Cocks, Bourbon & Blues (Highway 61 visited)

I had 2 options today - haul ass to New Orleans or make some fun detours and get there later.

When I saw an option to visit Clarksdale, Ms. It became a no-brainer. Here's a recap.

First off was a side-trip to Samuels, Ky. Why? Because there's a giant cock. My friend Endellion is a big fan, pictures were needed.

Not as giant as I hoped. But a good size, nonetheless

This particular cock is called Ozzie Frank. He seems kinda angry.

As an unexpected surprise, the road to Samuels is also known as the Bourbon trail. Hells Yeah!

So I stopped by the Jim Bean distillery. The place is like a compound

There's at least 20 buildings going up the hill . . .

They offer tours, but I didn't want to take that much time. So I had a tasting - Black Label and Baker's. And a Bourbon chocolate. Awesome. Drinking in the morning is cool. But Bourbon on a cold, cold day is special.

The next stop was Stonehenge. Seriously. KY Stonehenge, in Munfordville. Why?
I need an explanation.

In a guy's yard. Again: Why?

Too bizarre. Listening to Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Betty Lavette and other blues artists gave this trip an extra nice feel. I was so excited for my next destination.
I did eat on the way to Clarksdale, Ms. I stopped in Nashville for some delicious pulled pork with mac and cheese on the side. Good stuff.
Highway 61 is so filled with history, and driving down I couldn't help but think of that. Unfortunately, by the time I got to Clarksdale, home of the Blues, it was dark. It looks awesome, just the right mixture of run down places and cultural significance. It knows what it is and doesn't try too hard. I like it.
The Crossroads, of course, is the main attraction.

This is where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the ability to play guitar.
And play guitar he did. In only 2 years (he died at 27) he was able to achieve so much. Clapton even called him the most influential guitar player of all time.
He's top 5 according to Rolling Stone. Hard to disagree. Django, Hendrix, Vaughn, Clapton & Johnson seems right.
This area is also where Muddy Waters came from. So much history.
Unfortunately, Morgan Freeman's restaurant - Ground Zero Blues Cafe - is only open for lunch on Mondays. So I couldn't eat there. I thought, there will be something in Greenwood, near the plaque for Johnson's death. Wow ... that was not happening.

Greenwood was like Chester, PA. Scary. Except I was there at night. I clearly did not belong. The looks I got were mostly of surprise. The guy at the store where I bought gatorade looked at me like I was crazy. I'm pretty sure I was off-roading at some point. The streets are not lit, the signs are hard to find, when they exist. Bad times all around. I took a picture, the flash didn't go off ... I got stuck in 3 dead ends ... oh man ...

No one really knows where he died. Or when, I think.

I ran away, past Yazoo to Jackson, Mississippi. Then around Ponchartrain to New Orleans.
This is a really nice hotel (under $60 CND) a half block from Bourbon Street, in the heart of the French Quarter. Good times.
This is gonna be awesome. Where the hell is Barbie and Endellion?

(see all the pics here: full album)

LeBronukkah - instant reactions

I DVR'd this bad boy. Watching it now (around 11:30 PM) I know I can't exactly live tweet it.
So let's do a fake diary. There's just too much happening.

The pre-game was just so full of hype and nonsense (i did enjoy the monuments leaving intro, though). Like a game 7, let's calm the fuck down.
I enjoy the chants of A-HOLE, A-HOLE. And Akron hates you!

Lots of signs and shirts, despite the censorship.
Quitness, Witless, lots of variations on that item.

Great put back dunk by Hickson early on.
5.00 left in the first, James basically elbows Joey Graham hard twice trying to separate, and then bitches to ref he got held. Man, GTFOH.
Like a Bosh!

2.31 left in the first Cavs had a good run early, but now they're 4 down. 21-17
Beer is only being served in paper cups. Ha!
I think I accidently saw a tweet that said the Cavs got blown out. Too bad, my pick, given 8pts, was definitely the Cavs.
I'd love to hear what's being said, the game is on a 7 second delay and sound cuts out.
1.30 James with 10 already
48.1 Boobie with a 4 point play, ending the 16-0 run by Miami 28-21
end of first 31-23 (19-7 run to end quarter. All 7 by Boobie)

Can we not call them the big 3. That's retarded. At best they're the big 2 featuring Bosh. He played well for a shitty team. Not an All-NBA, barely an All-Star. Think a female version of Tracy McGrady or Gilbert Arenas.
8.20 Sessions with a 3pt play to cut it to 36-31. No James on the floor
Gibson misses easy layup and Wade stuffs. Bush league. Feeling like it will be a blowout.
C'mon - get to the basket, they are weak inside, ffs.
Look, if you can't beat a team featuring Juwan Howard, Joel Anthony and Carlos Arroyo bow your head in shame.
Lyin' King is my fave T-Shirt. Well Done.

2.10 Still booing James' every possession.
2.00 Bosh gets 2 on a Varejao Own Goal. He has 9. 52-37
"Bosh is playing well in the absence of Haslem" Ummmm ... he's making $15 Mill a year. What the fuck are you talking about. So Haslem would get his minutes?
end of half 59-40 Miami. Crowd is out of it. This is gonna get ugly.
LeBron is being an asshole. Get the fuck away from the Cavs bench, you jackass. I don't care you're friends with them. Save that for out of the fans' view. No class, spitting on Cleveland again.

Thanks Chuck. He agrees, LeBron James is going to the Cavs bench laughing with them every timeout. Byron Scott needs to stop that shit.
Wade and James with 14. Bosh 11.

Wait. Was T.O. trying to score a free phone from James?
Did Byron Scott just go little league: If we try hard and lose, I'm good. Really, mofo? I can't figure out who I hate more.

Woah - FG% is 56-30 for Miami ... ouch
I wonder how Nike feels about seeing it's logo on all those T-Shirts. Any pub is good pub?
7.26 This is getting bad. 75-48. 22 by James, he's taking over
But that was a travel.
Candace Parker's brother is shitty tonight.
I can read those lips. That was a "Fuck you, bitch" with a single finger salute...
4.26 He has 17 this quarter. Le sigh... 88-50
Nice sign - We're not terribly fond of LeBron.
Time to move on? This is his first game back, douche nozzle.
This game needs Blake Griffin.
I'ma throat punch Marv Albert. Reggie Miller knows hate, let him speak.
Cleveland is in 8th place. They Start Varejao, Moon, Candace's Bro, Mo Williams and Hickson. Raptors suck at basketball.
1.10 Cavs on a big 12-3 run. Lead now only 29. 91-62
end of 3rd 95-65

Says it all

Chants of Bullshit. Something went down in the stands. Standard PA announcement to not throw shit. Artest has a shrink now, we're all safe.
"If you're Byron Scott it's going to be hard to win against teams that score lots of points." No shit, Sherlock. I'd say that goes for every team in the league. I want to stab my ears. This game is so boring.
Oh oh ... Cops have lined up and are kicking people out now.
 9 minutes left.
Oh well, my nightmare is over. Game went on too long, PVR done.
Lemme check internets.
Final is 118-90. Blah.
James with 38, didn't play in 4th. Cavs starters - 28 pts.

Oh my ... Apparently: A battery was, in fact, thrown, falling near the Heat bench late in the game (according to NBA Fanhouse LiveBlog)
And a dude who was taken out by security, was "taken out" ... all bloody when he was carried out.

2010 Thanksgiving Runnig Diary

Let's do this again ...

Starting late, I wasn't sure I wanted to do it. And I was pissed my shopping went so poorly.

So far we've only seen a Suh sack of Bieber and a FG to make it Pats 3-0.
Plus, gotdamn CityTV has taken over the feed, so instead of potentially cool commercials, we get Canadian classics. Kill me. This also means less cheer babes later on, since Canadian TV likes to go long with their ads and cut into programming.

For the record - I have the Lions today. Moneyline. That's right. I'll take your 6.5 and laugh to the bank...

