Quick hits, April 16, 2010

This Laker team could be in for a rough postseason. I warned the folks about the Lake Show crashing into the finish line, and my fears were realized on Wednesday. This team just may not have it. Facing the facts, whether you like or not, is generally your best option.
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Woo-hoo, I am closing in on finishing the write-up and presentation slides for my IS 600 capstone. I can't believe it. Even though I don't expect my grade to be too high, the effort and attempt to get the others on my team to contribute has to be considered and given more weight. Let's see what happens.

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So now I have this new person on topix who I am now waging a little flame war with. His name is Kratos, and I am enjoying going tit for tat with this s.o.b. Stay tuned.

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Holy cow! I'm now a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Tomorrow, after my presentation...I will be heading off to the HDC to cover another game. Already notified the people up top to reconsider the decision. I hope that my credential is not denied.

ISML 2010: Taiga roars to the top in the Topaz

ISML 2010: Taiga roars to the top in the Topaz

April 16, 2010

Is Taiga Aisaka looking to take no prisoners and grab the International Saimoe League necklace for herself?

"Not really," she says. "I just want to kick ass in the Tiara when I qualify for the damn thing. That's all. This is just candy."

Aisaka rose to first in the 2010 ISML Topaz table with a 3475-1474 flattening of Chiaki Minami.

The top four overall in the ISML remained unbeaten in all-too-obvious mismatches. Mio Akiyama cruised to a 3678-1450 victory over Ryou Fujibayashi, defending champion Hinagiku Katsura took down Nodoka Haramura 3936-1004, Shana torched Nymph 3813-1303 and Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Ikaros 3368-1629.

Claiming a sweep once again were the girls from Fate/Stay Night. Illyasviel von Einzbern edged Kurimu Sakurano 2511-2366, Saber slashed Ui Hirasawa down to pieces 3183-1990 and Rin Tosaka wore down Fuuko Ibuki 2810-2140. Both Saber and Tosaka are in the running for the Topaz along with the overall unbeatens.

Bakenomogatari also picked up a perfect day in Topaz 3. Hitagi Senjougahara dismissed Kotomi Ichinose 2650-224 and Nadeko Sengoku sent the mad cobras out on Mikuru Asahina 2726-2372. Sengoku remains in the hunt for the TOpaz.

Yui Hirasawa stayed in the hunt with a 3266-1714 beatdown of Ami Kawashima. Also staying in the hunt was Azusa Nakano, who knocked Minori Kushieda around and upside down by the score of 3321-1770. Yuki Nagato rounds out those in the running. She scored a 3967-996 walkover of Mihoko Fukuji.

In other ISML action...Holo chomped up Rika Furude 3000-1823, Kyou Fujibayashi pounded Ushio Okazaki 3148-1352, Konata Izumi bounced back with a 2701-2329 decision over Isumi Saginomiya, Haruhi Suzumiya took out Maria 3134-2126, Tomoyo Sakagami rolled past Chizuru Akaba 2853-2019 and Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere dusted off Hanyuu Furude 2800-1888.

The friendly rivalry between Fate Testarossa and Nanoha Takamachi saw the 2008 ISML Champion gain the upper hand once again, 2726-1462.

Ruiko Saten broke out the aluminum bat on Tsukasa Hiiragi 2566-2265, Mafuyu Shiina defeated Nagisa Furukawa 2511-2291, Golden Darkness (Konjiki no Yami) defeated Mei Sunohara 2553-2123, and Kagami Hiiragi scored a 2685-2221 victory over Minatsu Shiina to confirm a disappointing day for the girls of Seitokai no Ichizon.

In the special match, Fairy Tail's Lucy Heartfilia, a good friend of Suzumiya, prevailed over The Sacred Blacksmith's Lisa 2134-1738.

Match Day 4 of the 2010 International Saimoe League Topaz phase is scheduled for Sunday, April 18. Vote online for your favorite candidates on InternationalSaimoe.com.