Studio711.com – Ben Martens

Fantasy Football 2019 – Week 16

It was a rough week for Seahawks fans. Injuries to both Carson and Procise feel like they have ended the season. We’ll see what Lynch can do coming in to a very important game off of his couch. It’s a hail mary for the season. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll be happy we had a good season and that we made the playoffs.

In our league, congratulations are in order for Tim! After scoring he most points in our league but only barely making he playoffs, he secured first place with a dominating victory. He finished dead last last year and whipped us all this year.

The final standings are:

1. Tim
2. Tyler
3. Logan
4. Luke
5. Nick
6. Ben
7. Andy
8. Dad

On to the weekly awards…

This Week This Season All Time
Highest Team Score Tim had 173.53 Luke had 202.63 (Week 5) Luke had 202.63 (2019)
Lowest Team Score Ben had 90.40 Tyler had 61.23 (Week 13) Andy had 41.29 (2015)
Biggest Blowout Tim beat Tyler by 69.24 Ben beat Tyler by 87.13 (Week 13) Luke beat Andy by 113.02 (2010)
Closest Win Andy beat Dad by 1.81 Logan beat Tim by 0.41 (Week 11) Tyler beat Nick by 0.01 (2018)
Longest Active Winning Streak Nick has a 4 game winning streak Luke has a 5 game winning streak (Week 5) Micah (2011) and Ben (2015) had 8 game winning streaks
Longest Active Losing Streak Dad has a 4 game losing streak Nick has a 6 game losing streak (Week 6) Kyle had a 14 game losing streak (2011)
Highest Scoring Player Daniel Jones had 45.28 as a free agent Aaron Rodgers had 53.76 on Ben’s bench (Week 7) Drew Brees had 60.54 on Tim’s bench (2015)
Lowest winning score Nick won with 101.69 Tyler beat Nick with 92.63 (Week 4) Tim beat Jim with 79.34 (2015)
Highest losing score Dad lost with 123.91 Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (Week 5) Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (2019)
benmartens December 25, 2019 Fantasy Sports

Merry Christmas

LUKE 2
 
THE BIRTH OF JESUS

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

benmartens December 25, 2019 Commentary

2019 Christmas Ornament

I love that our Christmas tree tells a story about our family! Each year we pick up one ornament from some big event in the year (usually a vacation.) This year our big trip was to Maine and Indiana. We didn’t find ornaments that really seemed to fit so I made one on the laser cutter. I think it’s a little big so I might make a smaller one next year, but this is a good reminder of our fun summer.

You can see our past ornaments in these posts: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008-2010

benmartens December 23, 2019 Family

Fantasy Football 2019 – Week 15

Seahawks! Their first three drives were fun to watch this week! Things settled down after that, but I liked seeing them airing the ball out some more. There were fantastic catches from Lockett, Metcalf and Brown along with great runs from Carson. Brown put a sour note on the game by being suspended indefinitely on Monday (for the fifth time.) I’d say his career is probably over, but it sounds like the Seahawks don’t really lose any money on the deal and many of his 7 catches this season were in big situations so it’s probably an overall win for the organization.

Normally I’d jump into our league at this point, but I have to mention the 49ers game. Both the 49ers and the Seahawks are in a position where they either win the division and get home field advantage or they have to fight their way up from the wild card. With the Seahawks losing last week, the 49ers had the upper hand but then they lost in epic fashion to the Falcons! Going into this week, their only two losses had come on the last play of the games. This one almost ended the same way except there was 2 seconds left. If you missed that game, be sure to watch the 6 minute recap to see the Falcons come back from 9 points down in the last 5 minutes. Last week the 49ers were ~60% favorites to win the division but this change bumps the Seahawks up to a 54% chance. Both teams are locked into the playoffs either way though.

There was plenty of drama in our league too. The underdogs won every matchup except the game between Dad and me. Time took down #1 seed Logan and Tyler beat Luke. So we get Tyler vs. Tim in the Super B.. championship. Tim has outscored Tyler by 15% this season and 25% in the last 6 weeks so hes’ the clear favorite, but anything can happen.

I think a lot of those championship bracket teams were thankful they weren’t playing in the consolation bracket this as there were some high scores among the battle for the scraps. The two highest league scores from this week (Nick and me) will face off next week for 5th.

The power rankings ignore the playoff bracket so it doesn’t make a lot of sense. If you’re curious, Tyler is #5. I only publish the top 4 to avoid shaming anyone.