1:10 - Calvin Johnson with the TD grab ... YES!!!! C'mon you fucking losers... make daddy proud. 7-3 Lions

1:15 - Suh is a beast. He's so hyped, but seems to be delivering.
1:20 - One thing I hate about these big days, is all the "stories" about why we give thanks, or some kid who's sick or bla bla bla ... If I wanted stories, I'd switch to the Hallmark channel. Stop it.
1:27 - booze update. I'm into my second Corona. Had the rest of my Red Patch wine earlier. Turkey is in the oven - 5:30 hours to go.
1:30 - After going for it on 4th down. Lions are rewarded for intestinal fortitude by the football gods with a Morris TD. 14-3 Lions.
Ha ha - Fuck you Brady.
1:42 - Cunningham is right to be pissed that was a bullshit call designed to help Bieber. Nantz and Simms have had his cock in their mouths too much to be objective.
1:44 - I've never understood xmas car commercials. Who's buying a Nissan as a xmas gift? Suspect ...
1:46 - Dammit. Again, long commercial, we miss at least one play.
1:47 - How about a tackle? Green-Ellis makes it 14-10 Lions.
1:52 - Kid Rock for the halftime show? Why is he still getting steady work. I know one young lady who'll be happy to see him ...
1:56 - A pretty good drive by Hill leads to a FG with time expiring. 17-10 Lions. Halftime. Woo-effin'-hoo
1:58 - Wait a minute. The Event is still on TV? How did that shit not get cancelled already? Has anyone watched it after the first 2 episodes?
2:13 - I feel like Charlie just got all America up my ass ...
2:23 - Shitty marketing drives me crazy, and the sales team for CityTV is just plain stupid. Know your damn audience. Diapers, dish-washing liquid, really? C'mon! Get your heads out of your asses.
2:25 - Dammit. Hill gets intercepted. Pats with great field position.
2:27 - Fuck. Welker just gets in. He'd be one of my faves if he was on any other team. All tied at 17.
2:29 - Yep, more kid-oriented commercials by the geniuses at CityTV.
2:38 - Once again. A great drive by Hill. 2 great catches. go for it on 4th and goal and rewarded again. 24-17 Lions. Huzzah!
2:43 - Wow. Alfonso Smith sucks at football. And, I guess, life. Terrible coverage and non-tackling. 24-24 on a 80 yard TD by Branch.
2:47 - Smith was responsible for all 3 TDs ... wow.
2:49 - How is this Lions team 2-8? Their offense is pretty good. And J. Best is out with a toe.
2:52 - Missed FG. Of course.
2:59 - Are you fucking kidding me. Smith gets burned again ... Branch TD. 31-24 Pats. Why is this Bamma still on the field? He's the worst. They are going after him. Can you not understand this?
3:04 - You don't put a lot of blame on Alphonso Smith. Yet you say Brady knew he was going that way before it happened. You know why, Phil Simms? Because he's terrible.
3:06 - Another BS call against Detroit. I can't believe these ass hats are making me cheer for a team from Detroit. Shame on you NFL.
3:08 - Pats have the ball back. I'ma guess he goes towards Smith if they're stupid enough to have him on the field. Bieber & Belichik must be all lulz.
3:17 - Smith sits. But Welker scores again. 38-24. Dammit. I'm gonna start thinking the football gods hate me.
3:19 - Still not drunk. After 3 Coronas and wine. Into the Heineken now.
3:24 - Ugh ... Another pick of Hill. Almost a TAINT. This is not going well. Might need to get into the whiskey soon.
3:25 - STFU Brady. You got the penalty.
3:29 - Another TD by Green-Ellis. Le Sigh. 45-24 ...
3:32 - So, there's a scrap involving both teams. But only 2 Lions get penalties. Makes sense. smh
3:38 - I really don't care what you bowled last night. I really don't.
3:45 - According to Simms, 45-24=17 points down ... And the Lions should have gone for a FG with 1:30 left in the game. I wish I was dumber. Or drunker.
3:50 - I'ma switch to something less offensive for in-between games. I hate Simms and his fake award. Iron man. STFU.
4:11 - When Bite TV changed their format, I started watching Arrested Development from the start (I had only seen a few episodes). The one I'm watching now is hilarious. Lindsey gets a job at a store, but says she's stealing. It was shoplifting and I'm white. I think I'll be okay.
4:20 - No touching!
4:27 - Oh boy. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Can I watch football on mute?

My pick for this game is N'awlins, big. Like beating up on Detroit, big.

4:35 - the game is underway ... Can we not suck the Cowboys popsicle just yet? They're still 3-7.
4:40 - What a catch!!! Henderson and now 1st and goal for the Saints.
4:41 - Touchdown ... Ivory! I'm thankful for a beatdown, please jebus, make it happen. 7-0
4:49 - Oh Kitna ... Picked off by Will Smith.
4:52 - Leads to 50 yd FG ... NO up 10-0
5:01 - I've decided to go with Radiatori pasta for my Mac N Cheese. Good times
5:04 - I'd say that's a catch but down by contact
5:08 - I was right. But Ivory runs it in. 17-0.
5:12 - Another challenge. Should be another win for Garrett. Or else it's borderline abuse by NO.
5:14 - Garrett did win it, but it led to nothing.
5:30 - Brees' first incompletion, 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter, hits the receiver in the head. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's playing well.
5:45 - How about them Cowboys ... get a FG. 17-3 ... laughable
5:47 - I have a feeling the Turkey is gonna take another 90+ minutes. Maybe I should sample that mac 'n cheese - Jarlsberg, Old Cheddar & Mozzarella with bacon, of course.
6:09 - Did Aikman just compare Romo to Favre, Brady and Manning? Settle down. He's more Cutler and Palmer.
Halftime - 20-6 NO
6:18 - Switched over to The Basketball Jones in time to see the Blake Griffin abusive dunk again. Never gets old. Is the Russian now the shame of his entire country?
6:20 - Keith Urban? I thought he was the gay one, who's marriage got annulled? Who am I thinking of?
Google says that was Brad Paisley. Do people know these people? Where's Garth Brooks and Shania? That's the extent of my "new country" knowledge. I hate this shit.
6:35 - that was a huge/lucky play - Austin reverse with uncalled penalties. makes it 20-13
6:45 -Bush drops a TD pass, second drop in his first game back ... settle for FG 23-13 NO.
6:54 - And Reggie fumbles the return. 'Boys recover... oh boy
7:00 - Leads to a Cowboys TD. Now it's 23-20. It's all your fault Bush boy ...
7:07 - Aikman says that if Garrett wins today, he would be head coach next year. Of course. Makes sense. You win 3 games, then lose 5 in a row - let's make you a head coach. Man, GTFOH.
7:25 - Wow. You pass up a 53 yard FG to tie the game? And then the kicker makes an illegal kick. Kicker! Wow.
7:28 - The Saints are self destructing.
7:30 - And the pick ... wtf is happening?
7:36 - If Dallas fucks up this 1st and goal from the 1 - they deserve to lose.
7:37 - After one premature celebration they eventually score. Where's my drink? 27-23 Dallas.
7:50 - A great save by Jenkins to strip the ball from Roy Williams and then Brees takes it 85 yards for a TD. Big game player ...
8:05 - Of course Dallas misses a FG to lose the game. Good times!

Screw it, the late game will be terrible. So unless something changes, I'm done.

Review - Puck'n Wings

(Corner of Bloor/Walmer)
First off, it's a damn hockey bar, so I wasn't hoping for much.

But, I was assured the wings were top notch, all good.
I ordered 2 pounds - Dragon & dry Cajun.

At first I was excited, they looked hand cut, not mechanically cut. But that was an illusion on one wing. They looked good enough, a decent size.
The sauce and rub were pretty good and they tasted alright. Not top notch, but better than overrated Duffs, for sure.

But something seemed weird. I should've listened to my spidey senses.
We also had a beer problem, Barb's beer was off-tasting. They eventually gave her a fresh one.
Back to the wings. They made me sick as a dog, bad times. Undercooked, I think.

And then the bill - paying over $40 for 2 pints and 2 pounds without chips is borderline criminal.
So this is a pass from me. 2 out of 5, maybe.
I need to get myself to Shagwell's stat.

MLS Cup 2010

I went into the weekend thinking, meh. Whatever, really.

I would be one of those people you would call a TFC fan, but not an MLS fan. I only cared about MLS in as much as it is a delivery system for my masochistic love. And I certainly understand the concept of being a league fan, as I am a fan of the NFL (and Dolphins) and the NBA (no real allegiance, yet) as well as the EPL (MCFC).
But something happened at the Supporters Summit that changed my mind. Changed my life, really.

On Friday night I went to the Football Factory expecting to see mostly my RPB brethren with a smattering of Rapids and FC Dallas fans. Wow, was I wrong. First people I meet are Rey & Thomas, from Chivas USA.
These guys are awesome fun, goat-lovers, yes. But really fun. Then Sam from KC, sporting the new gear (pun intended). Abe from the Portland Timber Army, not even in the league yet. Plus guys from the Galaxy, RSL, Whitecaps, NYRB, DC United's Sleeping Eagles.
Every team was represented I hear. Even Montreal and Columbus sent someone. A class event.
The whole weekend unfurled the same way, with people partying like it's Super Bowl weekend, and then it hit me.
This is better. These are supporters, with passion. Where else can you crack an MLS-related joke and have people get it.
I was impressed. And I hope the neutral site concept continues, I know I'll be travelling next year.
The game itself was a snoozer, minus the last 3 minutes. But I got home post 3AM 3 nights in a row, proof of fun.

Well played MLS, and Boris and the rest of the Supporters Summit Organizing committee. I'm a convert and others felt the same way.

Annoying advert ep. 1 - Jared

This will be a recurring theme. I fucking hate stupid commercials/advertising.

This one is by the Jared jewelry store. It features a family of course, cause most annoying ads are family focused, this time the kids are hoping that their dad went to get jewelry like they said. Not only that but somehow they told him which store to visit.
A few things annoy me here. First off, what 8-10 year old kid knows the name of stores like that? Second, what man needs advice from his kids. Third, jewelry stores is maybe the easiest marketing campaigns to make. De Beers used to get it right.
The message is simple - wanna get laid? then buy her something shiny. End of fucking message.
Stop it, with the family/children nonsense.

