a few days later but it’s another spirit lifting story.

Dwight made the HoF ballot but was only selected by 17 of the 520 voters. His legal troubles continued through the 2000’s and he spent time in jail for traffic incidents, using drugs on probation, and hitting his girlfriend. As of 2015 he was jittery in the sit down with Darryl but “seemed” sober. He appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2011 and it’s great to see how worthless that time was.

Darryl Strawberry

1983-1990 – The League’s Best Hitter (on drugs)

At 6-6, Darryl had a silky smooth, powerful swing.

What a combination of power and speed and to think it was all while being high. In the documentary, Darryl recalled “playing naked” which is when you weren’t taking “greenies”, which are code name for amphetamines. As Darryl said, “the ball looks huge coming across the plate when you’re on “greenies”” Darryl’s lifestyle was greenies to get pumped for the game, party at night, sleep during the day, and repeat day after day. It’s amazing that he was as productive as was.

Darryl and Doc’s story were similar in that they both suffered from substance abuse but Darryl has finally found a clean life whereas I wouldn’t be so sure with Dwight. Darryl married a woman from his NA class and appears to be living a healthy lifestyle. He had been in jail numerous times throughout the years and battled colon cancer in 1998. He has stayed out of trouble since 2005. This story in 2002 pretty much sums up his problems:

On September 11, 2000, in Tampa, Strawberry tried to drive to see his probation officer after taking painkillers. While driving, he blacked out, rear-ended another car, and then tried to drive away. An off-duty police officer witnessed the episode and arrested him at gunpoint. The next day, Strawberry admitted to the charges and his probation was changed to two years of house arrest. On November 21, he was sentenced to a year of probation and community service. On October 25, 2000, Strawberry left a Tampa drug treatment center to use drugs with a female friend violating his house arrest and parole. On November 9, he was sentenced to 40 days in jail with credit for time served.On November 3, 2000, Strawberry told a judge in Tampa that he had lost his will to live and had stopped chemotherapy. On November 30, he was released from jail and sent back to rehab. On April 2, 2001, Strawberry was arrested for again disappearing from his house arrest drug treatment center in Tampa. On May 1, he was sentenced to more time at a drug treatment center.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-02T23:40:15-04:00August 2nd, 2016|Sports|0 Comments

Stranger Things Review

I binge watched Stranger Things after hearing a few people say how good it was. Normally these Sci-Fi shows are ones I’ll watch an episode of and then quit it because it’s too ridiculous. Stranger Things held my attention throughout and I enjoyed 90% of it.

First and foremost, I was greeted with this introduction in the picture to the right. Why would I think this is weird? This is my exact birthday, DATE AND YEAR. A series called Stranger Things is coming up with my exact birthday on its intro. I immediately thought they show the intro was customized to the viewer’s birthday y but then I realized I was logged in through my dad’s account. Strange Thing #1 had my head reeling.

The series takes place in the 80’s and makes many references to old Sci-Fi movies like ET, The Goonies, Aliens, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind and many more I’m sure I didn’t pick up. The soundtrack is also 80’s themed with bad ass jams like I Wear My Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart, Waiting For a Girl Like You by Foreigner, and Should I Stay or Should I Go by the Clash. Being born in the 80’s, this show made you feel like you were taking into a time warp back to the decade which was a fun ride.

Steve the douchebag and hot Nancy

Onto the show. The acting was tremendous, specifically 11. I don’t know how Millie Bobby Brown is as amazing as she is at age 12, but she’ll be a talent for years to come. Even the goof balls in middle school were flawless in playing the part of teenagers growing up in that era. The fat kid with the lisp was hilarious and the black kid nailed it perfectly. When one of the bullies called Michael “Frog Face” I was cracking up. The cop Hopper played his role and Winona Ryder as Joyce was nutty to the point that it was hard to tell she was even acting. The Nancy and Steve dynamic were my least favorite scenes. I was actually cracking up when I was reading another review that said “why is Steve a douchebag? He did nothing wrong the entire show.”

All in all I give the show 8.5 out of 10. The ending was decent and the pace of the show as excellent as I finished it all in one day. I enjoyed the acting, specifically 11, and will certainly watch the 2nd season.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-02T11:47:48-04:00August 2nd, 2016|Tv|0 Comments

A Look At My Fantasy Baseball Season

I happened to make the playoffs in my Fantasy Baseball season this year. I finished with a 10-6 record in 5th place. I was the 5th highest scoring team and had the least amount of points scored against. With a year of experience under my belt, I was a much better manager with regard to who I was rostering on the batter side (only 2 bench spots) and making sure I got as many pitching points as possible with closers.

Rick Porcello – 14-2 with 111 k’s and a 1.11 WHIP

Brookes drafted my team and I wouldn’t have made the playoffs without some of his picks, specifically David Ortiz. I lost Dee Gordon for most of the season as well so the fact that he’s back right at playoff time is helpful. I had some tremendous pitching waiver wire pick ups with Rick Porcello (#15 out of all pitchers in total points), Marco Estrada (thanks Bud), and Rich Hill. On the batter end, I couldn’t have done it without dropping Russell Martin early for Wilson Ramos and grabbing Jean Segura.

I caught a bad break as the player I’m going against will have double starts for 5 of his pitchers this week which short changes me 9 starts to his 12. I have 4 moves to make, as does he, so we’ll see how it plays out. I enjoy fantasy football more than baseball but managing a team for months still provides some entertainment.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-01T15:16:52-04:00August 1st, 2016|Sports|2 Comments

The Sadness of a Min DK Golf Cash

When you go from this (67th out of 86k for a 1k cash):

To finishing in 1,436 place and cashing for a measly $75, there is a bit of disappointment. I was pretty pumped watching Brandon Grace sink 3 birdies on the front and putting himself a shot off the lead at one point. He missed a close one on 16 and then put one in the water on 18 to sink any chance of winning he had. Stenson couldn’t close and Day’s eagle on 18 was awesome but Walker was too consistent. Obviously you had to own Day and Walker to make a splash in this big tournament so I’m not complaining as much as it may seem but it’s rare you pass 6 guys and then have them all play reasonably well. Walker was 1.6% owned for the tournament.

A tournament like this shows how difficult it is to predict golf. I don’t give a shit what all the models say who is going to win, they are only tools that make efforts at predicting the unpredictable. DJ was 43% owned which shows how smart the public is! I’m more sulking on how hard it is to actually win money in these major tournaments. I finished in the top 1.7% and won $41.00. I can’t lie that it was a lot of fun watching the tournament, but the idea of striking it rich or hearing people tell you they make money playing Draftkings is laughable.

By Tom Stortz|2016-08-01T10:11:03-04:00August 1st, 2016|Sports|1 Comment

A Chance For a DK Golf Cash

I was sitting in 682nd place out of 89k about 30 minutes ago before Rafa Cabrera Bello made double bogey on 1. I know that’s gibberish to most people but today will (hopefully) conclude the PGA Championship. As like any golf event, the last day is always the best. Let’s hope the weather holds up.

By Tom Stortz|2016-10-29T12:07:25-04:00July 31st, 2016|Fantasy|0 Comments