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

My Dad and I were going to go to today's Indians game. This was the last Saturday 1:00 start of the year and I really like that start time. The forecast looked too ominous, so we backed off pretty early on going.

Instead, we headed to the Capitol and took in the documentary "Bill Cunningham New York". Cunningham is the iconic photographer of the New York Times. Not only takes pictures at social functions, but does the shows in Paris and also shows the fashion from the streets of New York.

Absolutely a first-rate production. Just enough of a picture into the guy's life. A guy still doing his job at 80, riding to and from work and to the events on his bike. Sweet guy who has an eye for what looks good on people and a keen sense of what would make a good photo.

After the movie, while it was still raining, BTW, we went for our first taste at Sweet Moses. This is the new ice cream joint on Detroit. Neat interior and the ice cream is really good. I had a root beer float and he had a chocolate malt. I had one taste of that and have to get one of those next time. Highly recommended.

Meal of Links

Michael Heaton is right. The Lady Gaga-Madonna comparison is so obvious, I can't believe the lawyers haven't been summoned. You hear a song and you say, mmm, that's "Express Yourself' or "La Isla Bonita". Watch the Gaga special on HBO, It's laughable. My favorite part was the shoutouts to "Jesus Christ" and "Jesus Christo" for being real superstars.

Paul Simon is kind to Canadians. He got a request from the audience and let the requester play guitar.

"Treme" got renewed for a third season. I was starting to worry about the ratings ("Terriers" territory) and wondering if HBO could continue to buy into David Simon's 5-year vision. Good for them.

Speaking of NOLA, the Mighty Mississip has to empty somewhere. Can you really trust the Corps decision to open up that Spillway? Limited options, but, oh, if they get it wrong.

"Good Eats" is done.

Catching up with Bootsy Collins. Includes "Groove Is In The Heart".

Man City Wins the FA Cup



The WBWC Summer Marathons on Thursday have started. This year, even Gordon Lightfoot gets the treatment.

These are not pictures of government officials watching Bin Laden get his. Nope. These are funny. The one with Bob Ross kills me, because you also have notables such as Quint, Spongebob, Pee Wee Herman, The Rally Monkey, and Mr. Clean.

Huckabee says "Not for me." Keeps his job and his money. Might have made some early primary noise but would not have won a nomination, in my opinion.

Exercise Yard

Harmon Killebrew has decided to end his cancer treatment and head over to hospice. Now this is how you want to sign off. Beautiful. As Rick Telander said, "...it's not raising the white flag, but perhaps lowering the party banner."

Killebrew was not your prototypical slugger. Kind of short and squat. But he homered 40 times in 8 different seasons (along with A-Rod, Bonds and Aaron) and only Babe Ruth has done better.

Visitor

51 Down: Shortstop Vizquel (4 letters) Answer: Omar

The wingnuts have gone over the edge. I was listening to the Magic Radio at Noon yesterday and they interviewed a lady who was in charge of some Eastern Pennsylvania Tea Party. Now there were two parts, actually three, that would have driven me to the bottle, if I had one handy.

First of all, they don't "endorse" candidates, they just "back" them. Someone needs to explain that difference to me. She claimed her Tea Party wasn't the cause of the R's losing the Senate. Basically, don't blame me, we don't endorse anyone.

Second, her thoughts on Social Security were misguided. She acted as if she is getting back what she and her husband paid into it, completely ignoring the fact she is reaping the benefits of those who have paid into the program before her. It's nuts. She also acted as if the government would cut her SS benefits, she and her husband would get by, as they always do.

Third, the CBO report on healthcare is, in her words, "baloney". You know, the fact that it will actually cut into the deficit. "I don't believe one word of that." Of course, she couldn't name anything to cut to make up for the deficit, just that "they need to get on a budget" citing welfare, Medicaid, and any other entitlement buzzword. Then she brought up, as a place to start, this insane rumor that President Obama's trip to India would cost $200 million a day.

This was the first I had heard about it. Believe me, I looked. I could not find one credible news source yesterday afternoon that reported it. It came from a quote from some Indian website and it was pure speculation. Completely overlooking the US operation in Afghanistan runs at about $190 million per day.

Absolutely confounding.

Meal of Links

I used to watch MTV. Whatever happened to Gideon Yago? Do you care whatever happened to Gideon Yago?

Are we talking Olympics already? Danny Boyle says the Opening Ceremonies in London will have some rock and roll.

Danny McBride talks about his faves in pop culture. "Locked Up Abroad" looks scary.

Toronto cops get disciplined for actions during the G20 summit. That was a bad scene.

FT has a long piece on why there isn't much of a market for Annie Liebovitz photos. Seems the art galleries aren't exactly enamored with here, and I guess you have to play that game.

Exercise Yard

One of the all-timers died today, Sparky Anderson. Obviously known more for managing the Reds, but we got to see him a lot as manager of the Tigers. Regarded as one of the nicest people in baseball. And that 1984 Tigers team was quite a ride. First place the entire season.