2009 Thanksgiving running diary

Alright ... why the hell not let's try a running diary again.

I will start drinking at any point now (the turkey's ready in 2 hours), so be warned.



1100 - Wow, NBC is kicking CBS' ass in Macy's parade coverage. I never even heard of the people on CBS and not all the stuff is from the parade. I think their target demo really is the 54-90 age range.

1110 - I love the Roots, but why Jimmy Fallon? Does he have something on ?uestlove? Having Fallon lyp-synch to Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis was just weird.

1115 - Country music - Yep, time to crack open the first beer.

1140 - Rubbed the turkey down, another hour + to go. I'm starting with an American beer for the occasion - a Sam Adams. Gave a bit to the bird, hopefully that wasn't a bad idea.

1145 - Had to switch to the Pregame, the parade was about to make me nauseous. Too many kids.

1152 - To clear up any confusion - the bird that got a drink is the one in the oven. Although I should get a canary to live here, in case of toxic fumes.
Made the mistake of switching back to parade - oh boy. Christmas music and Santa ... Sigh

1157 - the Audio on Fox is all messed up. I may kill myself.
For the record - my predictions today: Dallas chokes; Detroit gets blown out and tonight is a comedy of errors.

1200 - Had to switch to College roundball - Creighton v Michigan. The audio is out of synch and it crackles on fox. There's no way I can listen. I may need to watch on mute. This sux huge donkey balls.

1218 - I assume the 15 next to Michigan is their National ranking and not their seed in this tournament (quarter-final #1 of Old Spice classic). They are giving Creighton a beating.

1223 - Fox is still messed up and they all picked the Giants. Going East to West on a short week. Really? You're all that sure of the team with the lesser record winning? Eli is better on the road, but his balls don't exactly cut the wind.

1233 - Rogers was trying to help, but in the meantime City TV feed has taken over, so ... who knows. As long as it works I don't care anymore

1235 - FOOTBALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

1238 - Lions have first and goal again. Jordy? Is that really a man's name? Nice fumble white boy. And roughing the passer? Shouldn't he be touched hard enough for him to notice? Ugh. This is gonna screw with my prediction. But it's still the Lions!

1242 - Touchdown Lions ...

1248 - Turns out Det is 31st in Defense and 32nd against the pass because they have a bunch of new players. Didn't they finish 0-16? I don't think newness is the problem here.

1252 - The rub was a bad idea, but the beer seems good at first glance. There's a slightly (okay mostly) burnt crust, but it's just the skin. Tenting now while the potatoes cook.

103 - Picked off ... There's the Lions I know!

110 - Touchdown - Donald Lee on a screen. Lucky 7's across the board.

123 - Turkey status: Delicious and moist. Pants status: off. Sam Adams status: #3

133 - First and goal. Let me throw 3 screen passes outside the 5 yard line and see if something can happen. You realize the defensive backs aren't running 30 yards downfield, right? 10-7 Packers. Idiots.

140 - Another pick. Big surprise. C'mon GB, don't screw this up.

147 - 1st and goal ... yep another short pass, at least it was incomplete

151- Yep. Once again the 31st best defense (that one from worst if you don't know) stops the Packers. 13-7. Still idiots. 1 minute left in 1st half.

200 - Halftime.

212 - Am I supposed to know who any of these people performing are? Melanie Fiona; Hal Linton; Kem and whoever the first one was? I'm old...

215 - oh, they let a white boy perform a Martha & the Vandellas song. That makes sense. Motown is all about that! Not just white. Emo white!

221 - Total yards. 256-78 ... again. idiots.
Ha! ... Another pick! Packers ball.

241 - Touchdown. That took forever. Packers 20-7

256 - Touchdown ... I was sooo right. Packers 27-7

257 - Beverage update: Grolsch, a nice Dutch brew.
end of 3

300 - Michigan won earlier, now it's Marquette v Xavier. What is this tourney? It's kinda awesome ... was it always here? I feel cheated. I need answers dammit.

310 - Ummmm... Why don't the Lions' 2 Johnsons have their first initial on their backs? They play the same damn position...

311 - 3rd and goal for Detroit. This is not ending well.

313 - Yep. No points.

320 - A safety for Detroit. Good on ya. 2 points will not make any difference though. Do you have a 20 point play in there?

331 - After a FG, everyone expects an onside kick with 5 minutes left. Sneaky Detroit kicks it away so that they can lose more easily. Awful nice of you.

335 - Yep. Stafford throws a TAINT. Good job rookie. Packers 34-12

348 - Matt Flynn is the QB now for GB. After McCarthy challenged a fumble and won, in a 22 point game. With 2 minutes left. Stay Classy GB.

351 - 18 seconds left. Prediction #1 was accurate for me. Game over. 34-12

357 - Apparently Lechler of OAK really wants to hit the scoreboard. Uhhhh Why?

421 - What's the ruling on leftovers? It's 3 hours later. Is it - If a microwave is involved = leftovers?
Also - if the Raiders are that much better with Gradkowski, why wasn't he starting earlier. (They are much better, btw. Jamarcus is one of the worst all time)

455 - 1st quarter done. Not exactly the most exciting. 3-0 Dallas.

505 - Touchdown Dallas on a big run. I'm pretty sure Tom Cable will now punch someone for failing to tackle. I suggest the pro-bowler, send a message coach!

523 - Doink.... stays 10-0 Dallas.

I'm bored. And not even tipsy enough, even though I've tried.

535 - Am I supposed to know who or what a Daughtry is?

539 - I'm so smart. Also - is anyone over 20 excited about the holidays? Enough with the ads.

600 - Seriously. Who are these guys? At least the nobodies in the earlier games were doing known songs. Let's get a local wedding band to perform at halftime ...

609 - So, the Cowbows are really clicking? they've scored 17. Not 37. Against the Raiders.

620 - You know why there's still so many ads for the Bills in Toronto? 2 cheapest tix will cost you $220. To see the Bills. From the top of the upper deck. Cause the bottom of the upper deck is over $100 more. To see the Bills. The only AFC team that existed in 1999 to not make the playoffs this decade (only NFC team - Detroit). Just sayin'

630 - The Raider comeback has started. TD. 17-7. But listening to commentary you'd think the Cowboys were cruising with a 21 point lead.

635 - The Dallas offense that's really clicking just punted for the 4th time. GB who couldn't finish didn't punt until the 4th Q.

646 - Wow Oakland sux. Even Roy Williams can catch a TD. 24-7

725 - Well that's finally over. I don't care about Simms' cobbler, for the record.

913 - I'll end it on this ... I'm pretty sure I just heard McDaniels use Motherfuckin' and drop another f-bomb. I smell an FCC fine...

2008 Elections

Election special 2008
Running diary ...

I'll update this throughout the day and night, so you can check results from your BlackBerry...
Some good news early, from last night:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers won last night against the Washington Redskins, despite the loss of Big Ben.
• Obama is apparently leading the already voted (early voters are expected to be 30-35% of the total) by 20 points

Ok, why is football important? Because the last Redskins home game before the election in these circumstances (incumbent not on ticket) has predicted the election correctly for over 60 years! If the Skins win, the incumbent party wins...
Today's menu calls for some Keith Olbermann, some Rachel Maddow, some Ms. Brown on CNN and some googling monkeys...

