At The Bart tonight was the start of Cleveland State's hoops season. My friend Eric and I went to the opener. The highlight when we go is never the game, but the trip afterward to Sokolowski's University Inn. Anyhow, tonight's opponent was the Division II Rattlers of Florida A&M. FAMU has the distinction of being one of our nation's HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Cleveland State is also an HBCU, an Historically Basketball-Challenged University, so it makes for an even matchup.

Tonight's notes:

Our favorite Vikette has apparently turned pro.

The male cheerleader who most annoys my Dad, is back for what I think must be his 8th year.

One of CSU's "Restaurant Partners" is a "Caribbean/Hungarian Restaurant". Having problems digesting this one.

The mascot, Vike, now has a big wheel, instead of "tiny bike".

The band played a new song, "American Idiot"!!! Not really, it was that modern hit, "Day Tripper".

We saw a huge, young girl simultaneously eating pizza and cake. Health issues coming.

No fan contests, except for the "Yell the loudest and get a pizza" debacle. Typically won by people who look like they have already eaten on the way in.

And, of course, the scoreboard was all fouled up.

FAMU afforded the opportunity for some good commentary. Their coach looked like the old baseball player, Mickey Hatcher. If the crowd is shouting "Ru Paul" when you come to the foul line, shouldn't you change your appearance? The backup point guard looked like a ninth-grader. And they had a guy named Tony (not Terry) Tate, who brought "The Pain Train" by hitting clutch foul shots down the stretch.

Then there was the game. You should never lose to a D2 school at home. Especially in your home opener. Especially coming off consecutive 4-25 and 9-17 seasons. To use one of my favorite Browns phrases, "We suck." The Vikings lost, 68-66. Same old stuff. 38% shooting, 22 turnovers and 22 fouls. Off to North Carolina on Tuesday. I would suggest that they duck.

But Sokolowski's was excellent. And the Bluth Family from "Arrested Development" was there, just like last year. When I know I'm going there, I don't eat a lot beforehand. I had soup at 11:00 a.m as a prep. So I could garbage up on salisbury steak. Fetal position and coma ensuing.

Meal of Links

Man, it was like Roller Derby and Wrestling in the US House last night. About a little thing called Iraq.

The Miss America pageant seems to be going down in flames. Perhaps if it were a reality show, people would watch.

If you alter the risk factors, you might be able to prevent cancer. Cutting out smoking is the obvious one.

Exercise Yard

Not much to say about the OSU-Michigan game. The Wolverines ran for only 32 yards, played a prevent defense, blew it late and lost, 26-21. Lloyd Carr is turning into John Cooper and is 1-4 against Jim Tressel.

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