Now is probably a good time as any. I gotta take a sabbatical on this blog for a while. The hours are finally catching up to me. Skipping a day or two or three isn't really cutting down the time as much as I thought it might. And the Fun Factor vs. the Chore and Lazy Factor has been evening out more than I like, and I think it's been showing the last few months. And trying to get to a number like 2,000 posts means the next 75 or so would definitely be an exercise in self-torture.

I think I'll start something different in the future. Count on it being a shorter form. Probably not Twitter-ish, but more Tumblr-ish.

I'll see you again at that time.

Scenes from last night's Tribe game. The weather and StubHub gave rise to a last-minute decision to attend the Indians 11-2 thumping of the White Sox.

Beautiful night for a game.

Asdrubal Cabrera knocked in five runs.

Harold Baines was coaching first for the Sox last night. I was waiting for a bus at the Federal Building several years ago as Harold was making his way down East 6th for a game.

Me: "Hey, Harold. Don't hit us too hard tonight."

Baines (smiling): "4-for-4 with 4 RBIs."

Jeanmar Gomez is 5-0 for the Tribe since his last callup.

Can't we bunt on this guy?

Fukudome is tired. It's September.

Joe Smith doing an imitation of my contorted body following the Foo Fighters.

Carlos Santana, looking prepared.

Two Indians pitchers I didn't even know were on the team finished up last night.

First, Putnam.

Then Kluber.

Meal of Links

Roger Ebert fixes Netflix for them. Even he thinks streaming is the way to go.

Rick Perry. This year's Fred Thompson. Lazy candidate.

America's best burgers. With love for B Spot.

Hypocrisy and the death penalty. A thoughtful read.

"The Office" returned last night. Here is a profile of Mindy Kaling.

Exercise Yard

I absolutely loved Marvelous Marvin Hagler. The history of the Hagler-Leonard fight. After the defeat, Hagler never fought again.

Hagler-Minter (with the bottles)



Visitor

40 Across: Seven-time N.L. batting champ (6 letters) Answer: Musial

Last night, Best Friend and I saw the Foo Fighters. As always, when Dave Grohl is in town, you know you are going to a ROCK show.

The Venue: Quicken Loans Arena. The home of the $8 cocktail.

Dave Grohl: Grohl remains quite the entertainer. He reminded us that about 40 minutes to an hour away from here, there is a city with a street named after him. The city would be Warren, OH. He also said it wasn't really a street, but "an alley behind a Burger King. Because there is no way they are gonna name a fuckin' boulevard after Dave Grohl."

After the last song when everyone is waiting for encores, the video screen comes on. Again with the night vision backstage. People cheer. Then who do they switch to? Of course, it's Grohl. How many are they gonna play? He cups his ear to the crowd, they go crazy. It's always funny. Are they gonna do two songs? The negotiation begins. Then Tyler Hawkins gets into the act. Eventually, they decide five is enough and they come back on stage.

The Tickets: We were in Club Section 108 about 5 rows from the front. Pretty good seats which allowed us to see everything.

The Crowd: The upper section facing the stage was curtained off. The other uppers maybe half-filled. The floor was not overly packed and it looks like 10,000 were there. I gotta say the atmosphere in the clubs was way different than the last time we saw them, when we had great seats downstairs. Lesson learned.

The Sound: The Q used to really suck soundwise. Dave's screaming and cussing came through with no problems.

They had two opening acts last night and we got in a lot earlier than last time, when Supergrass was on the bill. The first was Mariachi el Bronx. Sort of disappointed we didn't see them. Rise Against was next and I thought they were very good. Really a hard driving sound.

The Stage: The setup was a bit different this time. The stage floor was lit up at times.. Grohl still has a ramp into the audience. This allows for the typical gesturing and running around with your guitar. At the end of the ramp was a stage, which later elevated maybe about 15 steps and that gave everyone at the shitty end to say they at least saw Dave Grohl, up close. Two video screens fronted the stage.

The Foos were back to a more normal number with 5 members and an ocassional keyboardist. You have four guitars, including Grohl, up front. In the back, we have the keyboards and Taylor Hawkins on drums, of course.

The Music: A consistently strong performance once again last night. All the hits were terrific, "Let It Die" "My Hero" and "Monkey Wrench". We got a solo version of "Best of You" this time. "Everlong" closed it out with the full band treatment, which was acoustic last time.

Setlist:

Bridge Burning
Rope
The Pretender
My Hero
Learn to Fly
White Limo
Arlandria
Breakout
Cold Day in the Sun
Long Road to Ruin
Stacked Actors
Walk
Monkey Wrench
Let It Die
These Days
This Is a Call
All My Life

Encore:

Wheels (Grohl solo)
Best of You (Grohl solo)
Times like These (Grohl solo)
Dear Rosemary
Breakdown (The Tom Petty song)
Everlong

Once more, a great performance by the Foo Fighters. More bang for the buck than any band out there. You get great tunes, jocularity from the band, and an adoring audience. Still impressive after all these years.

PD review is here.

Meal of Links

Albert Brooks is a revelation in "Drive". A long way from the Danny the Dummy era. Which slays me all the time. Somewhere, I see Andy Kaufmann getting inspired.

Albert Brooks with Danny the Dummy



Does Troy Davis signal the end of the death penalty? I remain a staunch opponent.

R.E.M. folds.

"Pop Song 89"/R.E.M.



Cameron Crowe dissects Pearl Jam tunes. PBS airs this on October 21.

TV's Best Characters. Sterling Archer should be on this list.

Let's talk about death, baby. Let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the noncommunicable diseases that may be.

Exercise Yard

I guess we can forget about Dan Gilbert being ruined by the subprime crisis. He is one of Forbes 400 richest Americans.

Visitor

Across Down: ( letters) Answer: TEXT

Connie Schultz leaves the PD. Probably under a cloud, as her Tea Party mea culpa was a scant two weeks ago. Generally, I thought she had an important voice, but for some, they couldn't get beyond Mrs. Sherrod Brown was in their paper. All you need to know is to read the comments on Cleveland.com to find out there is no middle ground.

Meal of Links

Aaaaar, matey! It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

It's your Emmy winners. I obviously watch the wrong programs.

A Feist sighting! It's been a while. I think it's been at least 1-2-3-4, probably 5 years.

