I very seldom watch ESPN Gameday, but they were at Arrowhead Stadium for today's Kansas-Missouri clash. But it's the signs the fans make that slay me. It is very much like a WWE broadcast, there are so many of them. A sample:

"Domo Arigato, Jose Canseco" (a nod to Mr. Roboto, perhaps?)
"Extra Stretchy Pants Needed" (for KU coach, Mark Mangino, obviously)
"ESPN: Obesity Lives Here"

The best may have been a wordless one: A large Mark Mangino face paired with an equally large chocolate cupcake. They appeared to be chasing each other.

Kansas lost, so Mizzou moves up, as do the Buckeyes. By God, I don't think America wants a Mizzou-West Virginia championship game. I see the Buckeyes getting in and someone getting hosed.

Meal of Links

Last night, several of us went to Polka Happy Hour at the Happy Dog. I can't stress enough that no matter how you feel, a couple hours of polkas have no choice, but to brighten your day. Hey, we won a round for knowing where Hamtramck was, too. So it's educational, as well. We'll be back the Friday before Christmas.

Continuing the busy day, somehow I found myself at the Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown. And it was cold. Well, I saw one marching band. Thank God, it was Shaw, so at least there was some swingin' goin' on. Then it appeared to be a bunch of horses pulling people in wagons, carts, and buggies. Until Santa came by. BTW, check out the city's Christmas tree, in all its glory, listing toward Terminal Tower. Could they not see that it wasn't straight?

After a lot more drinking and warming up, Gale, Uncle F-Bomb and I headed over to the Asian Grille on Clifton. Man, they had some mean Hot and Sour Soup. I also had a three-star (meaning hot) dish called Excited Chicken. It was Excited, all right. Not so hot, you couldn't stand it, but just right.

Exercise Yard

My brother and I attended the Cleveland State-John Carroll game today. Billed as the "Rascal House Rivalry Game" unbeknownst to everyone in attendance. This game remains difficult to judge how CSU will do this year. They never seem to get up for the Division III Blue Streaks. Plus, it was the odd starting time of 3:00.

Typically, the game goes as follows: The Blue Streaks play the Vikings tough for about a half or so, then CSU wears them down, eventually winning by 20-25 points. This year, that did not happen, as Carroll never really folded. The Vikings had leads of up to 14 in the second half (maybe once), but it never dropped below 7, I thought. CSU eventually won, 67-57.

The highlights were few. Each Saturday is now $1.00 Hot Dog Day, which is quickly joining the tradition of overexposed sidelights like fireworks in this town. They also revealed the name of the new mascot yesterday. Who knew there was a contest? Anyhow, the P.A. guy, seemingly speaking Ork the entire day (we had trouble understanding him), proceeds to give us a grand intro. Jeff thought, "Maybe Odin?". "He was named after a Scandinavian king...", I said, "Oh no, not Olaf." On and on. Finally, the name is revealed as..."Madness!"

Jeff says, "They named him Madness! Hahahahahahaha." I said groaning, "You have got to be kidding me!" Of course, we are laughing, saying his theme should be "One Step Beyond", etc. Eventually the guy behind us tells his kids they named him not "Madness!", but "Magnus". Oh, never mind. So we had to name the two broom holders under each basket. The girl was "Broom Hilde" and the guy was "Thor Sweeper".

On December 8, they are giving away Magnus bobbleheads! Madness, I say! And for some yet to be determined reason, you are supposed to dress as your favorite Arnold Schwarzenegger character. A big WTF on that one. We already are prepping my Dad to be Mister Freeze.

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28 Across: "Little Caesar" director Mervyn (5 letters) Answer: LeRoy