While enjoying the start of the snow melt today, a couple of things bugged me. I was at Big Lots (don't ask!) and the woman at the checkout line says, "It looks like it's starting to melt out there." I said, "Yeah, that's a good thing." She replies, "I hear another storm is coming on Tuesday." WTF? I hadn't heard that (personally, I think she's nuts), but why pee on my parade with that "Woe is me!" crapola.

And with that melt, opportunities arise to have your driveway fully removed of snow again. But the plow not only came by this morning, but again this afternoon, defeating all of us who thought we were done once more. This time with the big snow boulders.

The Olympics ended today with an epic hockey game, but I still have not heard a reasonable explanation almost 2 weeks later on the Men's Moguls. Remember, the first Canadian gold was going to go to a woman in their Moguls event. Last one on the hill is an American, who eventually crushed the Canadian celebration, by winning.

The Men's Moguls had a similar setup the next night, if you recall. The Canadian, who had a brother with cerebral palsy or something, is leading with only one more person left. That dude is a Frenchman, who just blasts down the hill, in what they say is the fastest time of all the runs. Surely, Frenchie may not win, but certainly he's gonna medal. Well, his judging goes up and they say he finishes SIXTH! What the hell just happened? Since it was Canada's first gold, the announcers focus on that fact and leave at least one viewer, me, completely flummoxed.

Compounding that mishap, they showed it again tonight on the recap show and I still haven't received an adequate answer.

Meal of Links

US manufacturing is not dead. It just seems that way.

Hey, MSNBC, Nature is not out of control. You shoddy journalists, you.

Do vacations make us happy? I fall into the "Hell, yes!" category. However, it seems the real happiness comes in the planning and and anticipation before the vacation. And, yes, I will post about Kauai. The photos are still in the camera, etc.

Exercise Yard

canada wins at their game.

Visitor

None, on a snow-melting Sunday.

What did we learn today?

Geoff Bodine still makes a mean bobsled. A gold-medal bobsled, BTW.

She sure sounded like a nice lady, but while watching tsunami coverage, I was struck by the irony of a stuttering seismologist on MSNBC.

Remember it's not the first wave of a tsunami, it's the second wave. Or perhaps even the third wave you need to worry about. Or is it the fourth?

I'm not Mr. Foreign Relations, but why does Chile insist they need no help with that massive earthquake? Don't throw out this canard of "everything's under control", while admitting most of your highways and half a million homes suffered major damage. There is a thing called Haiti Fatigue and if you wait a few days to ask for help, sorry, you've missed your chance.

A set of curling stones costs $7,000.

Best sign at curling tonight: "That's gold, Johnny. Gold."

Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal had his leg broken above the ankle on a bad challenge today against Stoke. Even the players were immediately grossed out. I'm not gonna post the pic, but it is described everywhere as a "horrific". Lemme tell ya, it was the old tib-fib. I had that same injury, a bit higher on my right leg, and for me, it was the sound of the break that I'll never forget. Not good when things end up pointing the wrong way. And with his injury more towards the ankle, it was not pretty. They wouldn't even show the replay. Oh, they'll show dead lugers, but not this.

It still sucks when the plow ruins your great job of shoveling.

Meal of Links

Carly Simon says it's David Geffen in "You're So Vain". Wow, why not just carry that one to the grave.

Olympic pictograms. Some of these are pretty lame.

A comeback for Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Or should I say another comeback. It won't go away.

Dermot Mulroney gets to play Jim Rockford. Can that really be a good thing? Well, if he gets that role, I wanna be Angel Martin.

Rockford's Answering Machine: "Jimmy, old buddy, buddy. It's Angel! You know how they allow you one phone call? Well...this is it."

"Life In Quarantine". I like the bin part at the end.

Another thing I have to fret about. Wheat fungus. Not among us. Yet.

Exercise Yard

I was at the final CSU home game this afternoon (I like how the tsunami was scheduled, so I had plenty of time to kill) and they pulled out a thriller against Wright State. So, we get a home playoff game on Tuesday. CSU wins, 68-63.