Look at what Best Buy was selling 15 years ago. 28.8 modems! Packard Bell equipment! You Don't Know Jack games! VHS movies!

Another dumb politician.

Netflix has survived a lot over the years. Lately, it seems they cannot do anything right. It's obvious they need to concentrate more on streaming, while not totally abandoning DVDs. Now, they can't even name the spinoff without catching heat.

Exercise Yard

College realignment is all the rage currently. But, look at the current Big East. They expanded in 2005 (including Marquette, Louisville and Cincinnati) and now certain schools, like Pitt and Syracuse, several years later decide, eh, it's not so good here. Eventually we get those 4 super conferences and a football playoff system.

Nate Silver makes your head hurt with stats.

Visitor

45 Across: Scotch partner (4 letters) Answer: Soda

OK, everyone can relax, as the Browns beat the Colts today. Sort of another yawner today. The good thing was the defense was only allowing Colt field goals until they gave up a TD with very little time left. They also got two turnovers, one when Reggie Wayne fell, allowing Usama Young to get a cheap interception. And Jabaal Sheard sacked Kerry Collins, picking up a fumble.

Again, not a whole lot happened either way here. The Colts were under 200 total yards until late. The Browns threw the ball 32 times and ran 34 making a lot of people pleased with the playcalling. Too many short passes, but they live to see another day.

Browns win, 27-19.

Meal of Links

Look at the size of those cans!

Not normally associated with recycling, but these are the size of the receptacles that Cleveland is using as part of its Sustainability 2019 Program. These cans were delivered to our expansion area (ward) this past Thursday. The black one is for garbage and it holds 95 gallons. On a weekly basis, I'd be lucky to fill two bags worth in the winter, without any yard waste. The blue one is 65 gallons for recycling. That looks like a one per month for me to even get close to maybe a third full. Maybe I should have ordered the smaller ones. But the things you can recycle! The cardboard toilet paper roll, for instance. Sheesh. First time I've had to recycle in the city for a long time.

Keith Law hated "Moneyball". Paul DePodesta (Jonah Hill's charecter) didn't want his name in the movie.

Overcoming the fear of public speaking. Still, a dreadful experience for many.

Exercise Yard

I was a bit perplexed to find that Floyd Mayweather actually beat Victor Ortiz by a KO. Hasn't had many of those lately. But it was the way he won.

Ortiz does a diving headbutt into Mayweather in the corner. The ref breaks them apart, rightfully penalizing Ortiz. As they get back to the center of the ring, Ortiz tries to apologize and give Floyd a hug. Floyd looks like he's going to go into a full embrace, and with a move straight from the WWE, notices the ref is not looking, Mayweather then decides to hit Ortiz with a slappy left to the face, then a huge right to the chin of the defenseless Ortiz. KO! The ref didn't appear to indicate that time had been restored after the headbutt, but awarded Floyd the win anyhow. Uh-oh. Get the conspiracy theories ready.

Pretty cheap, borderline legal, but it stands as a KO. Leading to this exchange between Mayweather and HBO's Larry Merchant.

Mayweather: "HBO needs to fire you; you don't know shit about boxing."

Merchant: "I wish I was 50 years younger and I would kick your ass."

God Bless Larry Merchant



Visitor

None, on a sunny Browns Sunday.

I saw "Drive" today at Cinemark. I thought there would be more, well, driving. There was a terrific scene at the beginning of the movie where Ryan Gosling, as a getaway car driver, delivers the goods with the cops actively seeking his vehicle. But we had only three scenes or so, where his driving skills were needed. It's obvious they wanted some differentiation from the "Transporter" series.

This movie was actually quite a surprise. Let's hope Gosling and Carey Mulligan were not paid by the word, because the dialogue here was sparse, at best. Especially the scenes where both were involved. Bryan Cranston took time off from "Breaking Bad" and is good as Gosling's daytime and nighttime boss. The two heavies are partners Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks. Brooks gets the juiciest of those two roles, as he gets to do some interesting killing.

And that's where the movie takes a turn, so to say. You think Gosling is just a quiet guy going about his business. But oh, he's got a mean streak and can kill with the best of him. And the violence is almost over-the-top, but somehow fits the crimes.

I liked this one a lot. A throwback-80's style soundtrack, a non-glitzy LA, minimal dialogue, all make for something different at the cinema. And for all the driving and violence here, it was one of the quietest movies I've seen. If you were chomping on popcorn during this one, it would have sounded as if you were at the feeding trough.

Really good stuff, one of the best I've seen this year.

Meal of Links

The Marble Rye Lady died. Much scarier in her David Lynch appearances.

Johnny Depp is shown in "Dark Shadows". Oh, I dunno about this one. But I saw a trailer for "Rum Diary", where he plays Hunter S. Thompson again. That looked good.

The Republican strategy to beat President Obama? Electoral college shenanigans.

Exercise Yard

The Indians minor-league team that probably gets the least amount of publicity locally is the Kinston Indians. Well, they are moving. To Zebulon, NC. For some reason, I have never forgotten that Zebulon is the hometown of comedian Lonnie Schorr.

Visitor

47 Down: "Chestnuts roasting..." co-writer (5 letters) Answer: Torme

MLB had nothing better to do today, so they released the 2012 schedule . The Indians open against the Blue Jays on Holy Thursday. So, that means hot dogs unless there is a rainout. Next year, the season extends into October.

The Red Sox and Yankees only come in once, but both are here in August. Interleague is awfully strange with the new "Miami" Marlins, Pirates, and Reds at home and the Reds, Astros and Cardinals on the road. Memorial Day and Independence Day are at home. This may be the year to take a roadie out to Seattle or Minnesota, during the dog days.

The other thing you notice is those dreaded two-game series. They have two of those in May and only 9 home games in June. The June schedule is tough, because if they suck, they are out of sight, out of mind. Or, if they play well, you wish you could see them more.

Meal of Links

Frank Deford called this, "the most important article ever written about college sports". Well worth the time.

The "Austin City Limits" schedule is up. As always, it's worth watching. Jeff Bridges this year.

Your Fall TV Cancellation Forecast. Yes, there are many duds awaiting us.

Elizabeth Warren. Populist.