Two Sparky lines have always stuck with me. "You can have the guy who loses the 3-2 games, I want the guy who wins the 5-4 games." And when he gave a pitcher the hook, you were to hand him the ball "like it was an egg."

Kirk Gibson, my all-time favorite non-Indian, with some words.

Visitor

6 Across: ___ Mahal (3 letters) Answer: Taj

On a weekend where Jackass 3-D made $50 million...

The Browns played the Steelers today and, obviously, the Browns lost.

What did we learn today?

Colt McCoy looked decent. Had a QB rating of 80.5. Second interception was a bad one, first one, not necessarily his fault. Give him credit. Most people thought he'd be on his back a lot and the Browns would lose, 41-3. Too early to tell, but it was a promising debut.

Defense gave up 378 yards. Ben Roethlisberger on his return, gave a standard issue performance, with 16-27 for 257 yards for the Steelers.

The Browns didn't run well today, getting only 70. Peyton Hillis was 12 for 41.

James Harrison put down two Browns with helmet-to-helmet hits and was flagged for neither, Joshua Cribbs and Mohammed Massaquoi.

Joe Haden had an interception and was a challenge to bring down on his return.

Slight controversy at the end, when the Steelers threw for a TD after a Browns timeout with under two minutes to play. If you wanna extend the game, the Steelers have a right to jam it in your face. And they did.

There really wasn't much to squawk about or get overly excited about. To me, it was the typical sort of game against the Steelers. Sure, there signs of life every once in a while, but overall, it was just a slow march to the inevitable ending of another loss.

Browns lose, 28-10.

Meal of Links

Louis C.K. America's liberal comedian.

Canada's most dangerous cities. Saskatoon made the Top Ten. I love saying Saskatoon.

"Runnin' Back To Saskatoon"/The Guess Who



The best drunk dances. The drunk driver is great, but the pole dancer at the wedding takes the cake, so to say.

I normally do not watch "30 Rock", but I thought the live show was pretty funny. Here are the differences between the East Coast and West Coast versions. "Kenyan Liar" vs. "Barack Obammunist", for example.

The saga of Officer Bubbles. Hah!

Roger Ebert talks with and about his good friend, Bill Nack. You hear Nack these days, mainly on ESPN, talking about his old beat, horse racing. He had a fine essay on yesterday's broadcast from Woodbine on the final race of Secretariat.

Keith Richards says if there are any new drugs, he'd like to road-test them. Very admirable.

The web is watching. Includes evidence of Eric Stoltz as the original Marty McFly.

The next "30 For 30" on Tuesday is on Tim Richmond. That guy was ahead of his time in NASCAR.

Exercise Yard

Eric Wedge gets a new job. And it's managing the Seattle Mariners. How he can survive on a team with absolutely no power is beyond me. Plus, Milton Bradley is on the team.

Get your popcorn ready.

Ben Crane, Cutup? Who Knew?



Visitor

None, on a sunny Sunday.

What is with this pastor who's going to burn Korans on Saturday? I take it, on a good day, he speaks to about 50 people at most. Yet, he can parade around on TV and get more than the 15 minutes he's due, when the world thinks he's a tad overzealous?

Gainesville has a Florida Gator home game this weekend. So, they have to deal with the security of 90,000 at the game and addressing this nutjob at the same time. Could you imagine being in law enforcement and get taken off stadium detail to deal with this crap? I wouldn't be happy.

My sense is that God puts Glenn Beck on hold and tells this pastor to cool his jets on this subject by Saturday. Because he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to call it off.

Meal of Links

What a way to go. The bassist from ELO died by getting crushed by a hay bale.

You think you have problems. Check out these frustrating relationships from literature.





























I don't watch "Psych" very often. But a "Twin Peaks" episode intrigues me.

Now, this is art. A 600-member Hanna Barbera Cartoon Character Matrix.

They watch TV in Canada, too. The best Canadian shows of the past 25 years. "Degrassi", of course, and "The Kids in the Hall" make it.

Jeezy creezy. The judge in that Don Johnson "Nash Bridges" trial doubled his damages to $51 million.

Cannot wait. Donal Logue is back on TV tonight with the debut of "Terriers".

A look back at Tammy Wynette. Of course, they include "D-I-V-O-R-C-E". I think she is very under appreciated these days.

A review of "I'm Still Here". Yep, the Joaquin Phoenix doc draws nigh.

The importance of David Bowie. And a re-release of the 6-song masterpiece, "Station to Station". I just heard "TVC15" a week ago and I marvel at how good it still sounds.

"TVC15" (Live Rehearsal)/David Bowie



Exercise Yard

Lord Football starts tomorrow. Saints vs. Vikings. Look for Drew Brees to start the "Who Dat?" chant.

