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RotoWidow: The March Madman in My Bed

The RotoWidow shares 10 clues that your spouse has March Madness. From the RotoWidow files…

As we near the end of February, there’s something in the air: the unmistakable sense of March Madness. It’s an affliction many roto widows will have to endure in the coming weeks. Having dealt with this state for a few years now, I thought I’d try to provide some warning signs of this madness for all of you significant others out there who are similarly sports-saturated. If you find yourself faced with any of the 10 situations below, don’t panic. Your spouse has simply caught March Madness and will return to his or her “normal” self on April 3.

10. You find he’s repeatedly explaining to you the definition of a “Tar Heel.”

9. After every purchase he checks the air points balance on your credit card to see if he has enough to get to Atlanta.

8. He starts arranging the french fries, peas and meat loaf on his dinner plate in a bracket formation.

7. He starts rifling through your kids’ paint supplies to see if there’s enough of the right orange hue so that he can be in full support of Syracuse.

6. You ask him to pick up milk and eggs on the way home, but he arrives with bags of cheese doodles, candy corn and celery sticks for his new pet ram, which he rented from the local petting zoo.

5. When you inquire about the sudden spike to the long distance phone bill, you learn that your spouse has been calling all the tournament teams. He’s been inquiring if they are in need of an understudy for the team mascot.

4. Whenever you ask if he can do the dishes (or some other cleaning activity) he starts jumping up and down making a low humming sound in an attempt to distract you. You clue in to his plan when you see on TV that the home crowd makes that very same motion when the opposition has the ball.

3. He thinks it would be fun if you both filled out brackets - a bonding activity - but you find yourself spending way too much time wondering whether a badger or a husky would win if they were in a fight.

2. You arrive home from work on the first Thursday of the tourney to see a strange glow coming from the family room windows. No, aliens have not taken over your home. Your husband has moved every television in the house, all computer screens, and your laptop into the family room so that he can watch all the games that are on at the same time. Don’t even attempt to turn on the lights unless your brother is an electrician.

1. In an attempt at sweet talk when you’re getting intimate, he takes on the raspy tone of Dick Vitale and ends every sentence with a shout of “you’re awesome, baby!” You try to explain that “how’d you like to touch my Dickie V., baby?” is not working as a turn on.

 

RotoWidow: Host the Sports Party of the Year

The RotoWidow has some fantastic advice to help you throw the ultimate Super Bowl party.From the RotoWidow files…

With just two weeks left until Super Bowl XLI, it’s time to send out the invitations for your party! There’s no better way to’win friends and influence people than to host them at a super cool Super Bowl party. Here’s what you need to have a kick-ass’football fest:

1. Invites need to share the excitement that can be expected from the party. If you want to go traditional, mailed invites should resemble sports’tickets with all the relevant details of your’party. Alternatively, if time and money are an issue, leave voicemails’for your guests inviting them to the big day. But’not just any voicemail - play a couple seconds of a recording of a referee’s call from a game before you “announce” where the party to end all parties will be. You’ll be sure to pique their interest.

2. Set the scene at your party headquarters by decorating in the colours of the two competing teams. Be sure to have noise-makers and face paint on hand so that guests can truly get into the spirit. Even if they’re not that into football, they can surely get into the mood if you have the necessities.

3. Food. Think tailgate; think football stadium. Cold beer (OK, and soda)’in coolers and tubs of ice should be placed in key spots. If weather permits, or if you’re a true tailgater, fire up the grill for’hot dogs, sausages and burgers. Be sure to offer lots of snacks such as Crackerjack, popcorn, and (RotoRob’s favourite) cheese doodles’in small, stadium-sized packages.

4. While the RotoWidow does not condone gambling, it’s all about the betting, baby! The Super Bowl easily rates as the most bet-on sports game of the year. It’s’likely that more than $6 billion will be bet both legally and illegally on this one game. And, quite frankly, this can add excitement to a game that’s’a blow-out and make the non-sports fan feign interest for a few hours. The key is to have variety in the types of bets your guests can make. Sure, you’ll want to have the obligatory football board, but I’m talking about things like, which player has the best football-pants butt. Have everyone pick a player and then vote at the end of the night - the person who picked the player with the most votes wins. Or how about, which team has the best endzone dance? Or who has the best Super Bowl commercial or’best’half-time act? Be creative and you can find something to interest everyone. Heck, in Vegas, it’s common to bet on which team will be the last to score, whether or not either team will score in the first 6.5 minutes, and who will win the coin toss. And you don’t need to go crazy with wagers. Simply put together some goody bags for each winner to take home.

With’these simple tips, you too can be’the host(ess) with the most(est). Happy party planning and may the best (Colts) team win!

 

2006 RotoRob Awards: Fashion and Celebrity

Jessica_Simpson_award.jpgStud of the Year

Perhaps it was the much-publicized breakup from her famous Newlywed co-star that keeps Jessica Simpson leading the pack in the Fantasy Fashion League. Or maybe it was the launch of her own line of shoes. Either way, she’s kicking butt with her Daisy Duke booty and four-inch stilettos. Simpson is our fantasy studette of 2006.

Dud of the Year

RR_Award_sm.pngTeri Hatcher must have appeared more desperate than a sexy housewife this year because she’s a dud in 2006. Compared to the top-notch numbers she earned last year, Hatcher has wilted. Perhaps there’s only room enough for one superstar on Wisteria Lane - and, if so, it’s clearly Eva Longoria (she’s earned a massive rock from Tony Parker to prove she’s his ultimate fantasy).

Rookie of the Year

RR_Award_sm.pngCanada’s own Evangeline Lilly earns top rookie honours for ‘06. While she may not be a newbie to the world of TV, her first speaking part ever - as Kate Austen on Lost — has garnered her top marks in the fashion and celebrity world. Kudos to any Canuck who leaves Alberta behind for Hawaii. Lilly has clearly found her way.