Exercise Yard

What happened to my alma mater's football team? After whomping on Brooklyn, 64-14, they got shutout at JFK. Last week, they were getting shutout at Cleveland Central Catholic when a brawl erupted in the third quarter. That game got called. So, being shorthanded, they did what any smart team would do. They will forfeit this week's game to Glenville. That was allegedly a home game, but they were playing it at Marshall.

On an unrelated note, we get Marv Albert for this week's Browns-Colts game!

Visitor

52 Across: Seven-time Grammy-winning jazz singer (9 letters) Answer: Al Jarreau

Sunday's conclusion of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" made me laugh really hard. Michael J. Fox and his Parkinson's. The soda kills me. Later on, Leon says, "If he handed you a carton of milk, you'd end up with a motherfuckin' milkshake." Leon is always good.

LD and Michael J. Fox on "Curb"



This season of "Curb" was probably one of the best. Oh, there were a couple of clunkers, but most times I laughed a lot this season.

Meal of Links

John Calley died today. Responsible for bringing many great movies to the screen. Especially at his stint at Warner Bros.

"Let him die." There is your republican healthcare answer.

10 Worst New Shows of the fall season. I have been watching "The Hour" on BBC America. But that's only got two episodes left. I would rather be watching Season 2 of "Terriers". "Archer" has a limited run starting this week on FX.

Doris Day has charted in the UK. Huh?

Talking with Nick Lowe. I've always enjoyed "Big Kick, Plain Scrap". And, of course...

"I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass'/Nick Lowe



Bachmann and vaccines. Here we go.

Exercise Yard

NFL retirees are suing the NFLPA. Claiming they had no right to negotiate payments for them. I still think that 10-year deal sucked for the players.

Visitor

15 Across: Pop singer Brickell (4 letters) Answer: Edie

"What I Am"/Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians

A pet peeve of mine, regarding the Browns, is the interminable "Reading of the Schedule". In this exercise, fans look at the schedule and determine the Browns record. This season, the Browns have what is perceived as a soft schedule. Therefore, some were predicting lofty heights of 9 and 10-win seasons. I stuck with 4, hoping for 6. After today's loss to the Bengals, do you really think the Browns can get to those higher totals. Keep in mind, it's a rookie head coach with a slow defense.

Where do you begin with today's mess?

Penalties. At one point, in the first quarter, the Browns had as many penalties as plays. Time to start running laps again.

Colt McCoy had only 5.3 yards/attempt. Welcome to the West Coast Offense. That included a 56 and a 34-yarder, BTW. The other 38 attempts netted 123 yards. I've said this a million times. This offense looks great when you move the chains. If not, it's boring as hell. Rating was 70.3.

The defense, slow as it is, held the Bengals run game in check for a time. Until the Bengals actually got some field position with Bruce Gradkowski at the helm for his third series. From that point forward, the Bengals ran the ball 14 times.

Killer instinct? The Browns did virtually nothing to extend their lead in the second half.

If fan favorite, Evan Moore, is that great, where is he when the game is on the line?

Punt game was terrible.

Didn't get much from Peyton Hillis today.

Browns did not get much blocking help from the fullback, Owen Marecic, and the right tackle, Hicks.

Next week, it's off to Indy to face the Peyton Manningless Colts. They got crushed today. But you are never as bad as you may have looked in a game like that.

Browns lose today in a mostly boring game with a godawful result. Bengals win, 27-17.

Meal of Links

First responders are not invited to main 9/11 cermony. Plus, there are still the healthcare issues.

Updates on the 9/11 ceremonies. In NYC, Presidents Bush and Obama appeared together.

An underreported 9/11 hero. The female pilot who had orders to bring down Flight 93. Kamikaze-style.

Exercise Yard

There was another heavyweight title bout yesterday. Once again, a Klitschko was involved. Once again, it sucked. This time, it was Vitali over Tomas Adamek. A yawner.

Visitor

None, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

I avoided enough of the raindrops tonight and made it over to Cinemark to see "Senna". For this documentary, there were more in attendance than some features I have seen. It's not really difficult to see the hold that Ayrton Senna still has over people. The greatest Formula One driver ever. And this doc is actually quite brilliant, catching all of the Senna magic. Great use of archival footage and no talking heads. Uses interviews from the past and only voiceovers from the same participants today.

Covers a lot in Senna's racing career. You can't dream up a hero like Senna and the villains, across the board, in the world of Formula One. We get the drives in the rain (including Monaco), Senna in the John Player Special (the best looking car ever in F1) for Lotus, the rivalry with Alain Prost at McLaren and then Ferrari and Williams, the politics of the FIA, the many dramatic incidents at the GPs of Japan, the first win at Brazil, some late Nigel Mansell and early Michael Schumacher driving, the three World Championships, the move to Williams and the fateful weekend at Imola (including Barichello's horrific crash and the deaths of Ratzenberger and Senna).

This is an ESPN Films production, so I have to believe it gets an airdate there. Has to be a Documentary Oscar nominee...it's that great.

Top Gear Senna Tribute



Meal of Links

Cliff Robertson died today. For all of his roles, the one that sticks out for me was "The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid".

Uh, about that Arab Spring we heard so much about. You can't predict what happens in a vacuum.

Beers that America no longer drinks. All you have to do is see the expanded shelf space at your local grocer. Lots more choices.

Exercise Yard

Third weekend for the EPL. Is it already a two-team race?

Visitor

55 Across: "Dead Man Walking" Oscar wnner (8 letters) Answer: Sarandon

A few thoughts...

Rick Perry and the "Ponzi Scheme" line about Social Security caught fire today.

Get used to it. ESPN has Monday Night Football for 10 more years. Hello, cable rate increase. Plus more Berman.

Interesting item about Carlos Carrasco's Tommy John surgery. Geez, they couldn't wait to get Jake Westbrook tossing on a one-year timetable. Carrasco? 12 to 18 months.

Jeff Tweedy Covers Black Eyed Peas



President Obama talks tough. Now that's the guy I voted for.

Buddy Holly would have been 75 this week.

"Well..All Right"/Buddy Holly



Meal of Links

Are you ready for some football? The broadcast maps are up! Somwhere Navin Johnson is dancing. Looks like it's Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots for the Browns.

I know he's bad, but today's Kevin O'Brien column was downright awful. Using semantics to deny the existence of a middle class is astoundingly stupid. Deconstructed here.

This is low. A mentally disabled guy got swindled out of a bunch of Superman memorabilia.

"Shaun Of The Dead". Incredibly funny.