Visitor

39 Across: Upset winner at the 1992 Kentucky Derby (7 letters) Answer: Lil E Tee

Continuing on the Oscar path, Gale and I took in "The Lovely Bones" at Regal last night. A grand total of 4 in attendance. We saw this because Stanley Tucci took time from his AT&T voiceovers to garner a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He put on a toupee, talked funny and, in general, gave everyone the skeeves. Mark Wahlberg and the always yummy Rachel Weisz starred as parents of the 14-year old girl who Tucci killed.

Quite frankly, this was one of the most bizarre movies I've ever seen. It was directed by Peter Jackson. And, if you watched "Lord of the Rings", you know going in, the movie is gonna be at least 30 minutes too long. And it was. Tucci, as the killer, is revealed quickly, so the entire movie is spent hoping someone can point out he's not only a suspect, but indeed, the perpetrator.

However, after the girl is killed, we go off into these metaphysical segments. You see, the girl is in limbo, because unlike Mark McGwire, she can't quite give up her past and refuses to look forward. As in look forward and go to heaven. Instead, she ends up in limbo, and I guess because the Pope says there is no limbo ("In heaven, there is no limbo..."), they called it "the in-between". So, when she ends up in the in-between, she does a lot of running. Across fields of amber waves of grain, and then goes further. And then further. Lemme tell ya, the in-between kinda sucks. I can't tell how you get to heaven. If you're supposed to come to grips with your death or if the earthlings you left behind are at peace with your demise. Either way, let's get to a quicker conclusion.

Susan Sarandon also starred as the grandmother. The only reason I mention this is she was the film's comic relief. However, it was placed in such a weird position in the movie, it just generated a huge WTF with me. And there's so much more, I've barely scratched the surface of the oddities of this flick.

It's been a long time since I was completely baffled by a movie.

Meal of Links

Esquire reveals their Alternative Oscars. Biggest Waste of Talent: Luis Guzman in "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3". If you saw it, you would agree.

How to live to 100. I'd like to raise a practical question: Do you want to live to 100?

"Zoolander 2"? It's coming. Apparently 9/11 didn't prevent me from seeing this in the theater.

The last 4 minutes of Air France Flight 447. Lengthy read, but worth it.

Vanity Fair has an article on the making of "Raging Bull". Marty was hesitant to make it.

When k.d. lang was country. Didn't last long, but she was good.

John McCain. Sill campaigning.

"Uncontrollable Urge"/Devo (at the Olympics)



Exercise Yard

The latest medal winners for the US. Huh? In Nordic Combined?

Visitor

26 Across: Quarterback Roethlisberger (3 letters) Answer: Ben

Big crowd at the AMC Westwood Town to see "Up in the Air". A grand total of 4. At $4.25 per head. Ouch. Maybe George Clooney will visit their HQ and can somebody. In fairness, the DVD comes out in 2 weeks, so that's why this was the last theater in town still showing it. This movie is up for Best Picture and George Clooney gets a nomination for Best Actor. Anna Kendrick (a character I really didn't like) and Vera Farmiga get Supporting Actress nominations.

First of all, the subject matter of firing people is not exactly all grins at this juncture. So, this is not laugh out loud funny. Oh, there are some light-hearted moments, but this is not Comedy Central. I think it was in "A Perfect Storm" where I realized Clooney is a star. This guy can rise above weak material and I think to a certain extent, he does that here. But he and Farmiga make a great couple. Sparks fly. She pretty much matches him whim for whim, to coin a Steely Dan phrase.

But then Clooney, in a mere blink of an eye, rejects what he stands for by basically saving his sister's wedding. Cold feet by Danny McBride and Clooney talks him off the figurative ledge and straight to the altar he goes. Somehow, we are to believe that a family that he's not even close to, and a "casual" relationship with Farmiga result in him having an epiphany at a truly awkward moment. While giving a speech at a convention.