Visitor

12 Down: Punk rock icon Joey (6 letters) Answer: Ramone

"Judy Is a Punk"/Ramones

I got the call from the bullpen earlier this week. Nomar Stalker came through with Orioles tickets for last night's Tribe game. His Dad's company has moved from Club Seats to tickets a few rows behind the Indians dugout. He knew I was trolling for cheap tickets sometime this week, so "F-R-E-E, that spells Free" came through for me and my Dad. Uniquely, a "Clash of the Titans" affair. Baltimore now with 40 wins (8 in their last 10 games) and the Indians remained at 47.

What did I take away from the game? Well, the Indians are in a rut. Their starting pitching has gone south. Last night was another game where the starter, this time Josh Tomlin, only went 5 innings. He gave up 10 hits and thankfully only walked one. Otherwise, the O's would have scored more than 3 off of him.

The Orioles had fantastic defense in this game, robbing the Indians of a few hits early. So much so, the Tribe only had two hits. A Valbuena single in the 5th and a Cabrera single in the 9th. This off a pitcher, Brad Bergesen, with an ERA over 6 and a non-winner since May 11. Really ugly, as Bergesen had an easy 6th through 8th innings, only having to toss 7 pitches, then 7, then 8 in those 3 innings.

They announced the attendance at 11,555. Probably accurate. But there was no atmosphere. How could there be when the final three in the lineup were Valbuena, Nix and Chris Gimenez. I need to hear an explanation on why Gimenez is still on this club. I don't think they could do it with a straight face.

I must say, the Indians do have a video that packages highlights from their history. They didn't even ignore Albert Belle, so that tells you something. It may have been one of the better videos they've produced. Shown late in the game, ostensibly to fire everyone up. Unfortunately, I think it depresses the hell out of those in attendance.

As we see that cavalcade of stars in the video, we naturally overvalue our present players. Shin-Soo Choo comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player. I like him a lot. But let's not start elevating him beyond that.

For example, I used to call him the Asian Trot Nixon. Well, Trot had a three-year stretch in the early oughts where he averaged 26 HR and 90 RBI. But let's face it, he took a backseat to much better players on that squad, and was a cadaver by the time he arrived here.

So, let's compare Choo with Luke Scott (former Tribe farmhand) of the Orioles:

Shin-Soo Choo, 14 HR, 55 RBI, .291 BA, .386 OBP, .861 OPS

Luke Scott, 21 HR, 52 RBI, .293 BA, .353 OBP, .929 OPS

So, when we start talking about Choo at an All-Star level, keep in mind, he's barely our own Luke Scott.

The highlight for me was avoiding hot dogs at the game and getting some at Steve's Diner in Brooklyn after dropping my Dad off. Clean, no one there, got my dogs to go, it started raining. They tasted good, just like on Lorain.

Meal of Links

What happened to Yahoo?

After work today: Mow lawn or grill chicken? I decided to grill chicken. I used thighs and it was good stuff.

Look who dominated the DVD charts this week. "Kick-Ass"!

I've mentioned pot and Canada before. US legalization could cause a recession in Canada. With a picture of a guy smoking a "Bob Marley Joint".

I have a couple of favorite songs this summer. One is "Holiday Road" by The Dahlmanns. Yes, that's a cover of the old Lindsey Buckingham song from "Vacation". I can't thing of an easier sing-along while tooling around town. Then there is another cover.

This one by the Hotrats. Actually this came out earlier this year and somehow recently I stumbled upon them. This band was formed out of Supergrass. They have several covers including "Pump It Up", "Love Is The Drug" and "E.M.I" and an oddly haunting take on the Beasties" "Fight For Your Right". But they also perform a nifty version of Bowie's "Queen Bitch", of which I wish I had better sound.

"Holiday Road"/The Dahlmanns



"Queen Bitch"/The Hotrats



Exercise Yard

Who is advising these hoopsters? Chris Bosh admits he liked playing with people's emotions.

Visitor

2 Down: "Chocolat" actress (4 letters) Answer: Olin

I took my niece (who absolutely loved it) to see "Marmaduke" yesterday. I could reference Nolan Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell", but it wasn't that bad. The NY Daily News said "Marmaduke" makes "Furry Vengeance" look like a masterpiece. They also reference Son of Sam in regard to talking dogs. Ouch. Although, I find it hard to believe that the comic strip is still going strong. But, in this movie, Marmaduke is voiced by Owen Wilson. I thought I knew this plot before I walked in, but there was some strange stuff going on.

First of all, Marmaduke's family lives in Kansas. I think mainly to set up a "you're not in Kansas anymore" line. I think a dog said that. Yes, all of the dogs (and cat) talk. Anyhow, the family moves to "The O.C.". Again, solely so they can reference the TV show, "The O.C.". Refresh my memory, how long ago was that cancelled?