Kate is told “Reality TV is not a career" by Jon Gosselin. Amen, brother...wait...WTF?

Missed last night's debate? Here are the Republican candidates in one sentence.

It's happened. Schweddy Balls Ice Cream! An instant classic from Ben & Jerry's.

Exercise Yard

The Arturo Gatti murder case will be reopened. Cyril Wecht says the original cause of death by suicide is fiction.

Visitor

17 Across: Former quarterback Peete (6 letters) Answer: Rodney

Not much going on today.

How 'bout some Otis?

"Try A Little Tenderness"/Peter Bjorn and John




Meal of Links

Eddie Murphy WILL host the Oscars. Fuck skewing younger, bring on the funny.

Hitch on 9/11.

States with the most uninsured people. Rick Perry's Texas has the most with 27.2%. Mitt Romney's Massachusetts has the least at 5.3%. Yet, Romney still backs away from it.

Robert Duvall still gives great interviews. His views on show business are always refreshing.

Exercise Yard

3-D TVs just aren't selling. So much so, that ESPN may shut down ESPN 3-D. Probably ahead of its time, but with not much programming, added expenses like 3-D goggles and a shitty economy, what do you expect?

Visitor

36 Down: "Star Wars" mastermind (5 letters) Answer: Lucas

21 ways to relax and recharge on Labor Day.

My idea of relaxing was to take in the Tribe game against the Tigers this afternoon. Bonus was "jets flying aroung making loud noises" from the air show during the game. That would have been greater if there had been less clouds today.

Anyhow, my Dad and I sat in the Clubs for a game that would probably determine the Tribe's season. Crowd into it early. Ubaldo looking unhittable with 5 K's in the first two innings from mainly high heat. Then in the fourth, Victor Martinez, in a year where his power has diminished, hit his ninth homer of the year for the Tigers. Too bad for Ubaldo, it came with two guys on.

After that, the crowd moved on with their lives. Fister continued to handcuff the Indians and Jimenez got back on track after that. But the damage was already done.

So, in a game where Ubaldo allows only five baserunners, Detroit wins. The Indians inept offense just can't make up any ground against good pitching. Once Detroit pushed across their 4th run, it was definitely over.

Thanks For Playing



Meal of Links

What is really behind the financials of the Postal Service. And no, there is no default coming.

All about the Netflix-Starz relationship. Starz is probably not a big loss for them.

21 Forgotten TV Subplots. From many shows I did not watch.

Billy Buck was on "Curb" last night! Absolutely loved it. Buckner palling around with LD, because he had nothing better to do.

TIFF starts up this week. Here's a preview . "Moneyball" arrives here in 2 weeks. Shut the fuck up. "Senna" actually gets here this weekend. HUGE buzz. I am there.

Sports can play a role in history. Ali beating Foreman, for example.

Exercise Yard

You can't ask to have the Notre Dame coach fired for cursing, can you? I'm starting to wonder if Brian Kelly is in over his head there? Losing to South Florida in your home opener? Terrible.

Visitor

39 Across: Designer Karan (5 letters) Answer: Donna

Last night was my first try at attending the Cleveland Oktoberfest . OK, I'll say it. I didn't have any German food. It was too warm to even think about having a pigout session. I just stuck with the beer at this sauna. Hofbrau's Oktoberfest Beer being a really keen brew. Beer was relatively cheap here. If you stayed away from promotional cups and all, the German beers were $5 and I think Buds were only $4 for a draft pounder. You cannot beat the carny food, as I had a gyro. Overall, a nice gastric experience.

The crowd showed up despite the heat, however. There seemed to be an unusual attraction from the human glockenspiel activity. These people would come out every hour on the hour. Do a little German dancing and then throw stuff to the audience. It sorta reminded me of the lines at the Food Show where people would stand in them for a lengthy time, just because something was free. The items tossed were mainly beads, but I think there were other trinkets and t-shirts were also distributed. I didn't really get this attraction, but it seemed to be very popular, so I won't quibble too much.

The Cleveland Pops Orchestra was scheduled to appear there during this evening's rain. Even with the shower, let's hope more people observed that than the clock.

Meal of Links

One of the great things about Harry Shearer is he tracks the Olympic movement. Well, lookee here. The no-fly zone in London next summer may bankrupt firms. You know, small companies like flight schools.

Not that I've watched it in years. And it's hard to believe that Channel 8 always used to cancel US Open Tennis coverage because of it. But it will be strange to see the MDA Telethon proceed without Jerry Lewis. Such an odd breakup.

How a cinema saved a town. Kind of a neat story.

Economy class is getting better. Apparently on airlines I don't frequent.

An R who left the cult. That's why even an off-year election is important.

Somehow this guy is always overlooked when it comes to hosting the Oscars. How about Eddie Murphy?

Another Ed Gein tribute. This time, it's "Ed Gein, The Musical". I am laughing so hard, I could barely type that.

Exercise Yard

The Cubs may stop serving Old Style at Wrigley field. That's a shame. However, even Giant Eagle has such a wide selection of beer these days, these old brands are bound to suffer.

Having said that, I'm off to finish a Modelo.

Visitor

None, on a cloudy Sunday.

Do you ever hate it when your name is attached to TV or film projects? It's the angst of hoping "James and the Giant Peach" doesn't get more popular as a movie than the book did. because you don't want to be asked about "The Giant Peach" all the time. Well, the latest one is up for me, "JJK Security"! AMC calls it a dramedy. Right there, I have major doubts creeping in.

The show chronicles a family-owned private security company in rural Georgia. AMC said the series was inspired “by what filmmakers like the Coen Brothers, Christopher Guest and Robert Altman have done capturing quirky, larger than life characters in the scripted realm,” and will make its debut in the third quarter of 2012.

I have plenty of time to work on my cringe face.

Meal of Links

Your Labor Day Weekend TV Marathons. A tossup between "BBQ Pitmasters" on Planet Green and Discovery Health's "Strange Sex". But I'll probably look at the Current "50 Documentaries" one that i missed.

Tracking the sales of Girl Scout Cookies. A sucker for Thin Mints, but hey, they ain't healthy.

Paul Westerberg is cordial. A rare interview.

As you probably knew, "Crankshaft" and a host of other strips will commemorate 9/11. Expect "Funky Winkerbean" to be extremely maudlin.