Have I mentioned how nervous I am?
Some early results I forgot:
Obama won Dixville Notch 15 - 6 and Hart's Location 17-10 with 2 votes for Ron Paul. These towns are in New Hampshire and vote at midnight. What does this mean - Nothing. But they do tend to vote GOP, so yay!
2:00 - Some more numbers: My prediction is Obama 279 - 259, with the consensus being around 340 for Obama ... I just can't trust those sneaky vote thieves...
The first polls close at 7 and could decide the election as Virginia and Indiana, 2 very red states, are said to be up for grabs. If Obama wins those, we could be close to a very big win for him. If he loses big (Indiana voted Bush by 20%) then we could be in for a long night.
2:35 - Wow, white voters are going McCain 52-45%, only 7%!!! That might seems bad, but Kerry lost whites by 17%
2:40 - McCain is speaking at a rally, which reminds me, he was in Tampa Bay yesterday and only 1000 people showed up. They were expecting 10 000. Ouch.
Holy crap - he just said Todd Palin was ready to be first dude because he won a snowmobile race after hurting his arm ... Save me Jebus!
Poll closure times:
7PM - Vermont, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Indiana & Kentucky (the last 2 have some polls closing at 6PM so some results will be known)
7:30 - Ohio, WV, NC
8PM - NH, Maine, Mass, Connect, NJ, Delaware, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tenn, Alabama, Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri & Oklahoma
8:30 - Arkansas ('cause why the hell not)
9PM - RI, NY, Mich, Wisconsin, Minn, Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, NM, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona
10PM - Iowa (why????), Montana, Utah & Nevada
11PM - California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho & Hawaii
1AM - Alaska (What the hell? Hawaii can close earlier, why can't you ... bastards)
3:00 - I hate Joe Scarborough, and I hope one day someone pops him in the mouth, what a tool
3:02 - Ok, if CNN insists on talking to Joe the Plumber, I'm switching networks. Some guy is handing out toilet plungers and calling them their rallying cry. So, when you think McCain, think clogged toilet!
3:05 - Undecided voters are 7% of the total? Who are these people? What is wrong with them?
By the way, beware of exit polls, they tend to have a democrat bias. Seriously, because mostly kids volunteer, and kids are more liberal, plus people are ashamed they said they voted for Bush or McCain.
3:25 - Hmmm ... No one has gotten 51% of the total vote in 20 years.
Ok, apparently 9% of registered democrats are going to vote for McCain. Someone needs to take their cards away. Seriously? Really? McCain? Because you like the way things are going? Why are you a democrat? to mess with the pollsters?
3:45 - Why doesn't Nora O'Donnell move her arms or torso on screen? Is she frozen? She's starting to freak me out, I'm completely distracted by her stiffness. Breathe, dammit!
4:00 - Just came across this tidbit: "Years ago I taught Sarah how to field dress a moose. But tomorrow, tomorrow I want you to see her field dress a donkey." -- Chuck Heath, Sarah Palin's father, on the trail Monday
I think she's too ridiculous for comedy shows, there's no material to be written, 'cause you just have to play the actual clip, it's already funny, you betcha!
4:05 - Obama is holding his rally tonight at Grant Park - I was there for Lollapalooza - in Chicago. 70000 people will be in his immediate area (baseball fields) but the mayor is expecting somewhere between 500 000 and 1 million more to show up there!
McCain rented a ballroom in a hotel in Phoenix, and he may not even appear - he'll probably just have a speech from the lawn in front... Stay classy!
4:10 - Wow ... Tim Robbins wasn't allowed to vote in NYC. They forced him to go downtown to confirm he was allowed to vote in the same precinct he's voted in for the last 15 years ... he was confirmed and allowed to go back to vote. I'm guessing we'll hear about this.
Oops - Starbucks almost got in trouble because they were offering free drinks to anyone who voted today. Turns out that's against the law, you can't give gifts to people for voting. So they said anyone who asked would get a free beverage.
4:50 - This is the first election since 1980 without a Bush or Clinton on either ticket. Sorry Hillary, next time, try running a clean campaign. Hope no one wakes you up at 3AM.
5:18 - Did you feel that little tingle - that was the return of the beautiful global village that is Soledad O'Brien to my TV. Exit polls are saying that 63% of people who said that Iraq was the top issue voted for Obama.
5:55 - 5 minutes to the first real results ... I'm getting more nervous. Maybe whiskey will calm the nerves.
Newsweek has a cool little flowchart that will help you speculate, if you're into that. http://www.newsweek.com/id/167116
6:15 - Yay results! Boo, bad results ... not unexpectedly, but McCain is leading Obama with less than 1% reporting. 800 votes lead in very rural areas.
6:30 - Obama is up by 12 in Indiana!!! Only 1% is in, however...
6:55 - Norah's not a robot after all, she was actually standing up. Obama is leading in Indiana still ... by 2% with 3% in
Yoah - big news. McConnell is behind 51-49% in Kentucky for the senate (9% in). This may not sound huge, but he's the Republican leader of the Senate. The Dems are projected at 57-58 in the Senate, 60 is the magic number - makes you filibuster proof.
7:00 - Kentucky just announced for McCain. Vermont for Obama. McCain 8-3.
7:45 - South Carolina goes McCain. McCain 16-3
7:55 - Oh my ... Obama is up 15% with 10% in Florida ... I'm giddy!
Dems are at 41 in the senate, they've picked up one already.
House is projected at 261-174 for the Dems +/- 12 seats..
Polls are about to close in big states. Get ready for a flurry of activity. Those boys were looking bored, but now the fun starts.
It's about to get all crazy up in here!!!
8:05 - Yahoo --- Sweet ... Oh baby ... Pennsylvania goes OBAMA!
Illinois goes Obama, NJ goes Obama, Massachussets goes Obama, Tennessee goes McCain, Maryland goes Obama, Oklahoma goes McCain, Connecticut goes Obama, NH goes Obama - Sweet! McCain wanted that one badly, Maine goes Obama, Delaware goes Obama & DC goes Obama
OBAMA 103 - 34 McCain
McCain was counting on Pennsylvania, his whole strategy really. The assumption was they were too racist to vote Obama. Florida & Missouri are too close right now ....
I'm a little more relaxed, not totally at peace, but much better. But so far, all the states have voted the same way as 2004.
8:15 - oooo ... Shaheen beat Sununu for the Senate in NH, another pick up for the Dems. And Sununu is fun to say, but a bit of a douche. 46-29 Dems. Nice.
But the Republican held in Maine. So 25 left to go ...
8:20 - Hee hee ... they showed the massive crowd starting to gather in Grant Park and then cut to the ballroom in Phoenix for McCain's party. They had a choir of young boys singing - really? With all the scandals that's an image you want? Smooth move, hey - someone get the boys' names so we can get them to be pages in Washington. Oye vey
24% of white North Carolina voters said race was a factor ... I feel sad again.
8:25 - Holy nightmare Batman ... we're getting pictures of lawyers debating ballots in Florida. Check this out, most counties had ballots (absentee) where you had the name and then a box next to it. You color in the box to vote - easy. But not West Palm Beach, those douche-nozzles decided to be cute and have the name, then a box with the pointy end to the left <= and then a blank space and then a box. The voter was supposed to fill in the blank space so as to make an arrow pointing to the candidate.
Idiots ...
Breaking news!  Elizabeth Dole loses to Hagan ... She was a bitch, called Hagan a member of the Godless americans and had an ad that implied Hagan screemed out "there is no God!" ... ugh ... 48-30 Dems
8:30 - McCain wins Alabama & Georgia ... Obama 103-58
8:55 - Ok, I'm sad again ... no pick ups so far and if McCain wins Ohio, Obama will have to win Iowa, NM & Colorado ... all 3 or else ... oh my god ... Ohio & Iowa ... are you shitting me? I hope he wins either Florida or Indiana ... I can't take this ... 15 more states in 5 minutes ...
9:05 - here we go ... Kansas to McCain, NY goes to Obama, Michigan to Obama, Minnesota to Obama, Wisconsin to Obama, Rhode Island to Obama, North Dakota to McCain (was a toss up, first one to go), Wyoming to McCain ... Obama 175-70 ... still no change from 4 years ago.
9:07 - Arkansas goes McCain ... Obama 175-76
9:15 - Dems are 52-34, so they have a majority at least in the senate ...
CNN's website is pissing me off, I just spent 10 minutes trying to figure out why there was a one vote difference for Obama (174) ... turns out they can't count. Someone check Blitzer's beard for narcotics.
9:22 - Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .... finally ... Obama wins Ohio!!!!   195-76 .....
Finally a red state flips ...
Newsweek projects an Obama victory ... but I'm still cautious.
9:26 - Louisiana goes McCain ... Obama 195 - 85
9:30 - New Mexico to Obama ... another red state !!!!  Obama 200 - 85
Sweet, I can stop scouting Iceland. I was on their site and found out I didn't need a visa to go there.
9:37 - If Obama wins California (a given), Washington State (always Dem) and Hawaii (where he's from) or Oregon (always Dem) ... he wins!
Udall in NM another pickup in the senate!  But McConnell hangs on in Kentucky ... Dems 52-36 ... 12 to go
WV goes McCain ... Obama 200-90
9:45 - I'm going to say 320 for Obama (I include Florida, Colorado & Iowa), not quite Clinton numbers, but still nice.
9:55 - I think I've understated the history being made here. You should have seen the video of Donna Brazile after she voted. The pride and emotion you could tell she felt, put things in perspective...
Texas goes McCain, pretty unbelievable it took this long... Obama 200 - 124
The crowd in Chicago is ridiculous ... having been there and walked those streets and park ... that's a hell of a lot of people ... crazy ...
10:00 - Utah to McCain, IOWA to Obama! ... Obama 207 - 129
10:10 - Shocker ! ... There's country music being played at the McCain rally ...
Mississippi goes to McCain ... Obama 207-135
Good news, the SD abortion ban, a draconian one, failed. Also the bizarre one in Colorado failed (that one could have outlawed contraception)...
10:15 - Hee hee ... the American debt is so big that the Chinese are legally allowed to keep them as pets...
10:20 - People are starting to choke up on screen in Chicago ... not just regular folk, but the commentators ... pretty special night. I have a feeling Obama's speech will be historic, not just by default...
10:37 - Dems lead in the Senate is 54-39 ...
South Dakota goes McCain ... Obama 207 - 138
10:45 - oooo McCain gets those cornholers in Nebraska ... Obama 207 - 143 ... hell, I'll give him Montana (ABC did) ...  Obama 207 - 146 ...
This thing is over in 15 minutes anyway!!!
10:55 - Now MSNBC has an electoral vote missing for McCain ... this isn't that complicated ... 138 plus 5 is 143 ... ugh
10:57 - Wow ... Jon Stewart just announced Obama won Virginia ... a Democrat never wins there ... holy crap! .... Wow ... Awesome...
11:00 - It's Done .... History ... Obama is president ...
I'm a little verklemped ...

