Just some thoughts to start 2011

• Sadly, the HBO mini-series 24/7 Penguins-Capitals has ended. If watching the four incredible episodes of thrilling TV, each one delivering a slice of the NHL into your living room, did not make you a hockey fan, nothing will. The series brought the NHL to life, highlighting the personalities of players and the passion they share for the game that they love. From Capital coach Bruce Boudreau's incessant use of the 'F' word to the close up shots of various players' scarred, often grisly faces, the show was perfect from puck drop to the final buzzer.
• The Knicks, even without injured Danilo Gallinari, beat the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night, who have the NBA's best record. If you still don't think the Knicks are for real, its time you start thinking they are. Obviously the playoffs are a long way off, but at this point it's certain that the Knicks are going to be a very scary team to face come April.
• Best part of the Spurs game at Madison Square Garden: Every time Tony Parker had the ball, the crowd chanting, "EVA! EVA!" Oh, so cruel. Oh, so beautiful.
• After Mark Wahlberg was nominated for an Oscar in The Departed, he made four awful movies in a row: Shooter, We Own the Night, The Happening, and Max Payne. It was nice to see him get back on track in 2010 with funny roles in Date Night and The Other Guys, and an excellent role in the exceptional boxing movie, The Fighter.
• It's about time Michigan fired coach Rich Rodriguez! Rich Rod and Michigan fit together like a polar bear fits in a desert.
• Jersey Shore season three starts Thursday with a new cast member, who's even weirder looking than Snookie. It makes sense that she's Snookie's best friend, I guess. I really don't get these people. Where do they come from?
• So, in college football TCU goes 11-0 beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, yet they don't get a chance to play for the national championship. In the NFL, The Seattle Seahawks go 7-9 and get a home playoff game, while the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both go 10-6 and miss the playoffs all together. Isn't football set up so fairly in this country?