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Born with a comic book in one hand and a remote control in the other, Cory DLG is the talent of Conroe's very own Nerd Thug Radio, Sports and Wrestling. Check out the podcast replay of the FM radio show at www.nerdthugradio.com!
Hey Nerds!
It's a glorious Monday and we've got a week to nail, am I right? I'm right, right? Right. Let's get this week going. I always believe Mondays are the most important day of the week because they are the day you use to plan and build and organize your whole week.
GOOD DEED OF THE DAY
So never let it be said that I, Cory DLG can't take criticism and advice, so we're making an adjustment to the GOOD DEED OF THE DAY, we'll try and focus on something all week, so we do MORE good for one thing at a time. So this week we're focusing on helping two things with one section, The Arc of Greater Houston (who does great work with families with disabilities) needs help with their booth at Bayou City Art Festival. They're looking for volunteers for the Children's Center they're putting on to entertain kids at the festival which in itself benefits local charities and artists. So you know, help out and also check it out this weekend starting Friday and blowing through Sunday.
THAT'S SOME AWFUL NETFLIX
This weekend I may have wondered into the dark corners of Netflix. I was on a weird late night binge after re-watching Love, Death and Robots and I was trying to satisfy the weirdness and I stumbled across Extraordinary: The Stan Romanek Story. This is a weird one guys, so I take no positions for the purpose of this article on whether or not I believe aliens abduct people (I don't) but this guy Stan definitely believes they do. He has one of the most documented series of encounters with aliens ever, and there are all kinds of interesting stories and videos and facts and things in the documentary. It's about an hour and a half of semi-interesting stuff and then at the end, there's a note on the screen that after the documentary was made the dude got arrested for kiddie porn. What the heck? Lead with that so I can judge everything properly, I can't go through a whole movie trying to decide if this guy is as crazy as it seems and then be proven right at the very end. Absolute disaster, do not watch. Although the two videos of aliens are pretty funny… so maybe.
THIS WEEK, HISTORY CONTINUES
This week, something pretty freaking awesome is happening. Batman #1000 comes out, that's right, literally the one thousandth issue of Batman. So obviously I'm a huge comic nut but this year has been a big deal for a couple reasons one of which being Action Comics #1000 also came out earlier. Now in general I'm a Marvel guy, but come on, one thousand issues of Superman and Batman is pretty flipping awesome. Every kid grew up with some iteration of these two, they are every kids first superheroes growing up, the capes and the mask, these two drove pop culture for a long time and it's important to remember where things come from. In my case, these two. Here's to another thousand, if you're looking for some great modern batman stories to get into, check out Scott Snyder's recent run on Batman. He introduced some really awesome stuff into the myth of Batman including The Court of Owls, a secret society of the most powerful families in Gotham and also did something really twisted with The Joker, I don't want to spoil it, so seriously, look into it.
INDY AS YOU GO GO
So I promised I'd be doing these and I keep my word, today a great comic on Indiegogo runs its clock out. This project has already funded and will be getting made no matter what, I recommend you check it out because the art is crazy awesome. This guy is talented and deserves as big a launch as possible on this project, Longharbor. Combining HP Lovecraftian elements and a hint of John Carpenter, this modern story is beautifully crafted and worthy of attention. Check it out and get your nerd on with this Indiegogo gem, and the nice part is, it's already funded so you know you'll get the thing you're rooting for, which is my only complaint about crowd funding. I waffle back and forth because on kickstarter your money doesn't come out if the project doesn't get made but on indiegogo the money comes out no matter what, which can be disappointing if not enough money winds up on a project, the artist is just stuck half funded and you don't get what you were looking for.
TAKING BACK SUNDAY ON A MONDAY
Man, this was one of my favorite bands back in the day. I wasn't a total emo kid but man did I love some Taking Back Sunday, I think it's a little odd they're playing a two day engagement, kind of makes me wonder where they've been as of late. I'm guessing not as busy as they'd like but hey what do I know? No literally, what do I know? Also today at White Oak Music Hall is Grandson, but it's sold out, so just mosey on over to House of Blues and hang out with Taking Back Sunday, high school me's favorite band.
SUPPORTING A LOCAL ARTIST
So one thing I did come across this weekend getting ready for this blog, I came across this guy who made his own movie for under a grand. Pretty cool stuff so now I'm pimping it, this Friday come see the premier of So Far Close 2. The premiere will feature live music and free drinks! So make sure you check out the link and start making your plans to include a local artist chasing his dream and also, free drinks.
I'm going to jump out and wish you guys a great Monday and remind everyone to be kind to each other and try a little harder to have a great day! I'm coming back tomorrow and we'll be bringing more good times your way. Feel free to check out my digital short story The Wilson House, or buy a shirt from Side Hustle Ts where every shirt is now under $20 or listen to Nerd Thug Radio. Thoughts, complaints, events and comments can be sent to corydlg@gmail.com.
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A new challenge awaits, and the Astros know what’s at stake
Jun 27, 2025, 2:05 pm
The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.
In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.
Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?
Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.
Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.
If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.
As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.
And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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