The day after ...
This one is going to be a bit longer and probably not too funny, but I feel I need to write something about such an historic event and the fears and anxieties that are now associated with it.
Obama got 52% of the vote, something no one has done in 20 years, the country is just that divided. But here's the thing, they're artificially divided. If you have a poll on each social issue, even Americans come out liberal. In the late '50s (1956, I think) America was considered liberal, and they were proud of it, that year an article was written about how Americans are liberal and there's no argument against that. Kennedy was elected in 1960 and the big issue against him was that he was catholic.
But then came Barry Goldwater, the father of modern conservatism, he made liberal a bad word and paved the way for the Republican dominance of the past 32 years which produced only 1 Democrat president.
So the point is, that now Obama can unite the country by showing people they're not so different, they want the same things. He's a big fan of Lincoln (and Doris Goodwin's book) and he will surround himself with new people, not the usual cast of characters and with people that disagree with him. But that is the promise he's made, can he fulfill them is for someone else to discuss.
But back to yesterday, if you saw Donna Brazile's reaction to voting, saw Jesse Jackson in the crowd in Chicago, saw John Lewis of Georgia speak after the announcement and heard Obama's speech and you didn't feel something, then you're dead inside, and cannot be helped.
John Lewis lived through segregation, members of his family were lynched for no other reason than being black. He spoke before Dr. King in Washington (I had a Dream speech) and was censored - he wanted to ask; what side is the government on? John Lewis was not allowed to vote, then was elected in 1987 to congress. To hear him speak of the enormity of what Obama has done, the pride and emotion apparent is just overwhelming.
Jesse Jackson said nothing (that's impressive enough), but the image of him with tears as he stands in the crowd ... wow! Remember that Jackson ran for president many times, founded the rainbow coalition, fought for rights and took the mantle from Dr. King.
That's the good stuff, now comes the fear. To see Obama on that huge stage, alone on an island really, was impressive. To me that was a clear message - I fear not. There was no secret service within distance to cover him and here's the fear. McCain/Palin have incited fear of Obama as a tactic - called him a terrorist, a secret muslim, a commie pinko and people boo and shout obscenities at the mention of his name.
In a country where political assassinations, and attempts, are so prevalent, so part of the history. Where even in our lifetime we've witnessed it (maybe not Anupa), how can you not be afraid. McCain and his people need to speak out, make sure to calm the radicals. 52% is huge, but how much more if he was white. 20% of North Carolina white voters did not vote for him BECAUSE he's black. 51% of white Democrats in Alabama voted for McCain...
There is quiet optimism and I do believe that if he can navigate his way to January 20th, that we'll be ok. But fears persist and the next 75 days will be an emotional minefield.

Top albums of first half of 2008

1. She & Him - Volume 1
2. Portishead - Third
3. The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
4. Xiu Xiu - Women as Lovers
5. The Weepies - Hideaway
6. Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
7. Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster
8. Colin Meloy - Colin Meloy Sings Live!
9. Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
10. Cat Power - Jukebox

Honorable mention to The Teenagers - Reality check; Carla Bruni - Comme si de rien n'était; The Chapin Sisters - Lake Bottom LP & Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs.

2007 Playoff opener running diary

I'll try a running diary for the opening night of the 2007 playoffs, NBC broadcast and beer ... so ...


4:27 - Pre-game show is done ... Good job by Jason Taylor. I assume it was, he can do no wrong (ok, so I have a mild man-crush on him - don't judge me.)

4:28 - First game is the Sean Taylors, I mean Redskins, going against the Seahawks. Judging by the pre-game coverage, the Skins should be a double digit favourite. Of course, that's ridiculous and Seattle is a tough place to play. At least Madden isn't involved in this one.

4:30 - I remember why the Skins are dogs - Todd Collins on the road people! 10 years between starts, there's a reason for that, he wasn't behind Manning.

4:34 - Jamie Moyer is just scary. He's old, he shouldn't be jumping around like that.

4:35 - Kick-off, finally ... let's get drunk! I mean, let's get pumped.

4:36 - Collinsworth & Hammond in the booth for this one. Who the hell is Hammond?

4:37 - Oh yeah - 3 & out, Collins will be fine...

4:41 - Why is the Nissan owner drying his car by the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere?

4:43 - Someone needs to explain to me why it's THE Ohio State University? How many is there? One? Was there some confusion, maybe the students there aren't the brightest, I mean look at Maurice Clarett.

4:46 - What's with the fake American Idol ads? Have they already run out of people to make fun of? Another show I never understood, if I came in 4th one year, why not go back the next and clean up?

4:48 - First down Washington! It had to happen eventually.

4:50 - Tatupu is a great name. Next time I name something (kid or pet) it has to be in the running.

4:51 - Ooooo Nirvana as a lead into break, in Seattle, what are the odds? Maybe we'll here about rain at some point?

4:52 - Bad penalty for illegal touching [giggle] ... Seattle gets the ball inside the Skins territory instead of way back in their own.

4:53 - The Bell ad with the stupid beavers playing the hockey game: everyone is wearing a headset with microphone - isn't that to communicate with the other players? So when they call the them horrible and say what they're doing ... I don't get it.

4:58 - Remember when Shaun Alexander was the MVP and the cover boy for Madden? Now he's splitting time 50-50 with Maurice Morris?

5:01 - Why is CTV advertising the 2010 Olympics 2 years ahead of time? Was there a chance we'd forget about them?

5:07 - Hammond says that Collins has been tearing up the league ... Wow! Let's not get carried away. He beat a Dallas team that didn't care, an up and down Giants team, a Tarvaris Jackson-led team & a terrible Bears team ... 5 TDs in 4 games, truly special

5:13 - We learn that despite going to High schools 9 miles apart (at different times) and Collins not playing for 10 years, this is only the first time they've met ... OMG ... how is that even possible? It's like Mike Myers & Mary Pickens never appearing in the same movie despite both being from Canada ... uncanny.

5:22 - How is that a fumble, surely that was forward motion? Skins are screwed.

5:24 - Play is now ruled incomplete before the challenge review ... bizarre. But there can be no doubt, because the ball went forward, so the arm had to be going forward. It's physics ...

5:27 - Why does Randle El drop like a sack after every catch? He can't get to the ground fast enough.

5:36 - Seattle is dominating but can't finish ... it should be 21-0 instead of 10-0.

5:42 - Truffant, Tatupu, Julian Peterson, Kerney ... Yeah. Washington is screwed, and they've yet to get on the other side of the 50.

5:43 - There's no foul for unnecessary roughness. How do you know that's what it was if there's no foul? There was also no foul for pissing in the Gatorade, but we don't need to hear about it.

5:45 - Hasselback needs to be charged for abuse for what he's doing to Shawn Springs.

5:49 - Even on the fair catch, Randle El dropped to the turf...

5:51 - Who is Katt Williams? Should I know him?

5:52 - Researched Williams ... 8 kids and I've not seen a single one of his movies. First Sunday will probably not break that streak.

6:03 - 3rd and 1 and they go for it twice, and they don't even come close. Shouldn't Portis carry the ball in that situation? At least they got to Seattle territory.

6:11 - First half done - 10-0 Seattle. Not a very exciting game.

6:28 - Apparently Alexander is no longer as productive because of his age. Of course the fact that he got bad once Steve Hutchinson left is not a coincidence. And that Hutchinson blocks for rookie of the year Adrian Peterson is just a coincidence too.

6:33 - Wow ... Randle El is really afraid of getting hit, he'll take a few steps and slide like a QB.

6:37 - Tom Cruise is in the house. Maybe he can summon Xenu to help the Skins.

6:39 - Finally a big play. 39 yard pass and the victim ... Shawn Springs. Ouch.

6:41 - Collinsworth mentions Hutchinson ... That's why he's the best in the league.

6:49 - Skins are driving ... almost. I'm almost tepid.

6:54 - Skins go for it on 4th and 1. Pass is incomplete and interference ... 1st down!

6:56 - End of 3rd. Skins have a 3rd down inside the 10.

6:58 - According to Cadbury, if you tell a friend her dress is no good at the store and then buy it for yourself that makes you clever and not a complete bitch.

6:59 - Randle El caught it and didn't drop right away - TD! 13-7 ... we have a game, maybe.

7:04 - 1st turnover. Skins ball. And we learn that the team believes in ghosts. Creepy.

7:06 - OMG ... Moss TD and the crowd goes quiet in a really eerie way ... 14-13 Washington in a couple of minutes.

7:07 - But really, enough with the Taylor references. What makes you think he's in heaven anyway? Do all Americans go to heaven?

7:09 - Sweet Jesus ... Redskins ball on the kick-off inside the 15

7:17 - Wow ... Another Redskins pick. The second by Landry.

7:18 - The Seahawks are self-destructing in a big big way.

7:24 - Another big play. And another time where Springs is the victim.

7:25 - Hackett was wide open on the TD catch ... not a good call on the defense.

7:26 - 2-point convert and it's 21-14.

7:31 - Collins throws a pick 6 ... that's why he didn't play for 10 years.

7:33 - They mention Seattle weather ... I'm a frikken genius.