Maybe it's the time lapse since this movie came out, but I expected lots more out of this movie. After watching it, I didn't think there was a whole lot of there there. Probably worth a DVD rental, but not a DVD purchase.

Meal of Links

10 reasons to not talk on the phone. Impending bodily functions are a good way to end a call.

Robert Duvall talks about "Crazy Heart". He's a big Jeff Bridges fan.

"U-S-A! U-S-A!"

They found the world's tallest dog. A Great Dane from Arizona.

Exercise Yard

Hitler is Shocked as the USA Beats Canada in Hockey



"U-S-A! U-S-A!"

Visitor

69 Across: Artist Warhol (4 letters) Answer: Andy

Today's Oscar catchup movie was "Crazy Heart" at the Cinemark in Strongsville. Jeff Bridges gets a Best Actor nomination, while Maggie Gyllenhaal gets a Supporting Actress nod. Bridges stars as a former country music star who is a drunk, playing small venues (like a bowling alley), while a former sideman has hit the big time.

Bridges finally meets up with someone he cares about, Gyllenhaal (a music reporter), in Santa Fe. Gyllenhaal has a son and string of bad relationships and immediately hits it off with Bridges. But she's very leery about Bridges and his drinking. Of course, Bridges seemingly turns a corner, but eventually fucks it up and hits the proverbial rock bottom.

You may as well take no bets on the other nominees. This is the one for Bridges. No way he loses and I don't see this as a Lifetime Achievement Award either. I really believed him as Bad Blake. Gyllenhaal, as well, rebounds from "The Dark Knight" with some really strong work here. Surprisingly, Colin Farrell, yes, that Colin Farrell, does a great job as Blake's sideman who has gone on to super stardom in the world of country music. And has never forgotten who gave him his start. Robert Duvall as a friend of Bridges also has a good, small role. Hell, he was a producer (as was Bridges) and got in on the action. T-Bone Burnett supplies the music, too.

Definitely put "Crazy Heart" on the list of must-sees.

Meal of Links

Sing. Sing a song.Sing out loud. It's good for your brain.

America has talent!

Chickens. I saw chickens in Kauai. But this guy gains a lot from watching chickens. Who knew?

Evan Bayh on why he's leaving the Senate. Then, on CNN today, he said it may take another crisis to get Congress working together again. That's strong stuff.

My Dad must be busy. William Shatner gets the lead role in "Shit My Dad Says". Yesterday, before "The Blind Side", he (my Dad, not Shatner) said they should do without the Sprint ad for turning off your phones. It's the one about "Movies don't interrupt you". He said a screenshot advising you should be enough.

Exercise Yard

Remember the wife-swapping Yankees from the '70s. It'll be a movie. They both pitched for the Indians, not long after the swap went public, but not at the same time.

Visitor

None, on a warmer, sunny Sunday.

Next up on the Oscar trail today was "The Blind Side". A little late to this party, as this came out exactly three months ago today. Of course, I had prior knowledge of this story, as I read the book by Michael Lewis. It is the incredible story of Michael Oher, who rose from the depths of poverty in Memphis, and now plays offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens. No need to go into the plot, because if you know that story, well, there's your movie.

The cast is headed by Sandra Bullock. Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates chip in, but it's mainly a Bullock-driven movie. Now, I've been there with Bullock from the start. Way back in the "Love Potion No. 9" and "Wrestling Ernest Hemingway" days and on to "Speed". Everyone knows she has a flair for the comedic roles. She's done OK with some dramatic roles, but her career has been kinda spotty when she goes that route. "The Lake House" and "Premonition" are some recent duds that come to mind. But she made sort of a comeback with a comedy, "The Proposal", which came out last summer and now has all the Oscar buzz attached to "The Blind Side", her first Oscar nomination.