Well, Marmaduke's owner gets a marketing job with William H. Macy's organic food company, Bark Organics. He's run through several Marketing people in the last year. Apparently, the phrase "due diligence" never entered the brain of Marmaduke's owner. Of course, we find out Macy's employees have no time for their families and over the protestations of Marmaduke (they can't hear him, only other animals and the poor audience can), the family unit grows distant.

But Marmaduke is already off, finding new friends. He meets up with some mutts at the dog park, the lead female voiced by Emma Stone. She falls for our big lug of a dog immediately, but Marm has other ideas. Yep, he wants to hang out with pedigrees at the dog park, a place where not many owners go apparently. Anyhow, he falls for a collie named Jezebel, voiced by Fergie, who just happens to be the girlfriend of Bosco, the alpha dog, voiced by Kiefer Sutherland. Seriously, Kiefer narrating is bad because I can only think of Jack Bauer, his BOA commercials, "Phone Booth" and can't take seriously anything Bosco says. Then again, I'm not 9.

Eventually, Marmaduke is exposed as a fraud, loses his new friends (the mutts) and his newer friends (the pedigrees) after a party in which they have pretty much destroyed Marmaduke's home. So, when the owners come back, he is banished outside and decides to run away. Then the movie turns weird. Not weird in the sense that animals talk and I actually saw Marmaduke surfing. Weird in the sense they expose Marmaduke to actual danger.

As he's strolling through town, a storefront has a TV on, showing "Old Yeller". Disturbing on all counts, a storefront with a TV running? That ain't "The O.C." I know. But as every adult simultaneously thinks "Old Yeller", yeah, that's a great reference, Marmaduke goes further away. Somehow, he ends up on some railroad tracks, and then off into the woods where he meets Chupadogra, voiced by Sam Elliott. I'll say this, Sam earned his paycheck. His character was the former alpha dog, but in his own words, admitted these days he just avoids trains and the dog catcher. And he had some sort of dog cancer, because he coughed all the time. Anyhow, too old to terrorize Marmaduke or not really giving a shit, he instead offers advice. Marmaduke noticed his dog bowl and said, "Thanks, Buster." Then Sam goes for the Oscar with this line, "No one's called me that name for a long, long time...". My God, when Sam Elliott says that, I'm not thinking "The Big Lebowski" or "Beef, it's what's for dinner" or Coors commercials, I'm thinking Chupadogra just told me that! Sam Elliott, a true pro.

But wait, there's more. As Marmaduke's mutt girlfriend tries to find him and his family is out scouring "The O.C." for him, they locate him, of course, at the site of a water main break. While a crack security force has not secured the area, the girl dog falls into the sewer, Marmaduke (who complained about water and baths earlier) dives in after her, and immediately both get carried through the main. A fireman says they can get them two blocks from there, and they save the girl, but not Marmaduke. Why? He's too big. Wait a minute, isn't that a punchline? Anyhow, Marm's owner says where does that lead and the guy says there's a nearby aqueduct. OK, a bit dicey, but the owner dives in and saves Marmaduke.

So, the family unit is saved. The owner's job is saved because YouTube video of the rescue lands that big Petco account. And Marmaduke says the dog park should be a place where any dog can sit anywhere. Then Bosco loses the respect of everyone by being afraid of a bee. Marmaduke then tells his girl she has pretty eyes and everyone leaves the theater as all of the dogs are dancing to The Romantics and "What I Like About You".

Some random thoughts. Marmaduke has no doghouse, he didn't harass the postman, but he farts. See, I have a thing for Judy Greer, and I hope she got paid well, but after the farting, she gets to say stuff like "O-o-o-oh, Mar-ma-duke!". Wasted talent.

Dog jokes. They said "Cowabarka!" at the surf contest for dogs. Marmaduke tells someone that, "I'm all ears.", then he looks up and says "Yeah, I am." George Lopez voiced the cat in a very Cheech Marin way, so when they got shipped to "The O.C.", he grabs the cage and says, "I am not an animal...Oh, I guess I am."

I laughed out loud one time. Marmaduke's mutt friend described her perfect romantic date. Go to the junkyard, lay on a blanket, turn on some lights and have a radio playing some old music. Well, Marmaduke uses that info to take Jezebel there! Oh, you bastard. Anyhow, I hear the first notes of the song selection and start laughing..."Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye. Typically, no one else in "The C.O." got it.

Meal of Links

John Wooden died the other day at 99. Here are some of the great Coach's "Woodenisms".

Remember when the White House roof had solar panels? It's now a movie.

Edmonton gets special permission. For what, you ask? To allow bars to open early for the World Cup. O, Canada!

How you can get more plants for your garden. For free! With directions.

Exercise Yard

Danny Ferry's resignation as Cavs GM shouldn't really come as that much of a surprise. The main issue was his contract was up and I think the idea of signing up for more of this, with so many unknowns, is at the heart of the matter.

