are you a man, or are you a bag of sand?

--After complaining about a slowing sports news cycle, yowza did we get some news.

--First off, it's been real, Big 12.  I kind of resent that the SEC looks like it's going to get stuck with Texas A & M out of the Big 12 South, but when Mike Slive said that he wouldn't let the SEC be anything less than it is, I believed him.  The conference cannibalism has just begun, I'm sure; my bet is that the SEC (along with its equal payment and ridiculously lucrative TV contracts) will be letting Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Florida St. what it's all about sooner rather than later.

--Also, tell me how it tastes, USC.  The NCAA absolutely kerploded any chance of a successful beginning to the Lane Kiffin era at Southern Cal; how long do you think Galippo, Kennard, et. al. will stick around with no chance of winning a championship, and no penalty for transferring?  What about Barkley?  Between this and his version of Scott's Tots, Bush is somehow even more of a douchebag than I'd begrudgingly accepted to be the case.  USC will still keep the 2004 onepeat, and hey, at least someone's keeping this all in perspective.

--Speaking of Reggie, I had said in the past that the NFL's thank you commercial was probably the best commercial I'd ever seen.  Well, the flavor done changed:  well played, NBA, you glorious bastards.

--The Finals haven't been incredible (thank the refs), but both teams have legitimate paths to victory (getting the ball to Pau for the Lakers, getting the bench involved for the C's) after the Celtics forced a best-of-three last night.  I'm loving Garnett's play (especially on D) and Glen Davis/Rasheed Wallace/Ray Allen's goofy faces.

--I've neglected what's probably the most important sports item of the summer, the World Cup, and sweet, sweet jingoism.  In all likelihood the U.S. is scooting towards another ignominious showing in the tournament, but thankfully Spencer Hall has a highly scientific guide to rooting for someone else pending USA's inevitable early exit.  Cote d'Ivoire (and lots of The Very Best, for atmosphere's sake) is my fallback, and, failing that, I always know who to hate.  (h/t SB Nation for that awesome Dodge commercial).

--The internet is basically just one convoluted episode of Cold Case:  Peeds Edition for pop culture, and the jig is up, Falkor. (h/t Videogum)

--I promised not to get political at the beginning of this blog, but BP is the new Jay Leno, so here's a tremendous Onion article on the OilCane.  It's stuff like the oil spill (and BP's hilariously callous reaction to it) that simultaneously make me feel vindicated for quitting politics while making me want to get involved again.

--I've been on a huge Neil Gaiman kick these last few weeks.  Between this story and his opinion of Alabama, you probably should be too, if you've got a taste for anything fantastical.

--Finally, if you aren't already, you need to be listening to Frightened Rabbit.  Just like in life, sincerity is the most important part of great music, and the Frightened Rabbit is on the same level as Arcade Fire and Neutral Milk Hotel as far as honesty goes.  Their sophomore album, The Midnight Organ Fight, is occasionally excellent, but it's their most recent album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, that's immediately great.  What an awesome year for music so far.