7:44 - 2 minute warning 2 TD lead ... Hasselback goes to GB next week. I wonder if we'll see the whole: We want the ball and we're gonna score, thing this week again.

7:50 - Another pick 6 for Collins ... And Collisworth says he's been sensational today ????!!!!??? Huh?

7:53 - The Seahawks won by 21, that's Taylor's number. I wonder if that's an omen or whatever they believe that ghosts do when they watch football.

2007 Season opener running diary

I'll try a running diary for the opening night, NBC broadcast and beer ... so ...

8:30 - Who is that chick singing the anthem? Should I know her? Why do they all try to be Whitney ... get with the song already.
8:32 - Who is the chick singing the theme song? Should I know her? Looks alright, at least she's better than Pink.
8:35 - The little promo with Manning / Bush was cute, but not quite Nicolette Sheridan
8:40 - Addai goes down on the first play of the game ... oh man, Dungy/Manning almost shat themselves.
8:43 - For the record, I hate Madden as an announcer. And I have N'Awlins to cover the 6 point spread.
8:52 - Mare misses his first kick with the Saints after they pretty much picked the D apart ... good job!
9:00 - Okay ... Harrison is a little bit of a stud ...But how do you not double team him?
9:02 - LOVE the Bud Light at the opera advert... "First time at the opera boys?" - Classic
9:06 - Eric Johnson was a great pickup, how was this not discussed more? Why does Football prospectus have NO finish dead last? Did anyone check to make sure the 2007 edition wasn't swapped with the 2002 one?
9:08 - Another good Bud Light ad... with the barking dogs. What the hell is Chuck? Is it a remake of Max Smart?
9:11 - The Visa adverts with the people paying with the card but then someone pays cash are really annoying. How is cash slower than Credit? Don't you have to sign the damn receipt? This needs to be explained.
9:15 - They need to invent a device that blocks Madden's voice and we can just have Michaels.
9:16 - Jason David - Greatest redemption ever. After being burned by Marvin on the TD he strips and runs back for 6 ... Laissez les bons temps roulez!
9:17 - The new captain emblem is huge and gaudy but why doesn't a player's past experience count? Manning only had one star, no way it's his first year as captain.
9:19 - This is ouuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr country ... didn't we retire that damn song?
9:22 - Why do I need to see a huge graphic on the field that says 2nd and 10, when it says that on the graphic at the bottom of the screen? How lazy do you have to be to not drop your eyes a few inches?
9:25 - Dammit, I want to hate Manning, why does he have to make good adverts, the MasterCard one with the advice for couples...
9:25 - Wait a minute, Visa & MasterCard? The NFL allowed this?
9:26 - Listening to the crowd during a Deuce run, it sounds like the Saints have a few fans in the dome ... the champs couldn't sell out the opener to their own fans?
9:27 - Deuce, Bush & Stecker ... Yeah, good luck stopping all 3.
9:32 - Push It, as the outro music after the Mare FG, really? Was funky Cold Medina too expensive?
9:33 - I love Heineken, but what the hell was that?
9:37 - Wait, Dungy has a daughter named Tiara? There's a joke there somewhere.
9:40 - So, according to the Pepsi ad, Wade Phillips is retarded? Nice hire Jones...
9:42 - Shouldn't someone mention that the Colts only had one good drive, after the missed FG. The Saints are killing the vaunted O of Indy...
9:47 - This is Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Country count at 5 ...
But I am excited about the John C. McGinley Miller adverts...
9:52 - Manning is 8/16 for 101, very Grossman like numbers. Any chance someone will say anything?
9:52 - NO takes a time out with 52 secs left on defense ... what a move. So the FG ties it, the Colts still have only 2 big plays ... total domination from where I sit.
9:59 - So, if the ref loses his hat, that means an illegal touch?  Uhhhh ... I'll let that one slide.
10:04 - Chris Collinsworth is the best sportscaster in the land, but you can't make a Peyton Manning being in every ad joke when he's only been in one or two. You have to look at the broadcast. Tiki's first Sunday Night game will be NYG-Dallas ... priceless!
Why the hell would NBC advertise their Monday Night line-up during a FOOTBALL game ... retards.
10:06 - I LOVE Keith Olberman ... But Bob Costas can lick my sweaty nut sack...
10:14 - Why does Andrea Kremer look so surprised when she looks at the camera?
10:24 - Was Addai flashing gang signs after the TD? Just what the commish wants to see.
10:35 - I guess Dungy gave quite the halftime pep talk, 'cause it's all Indy now. This is ugly. Good thing I won money on St-Louis earlier today.
10:44 - Why doesn't Madden just marry Bob sanders already? It's sickening...
11:23 - Quite the massacre ... I guess Indy is for real.
11:33 - Wow ... they just showed the graphic that Brees was about to set the mark for the lowest yards per completion in a game in history. One pass later and Weinke's record is safe...
11:35 - Well, Manning made Jason David his personal bitch and now the game's over. Why does NBC have a horse trailer? What is Madden doing?

4 Albums in current heavy rotation

She Wants Revenge (Eponymous)

This album is number 1 on my play count for the past 3 months.

If you like Interpol, you’ll enjoy SWR.

But that’s the easy comparison and a little unfair. SWR’s music has an aggro edge in their lyrics without being angry; it’s more subtle than that.

Top tracks are Out of Control, Tear You Apart & These Things.

There’s a hidden track as well that’s very good.

The songs make me pumped up and would be great to listen to during a workout – like that would ever happen!

The Pipettes (Eponymous)

This one’s interesting because although I got the album last year after seeing it on the list of best albums of 2006, it has since been removed from the list (the entry was blank for #20) and is no longer available for purchase.

When I bought the single for You’re Kisses Are Wasted on Me the back cover mentions the forthcoming album (in 2007). Strange indeed, but I’m just happy to have it.

The Pipettes are an English 3 piece girl group that are backed by their band called The Cassette, or as the beautiful Louise calls them: the girl’s yellow-vested bitches.

The 3 girls present different personalities yet always wear polka dots and have great choreographed routines, think the Go-Go’s meet the Supremes, but for the new millennium.

Their stage presence and look are awesome, but it’s the music that makes them stand apart. Brit pop but without being overly bubbly, which is amazing considering their live set, which is one of the best I’ve seen.

My fave tracks are One Night Stand (with the great chorus: “If you think that this is cruel you should see what my friends do”), We Are The Pipettes ("We're the prettiest girls you've ever met"), Pull Shapes (I think this is English for Voguing), Dirty Mind was their hit, I think it was on some TV show (Grey's or OC), but there are at least 5 other gems on the album, it's hard to pick just a few (in fact in a recent review in Filter Magazine, the top tracks included none of the above).

Gogol Bordello (Gypsy Punks)

This one is frustrating for me. I bought the album because I was thinking of seeing them at Bonnaroo. Because I didn't listen to them before, I decided to skip their show for something else. The thought of Gypsy Punks appealed to me, but I assumed it was going to be a watered down Bad Religion, at best. Boy was I wrong.

A couple of weeks after returning from Tennessee I went to a Uni-Watch party and then found a group on facebook dedicated to the group. So I joined and noticed a message on the group's wall that had a youtube link and a caption that it was Paul Lukas' worst fears. That's an intriguing tagline (assuming you have no idea who or what Uni-Watch or Paul Lukas are, just know he hates purple in sports).

The clip was for Gogol's Start Wearing Purple video. The guy at the start had a Borat moustache, so I thought it was a joke.

I quickly realized it was no joke and damn it, the song was awesome. This was like nothing I've ever heard, and Gypsy Punk is the only thing it can be described as.

I wanted to learn more and while listening to gems like Avenue B, Not A Crime, Immigrant Punk & the amazing Think Locally, Fuck Globally I was able to find out that they were discovered playing in a small Bulgarian Cafe in New York.

They are Russians and Israelis packed in a group that writes some of the best party music around. Their shows, from clips I saw on youtube are colourful and flamboyant, think Scissor Sisters meets traditional Russian folkloric group meets Perry Farell meets Borat. I can't get enough of these guys, and now I'm sad because I missed out on what could have been a major highlight.

Well, they released another album recently, so maybe they'll come to town.

Magnetic Fields (69 Love Songs)

Like the title of this massive recording indicates, the triple volume album is comprised of 69 tracks that deal with love and it's related fields ...

This is not a compilation, these are 69 new songs from this great Stephen Merritt (formerly of the Future Bible Heroes) fronted band from Boston. You know that I'm no romantic, but this Joy Division meets Lou Reed meets everything else, inspired music can make even the most jaded believe anything's possible.

There's so many gems that I don't even think I've gone through the entire collection yet. But Chicken with It's Head Cut Off is an early favourite.

NCAA Day 2

OMG. North Texas can shoot! They were 3 for 3 and attempted one that was deep for the pros and I thought that was it, but no. They can't miss. 6 for 6...
Memphis is 324th in the country in FT shooting this could be interesting.
Bill Raftery is awesome. Going from Billy Packer to him is like drinking Dom after a bottle of Baby Doc...
Since going 6-6 they've gone 8 for 34 ... ouch. Yet it's only a 13 point game. Memphis (as predicted by me) will get smoked in the second round by Nevada or Creighton.