And, quite frankly, I don't get. Now, I haven't seen all the other nominees yet, but really, this isn't a role that Oscar typically loves. I mean, this is no "My Left Foot". It's basically Bullock as a blonde, adopting a Southern accent. Oh, she's tough as nails, gets to wear flattering outfits, and so on, but she doesn't really overcome anything. There really is no emotional comeback for her character.

Her most emotional scene is when Michael decides he "needs a proper hug" when he goes off to college and although she appears to have shed a few tears in the car, they do have a long embrace when she gets out. And this scene is at the end. Other than that, she gets her way at every turn. Now, I'm not saying Bullock isn't good in this role. She is. Probably her best role yet. Remember, Oscars are a time for payback as much as they are for celebrating the movies. But this certainly doesn't fit the bill as to what I think Oscar sees as an award winner.

Now, if she made "My Left Breast", maybe. But we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Meal of Links

Conor Friedersdorf does a great job (again) in compiling his own list of the Best Journalism of 2009. And speaking of Michael Lewis (I inhale everything he writes), he gets three mentions. His superb stories for Vanity Fair on Iceland and AIG. Yes, even the one for Slate on Shane Battier. I urge everyone to read at least a few of Conor's mentions.

Devo does a turn at the Olympics on Monday. And Mark Mothersbaugh is talking to everyone about it. New outfits and energy domes, too.

It is the second picture that confuses me.

Checking in with Ana Marie Cox. Next up for her: Washington correspondent for GQ.

Yeah, he's a kissing expert. And what is with the kiss of the Trobriand Islands? Pull twigs out of hair. OK. Bite lower lip. Now we're talkin'. Pull partner's hair. Hey, now. Nibble off their eyelash. WTF?

Exercise Yard

Was at the CSU game tonight against Toledo. Toledo? This was part of the annual BracketBusters day and somehow CSU drew Toledo, a team with only three wins! Not sure how that happened.

But it was a good tonic for the Vikings. After a tight first half, CSU wins, 87-63. Hard to lose when you shoot 74% in the second half.

Visitor

48 Down: Washington Nationals manager Manny ____ (4 letters) Answer: Acta (Hey. Wait a minute. Isn't he...)

I had to start catching up on the Oscar nominees, so I went to Solon after work to see "An Education". This was written by Nick Hornby ("High Fidelity") and he nabbed a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination, Carey Mulligan got a Best Actress nomination, and the picture itself is nominated.

Peter Sarsgaard stars as a guy in his thirties who is, oh, a bit of a rogue. He meets Mulligan as she is waiting for a bus after school. You see, she's only (ahem) 16 and studying to get into Oxford. So, he charms the pants off her parents (and hopefully Mulligan's pants, he thinks) and soon, she realizes there is a life outside of the boring world of going to school. Or is there?

Mulligan plays the role really well. Pretty sophisticated for a kid, but not totally aware of what goes on in the real world. This story is set in 1961 London, so you get a lot of men wearing hats, some cool chick fashion from the early '60's, and I heard Wanda Jackson on the soundtrack. Rosamund Pike played the girlfriend of one of Sarsgaard's friends and it took me a long time to figure out. She was the robot wife of Bruce Willis in "Surrogates"!

The movie probably won't win anything. I checked, it's made $9 mil at the box office. But it's one of those small films that comes to town, and you're lucky if you find the time to see it.

Meal of Links

I am lax in posting this, but you have to see Ruhlman and Bourdain in the Hudson Valley. Look for the repeat. Here's Ruhlman's original post on the filming.

Another late posting, but how did this happen? They have filmed a movie about Danny Greene! With Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken! But filmed in Detroit.

More love for the MagicJack! Annoying ads (and they are on all the time), but it works.

How to look for airfares. The frugal way.

11 real people who sound like Star Wars characters. KRS-One and Padma Lakshmi. And, of course, Yngwie Malmsteen.

Hey, it's Liz Phair. She attends an environmental conference and a NASCAR race.

Exercise Yard

Tony Kornheiser blasts fellow ESPN employee, Hannah Storm. The debate about Hannah Storm's fashion choices will never end.

