Today was one of those wasted days you run into now and then. Yes, I had to call a plumber. And, of course, it's not a job that lasts a couple of hours. No, eight-and-a-half hours later, the job is done. Don't get me wrong. The work is actually well done, it's just that with some old galvanized pipe, you get yourself curveballs in their repair. Probably something that should have been taken care of a while ago, but so easy to put off until necessary.

Meal of Links

FBI wants to track all of your characteristics. Hey, that goes against the very idea of one's rights of privacy.

Not only did the Super Bowl suck for three quarters, the commercials were subpar. Typically, you can find several gems, but yesterday's ads were either creepy or caused me to say WTF a lot. Especially for the most-watched game in the history of the Super Bowl.

Tired ads:

I'm really bored by the Clydesdales these days.
Can you find someone more relevant than Carmen Electra to sell your product?
The theory that it's tough to sell cars during the Super Bowl was hammered home, wasn't it?

Good ads:

NFL with Rashaan Salaam and Chester Pitts and his oboe.
Bud Light's fire-breathing guy got the proceedings off in a good way.
FedEx carrier pigeons.
Stewie and Underdog balloons fighting for a Coke that goes to Charlie Brown.
Tide's interview with a stain.
Barkley and Wade for T-Mobile was hilarious.

Bad ads:

Planters ugly chick.
SoBe. When you spend the whole ad wondering...Is that Naomi Campbell?
CareerBuilder, especially the heart one. What were they smokin'?
Audi. Great Godfather reference. Two weird things. I was fascinated by what type of grill it was and God, that guy looked like Moe Green and I know he's dead.
Dell Red. Nice cause, awful ad. Too much butt slapping.
Garmin. A bunch of French things with Napoleon as the punchline. Way too much for America to handle.

20 Geeky pop culture obsessions. My favorite whipping boy, The Renaissance Faire, clocks in at Number Two. Sadly, "The Simpsons" and Zappa make the list. Fanfic is really bizarre, especially when your favorite TV characters are having sex. Ewww!

Exercise Yard

Well, I was really wrong about the Super Bowl and that's why I don't bet on football. That game, for three quarters, was dull, but very quick. Then things got interesting. Not mentioned too much is that Tom Brady actually delivered big scoring drives when he had to the last two seasons. And he still got eliminated in both games. Last year, against the Colts and then yesterday.

Some thoughts:

Giants defense was overwhelming.
New England should have attempted a field goal, instead of going for it 4th and 13.
Belichick is still an ass.
David Tyree's catch still amazes me. If not for Rodney Harrison underneath him, that ball would have slammed into the turf. Greatest catch in SB history? Maybe, but I have to see the NFL Films treatment before I vote.
New England gave up on the run pretty early, I thought.
Why couldn't Randy Moss get open in the first three quarters?
Eli Manning was good in the playoffs, but I'm already tired of "he grew up before our eyes".

A Patriots fan perspective.

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30 Across: Middle Corleone brother (5 letters) Answer: Fredo BTW, look at John Cazale's movies:

"The Godfather"
"The Conversation"
"The Godfather, Part II"
"Dog Day Afternoon"
"The Deer Hunter"