Albany's great Danes came up lame against the Wahoos. Oh well, still no upset today. I do have Winthrop over ND and Holy Cross over over So. Illinois. I also think Wisconsin is vulnerable to a great story in Corpus Christi.

Billy Packer just said it's time for a UNLV player to expose himself. I ... There's just so many places to go there...
Wow. They are from Vegas, I guess.

Vegas and the Paper Tigers advance. Still no upset.

Tennessee allowed 86 and still won by 35. Crazy!

Finally an upset. Another 11 seed in Winthrop, who beats Notre Dame. So I wasn't so crazy taking a 3 of those. I got 2 right.

My upsets for tonight - Holy Cross and that's it. Not a very mad tourney by any stretch. Maybe if Syracuse, Drexel and a little more mid-majors were in then it would be better.

Allyson Hannigan is back on TV? Why wasn't I told of this? I think there should be some kind of alert system.

Finally - someone makes a Uma-Oprah joke about Umeh. On the Score, of course. CBS wouldn't do that. After someone there said how a Fred Astaire reference was too old, they countered with a more contemporary ... ready for this ... Gregory Hines!
Holy Crap! Yeah, all the kids know and love Gregory Hines...

Running Diary - 2007 Day 1

A few things to know - if I say the game has switched to another or we're switching to another game, it means the channel I'm watching has changed to some other game or highlight. If I say the word flipped, it's because I changed the channel, potentially to avoid me trying to reach through the TV and strangle Jim Nantz.

This is edited from the full version.

1138 - I have a Beaver Buzz going, some pretzels, candy and Red Bull (which may or may not be combined with some vodka later). I can't wait for the massacring of Duke and the upset of overrated Wisconsin (Okay, that one’s tomorrow).

1221 - The first game is Maryland - Davidson. Maryland is heavily favoured, but Davidson is considered a potential bracket buster.

1222 - Two sons of famous athletes in this one - Maryland has DJ Strawberry, son of Darryl and Davidson has Stephan Curry, son of Del. Big advantage for Davidson.

1225 - Apparently, DJ's stick-to-it-iveness (???) is really appreciated by all.

1237 - A Quebec reference, as Archambault makes a 3.

1238 - He makes another and now the game is tied at 17

1243 - Okay, that Jordan/Bacon underwear commercial is just creepy

1244 - Back to Davidson, now up by 3

1245 - I just got a call and the dude was pissed because I didn't know who Gina is.

1246 - Fear the turtle, they are back up by 1.

1246 - Wow! Actual question - do you think the Canadian guys play better because we're close to the border?

1248 - I get about 60 sports channels and none of them are showing the Texas Tech game. Bobby Knight is losing.

1249 - Why is Jordan in Bacon's house?

1251 - Louisville get to play 2 in Kentucky, making the A&M game (assuming they both win) really interesting. Now there's some bracket porn!

1253 - Uh, this Davidson team is pretty good. Wait, they won 29 games this year ... I feel sick.

1255 - The Score switched to the Louisville game, why not show the game we can't see ... you bastards. They're up by 13, not exactly competitive

1257 - Why is Stanford just one Cardinal, instead of Cardinals like Louisville? 10 Turnovers already for Stanford in 11 minutes

1259 - Davidson now up by 2 after a big, big 3 by Jones.

100 - 8-0 run by Maryland, tied at 35 with 4:52 left. TT is down by 4 with 3:05 left (how did that game pass us so quickly, it started later) in the half

102 - The Western feed switched to the Davidson game too. Meaning all 3 networks are covering the same game. AWESOME! TT is down by 1 now.
The clock just said there was 22 minutes left in the half in Louisville (I think there's something wrong there)

104 - Now I'm just mad, TT/BC is tied with 30 seconds to go.
Curry has 16 points already. These guys are quick. Tie game at 41 here with just over 2 minutes left.

108 - Boston College enters the half with a 41 - 39 lead over the Red Raiders. Louisville is crushing Stanford. Yeah, they belonged instead of Syracuse - no question.

109 - Davidson scores 82 a game, yikes.

112 - Andrew Lovedale (of Nigeria) blocked another big shot before the half. 44-43 Maryland at the half.
Davidson has 5 countries represented on the roster.

122 - 46-20 Louisville. I really doubt Pitino is really that worried about Stanford going on a run. They are really terrible. Why is the mascot a tree and the name Cardinal? Does the bird live in the tree?
Maybe a little less shoe painting and a little more basketball there, Lopez? Gus Johnson, who called the UCLA/Gonzaga game and almost soiled himself, must be dying inside just a little.

123 - OMG, we are actually going to get some of the BC game after the break. I feel giddy.

132 - Oh those slimy bastards ... after the longest break ever. We get the Maryland game again. CBS must die

133 - The Score has it, for now at least.

134 - And it's gone ...

137 - Curry is on fire, a great bounce pass and now Davidson is up by 8; 52-44

138 - Flip to BC/Tech, and Bobby Knight is up by 2 with 12 minutes left

139 - The Toronto Argos just got negotiating rights to Joey Harrington - why?

152 - If this game wasn't so amazing, I'd be really pissed about the other networks. But Vazquez, Jones, Curry are giving it their all. Real nice.

155 - Oh hell no. Another Ouuuurrrr Country ad ... kill me

159 - 14 lead changes in this game Maryland up 60-59 with 9:50 to go.

202 - Osby for Maryland has come off the bench and is dominating

217 - Texas Tech loses by 9. My first loss in my bracket.

219 - Curry now has 30 and the lead is 9 for the Terps according to the screen, but it's actually 5 ...

227 - 82-70 final. That was too close.

233 - Oral Roberts - Washington State. I actually have the 14 seed ORU in this one. WSU is a mediocre team from a weak conference.

241 - It's official, Louisville was able to scrape by and beat Stanford 78-58 in Pitino's return to Lexington

257 - Belmont has an early 5 point lead on Georgetown, but that won't last. ORU still has a 4 point lead. Not so shocking to me ...

259 - 11-4 now for Belmont. Patrick Ewing is now in the game... Ah, if only it was 1984.

309 - In case you didn't know Ewing won the Natl championship in '84 with Georgetown with John Thompson II as coach. Patrick Ewing, son, now plays at Georgetown for John Thompson III.

310 - Butler and Old Dominion are tied at 7 after 6:20. Not exactly the pace of Maryland/Davidson. Butler, of course, was where Hoosiers was filmed.

313 - Ooooh ... hot triplets on CSI:Miami, what a shocker - they're blonde.

315 - I was about to say how ORU is too strong on the ball for Wazzou, but then they scored 4 points in the last 2 seconds (on a steal by Weaver) to end the half 28-26 ORU.

317 - Flip to the ODU game and it's still 7-7 ...

321 - Wow ... Dickie V in that Hooter's commercial ... I'm speechless. Looked like a 3 year old lost in an amusement park.

323 - Georgetown is pulling away now. 24-15 with 7 minutes left
Does G'Town not have any white unis? They're wearing Grey, what's the away uniform? Darker Grey?

325 - Flip to A&M Vs Penn. Finally one of the players I really wanted to see (no offence to Hibbert or Green) - Acie Law IV. I have them going really deep, as in Final 4.

327 - ODU is leading in the dreaded 12 vs. 5 game. I picked Long Beach as my 12 to upset. Which was tough, because I love Bruce Pearl, or any coach willing to take off his gear and paint himself orange.

331 - Oral's leading scorers - King & Tutt ... I'm not clever enough to make this up. That is awesome!

339 - Wait, what happened to the A&M game? Dammit. I guess I'll have to wait 'til the next round to see the Law come out and dominate.

342 - The half ends with ODU leading 20-19 over Butler. Less that half the points from the previous game on this same court. Ouch.

351 - Yippee, a switch to the A&M game.

352 - Penn is missing open lay-ups, not exactly a recipe for success.

355 - A&M leads 31-18 at the half

406 - Clark and Rochestie are now in control. WSU can do no wrong. 60-47. Clark has 5 blocked shots.

408 - A 4 point play for ORU, who, I have to admit, I thought would play a whitewash. But it's the complete opposite. I wonder if Roberts if freaking out. Is he still alive?

410 - Flipped to ODU. Actual comment: The game is picking up it's pace. It's 27-24 ODU 5 minutes into the second half. What's the record for lowest ever score?

417 - WSU is much better than I expected, but one and done should be the case. GW/Vandy should be interesting...

419 - 70-54 is your final. Cougars advance. Switch to ODU/Butler. A whopping 32-29 score with 11:30 left.

430 - Campbell his another 3 for Butler. 12 Straight points now for Butler.

433 - Switch to G'Town. 60-38 Hoyas. Ouch.

437 - Switch to A&M ... what the Hell. Penn is up by 2!!!! Sweet fancy Moses!
Wow - those entourage guys (Turtle, especially) are really bad actors.

440 - Tied at 39 with 11:00 to play

445 - Canadian content - Pompey of the Aggies is from TO, born in Trinidad.