Visitor

55 Across: Explorer Hernando de ____ (4 letters) Answer: Soto

The hazard of the tape-delayed Olympics is when you try to avoid the results and then stumble upon them. Today, I did a pretty good job of avoiding the results of the Women's Downhill when a guy on the radio blurts out, "Hey, Lindsey Vonn won the downhill." Crap. I watched it anyhow. It wasn't Franz Klammeresque, but she was fairly out of control at times.

Still have not seen curling. But I saw Shani Davis pick up a gold in the speed skating. Unfortunately, I think men's figure skating returns on Thursday.

Meal of Links

Kevin Trudeau's next book may be "Things You Need to Know To Stay Out of Jail". "The FDA has guns..." may be my favorite line from his infomercials.

Esquire with a fine profile of Roger Ebert. I think he may get a Pulitzer for his Internet writings.

Mary Tyler Moore's stab at a variety show years ago. With video.

Exercise Yard

Danny Ferry makes the deal. Antawn Jamison, I believe, is the final peice to the puzzle. If the Cavs get Z back in 30 days, so much for the better.

Visitor

39 Across: Wolfgang Puck's restaurant (5 letters) Answer: Spago

I listen to "Sound Opinions" virtually every Sunday evening on XM. Where two Chicago rock critics spend an hour a la Siskel and Ebert and rate the music of the day with an interview or two spliced in. Nice place to hear some music you would not normally hear. Their website is here.

Anyhow, Jim DeRogatis picks his worst rock movies. I love "The Last Waltz", but he's pretty much spot on with his other choices.

Meal of Links

If you want to remodel a kitchen or bath, these sites are for you. Cannot help with the necessary cash, however.

A 1938 guide for single women and dating. In the photos, the 1938 woman seems like fun, while 1938 guy seems a bit of a prig.

All about the early Woody Allen. Complete with a Foster Grant ad. Great stuff.

Reality politicians.

The Olympics Sap-O-Meter. Stay tuned.

Family Guy Farts



Exercise Yard

Even colleges these days get into the pre-game videos to fire up the crowd. This one is from the Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks hockey game. Pretty cool, except they blow up my university. And Ohio State gets it, too.



Visitor

15 Across: "Milk's favorite cookie" (4 letters) Answer: Oreo

It's Valentine's Day, so...

"My Funny Valentine"/Chet Baker



Meal of Links

In the mood for some classical music? Here is your shot at some downloads.

Why Cheney attacks. Probably because he doesn't want to be charged with war crimes.

Time flies as you get older. It's all about first memories being dense.

Exercise Yard

What? They held the America's Cup? Where were the fans? Where was the coverage? Where were the sponsors? There needs to be an explanation.

Visitor

None, on a rather pedestrian Sunday.

It was 20 years ago this week that Buster Douglas KO'ed Mike Tyson. I recall the exact spot where I heard the news. I was in Puerta Vallarta on a trip from work and, earlier in the day, we actually thought about watching the fight at some bar. We decided not to do it.

So, after a late dinner and some drinks, several of us were in the lobby of our hotel around 3:00 in the morning. All of a sudden, some Canadians appeared and tried to convince us that Douglas had won. I was pretty skeptical that they were trying to put one over on us, and they were pretty convincing. But still...

This was pre-Internet and barely cable days. But it was obvious by the next morning that something big had happened. Could not wait until I saw the replay when I got home. It remains the most stunning sports result in my lifetime.

BTW, Nelson Mandela was released from prison on the same day.

Meal of Links

The war in Afghanistan? It's heating up.

The Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver. In pictures. Well, they already killed a luger. The "Tour of Canada" was nice, I guess. Something about the phrase "welcome poles" reminds me of Peter Griffin saying the word, "penis". Steve Nash with a torch. I was happy to see Anne Murray was still alive. The Great One with THE torch, of course. kd lang with a great version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". When does curling start?

Craig Ferguson talks about "The Late Late Show". He has a budget smaller than Carson Daly's show.