It's obvious he didn't want to fire Mike Brown, although I was on board with it. You had to do something. But if you fire someone of his caliber, you probably have to be prepared to find an equal out there. As he and Dan Gilbert are sifting through the list and backgrounds being developed, a couple of things stand out. Ferry is either not pleased with the direction the search is going or the candidates are not measuring up to Mike Brown. That's a problem, especially if the ultimate decision is Dan Gilbert's and not Ferry's.

It's obvious Gilbert will spend the cash and that's what you want from an owner. However, the ever-growing cap space issues will eventually catch up with the Cavs. They have had success wriggling out from it in the past, but eventually it will come back and bite them. Plus, the signing of Shaq and re-signing of Z didn't exactly help the team in the playoffs. So, whose decisions were these?

Finally, there has to be the issue of LeBron. Ferry has to be thinking in terms of how his GM position operates. If LBJ signs here for only three years (which I think ultimately will happen), the treadmill starts all over again. The very next day, speculation begins on where LeBron will wind up for the 2013-14 season. So, as GM, Ferry has the pressure to get these pieces/parts for an NBA title within a prescribed timeframe, with no luxury of any sort of internal player development. Maybe there's another place he will have ultimate authority.

I don't know anything about Chris Grant, Ferry's replacement. It's a good thing the Cavs had a succession plan in place. So maybe Grant is ready, as he seems to have added responsibilities each year since he's been here. It bothers me though that he seems to be responsible for the drafting of Christian Eyenga last year. We have compared him to the movie "Airplane!", where Robert Hays joins the Peace Corps and teaches the African natives basketball. Within seconds, they are doing Globetrotter antics and performing reverse dunks, etc.

It doesn't matter if you're good or not, you have to get something out of the draft and the Cavs just aren't getting it done. Either move up and buy a pick, trade it, do something. Maybe Eyenga stars someday, but how long do we wait?

Now, if Grant comes out of the box swinging with some sort of player trade before the draft, we can form an early opinion on his tenure.

Visitor

None, on a cloudy Sunday.

Nike World Cup Ad

Drogba, Rooney, Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant and Homer Simpson!



Only 3 more weeks until USA-England!

Meal of Links

Marijuana seed dealer from Canada is extradited to the US. Punishment for the crime is a $200 fine in Canada. In the US, it's a 25-year jail sentence.

I guess "Law & Order" was big. It employed 5,934 actors with speaking roles and almost 21,000 total when you consider background actors. Seriously, I think I've watched maybe 10 of 456 episodes.

Net worth of all US Presidents. Man, some of those guys didn't have a lot.

Exercise Yard

Formula One may come back to the United States in 2012. This time at Monticello in New York State.

Visitor

13 Down: 1968 Columbia U. protesters (3 letters) Answer: SDS

Yes, I am still here.

And I'm still mad at that Joe Wilson. You know, the "You Lie" Guy. I fired off an e-mail to him, because of my anger. When it comes to healthcare, all I know is, my rates keep going up. It's interesting, I've been on all ends of this debate throughout my various employs: Uninsured by choice, COBRA'ed, fully paid benefits, a cafeteria plan, shared with employer.

As I've said, with Anthem, our rates increased 25% last year and we were due for another 17-19% increase that keeps eating away at your salary. So, something needs to be done. The "death panels" and immigrants are canards in this game, while pre-existing conditions and preventative care are the real issues. I happen to like my coverage I get at the Cleveland Clinic, but we can't sit idly by and keep having these increases, seemingly on a whim.

Meal of Links

20 Cool Canadians. Yeah, I'm into McAdams and I know it's limited to entertainers, but where is "Iron" Mike Sharpe, the greatest Canadian athlete?

Best Cover Songs. Almost 1900 of them. Can't believe Phish's version of "5:15" didn't make it.

Ship blazes an Arctic Trail. It used to be covered in ice. Seems the last time someone saw this place ice-free was only 5-to-7,000 years ago.

At US Open Tennis, the seeded players get to pick their music. Just like wrestling. Here are some choices.

Brushes with Greatness. I was on an airplane once with New Jersey Net players. They were tall.

Larry Gelbart died yesterday. I remember the Dead Pool community was abuzz with a report of his premature death a while back. His reply: "Does that mean I can stop exercising?" When other noted humorists proclaim him to be the best, you know he was funny.

Exercise Yard

Jeff Hardy gets busted for drugs. Seems like he lots of vicodin, steroids, etc.

Visitor

43 Down: Pitcher Jesse, who had the most career appearances (6 letters) Answer: Orosco More Brush with Greatness: I once saw Orosco in a mall in Milwaukee. Strangely enough, he was with the Indians at the time. Never saw him in town though.

Matt LaPorta finally got called up by the Indians today, But coming from either Toledo or Columbus (still in our state, I think), he was not in the starting lineup today. What, did he make a wrong turn at Albuquerque?

Wedgie quote:" At-bats before September are always a little different than in September."

How long does this guy have left?