The true cost of 9/11. Just think of those dollars spent on war.

Coffee Jerks



The rich get richer. David Cross joins "Modern Family".

Red meat for the haters. Guy Fieri refused to wear long pants. Even in Alaska.

The Huntsman tax plan looks awfully intriguing. But many tax breaks are tossed, including the mortgage deduction.

NOLA preps for an odd storm. It is Tropical Storm Lee.

Topless Bollywood types.

All the foods we love have high calories. Pasta was Number One. The last time I made pasta, it was fusilli. No Kramer present.

Bruce Feldman winds up at CBS. This concludes one of the oddest personnel moves in the history of ESPN.

More Terrence Malick love. This time for the impossibly beautiful "Days of Heaven".

Exercise Yard

Finally the preseason is over. So, of course, the Browns start next weekend. Now, how many of these teams do the Browns play again. If they win against all of these Pretenders, maybe I'll have them winning more than 4.

Visitor

44 Across: Original Speed Stick Maker (6 letters) Answer: Mennen

By Mennen

The words "Tea Party" are finally recognized as bad for a candidate. They could have asked me that two years ago.

Meal of Links

The Golden Globes is in legal turmoil. Dick Clark Productions negotiated a broadcast rights contract without the involvement of the Hollywood Foreign Press. Of course, renewal rights and money are at stake.

This is fantastic. Martin Scorsese is doing a remake of "The Gambler" with Leonardo DiCaprio. I can't help but be there on Day One. "The Gambler" is that hidden gem from the '70s with James Caan that I can't tout enough.

More important events than 9/11. Now that's an interesting read.

The science of sleeping. Brought to you by Overstock.com. Huh?

Bourdain talks about Southern food.

"50 Documentaries To See Before You Die" ends tomorrow. It's a pretty good post-1988 list. Number One is "Hoop Dreams", which went from rarely seen to almost a carved-up weekly feature on ESPN Classic.

Exercise Yard

Might be the last year to root for the Vikings in Minnesota. They are as good as gone.

Visitor

52 Down: Suave Butler (5 letters) Answer: Rhett

The new sports station in town hit the airwaves today. It's 92.3 The Fan. And if you have suffered through listening to WKNR, there is finally an alternative.

I like some of what I heard today. I admit I was a big fan of Kiley and Booms when they were on Fox nationally. So, I'm sorta in the tank for those two. Some of their throwaway lines are the best. Like today when the Indians sent them a welcome basket of cookies and pastries and they implied a player had been cut to pay for it. Lots of folks hate Booms, but I like the chemistry these two have.

Andy Baskin is on middays and it sounds like they are still trying out partners for him. It had been announced that job was going to Jeff Phelps, but Reggie Rucker and Dennis Manoloff from the PD each pulled a 2-hour shift with Manoloff clearly the better of those two. The D-Man has overall sports knowledge that suits the show better.

Adam the Bull and Dustin Fox handle afternoons. Adam came from New York and really should do the show solo. Fox is too much of a novice right now. Too eager, needs to relax. He'll do fine on OSU, not much else.

So, there you have it. It's only Day One. Once the Browns get going, we'll know for sure where they are headed.

Meal of Links

MoviePass is back. Movie exhibitors still chafe at this idea. I'm not sure if this ever gets off the ground. If it does somehow ring popular, I can see the theatre chains offering this themselves.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" locations. Cue the tuba!

My thing for Judy Greer continues. She joins "Two and a Half Men" as Kutcher's ex-wife. Sill on "Archer", which returns next month for a few shows after "Sunny" returns on FX.

was Irene overhyped? Deaths and damage say no. Is the feeling a bullet was dodged? Yes.

Exercise Yard

Tiger Woods will play the Frys.com Open. Now, before you say WTF?, this a move more golfers should pull.

Show up at minor tournaments (although this purse is $5 million) where you are perceived as the best golfer there. Play and win. Boosts attendance and player confidence.

When you hear golfers who "haven't learned how to win", this is a great strategy. Works for injured and mentally whipped golfers, too. No idea why it isn't employed more.

Visitor

6 Down: Quarterback Manning (3 letters) Answer: Eli

Storm damage, for sure, but Irene was nothing as predicted, right? My sense is that this got so much coverage because:

a) It was a weekend
b) New York was involved

I get the uniqueness of NYC being a target of a hurricane. But it seemed the networks were just aching to show some familiar landmarks engulfed by a natural disaster. Then they blamed the fact that Irene's landfall hit in North Carolina took some steam out of it, plus it tracked a bit differently after that. I'm no meteorologist and even I know when a storm makes landfall, it traditionally weakens.

Unfortunately on Saturday evening, I saw a Weather Channel clip where two guys said there was no way they couldn't see flooding in lower Manhattan near Wall Street. Mainly because of a storm surge and high tides. That didn't happen.

Oh well, at least I got to see Geraldo doing hurricane duty. On Broadway.

"Reggae On Broadway"/Bob Marley



Meal of Links

Errol Morris with a different twist this time. A book.

I wanna stay in a hotel. That's cheap and chic. Here you go.

"Good Eats" is wrapping up this week. Always an excellent show.

Exercise Yard

I saw Joey Barton at the Wigan-QPR match yesterday. They need him.

Visitor

None, on a cloudy, then sunny Sunday.

The men in my family took my niece to see the old alma mater take on Brooklyn. I don't even know what they call this rivalry these days. The Backyard Brawl? The Battle of Biddulph? All I know is Rhodes is dominating this series lately and won last night, 64-14. That's right they scored 64 points! Would have been 70 if they had a kicker or were not just 4 of 8 on 2-point conversions.

First of all, it's a pretty cheap night. $5 to get in, pop and pizza squares were a dollar and it's $1.50 for popcorn. But there seems to be a malaise hanging over the football games at Brooklyn. Clearly, the kids who go in don't even care about the game as they congregate and do their own thing seemingly miles apart from the game. The cheerleaders don't have any focus and don't seem too thrilled to participate. They have a mascot without any direction. The band doesn't seem fired up. If I were an administrator at the school, I'd be embarrassed, or at least concerned, about the overall production.

Shockingly, Rhodes actually had fans show up on their side. They have a band this year, as well. And the guys really play hard on the field. Seems like some good things happening there.