What happened to chicks in '90s rock like Liz Phair? I still find interviews with Liz Phair pretty compelling.

I can't say enough good things about "Archer" on FX. This week's great joke was a boat named "Chum Guzzler". It's on Thursdays at 10.

Exercise Yard

This afternoon, Cleveland State played its biggest game of the year at home (hey, almost 4700 showed up), as the dreaded Butler Bulldogs came to town. Butler has remained a Top 20 team most of the year and came into the game at 22-4 and 15-0 in the Horizon League. CSU was riding a 6-game winning streak and was 9-4 in the conference.

My Dad and I arrived early to get a knit cap. Silly us, it wasn't a CSU cap but a Cleveland Clinic cap. Did they advertise that? I'm not sure.

As for the game, CSU decided on this day to come up with a dud. Although the game was 29-27 Butler, at the half, the signs were there that it was going to be a long game for the Vikings. They shot poorly and were getting absolutely hammered on the boards. Adjusting after the half, Butler started going inside a lot more and CSU had no answers defensively. Last three games, Butler has been winning by a combined one point at the half, and ended up winning each game by a combined 36 points. That's the definition of adjusting.

Stat sheet says it all. CSU shot 37% for the game, and hit on only 1 of 15 three-pointers. They were outrebounded (gulp!) 46-20. Too bad, because they caused 17 Butler turnovers and held them to 41% shooting. In a game never in doubt after halftime, CSU loses, 70-59.

Visitor

35 Down: "Suspicion" Oscar winner, 1941 (8 letters) Answer: Fontaine

I had a long saga ordering some flatware. My old stuff from Target kept disappearing or breaking and I was really getting short on forks and was down to a single butter knife. So, I found a really good deal from Oneida and ordered some over MLK weekend.

After I ordered, I didn't hear anything for several days. The really nice people there told me on two different occasions over the course of the next 2 weeks, that they had some coding issues with their inventory that their new system was not recognizing. So, imagine my surprise when I returned home from vacation that the package arrived last Friday.

But it was weird. After the initial e-mail, I didn't receive any further notification that the item had been shipped or when I could expect it. Maybe the new system has caught up, but it's awfully strange they operate in this manner, when some companies go overboard on their communication.

Having said that, I really do like the set. And they do have some good sales from time to time. I guess my advice is if you order from their site, keep after them.

Meal of Links

Karaoke killings! Do not sing "My Way" in the Philippines. I repeat, do not sing "My Way" in the Philippines. And in Thailand, you may wanna skip the John Denver.

Nate Silver looks at Sarah Palin's 2012 primary path. Nice work.

Hitchcock movies that were never made. Cary Grant as a modern-day "Hamlet"?

Since there are 10 Best Picture nominees this year, AMC has changed their schedule to 2 Saturdays for viewings. With an AMC card you can watch them at Ridge Park for $40. They still haven't released the schedule and of course, in Cleveland, you can see "Avatar" in lovely 2-D!

John Boehner. Confused politician.

OK, she's got a great ass, but what else qualifies Rachel Uchitel to be on "Extra"? Wait a minute, she was interviewed by Mario Lopez, so, there you have it.

Your Olympic broadcast teams. In other broadcast news, The Champions League Final actually ends up on Fox, the big network, in May.

Exercise Yard

Now we turn our attention to college hoops. And NASCAR.

Visitor

16 Across: Gonzalez in 2000 headlines (5 letters) Answer: Elian "They broke Elian's bed!"

One of my favorite movie pleasures the last few years, has been seeing what Luc Besson comes up with next. I have loved his stuff since I saw "Subway". He has stumbled upon a formula of action movies starting with "Transporter" (although I still can't forgive him for "Transporter 3"), "Taken" with Liam Neeson, and now John Travolta in "From Paris With Love".

I continue to eat this up. Make the movie with a bankable international star, let him go against character for about 90-100 minutes, add a bunch of gunplay, weapon play, martial arts play, car chase play, all in a foreign setting.