Meal of Links

Might be a surprise to some. But Ted Olson is trying to overturn California's Prop 8.

Viewing the world from a 45-degree angle. The photos are pretty neat.

What obese people do at the buffet. Besides eat.

I saw "Big Trouble in Little China" recently. It's still a whole lotta WTF?

Oh, Canada! The Great White North is becoming a leading producer and exporter of illegal synthetic drugs. 62% of meth seized in Japan comes from Colombia North, er, Canada.

More of Pitchfork's best songs of the aughts here (where I liked 184, 177, 174, 158, 154 (and I still can't believe I am missing that Beachland concert next month), 151, 130, 116) and here (where I liked 99, 88, 78, 72, 69, 61, 58 (crank it!), and 53).

Have fun with this anagram generator. Wyatt Toregas = A Grotty Sweat.

Here's a question you probably didn't ask this week. What's A-ha up to?

Mozart may have died from strep throat. I thought that was a 20th-century invention.

More employers are now screening social networking sites. And a few really hate your use of emoticons.

Bill Simmons saw the US-Mexico soccer Match last week. He is fairly accurate in his descriptions of the crowd, the security, the stadium itself, the nationalistic pride. I've been in Azteca Stadium and those memories have not left me all these years later.

Exercise Yard

I've been watching the IAAF World Championships from Berlin this week, but one question remains. Is this a guy?

Visitor

31 Across: Slapstick actors, e.g. (6 letters) Answer: Zanies

Have the Indians finally hit rockbottom? I don't know why, but my eyeballs seem to be finding their games a lot lately. I guess because when a team is going bad, you have to look beyond the box score and game summaries to see how bad things are going by actually watching the games.

Last night should have been a win. Instead it was another wasted performance by Cliff Lee. He had strong 7th and 8th innings and then Wedgie turned it over to Kerry Wood to finish off the Royals in the 9th. I decided there was not much of a fine line between using Lee or Wood in the 9th. Lee had thrown only 101 pitches, his least amount of pitches in a game since he got hammered in the Opener. Letting him finish or at least trying to finish may have stopped the current skid.

Going to Wood is probably the normal move. But these are not normal times. No, no. Wedge has to quit saving Wood for non-save situations and maybe let him work 2 innings once in a while. Giving Wood much needed work last night would have been a moot point had Wedge used him in the tie game at Tampa last Friday. Or more time on Sunday, instead of to come in and hit Upton and get the final out.

But Wood, yikes! There was still only one out after those homers, but walking Olivo is inexcusable under any circumstances. It was only the second time Olivo walked all year. Ugh! I said three weeks ago Wood looked great and if we could only get to him for the 9th inning, things might be OK. I think I'll step aside from that comment for the time being.

Back to the game. After the Olivo walk, David DeJesus comes to bat. He hit a 2-run homer off of Wood in April, so he promptly rips another Wood fastball for a triple. And that was pretty much game over. But this is another issue I have with Wedge. He goes by the book by using Wood and making a lot of these other moves. But, after the DeJesus triple, where were the two intentional walks to load the bases for the possibility of a double play? With Betancourt in the bullpen, he would have had ample time to warm up with Wood delivering those walks. And, yes, Wood was so bad last night, that Betancourt deserved a shot. BTW, I can't believe I just wrote that. Arrrrrrrgh!

I agree with those who say if the players are performing badly, it's mainly their fault. I get that. But we are seeing way too many managerial miscues by Wedge as this season is falling apart. Sizemore resting and Ben Francisco automatically assuming his leadoff spot, dropping Sizemore to only second in the lineup, using Sipp two days in a row, Garko in LF, etc. The beat goes on!

Mark Shapiro doesn't get off the hook either. I'm gonna discount the Lee and Victor Martinez trade rumors. But if Mark DeRosa gets moved and it seems likely that he will, how do they explain that failed experiment? If the decision only 2 months in is Jhonny Peralta at 3B and Asdrubal Cabrera at SS, why even sign DeRosa over the winter?

Jee-zus, I need a drink.

Unbelievably, Wood walked the bases loaded tonight in the 9th, but hung on for the save. Gonna have to keep an eye on that boy.

Meal of Links

You have to be rich to be poor. Life in the inner city.

E! has gone daft. Celebrity Twitter tweets will run on a crawl.

Oh, Canada! The Olympic Torch for Vancouver looks like a joint.

Exercise Yard

First of all, did you see all the towel waving at the Q tonight? I hope to God everyone saw the incident right before the game. Dwight Howard walking off the bench toward the scorer's table and a woman waving her towel, oblivious to the world, hit him right in the face with it. Wouldn't that have been funny if it took his eye out, ending towel distribution forever.

Reminded me of this:

As for the game, a story of two halves. The Cavs really sucked wind in the second half. They are going to need to contest the threes of Orlando a lot better. Too many wide open looks. And not much help from the guards tonight. Terrible shooting.