1. Ben (Kool Aid Kid)
2. Tim (Beer-me) +1
3. Nick (Insert Creative Name) +-1
4. Andy (RAAAWWWRRRRR!!!) +2

On to the weekly awards…

This Week This Season All Time
Highest Team Score Tyler had 160.29 Luke had 202.63 (Week 5) Luke had 202.63 (2019)
Lowest Team Score Dad had 94.11 Tyler had 61.23 (Week 13) Andy had 41.29 (2015)
Biggest Blowout Ben beat Dad by 66.18 Ben beat Tyler by 87.13 (Week 13) Luke beat Andy by 113.02 (2010)
Closest Win Nick beat Andy by 8.18 Logan beat Tim by 0.41 (Week 11) Tyler beat Nick by 0.01 (2018)
Longest Active Winning Streak Ben has a 4 game winning streak Luke has a 5 game winning streak (Week 5) Micah (2011) and Ben (2015) had 8 game winning streaks
Longest Active Losing Streak Andy has a 5 game losing streak Nick has a 6 game losing streak (Week 6) Kyle had a 14 game losing streak (2011)
Highest Scoring Player Lamar Jackson had 47.08 for Tim Aaron Rodgers had 53.76 on Ben’s bench (Week 7) Drew Brees had 60.54 on Tim’s bench (2015)
Lowest winning score Tyler won with 119.41 Tyler beat Nick with 92.63 (Week 4) Tim beat Jim with 79.34 (2015)
Highest losing score Andy lost with 138.55 Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (Week 5) Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (2019)
benmartens December 18, 2019 Fantasy Sports

Spotify 2019

I make pretty heavy use of my Spotify subscription, especially at work. Around this time every year, they provide a bunch of stats about what you listen to. Here are some of the stats and top 5 lists that they gave me:

  • Top song:: The Arcadian Wild – Silence a Stranger
  • Top 5 artists:
    • Jason Mraz
    • The Arcadian Wild
    • The Senate
    • Jonathan Coulton
    • John Mayer
  • Top Genres:
    • Neo mellow
    • Stomp and holler
    • Indiecoustica
    • Progressive bluegrass
    • Indie pop

I’ve never heard of most of those genres but sure, why not. If you know my listening history, you might be surprised to not see any country on there. That’s still a favorite of mine, but I keep this work account totally focused on the type of music listed above. If I start to mix it with country, the recommendations get very confusing and useless. If I stick with one area, the “Discover Weekly” list is much more useful.

benmartens December 16, 2019 Music

Fantasy Football 2019 – Week 14

This week was a game to forget for the Seahawks. The defense was porous in the first half and aside from the first drive (which only ended in a field goal) the offense looked hapless. With the 49ers winning, the Seahawks are back in the wild card game. Locking up the division and getting home field advantage would be a huge deal for the Seahwaks but it’s an uphill battle now.

This wasn’t a super important week in our league as it was never going to change the playoff spots, but it did adjust the seeding a bit. Logan gets the #1 seed. He’ll take on Tim and Tyler will face off against Luke. Tyler went from the worst score last week to the highest score this week. And Logan posted exactly the same score that he had last week.

1. Ben (Kool Aid Kid)
2. Nick (Insert Creative Name) + 2
3. Tim (Beer-me) -1
4. Luke (Helmetheads) -1

One extra note: as I was writing this post I realized that I hadn’t clicked publish on last week’s post… and nobody commented. Am I talking to the wind? Please let me know if you want me to continue this next year.

On to the weekly awards…

This Week This Season All Time
Highest Team Score Tyler had 132.08 Luke had 202.63 (Week 5) Luke had 202.63 (2019)
Lowest Team Score Dad had 81.37 Tyler had 61.23 (Week 13) Andy had 41.29 (2015)
Biggest Blowout Nick beat Dad by 46.40 Ben beat Tyler by 87.13 (Week 13) Luke beat Andy by 113.02 (2010)
Closest Win Tyler beat Tim by 11.11 Logan beat Tim by 0.41 (Week 11) Tyler beat Nick by 0.01 (2018)
Longest Active Winning Streak Ben has a 3 game winning streak Luke has a 5 game winning streak (Week 5) Micah (2011) and Ben (2015) had 8 game winning streaks
Longest Active Losing Streak Andy has a 4 game losing streak Nick has a 6 game losing streak (Week 6) Kyle had a 14 game losing streak (2011)
Highest Scoring Player Drew Brees had 50.06 on Logan’s bench Aaron Rodgers had 53.76 on Ben’s bench (Week 7) Drew Brees had 60.54 on Tim’s bench (2015)
Lowest winning score Logan won with 106.96 Tyler beat Nick with 92.63 (Week 4) Tim beat Jim with 79.34 (2015)
Highest losing score Tim lost with 120.97 Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (Week 5) Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (2019)
benmartens December 11, 2019 Fantasy Sports

Harlem Globetrotters

When I was young, I remember going to see the Harlem Globetrotters and being amazed at the show. I’ve watched their tour schedule for the past couple years and they finally came to the Seattle area. Tickets were reasonable so we snagged three of them.