But, much like last year's game we attended, Rhodes had big plays all night. I mean plays you wouldn't think would result in 6 points. They led, 20-0, at the end of the first quarter and it was inconceivably 40-0 at the half. Rhodes only put the ball in the air three times that I recall. A stupid backward pass on the first play of the game that failed and resulted in a turnover. A beautiful two-point conversion that made it 20-0. And a failed pass attempt on a 4th down play late in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, they must have run for at least 500 yards. Seriously. Their big running back, Wall, totaled 116 yards on his first two carries and had TD runs of 94, 36, 55 and 3 yards.

Here were the TDs:

A 94-yard run (6-0)
A 64-yard run (12-0)
A 36-yard run (20-0)
A 70-yard punt return (28-0)
A 10-yard run (34-0)
A 55-yard run (40-0)
A 3-yard run (46-0)
A 15-yard run (52-0)
A 45-yard fumble return (58-7)
A 65-yard kick return to finish the game (64-14)

Needless to say, lots of fun to watch.

Meal of Links

Irene must be important because I see Wolf Blitzer on my TV. No Geraldo sighting yet, my favorite part of hurricanes. Details here. Mail was delivered in Virginia Beach today. Kudos.

Now I find this interesting. Fox, yes, Fox, the big network, will start showing tape-delayed EPL games on a few Sundays they don't have football doubleheaders. And on Super Bowl Sunday, Chelsea and Manchester United will be on Fox that morning. As long as Michael Strahan makes no appearances and my drinks are cold, that will be the start to a great day.

Do you have any of the !00 Most Sought-After Out of Print Books. Some interesting titles, but I don't have any of them. Although, I thought I had a copy of "Cards As Weapons' by Ricky Jay laying around here, but have his other book, "Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women". That's out of print, but not as popular, I guess.

How to discover new music. I still haven't had time to comprehend Spotify, but I will.

More "Louie". Although his Afghanistan looked a lot like the Korea of "M*A*S*H".

"Say Something Nice"



Upping the antihero. "Breaking Bad', "Psych" and "Dexter".

Exercise Yard

Ric Flair not only has trouble inside the ring, he's got huge issues outside the squared circle. A long history of failed marriages and financial turmoil.

Hey, my favorite sign from last week's show: "It doesn't matter what my sign says".

Visitor

3 Down: Country that eliminated the United States at the last two World Cups (5 letters) Answer: Ghana

I found it odd that the penis amputation victim was from the city of Waddy, KY. BTW, how unsympathetic of a character are you when the jury rules unanimously in favor of the doctor?

Meal of Links

Steve Jobs resigned today. Hard to believe he's been a headline grabber for over 30 years.

Another Louis C.K. interview. I am sure after his series hit the high water mark two weeks ago, something's been missing since. Although those kids were awfully cute in the Halloween episode. One dressed as Frederic Douglass!

Matt Taibbi on a roll.

TiVo confounds again. More subscribers lost.

There are 1 billion cars in the world. They say 2.5 billion by 2050.

Canada lost a good one.

Exercise Yard

Here's the Jimenez-Pomeranz/White trade from the Rockies perspective. The takeaway? Rockies fans hate Dan O'Dowd and loved Ubaldo.

Visitor

6 Down: Five-time Grammy winner James (6 letters) Answer: Taylor

While wondering whatever became of Robert Benigni...

I'm listening to the Tribe game. Tom Hamilton is describing what sounds like an earthquake. I don't feel a thing. Apparently, the East Coast was in a panic. Or wanted a free day on a nice summer afternoon.

Of course, it was near a nuclear power plant. Fuck.

Meal of Links

Jerry Lieber died yesterday. How would you like to have your name attached to that songbook? Think of the Elvis hits, the Coasters hits and on and on. Lieber and Stoller also produced "Stuck In The Middle With You". This is my favorite Lieber and Stoller tune:

"Spanish Harlem"/Ben E. King



Nickolas Ashford died yesterday, as well. He, and his wife, Valerie Simpson wrote many Motown hits. Listen to Marvin Gaye just kill on this Ashford and Simpson record.

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell



The odd death of Arturo Gatti. Next week, a P.I. gives his findings. Never bought the suicide for one moment.

15 arcade games we miss. They are all there. Circus never makes these lists, but damn, I ruled that game.

Art of the Title with the classic, "Catch Me If You Can". One of the best title sequences ever.

10 songs ruined by advertising. "Saved by Zero" not on the list? Bah.

"Snakes On A Plane" is 5 years old. Only made $34 million at the box office.

The Rock plus Bruckheimer equals...'80s Wrestling Show! Dust off Ron Garvin running up those stairs.

Speaking of earthquakes. What's up with Haiti?

Versus is getting more NFL on its network. Mike Florio has a Friday at 6 show, with Darren Rovell following. Now, NFL Films is producing "Turning Point". This looks like old-style NFL Films stuff, Thursdays at 10.

Exercise Yard

Pat Summitt has early onset dementia. At age 59. Fairly obvious she can't coach much longer. But damn, that's an early diagnosis.

Visitor

43 Down: Hairy TV cousin (3 letters) Answer: Itt

I wasn't too happy with John Kasich Theater the other day. Why waste everyone's time with that stunt?

We'll see what the people think of SB5, come November. If it's repealed, it's 1 win, 1 loss for everyone concerned and then we can work on a compromise.

Meal of Links

Chipotle doesn't talk turkey. They talk pork. Looks like Bill Niman is consulting. Buehler's sells Niman Ranch meat and it's very good.

Matt Taibbi has a long read on the SEC and its document keeping. Should be bigger news.

Bourdain has no reservations ripping on everyone. Deen, Fieri, Ray and Sandra Lee. Stuff needs to be said.

Another film oasis. Gary, Indiana.

Should the Beachland Ballroom have to pay its back taxes. Or, given its role in changing South Collinwood, do they get a pass? Love the place, but if their taxes are waived, I think that line of others starts forming pretty quickly. Let's hope for a settlement.

Exercise Yard

Not really a curse, but the Indians do need to think about selling postseason tickets. And they did. The Tribe's playoff odds are down to 9.3%.

Visitor

None, on a changing sky Sunday.

Today, in tech world, it was like Black Friday. Because the HP TouchPads were being dumped on the market at prices that would make Crazy Eddie proud.