I can already hear the traffic lining up on the 480 bridge. Cavs lose their first playoff game this year, 106-105.

Oh, forgot one other lament after the first playoff loss for the Cavs. The Sports Illustrated jinx. Add that to the others.

The Cavs could use a dose of...

Hoosiers, Where Amazing Happens



Visitor

36 Down: Title character who "returns" in a Neil Simon title (8 letters) Answer: Max Dugan

As I watched the Preakness yesterday, the one thing that stood out aside from the race was a shot from the blimp. It appeared that hardly anyone was in the infield. And that was the backstory of the race, attendance dropped 35,000 in one year. Many issues abound. Maryland horse racing has been in turmoil for years regarding slots, the track owner is in bankruptcy, horse racing dying, etc.

But the main reason for the attendance drop...lack of beer. Or should I say a lack of bringing your own beer. The infield had been known as a knockdown, drag out beerfest and this year ownership said nope, it's over. They decided to charge $3.50 for a 16-oz. Bud (incredibly reasonable for any sporting event in America, I might add. FYI, Cleveland State charged $5 this past season) and $1 Bud Lights in the morning and no one showed up. I guess they thought security would limit the amount of beer you could drink. Gee, they should go to a Browns game.

As for the race itself, it was historic. The filly, Rachel Alexandra won, beating the Derby winner, Mine That Bird, who was flying at the end. Another strange thing. That exacta, 13-2, paid $39.20, and to get that price for two of the top favorites seemed like stealing to me.

The Belmont remains a puzzle. I think Mine That Bird goes. To hear RA's jockey, Calvin Borel, talk after the race, not sure about her chances. And trainer Steve Asmussen has a Horse of the Year contender and probably sits out. Third place finisher, Musket Man, will not go either. BTW, Borel becomes to first jockey to win two Triple Crowns races in the same year with different mounts.

Meal of Links

Two employees were caught peeing in Old Faithful. That's some geyser.

"It's All Pipes"



Terry Pluto just figured out the Browns can't run the ball nor defend the run. Uh, where's he been?

Iggy does Christmas.

Woman was arrested for not holding an escalator rail. Happened in Montreal.

Churches as small businesses. Pretty high fail rate.

The Indians finally cut the cord with Masa Kobayashi. Hopefully, he goes elsewhere to pitch and not back to Columbus. Do you realize we had a club option on this stiff for 2010? One of the worst signings of the Shapiro Era. Basically bid against themselves for a guy who was not even the closer in his final half-season in Japan. They could have asked his manager, Booby Valentine. He speaks English. As I've said ad nauseum, the fans were sold a bill of goods on this guy. David Dellucci now assumes the hot seat. If Travis Hafner's rehab goes well, he's done.

To replace Masa, the Tribe called up David Huff. Only this past week, I heard Huff was not throwing as hard as the Indians would like, still topping out at 89.

James A. Garfield lost his head. His statue had just been moved to Hiram and he became headless 24 hours later. In the PD, the Hiram President curiously defended students as being the culprits. Huh?

Exercise Yard

Manchester United wins the EPL. Again.

Randy Lerner's Other Team really spit the bit at the midway mark. They have only won 2 league games since February 1.

Next week, it's the final week of the season. Therefore, relegation time. Newcastle is the biggest team in the drop zone.

Visitor

None, it's a cool sunny Sunday.

I made another trip to the Party Deck with Gale to watch a Clash of the Titans affair at Progressive Field. Of course, the Tribe ended up losing this second game of the doubleheader for a Royals sweep. As you enter, you already feel ripped off as the pitching matchup was Bryan Bullington against Robinson Tejada. Bullington plays for the Cleveland nine, BTW. Ah, September baseball! I pity the fools who were there for Game One and decided to stay for Game Two. It was Grady Sizemore (in a car...WTF?) Bobblehead Night, so maybe those folks stayed for that. KC was so confident starting a reliever, Tejada, that their manager hoped he would go two innings. Two innings! Uh, he threw 2-hit ball for five. Ugh! A rather harmless game to watch as more people seemed interested in the USC-OSU game on the TVs. Anyhow, the Tribe lost, 8-4. I have one game left to go to on Tuesday. For some reason, I'll have seen four September games this year. I am an idiot.

Speaking of Ohio State, I was surprised how easily they were destroyed by Southern Cal. But, once again, it's the lack of complete objectivity by these OSU acolytes that gets to me. After a holding penalty nullified an OSU TD, someone yelled out, "West Coast Referees!". Now, seriously, from what I gathered, both teams were getting flagged all over the place, so I certainly didn't see any bias. Especially when I saw the guy get tackled, not held. And, right before half, with the game already at 21-3, another guy asked if I had seen what happened on a play which USC completed a pass for a first down. "Did you see where the refs marked that ball? He landed at the 11 and he gave them a first down at the 10." Not really caring, I said, "You'll have that."

