connoisseur series500

has been hot for the past couple years (along with other commodities.) Took a big hit today though. Wonder how far it will go on the upside. One analyst claimed that if you take the old high (around $850/per oz) around 25 years ago, and factor in inflation, then the price should be $2,000 assuming no change in fundamentals. Of course, as he also states, there's no economic law that states that gold must necessarily keep pace with inflation. I would add that since gold is priced in $US, and the dollar has eroded quite a bit over the last 25 years, then there might be some natural repricing to be expected as well. Who knows....

Paul was doing the wave.... Glad you noticed me, Greg. Took Randy a couple of sets before he realized that I was in the audience! It was a good show. (What's with Greg wandering around at the beginning of the tune? Couldn't find a seat?

Not really. This stuff means nothing to non-chessplayers. It's like being good at Risk or card games or something. Me and my buds get together and go over the games. That's when things get fun.

Was up till 2:30 the night before drinking. That was bad enough!

Last round game was against the 50th ranked woman in the US. Spanked her butt in 24 moves! http://uschess.org/ratings/top/0606/genLis...der=Top%20Women

First tournament in a year. Beers haven't killed all the brain cells....

This is what I was doing all Saturday. Schooled some people..... http://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?20...139461-12672331

If I took steroids, I'd still whiff at fastballs. :bwallace2:

I have to agree. Not nearly as impressive as Hank Aron's passing Ruth's record. What would really impress me is if someone could surpass Ruth's HR record not only without steroids, but while smoking, boozing, and eating to excess. That would truly be something. Why? Should this be the model for all baseball players to follow? Bruce, I hope Barry swats past the record. The media is completely anti-Barry. He may have used steroids but so did Sosa, Palmero, and McGuire, amongst others. The guy is not the most personable fellow in the world, but he's had a great career and has worked hard. Go Barry! Mark, Either it must be proven conclusively, or you leave the guy alone. I'm cheering for Barry!

Haven't seen the show yet, but $$1 has a good eye for comedy, so I'll try and watch it. When does it come on?

I have to agree. Not nearly as impressive as Hank Aron's passing Ruth's record. What would really impress me is if someone could surpass Ruth's HR record not only without steroids, but while smoking, boozing, and eating to excess. That would truly be something. Why? Should this be the model for all baseball players to follow? Bruce, I hope Barry swats past the record. The media is completely anti-Barry. He may have used steroids but so did Sosa, Palmero, and McGuire, amongst others. The guy is not the most personable fellow in the world, but he's had a great career and has worked hard. Go Barry!

I buy Mosaics because the Mosaic fans on this board goad me into it!

Well said, Dan. Floyd even lost to Joey Maxim (lt heavyweight) on the way up. He did move up in weight over the years but he was the youngest heavyweight champion in history, I believe, which means that he was a true--if not a very big--heavyweight. It wasn't as if he moved up in weight later in his career as he grew fatter and didn't want to train as hard. Note that Floyd lost to Ingemar Johanassen when Ingo weighed 195 lbs. Floyd was then the bigger man at 198 lbs. Floyd lucked out in that there was a dearth of good heavyweight fighters at the time. When he did face a big monster like Sonny Liston, he was rendered helpless in one round. But I'm tired of appearing as if I'm picking on this good fighter. He was gentlemanly, and extremely brave. He was a true hero. Sonny Liston was a bigger and stronger man, but he quit fights. Floyd never did. He had the heart of a champion.

Wow, did I come off that harsh? Like I said, he was one of the last great gentlemen of the sport. He just wasn't a great fighter. I loved the guy too.

This box set has been available forever. It doesn't quite rank as popular as hotcakes. It'll be interesting to see if there will be any price bump on the secondary market once it sells out. It might take some time...

I did a google search and found that Floyd did indeed beat Eddie Machen by decision. He also won a descion over George Chuvalo--another marginal contender. In the meantime, he was only able to obtain one draw in two fights with Jerry Quarry (he lost the other fight.) He also lost to Jimmy Ellis, who was a decent fighter, but was nobody special.

Not quite sure I agree with you, Jim. Floyd was full of heart and was an outstanding gentleman in the ring; but he was also clearly an average (at best!) Heavyweight Champion. Rocky Marciano would have beaten him; Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe would have beaten him if they were true contemporaries. Liston destroyed him twice; Ali destroyed him. A very average Ingemar Johannsen had him down more times than I can count; and actually won one of the fights. The only fighter of any pedigree Floyd was able to beat was Archie Moore. I don't happen to know if he fought Eddie Maachen or any of the other marginal contenders of the time, but Floyd did have some boxing skills. He had a glass jaw. Ali taunted him terribly, and Floyd didn't deserve that beating. He was very much loved by boxing fans; and he was one of the sport's last gentlemen; but unfortunately, he was not a great champion. (His adopted son/nephew Floyd Tracy Patterson didn't turn out to be a very good fighter either.) RIP Floyd! We loved you anyway!

What's with all these boring blow-outs? I can remember only a couple of good games so far. One was game 6 of Lakers-Suns, and there were some good games in the Cavs-Wizards series. Man, its' been boring. Let's hope the games get tighter as we get into the final rounds. (that's a yawn!)

One of my favorite pianists. RIP

He definitely kicks ass on the instrument, that's for sure! I think Tony Monaco is great! Tough to choose between Jim and Tony. I'd prefer not to! Tony is loaded to the gills with great chops. He seems to have absorbed most of the great organ chops over the last 50 years from all the greats. I must agree with Jazz Kat, however, in that his sound doesn't strike me as the most original. He does play a mean organ-accordian! I think he has contributed some orginality in that form. Other than that, he just lays all the old licks down in a very contemporary way. Great player. Tony just emailed me to say that he is scheduled at the Firefly in Ann Arbor on June 10th. Anyone want to join me there?

Repeat, please ...... Any free conga cd samples, Mike?

I'm still confused, but I aint giving up any of my 66 points! It's even more impressive since you completely got the Denver-Clips series wrong. Precision is rewarded, my friend! Guy I just peeked at my second round predictions, and I'm in some trouble! That pick of Miami over NJ looks atrocious right now!

I'm still confused, but I aint giving up any of my 66 points!

66 points! You sure you counted right? I'd count but I don't know how! Damn, I better pay closer attention to my second round picks. Maybe I can keep this old train a-rollin.... Didn't Nojjy post any picks?

I think congas should be smashed over the head of those who play them.