458 - Switch to ODU. 44 seconds left. Butler up 55 - 46.

500 - Butler advances to face the Turtles. Is a Terrapin a turtle? Why are they called the turtles?

506 - Zoller is on fire with 16 in the second half. But Penn is finally running out of time, down 59-47 with 2:15 to play.

513 - Once again they mention Jones, "intestinal" issues. Is this really necessary?

535 - Vandy is destroying my pick GW. 43-15, GW just made 1st basket in over 11 minutes

537 - CBS East actually switched to the News???

539 - 45-20 at the half. I need a Red Bull.

545 - We learn that the 1st half score of ODU/Butler was the 8th lowest of all time.

550 - WSU's Clarks's 5 blocks -> all against Green of ORU. Ouch.

600 - Okay ... so the Western feed has switched to the news now, instead of the second half of this game. Uh? So why broadcast it, if no one is listening? I'm actually happy to be here now.

636 - I'm numb of course, with a 71-40 Vandy lead. A whupping. Both 6-11 games so far have been blowouts. Maybe I shouldn't have picked 3 11 seeds (I did have Louisville though)

645 - David Rodriguez for Vandy (the only guy without his name on his back) scores for the first time all year, on his second free throw attempt to end the game. 77-44.

710 - We finally get a first look at a #1 - Ohio State and the Man Child. He's a freshman but looks about 45 years old (really 19).

711 - Blackwood - Central Connecticut's best player is from Toronto

715 - Oden already has 4 rebounds in less than 5 minutes. Plus he scores.

716 - Oooo ... flip to Duke / VCU. I got VCU like many others

732 - Duke is up by 11 ... I'm sad.

735 - Flip to UCLA/Weber State. We learn that the higher seeds are 8-0 and the smallest margin of victory is 9 points. I chose the wrong day for a diary ...
Where's Cinderella?

739 - Weber State is up, I refuse to get excited ...

742 - I actually have the choice of 3 games .. .I'm almost giddy

743 - Switch to Mizzou/Marquette 10 minutes in and Marquette finally scores to make it 14-3. Yikes, giving the ODU game a run for it's money. Maybe a lower seed will finally win, even if it is just a 9 over an 8.

751 - Flip to VCU and they're down by 3 with 4:50 left in the half. Okay we get it, Paulus is fatigued. Maybe HE needs a Red Bull.

753 - So Duke is not the team they usually have, blah blah blah. They did return a few starters though. Doesn't every team lose a few starters (Florida excepted)? Maybe they just suck this year. This love of Duke is unbelievable.

757 - Apparently White men can jump as Pocius slams it down on the fast break for Duke.

802 - Ohio State is up by 21 at the half (38-17) ... No upset there. Of course a number 1 has never lost in the first round.

807 - VCU is given a most bogus foul with 2.8 seconds left, a 3 point foul at that. I hate Duke so much ...
Paulus made 2 of 3 and at the half it's Duke 40-38

820 - Michigan State is up by 12 at the half, making it the best bet for our first upset. The lamest of upsets of course.

821 - Naismith Finalist ad for Hansborough, if anyone votes for him they need to have their credentials revoked.
And UCLA is up 37-19 at the half.

822 - Just lost power ... Awesome ...

823 - It's back but now everything needs to boot up (TV and Digital Box) ... Ugh . I guess this is the best time since OSU is the only game not at the half and they're up 27 early in the second half.

825 - Still no picture ... C'mon Rogers. Don't piss me off.

826 - Time for a drink. Beaver Buzz and Russian Vodka. Hmmmm ... tasty.

827 - Fuck - Power went off and on again. We have to restart.

828 - Uh, hello?

829 - This can't be happening right now. Am I missing any recordings too? I hate this place.

830 - And we're back ...
Oh Come on. It happened again...

832 - And we're back. VCU is up by 1. Oh Baby! Ohio State is only up by 16 now.

834 - We're only 3 minutes into the second half and already Duke is tired. And this is the youngest team ever for coach K. But now after 3 3s they are up by 6.

836 - Maynor has been terrorizing Paulus and just stole it from him for an easy 2

843 - Twice we're told how McRoberts is one of only 2 players in the country with his set of stats. Both times, there's no mention of who the other guy is. Great job guys!

846 - Laettner is in the stands, and we're reminded how he was on the dream team. Yes. That's right. Magic, Jordan, Bird, Barkley, Ewing, Pippen, Robinson, Malone, Stockton, Drexler, Mullin & Laettner. One of these is not like the other.

854 - Mizzou is still up by 14. But they were favoured, even as a worst seed, because of injuries to Marquette. So it's not really an upset.

857 - VCU / Duke is getting chippy as Paulus wanted a piece of Maynor.

900 - Duke went on a 9-0 run and led by 11. Now it's 61-52 with 10:27 to play

902 - VCU is shooting under 40%. If a team can shoot accurately and play the full court press, Duke could lose by more than 20.

904 - Oh. OSU won by 21 (78-57), and no one noticed the game was over.

908 - So VCU has someone named B.A. and there's no A-Team jokes? Where's the justice?

915 - 5:59 left and VCU just went up by 1. I'm officially excited now.

918 - Could the refs be more in Duke's pocket. Paulus hits someone and Pellot-Rosa is called for the foul. Karma intervenes and Paulus had missed 3 straight from the stripe and is 6/11 overall. Duke up by 2 with 4:21 left.

923 - So Arrested Development never got a chance and 2 and a half men is still on? Are Americans that dumb?

924 - VCU has tied the game with 3:40 left

925 - I had to switch to Canadian TV to find out that VCU has missed 13 lay-ups (thanks coach of the Bearcats). That's analysis we can use.

928 - VCU leads with less than 2 minutes left ... oh baby.

931 - UCLA won by 28, no one cared. Game is tied at 72 with 1:30 left ....

932 - Sheyer is the 4th player to leave the game because of bleeding. VCU up by 2. 1:20 left

934 - 21 seconds left. VCU up by 2. Foul on McRoberts.

935 - 16 seconds VCU by 1. Foul on Pellot-Rosa. A Senior shooting over 80% from the charity stripe.
He makes one. Nelson ties it at 77. 10 seconds left

936 - Maynor with 1.8 seconds left. WHAT A SHOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

937 - Anyone notice how Laettner looks like Doogie Howser now?

938 - Maynor is soooo Money.
VCU wins, VCU wins.... Finally a legit upset!!!

940 - Lost in the Madness is Mizzou's win by 12 over Marquette.

944 - BYU / Xavier with BYU up by 4. Danny Ainge's son is playing for BYU. I have Xavier to squeak by in this one.

1000 - Indiana is up by 3 in what could be a good battle with the Zags. I have the 10 seed Gonzaga here.

1008 - X-Men are now up by 2 over the Mormons. Ainge also has his son in the stands.

1025 - Some interesting games. Gonzaga down by 3 with 3 minutes left in the half.
BYU 38-32 at the half.

1028 - After taking a peak at Simmons' diary for today I know why this one is boring. You need to have other people involved. At thanksgiving I had Big Steve going back and forth with the e-mail. I need to move to a more sports-friendly city. Boston?

1034 - Indy takes a 34-29 lead into the half.

1037 - Wright State has come back from a 13-0 deficit and now are down 17-22.

1038 - And now it's tied at 22!

1044 - Apparently because VCU won, Wright State now has an advantage. How does that work? Bob was silent on that one.

1046 - Brown tried to remove the 7 footer Gray's head with a little Macho Man Savage move.

1100 - Pitt goes into the half 43-30 ... oh well.

1120 - Eastern Ky is now within 4 of UNC. That's right. Not that it matters. A 16 has never won, and maybe never will (barring multiple major injuries)

1127 - UNC up by 9 ... I thought so. Switching to BYU, down by 3 with 3 minutes left.

1130 - Duke had 9 straight Sweet 16s.

1134 - Lavender gets a 2 then a great rebound by Camard. 75 all with 35 seconds.

1137 - BYU had 2 chances. Foul on Lavender. 11.2 seconds left. 79-75. 17 for Lavender 15 in the second half.

1139 - Ainge screws up and Xavier wins 79-77. Thad Motta of OSU gets to go against his best friend Miller of Xavier.

1147 - Uh, Pardo has his name shaved into his head. Was he afraid to forget it? Who does that? Wow, holy Tyson zone Batman!

1148 - His team is down by 13 with 1:12 left to Indiana.
Okay, so an 80 year old couple gets together and this is news? Because they're still alive? Or they recognize each other? I hate Katie Couric, what happened to real reporting? Cronkite is spinning in his grave.

1150 - Indiana wins 70-57. They get to be crushed by UCLA next.

1157 - So UNC ends up crushing E Ky 86-65. And Pitt is cruising too. So no midnight drama for me.

1202 - So only one upset today. The madness has never been so tame. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Unbelievable. He said Stick-to-it-iveness again. Thank god we get Raftery tomorrow.

1207 - Pitt takes it 79-58 to end the day 12 hours after it started ... But why was Pitt running up and down with 20 seconds left, up by 20? I'd be pissed if I was Bonwell.
Even with 3 seconds left they tried for a basket...
Why didn't Harlan mention this?