Travolta is so over the top, he's in orbit. His name his Charlie Wax, so he sends a henchman to warn the main villain by saying, "You tell him I said, "Wax on, Wax off!". Later on, as he gives some evidence over to some trenchcoats, they trade him a brown paper bag. It contains, what he says, will be the death of him. When he opens it up, it is...you guessed it...a Royale with Cheese! OK, I figured this movie out in about 8 minutes. And you know what? I didn't care. I enjoyed the ride.

Meal of Links

The White Stripes claim the Air Force Reserve ripped off the song, "Fell In Love With A Girl", for a Super Bowl commercial. The guy who wrote the music says it was his fault it sounded similar, but he didn't copy anything.

The management secrets of The Grateful Dead. The Dead's archive will have its first exhibit soon.

The Bonnaroo lineup is here. I say it's very impressive. Steve Martin and Daryl Hall look like a surprise. I go all the way down to Calexico and OK Go before the unknowns hit.

IHOP has free pancakes on the 23rd. With a donation.

MTV finally dropped "Music Television" from their logo. Here are the best videos from their first broadcast day.

Sarah Palin is still a liar. Stephen Colbert had the best line regarding her palm notes: "Oh, those elites! With their memory!".

The Films of the 2000s



Exercise Yard

The NFL lockout for 2011 will be picking up headlines the next few weeks, as the capless year for 2010 looms. But it looks like the NBA is well on their way to a lockout next year, as well.

Visitor

30 Down: Actress Adams of "Enchanted" (3 letters) Answer: Amy

I just flew in from Kauai and boy, are my arms tired. I'll have a full report when I get organized here and mainly, sleep some. But I did get back in time for the Super Bowl. Outside of being ill, I haven't flown solo for the Super Bowl in quite a long time, so I had many observations that kind of hung out there in the ether. I like the Super Bowl ads, but I still think football process during the games and need to bounce those ideas off of people. So, here it goes.

Did I miss an Asian singer during the pregame? I saw Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood (in her "Lost in Space" outfit) and wasn't sure if the rainbow was complete.

Jim Nantz was over the top in announcing, "The coin toss...next!". Then, Emmitt Smith "debacling" the coin toss.

The commercial with LeBron and Basketball Jesus was, and I'm being quite charitable, lame.

Peyton Manning has become "Peyton", much like "Ben". But Nantz actually said, "And Miami has become Peyton's place again!". So much for spontaneity. He needs to check his sponsorships at the door.

A commercial with Betty White AND Abe Vigoda? Gold, Jerry, gold!

The Saints with really bad tackling early. I think I agreed with Manning after the game. I'm not really sure the Saints ever stopped the Colts offense.

Two major criticisms I had with the announce crew. The first one dealt with a play in the first half right before Pierre Garcon's TD for the Colts. On a third down play, Joseph Addai busted up the middle for a big run. The Colts had a linebacker (#52) in the backfield. Now, I don't see the Colts very often, but I see 'em enough to know that was a new wrinkle. Anyhow, he goes right to start the play, as if he is going to get a pass out of the backfield. Obviously, the Saint defense moves with him, and Addai gets the ball behind that motion and gets big yards. Absolutely no mention of it, even during a replay.

The other was before the half. Nantz and Phil Simms actually had a discussion of how the Saints might use their timeouts before halftime. The problem was, on second down, the play ended with 59 seconds left and the Saints called a TO at 51 seconds. After the ensuing punt, they clearly could have used those seconds to run another play before having to kick their field goal. And, once again, the announce crew (more concerned with spotting Barney Stinson in the crowd) asleep at the wheel.

Dexter. For Dodge. Ni-i-i-ice.

Yeah, Nantz was typically Nantz, but I did laugh at this FLO TV ad. You know, the "injury report" with the spineless husband? He had me at "Hello, friends..."

The Pierre Garcon drop in the first half probably changed the outcome of the game, even though it was early. So much for Haiti.