Elijah had a great time and the show was very entertaining. I wouldn’t want to go every time they come to town, but we all agreed it was worth seeing them. They added a “four point line” a few years ago. It’s 30 feet from the hoop. That’s more than 6 feet beyond the NBA line! I wish I had kept track of their average but at one point, one guy made SEVEN IN A ROW. I was equally impressed by how smoothly they all worked together to put on the show while also appearing to enjoy enjoying it even though they do the exact same stuff every day.

 

benmartens December 10, 2019 Family, Sports

IFTTT

Home automation is a never ending rabbit hole. I love gadgets and it intrigues me, but I also try to make sure that anything I do is transparent to Tyla. I used to make use of a Samsung Smart Things hub. It was a nice way to bridge all the various home automation technologies like Zigbee, Z-wave and WiFi. It unceremoniously died a few months ago and I had never been thrilled enough with it to want to buy a new one. Most of my devices were WiFi anyway so I decided to go all in on that.

You need something to execute all the programs (e.g. When I get home, turn the thermostat back up and turn on the Christmas tree) and there are plenty of gadgets that live in your house, but I decided to try using IFTTT for everything. The acronym stands for “If This Than That.” It’s a really simple way to set up triggers and actions across hundreds of different services, the vast majority of which have nothing to do with home automation. I’ve used it a bit for years but I’ve never fully relied on it.

After a month of transferring my home automation actions to IFTTT I have to say I’m very impressed. It works really well and it’s super easy to adjust/tweak/configure as needed. So for now I say goodbye to custom in-house solutions and hello to more generic cloud offerings. Let’s see if I still feel the same way in a year.

benmartens December 9, 2019 Gadgets

Fantasy Football 2019 – Week 13

There have been so many great Seahawks games this year! These wins feel a lot different from the Super Bowl year when there were so many blowouts and “easy” wins. With the win on Monday night, they not only made Kirk Cousins the first QB to lose his first 8 MNF appearances, but they now jump to the 2nd seed in the playoffs as the top of the NFC West. The 49ers are 10-2 and in a wild card spot!

The playoffs are pretty much locked in our league. Next week would have been more interesting, but Russell snagged enough points to help Logan top Andy. Technically Tim could still miss the playoffs but that’s so unlikely that it’s not even worth explaining. Congrats to Luke, Logan, Tyler and Tim who will be battling for the playoffs in Week 15! This coming week will decide the seeding.

The power rankings? They’re just rubbing salt in my wounds.

1. Ben (Kool Aid Kid) +1
2. Tim (Beer-me) -1
3. Luke (Helmetheads)
4. Nick (Insert Creative Name)

On to the weekly awards…

This Week This Season All Time
Highest Team Score Ben had 148.36 Luke had 202.63 (Week 5) Luke had 202.63 (2019)
Lowest Team Score Tyler had 61.23 Was: Dad had 73.66 (Week 10) Andy had 41.29 (2015)
Biggest Blowout Ben beat Tyler by 87.13 Was: Luke beat Tyler by 71.46 (Week 10) Luke beat Andy by 113.02 (2010)
Closest Win Logan beat Andy by 1.63 Logan beat Tim by 0.41 (Week 11) Tyler beat Nick by 0.01 (2018)
Longest Active Winning Streak Ben has a 2 game winning streak Luke has a 5 game winning streak (Week 5) Micah (2011) and Ben (2015) had 8 game winning streaks
Longest Active Losing Streak Andy has a 3 game losing streak Nick has a 6 game losing streak (Week 6) Kyle had a 14 game losing streak (2011)
Highest Scoring Player Aaron Rodgers had 36.12 points as a free agent Aaron Rodgers had 53.76 on Ben’s bench (Week 7) Drew Brees had 60.54 on Tim’s bench (2015)
Lowest winning score Logan won with 106.96 Tyler beat Nick with 92.63 (Week 4) Tim beat Jim with 79.34 (2015)
Highest losing score Andy lost with 105.33 Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (Week 5) Tim lost to Luke with 169.11 (2019)
benmartens December 4, 2019 Fantasy Sports

Ned Forrester’s Namesake

We watch a lot of Dude Perfect in this house. We’ve been through the entire back catalog and we’re going through the Nickelodeon show on Hulu now. One of our favorite characters is when Tyler plays Ned Forrester. It seemed like some random name so I never thought twice about it until the other night when they showed an exterior shot of their old office. Look at what is next door… Ed Forster, State Farm rep!

benmartens December 2, 2019 Commentary