Comeback of the Year

RR_Award_sm.pngDitching the “dirrty” laundry has helped Christina Aguilera fashion an amazing comeback. With the launch of her Back to Basics album this year, Aguilera cleaned up her act and currently ranks ninth out of 426 celebrities in the Fantasy Fashion League. Not too shabby for someone who not too long ago was being censored by the parents of her much-adoring pre-teen fans. The girl can sing - hopefully she’ll stick just to that.

[Editorial note -- the RotoWidow was not responsible for choosing this tasteless photo or writing the cutline.]

2006 RotoRob Awards

Basketball
Hockey
Football
Baseball

 

RotoWidow: Gifts for the RotoWidow in Your Life

rotowidow.pngFrom the RotoWidow files…

With just two weeks left for holiday shopping, it’s time to think seriously about your gift giving. Are you giving the right present(s) to your RotoWidow? After a year of playing second fiddle to the game of the week, your spouse deserves a gift that says, “You’re my MVP;” “Where you are is definitely more important than where Manny is going to be in 2007;” “You make me happier than Monday Night Football,” and simply, “I love you more than Sidney Crosby.”

So here are some ideas to get you started with your holiday shopping. I know it’s the thought that counts, but if you’ve been a particularly devoted fantasy sports junkie this year, one of these suggestions might be worth considering.

5. A night out at the most expensive, romantic restaurant in town. The key here is not the restaurant; it’s that you must promise to take her when she wants to go. Yes, she picks the date night and no matter if it’s Wild Card weekend or Super Bowl Sunday (of course, she’d never actually do that to you) you have to go. The sacrifice that you’re making is the key to this gift. It will make her stop and think, “Wow, he really does care about me more than those silly guys wearing spandex pants outside in Green Bay. He’d rather be spending time with me than wearing a block of cheese on his head.”

4. A leather designer handbag. This is an investment piece that every girl wants, but can sometimes be hard to justify. You’re reasoning is that at least she’ll have something beautiful and valuable that she adores on her arm when she’s out and you’re at home watching the game. Trips to family outings or social events without you will be less undesirable with her new bag to show off.

3. A flat-screen TV and DVD player. It doesn’t need to be 52″, but it does need to be in a different room than where you watch your sports. Now she has a little retreat where she can quietly enjoy Sex and the City DVDs, while you’re whooping it up over the game of the week in your den. There’ll be no more arguments about the remote either.

2. A trip to a warm, sunny climate. This gift is the perfect way to make up for the time you spent in sunny Florida during spring training. In fact, she may appreciate a solo trip to a spa or retreat. If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then make the absence from sports all the more reason to fall in love with you all over again. She’s sure to have heart-felt memories when she’s lying on the beach in Maui.

1. Diamonds. And I don’t mean like the kind that Ray Kinsella made in Iowa. They can be big, but should still fit on a finger, in an ear or hanging around the neck. This present will undo all past roto wrongs and make your RotoWidow forgive all. Heck, she may even be so blinded by the shiny light that she’ll agree to go to spring training with you.

Happy shopping!

 

RotoWidow: A Month for Sports Fanatics

From the RotoWidow files…
Happy October 1st! I’ve always been fond of fall — the changing colours of leaves, the crisp cool air and, of course, the non-stop sports. October is the most exciting month for sports fans. What could possibly make one happier than post-season baseball, football, and pre-season hockey and basketball? It’s a sports smorgasbord. However, with all this sports watching, the fantasy sports manager has to employ some time-management tricks. It’s no fun playing roto if you can’t keep up with your teams. So I’d like to share with you my top three tips for staying sane this October.

1. Take some time each Saturday morning (when the TV Guide arrives) to plan which sports you’re going to watch during the week. This is essential so that you can ensure you have enough cheese doodles, licorice and beer on hand to prevent crazed half-time trips to the store. You know the ones where you are bowling people over in the aisles trying to find your favourite snacks ‘ all while knowing you have just 15 minutes before the second half starts?

2. If you’re a player in multiple fantasy pools, try to designate specific days of the week (or at least times during the day) when you will research and make changes, decisions, etc., to just one fantasy team. I know it’s overwhelming trying to take in information on all four sports and keep up with all of the excitement, so you need structure if you’re going to be an effective fantasy sports enthusiast.

3. Whenever possible, schedule family and friend events that correlate with your sports mindset. The kids will think that a night of bowling with mom and dad is great fun and mom will be happy that you are taking time to connect with the family. But there are always TVs and satellites in places like bowling alleys so you can keep up with the game while you ensure your social and family life doesn’t go down the drain! Spouse nagging you to go out for dinner? No problem. There’s a great new restaurant (read: sports bar) that just opened that you hear has the best chicken wings in town.

Remember, October is the most fun month of the year, and with some thoughtful planning and preparation you’ll be sure to enjoy it and not miss out on all its sports.

Now, a quick update on how I’m doing in the Fantasy Fashion League. Well, they don’t show the full list of teams to compare scores ‘ just the top 10, and based on those top 10 scores, unless something screwy happens to the point tracking system to cause my score to grow exponentially, I’m down near the bottom, completely sucking. Speaking of exponents, there is a good reason why I suck so bad. Now, being a journalism major and creative-type, I hate math just about as much as Republicans hate Michael Moore. But for once in my life I’m missing statistics. In fashion, unlike in sports, there are no stats to analyze or compare to help determine which players are best for your team. Teams are pretty much formed on gut instinct. So the lack of stats is my excuse. (I really am fashionable ‘ I swear!)

Happy October to all!