The Simpsons commercial for Coke was baffling to me. Not the actual production, but the concept.

OK, I'm a fanboy for The Who, so I really enjoyed the halftime. But, I must say, Roger Daltrey didn't have the best of starts. I thought we may have had a disaster brewing, but he definitely got it together after his first two attempts at singing. Pete, as ever, windmilling around the stage, was still the Pete Townshend I love. And I loved the hat. CBS must have thought Keith Moon was still drumming, because Zak Starkey, Ringo's son, seemed to be getting more airtime than Roger and Pete. Pino Palladino and Pete's brother, Simon, were afterthoughts it seemed, as far as TV time. Regardless, I thought it was great.

After the Saints onside kick, Nantz said, after a replay, "Bounced off the hands of Hank Baskett...". Yeah, you don't hear that often. Tee hee.

The NPP (Non-Playing Posse) of the Saints killed me during this championship run. The gold sweatshirts, actually acting like they were playing, towel waving. Gave me tons of material. Several second half sightings of them.

While watching Manning and Drew Brees battle, where is the hope for the Browns? Especially with the current guys we have at quarterback?

Leno, Oprah and Dave on the CBS promo for Letterman was genius.

Did you catch the mention that Howard Mudd, the Colts offensive line coach, was retiring after the game? Do you also realize he coached the Browns line under Marty? If we have any glory years around here, those are it. And he started here (gulp!), 27 years ago! It makes me wonder where Lindy Infante is.

Reggie Wayne with only one catch in the first three first quarters was not good. But Manning kept going to him in the fourth quarter and, well, you saw the result. Interception return for the Saints to put the game out of reach. And, it was by Tracy Porter, the guy with dumb Super Bowl haircut.

Once you think you know the NFL rules, they redefine them further. I'm thinking of the Saints 2-point conversion. First ruled incomplete on the field, then overturned on replay. First, we have become obsessed with "making a football move" after a catch. Now, we have to be concerned with something called a "second act"? I thought the original call was correct. Those hands definitely separated for control, the way I saw it.

After Manning's interception, the Peyton Manning Face returned! Do the face!

As you may or may not know, a famous local sports radio caller, Dumpling, died recently. Virtually all of the hosts in town eulogized the guy on their shows. Then some callers called in with their memories, as well. For a day or so, these random calls would show up and someone would comment on Dumpling. It got to the point, we thought it would be great if the Cavs would win a title and LeBron would say, "This one's for Dumpling!". That has spawned a lot of "This one's for Dumpling!" comments during the NFL playoffs. Yesterday, with the Saints winning, we had to change it to, "This one's for Boulette!".

I predict that Drew Brees pictures with his kid will be like Kurt Warner and "Thank you, Jesus!".

I saw James Carville on the field during the postgame celebration.

Let's not forget Tom Benson almost moved the Saints. Just sayin'. Great teams are not always run by great owners. Art Modell.

Great scene on ESPN last night. They wanted to show Bourbon Street after the game and right when they got a camera shot, you saw two policemen on horseback giving a guy a hard time. They lingered awfully long on it, until someone nudged the camera in a different direction. Awesome. Of course, Rick Reilly referred to the "Latin Quarter" of New Orleans.

Speaking of weird, that Polamalu commercial scared me.

Lastly, did you see Peyton Manning run off the field WITHOUT SHAKING HANDS WITH THE OPPONENTS? Let's see how differently the media handles that than LeBron. When LeBron did it, it was a major story that would not go away. Manning does it and, well, let's see if anyone noticed it.

Big wrapup here.

Meal of Links

Costa Rica elects a woman President. And she looks like a weird version of that "Biggest Loser" trainer.

22 romantic characters who don't deserve love. Nothing earth shattering here.

How the theme to "Twin Peaks" was written. Great stuff. "I see Twin Peaks."

Exercise Yard

It's All Saints Day today.

Visitor

28 Across: NBA center who was a three-time MVP (11 letters) Answer: Moses Malone