Two of the biggest online retailers haven't dropped their price yet. That would be Newegg and Amazon, but that'll happen later today or tomorrow. Best Buy claims they still have some in-store and will be sold starting tonight or tomorrow, but that seems completely random, as they allegedly sent all their stock back. But the Office Depot/OfficeMax/Staples Axis of Evil seems to be out. As are Target and Wal-Mart and your warehouse clubs.

Meal of Links

Groupon is running low on cash. This is really good insight as to how the company actually operates and how they get paid. And how accounting principles allow you to tell a story that is kinda true.

Probably the quintessential piece on the demise of Borders. The last time I was in the Crocker store was last Christmas and could not believe how much that store had changed. Especially when I found they now opened at 10:00.

Controversy about the Gay Softball World Series. Who knew?

Emeritus interviews Michael Vick in GQ. I found it interesting that after probation ends next summer, Vick can legally own a dog.

You can get a PBR around here for, what, $2? In China, that'll set you back $46 a bottle.

The new sports talker in Cleveland starts on August 29. Finally.

The Postal Service has to change for its survival. The battle starts in Washington when the recess ends.

Top 10 things you don't need to buy because they are already in your home. Vick's VapoRub solves itching? WTF?

Did the Libyan rebels actually pull this off? Gadhafi flees Tripoli. I guess illegal wars can work.

I see Wolf Blitzer once in a while. Yes, he's boring.

This is why Jon Huntsman matters. A Republican who says you can't shun science.

Finally got a look at "Ebert Presents: At The Movies", while stumbling around the dial after the Browns and Indians last night. A trip down memory lane as Roger and Gene talked about overlooked acting of the '80s. Got affirmation when Gene mentioned Gene Hackman in "The Conversation" and Roger piped up with James Caan in "The Gambler". Looks like WVIZ runs this on Fridays at 10:30 with overnight reruns on early Saturdays and Sundays.

Recent news about Ted Williams. The voice guy.

Exercise Yard

A nice story about the Tribe. Well done, men.

Visitor

37 Across: Classic Leontyne Price role (4 letters) Answer: Aida

Housh Still Rules Fantasy



Kills me every time.

Meal of Links

The Dude lives. At the NYC Lebowski Fest.

Nate Silver on Rick Perry's electability. I just can't see it. I actually like what Jon Huntsman (However, he blew the Iowa debate) and Gary Johnson (He skipped Iowa every way possible) have to say, but they have worse than a snowball's chance.

Edmunds has a new car inventory tool. Instructions here.

Time has the Top 50 Websites of 2011. Pretty nice selection.

McNulty from "The Wire" is in a BBC America show like "Mad Men" with a bit of "Rubicon". I watched the first episode. I'm in.

The summer of the Woodman continues. "Midnight In Paris" is actually adding theatres. It is a good one.

Exercise Yard

The legend that was, or could have been, of Arvydas Sabonis. The greatest Lithuanian hoopster of all time.

Visitor

42 Down: Laker teammate of Magic (6 letters) Answer: Kareem

I kinda feel bad for Jim Thome. He hit his 600th homer and it barely scratched the surface of coverage. It didn't help that he banged out 599 and 600 in the same night. After I saw 599 on MLB Network, they said they would show everyone of his at-bats until he hit 600. Well, that didn't last very long.

Today, all the talk nationally asked if Thome is a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. I say he'll get in, but maybe not on that first ballot. He lacks a ring, no MVP, only 5 All-Star games. It's true that Thome never won an MVP, but look at that 2002 season while he was still a position player:

52 HR, 118 RBI, 101 Runs, 122 BB, .304 BA, .445 OBP, .667 Slugging, 1.122 OPS

and he finished SEVENTH in the voting that season. OPSed by more than 200 over FOUR guys in front of him (Tejada MVP, Soriano 3rd, Garret Anderson 4th, Hunter 6th). With voting like that, it's hard to hold the lack of an MVP against him.

Locally, of course, the venom is still out on sportstalk radio. The common theme seems to be that somehow Thome lied to us when he opted to go to Philly. I may have been in a coma, but is this some sort of perceived slight? I recall the Indians being really late to the table with legitimate offers, which were easily trumped by the Phillies.

The Indians were originally around $45 million for four years and eventually tapped out between $62 and $64 million for 5 years. The Phillies easily added another year and he eventually signed for $85 million for six years. Unless we came up with something and named it "Thomeville", I don't think he could refuse that Philly offer. And weren't the Dolans happy he didn't sign?

And let's not forget 2002. The Tribe dumped Robbie Alomar in the offseason and made the Colon trade that year. Even a blind man could see the rebuilding. Thome's signing was the start of the renaissance of the Phillies as David Bell and Kevin Millwood arrived as free agents, as well. Outside of World Series appearances in 1980, 1983 and 1992, the Phillies only made the playoffs in '81.

The 3 years before Thome, the Phillies had 77, 65 and 86 wins. But he didn't get them in the playoffs in the three seasons he was there and the emergence of Ryan Howard made him expendable. He's hardly played with a glove since.

And you really can't dismiss any non-steroid use for sure, can you? There is a famous PD photo of 1995 World Series Thome that looked a helluva lot different than the behemoth I saw up-close walking out of a Wrigley Field dugout a scant few years later. When you hear Hammy waxing about Thome "doing it the right way" or "country strong", there has to be some doubt, no?

So, there are bound to be some doubters on the Hall of Fame. And it proves, once again, that no one holds a grudge like Cleveland Fan.

Jim Thome's First Homer



What do you notice on that clip?

Ex-Indian Steve Farr on the mound.

Thome wearing Number 6.

Thome is a bit thinner then.

Hey, what's with those socks?

OK, it's late season (October) and the Indians and Yankees both suck, but where are the people?

Baerga's haircut.

That's Reggie Jefferson congratulating Thome at home plate.

Meal of Links

Deviled eggs at the movies? For only 50 cents more...

Here are your TV premieres for fall. Both new and old. Have not picked my "Terriers" of 2011 yet. It will NOT be "New Girl", which should just be named "Zooey Being Zooey".

A new solo album from David Lynch. I wanna do "I Know" at karaoke.

The 5 best car commercials. No way. "Time to unpimp ze auto" is easily on this list. Joe Isuzu golfing, as well. "Birdie".

If you have never seen "Children's Hospital", there is good news. It got renewed.

Remember that show where Bobby Flay helped judge someone to a new restaurant? He blames Chipotle for the failure.

The art of seat poaching. What really sucks though, is when the poacher is around you. Someone comes in late, claims their rightful seats, then the poacher moves. I've seen these guys disrupt at least five rows at a game. "We'll sit here until someone arrives" is not necessarily a bad line to hear at a game, but it's downright awful, if you know there is a crowd.

Even the right is getting tired of Palin. Playing the "victim" again.

Great Improvised Scenes



Exercise Yard

Next on the NCAA's list? The U.

Visitor

45 Down: Sea-dwelling superhero (7 letters) Answer: Aquaman

I already have a deposit down on a new roof, so days like this remind me of why I need a new one. Probably will be done sometime in the next 3 or 4 weeks. Minor nuisance, but I expect nice weather until this thing gets constructed.

Meal of Links

Pawlenty gives up. That concludes an awful week for him. But he was a cipher as candidate.

A rather lengthy conversation with John Sayles. Maybe the last of the independents.

Julian Assange says the UK riots allow the government to trample more rights. Especially cyber rights.

Speaking of social media and "flash mobs'. Philadelphia has had a rough go lately. Mayor tells curfew-age kids to buy a watch. We don't have any apps with a BlackBerry, but we sure have encryption!

Exercise Yard

Choo is back. Fukudome is hitting similar to Beltran, thus far. Kipnis is tearing it up. Orlando Cabrera is now OPSing worse than when he was here.

Bullpen seems to be coming back around. Chris Perez with two easy saves in a row.

Although there was a rainout today, things are looking good at Progressive Field.

Can we start thinking about postseason? One weird thing about this year's early start, I just realized the season ends on a Wednesday and the ALDS starts two days later. And the only off-days in the playoffs are travel days.

Visitor

None, on a rainy Sunday.

Hey, the Browns played this evening. There is a reason they call it an exhibition game though. Because it doesn't count. It's a little too early to start finding those elusive diamonds in the rough. Because the second and third-stringers are playing guys most likely to be cut.

I recall Coye Francies (who?) getting buzz a couple of years ago and believe it or not, he's still with the team. I saw him in for two plays before going to the bench injured.

So, we need to pump the brakes before we start declaring the Browns division champs. Do like I do. Observe and then pencil them in for 4 wins, like they always seem to achieve.

Browns win, 27-17.

Meal of Links

Catching up with Glen Campbell and his Alzheimer's. Lots of mixed emotions here.

We have Rick Perry in the race and Bachmann beats Paul for the Iowa Straw Poll. Sure she's nutty, but you have to admire how quick she dispatched Pawlenty. With Perry, it will be different. It'll be interesting to see if they beat up each other and Mitt is left holding the bag.

How we became Vodka Nation. It all started with the Moscow Mule.

Exercise Yard

Today is like Christmas, in addition to the Browns, it was Opening Day for the EPL. Last we left him, Joey Barton was unwanted by Newcastle. But they kissed and made up and Barton, with his new Travis Bickle haircut, is still with the team.

Naturally, he caused trouble today. He tweeted afterward: "O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet."

Joey Barton Makes Me Laugh



Visitor

66 Across: He came out of retirement to play Winston Churchill in "Inglorious Basterds" (9 letters) Answer: Rod Taylor

We are all Kipnises. Yes, it's catching on.

Gale and I were at Ubaldo's first home game on Wednesday. I liked what I saw. If he pitches like that through September, there's a gleam, men. The bats are coming around a bit better the last 10 days and just in time. The Tiger series was the first series win since the Yankee series on July 4 and first back-to-back wins since July 18.

One of the lowlights this past week has been the defense of Carlos Santana. Three lazy attempts behind the plate (one in Boston, two in Texas) and two bad plays at first against the Tigers, which all led to runs. Finally, Droobs had to call bullshit on him and let him have it last night.

Hell, on Wednesday, Kipnis called for a foul ball and Santana apparently didn't hear him and eventually caught the ball. But, it was an adventure and Kipnis barked at him for a while. So, it had been festering for at least 10 days. Nice that it came from Cabrera and not the coaching staff. And you better pray this doesn't cost us a playoff spot somewhere down the line.

Now Choo and his Uma Thurman-like thumb is back. The corpse that was Austin Kearns was finally DFA'ed. I'm not sure where Kearns was all year, but he didn't produce at all and when you have Marson, Kearns and Carrera starting, that ain't a lotta pop from one-third of your order. And maybe Shelly Duncan will relax now.

A nice chat with Josh Tomlin.

Meal of Links

How many stories have we seen on AMC and trouble on the sets of their biggest hits. Here's another one.

The R's had a debate last night. Earlier, some old guy at the Iowa State Fair yelled at Mitt. Oh, it's starting already.

Why do new sporting venues in the U.S. lack architectural ingenuity? It's actually a good question, since we foot the bill.

Two months ago, I didn't give two shits about Russell Brand. But, I gotta say, the dude is growing on me. And it has nothing to do with his real job.

I cannot say this enough. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is waking up the echoes, thus far, this season. Last Sunday was a show hitting on a all cylinders. Larry is, indeed, a "social assassin".

Vow of Silence/"Curb"



Klosterman fawns over "Louie". And rightfully so.

Seven fine movies that were 90 minutes or less. Includes "Airplane" and "High Noon".

Three futures for healthcare reform. Individual mandate was struck down today, so it's on to higher courts.

Rick Perry is not a climate change guy. This should be the first item to check off on any sane person's candidate checklist. If it's a "No", you have to start questioning each part of their platform.

That cow is right. Eat more chicken.

Good Grief (the War on Christmas!). I saw this last night, as it happened:



Exercise Yard

I'm worried about Tiger Woods. Did you see any of his play in the PGA? I mean this thing is getting serious.

I wonder if we are starting to go Mike Tyson with him. It's getting like Tyson near the end. We remember what he used to be, and even though we knew better, we always thought he would snap out of it and regain his past glory. Now I get that Tiger isn't biting the ears off of fellow golfers but jeezy creezy, this is painful to watch.

Now this can go two ways. One is post-shaved head Britney Spears and a comeback or the other is Keyser Soze, where he disappears. No way is this a David Duval situation where he schleps around missing cuts in every time zone.

Visitor

53 Across: Team playing in the Big A (5 letters) Answer: Angels