I know it's tough to criticize the home team (even one that's 110 miles away from here), but the refs didn't game plan for the Bucks, they didn't toss ill-timed interceptions, or fumble, or get blown off the ball in the running game. Face it, they played an awful game. Hey, I'm trying to come to grips with a world where Michigan looks like a 3-8 team. At least Ohio State remains a Big Ten/large bowl game contender. Probably not the BCS title game, but who would have thought they made that last year. Shows how tough it is to get in those games.

Seriously, who else is in the Big Ten race? Wisconsin is probably a keeper. Penn State drilled Syracuse, but then so did Northwestern. Illinois struggled yesterday. Michigan isn't a threat. Iowa? I don't think so. No shame in playing the Rose Bowl, I'd say.

And is Beanie Wells the new Bob Sanders? Shouldn't OSU be stockpiled at these skill positions? Can't believe the dropoff with him out of there, especially with USC running new guy after new guy out of their backfield. I don't follow Ohio State recruiting or every move they make, but that seems noteworthy they don't have an impressive backup at running back.

Meal of Links

Pakistan has the order to kill US invaders. Just in time to piss those folks off.

Rating the films of the Coen Brothers. I think I'd move "Hudsucker Proxy" higher. You know, for the kids.

Amy Winehouse has a birthday tomorrow. Her pre-birthday photos are, um, troubling.

What is up with Canada? They are having another election soon.

Exercise Yard

Your next Olympic sport? How about pole dancing?

Visitor

30 Across: Oscar Zoroaster Diggs of early 1900s fiction with "The" (10 letters) Answer: Wizard of Oz

Not the most earth-shattering of news items. But MLB is finally forcing its managers to dress better. Quote by Bob Watson: "You can’t wear your nightshirt, or whatever it is." Wedgie, you've been warned!

Meal of Links

Canada can dredge up old, minor crimes and stop you from entering their country. Hard to figure what prompted this report. From the Canadian point of view, it sounds like this has gone on for years, and they couldn't come up with any new stats that point to an increase in people stranded at the border. Sounds like a case of buyer beware, at best.

The decline of the film critic. Fewer of them and they possess a lot less influence.

Siskel and Ebert review an old fave of mine, "The Grifters":



Three day work week? Congress votes, "Aye."

Exercise Yard

Have you noticed how ESPN is getting called out more often on erroneous reports? Les Miles may wind up at Michigan, but it wasn't a particularly good weekend of reporting from the 4-letter.

Visitor

24 Across: "The Raven" poet (3 letters) Answer: Poe

I tell you, the bugs were as big as blimps!

















I was at the Indians-Yankees playoff game last night. Family affair as Ron, Gale, Stephanie and Cory were in attendance. Well, you can forget about Fausto Carmona being afraid of the big stage. That was one of the most dominant performances by a pitcher that you'll see. When he's good, which is often, you wonder how he could ever lose a game.

For instance, I saw him pitch against Kansas City twice this year amongst other games. In those two KC games, he threw 15 innings, gave up 10 hits, walked one, and struck out 14. In two of his losses, the Tribe did not score. In four others, they scored one run. If he gets help, they can win, because there are games where he is unhittable.

There is always a constant battle between what are the better games to watch, a slugfest or the a pitcher's duel. While Game 1 against the Yanks was fun, it was a game where you could leave for a bit and the Indians were still winning by a big margin. But last night, with only 1 run scored in the first seven-and-a-half innings, the game hinged on every pitch. That's pretty exciting and it would be difficult to argue otherwise.

On to the details. The Indians had baserunners seemingly every inning. But that's the difference when you have a playoff-tested pitcher like Andy Pettitte instead of Wang. He got out of every type of jam imaginable, including a bases loaded, no one out inning. Pettitte got some help early in the second when Jhonny Peralta got thrown out at home. He was out by plenty, and that's being kind. It's the second game in a row, he's been thrown out at a base other than first in the two games and the fact the Indians have won both should not obscure that fact.

Carmona gave up a third inning homer to Melky Cabrera, and it would have been gut-wrenching if that had remained the only run that scored. Hard to pick out one Yankee who is hitting the ball well after two games. They have been shut down completely.

Now I've seen countless oddities during my time watching Indians game at the old Stadium and now Jacobs Field. Wrong lineup cards submitted, teams batting out of order, fires, power failures, bomb threats, Randy Johnson afraid of big jets. But I've never seen bugs have an impact on a game as much as last night. Typically, each June you'll get a few games where they are a nuisance, but you never have players so consumed with them. The Yankee pitcher, Joba Chamberlain seemed especially flummoxed. As the bugs were clinging to his body, he gave up the tying run in the eighth, without giving up a hit.


















He called for the bug spray while warming up, as they were landing all over him. Then everyone got into the act, including the umpires. The outfielders didn't seem so concerned. Robinson Cano ran over from second as if he'd never seen a bug before. It was high comedy. Derek Jeter kept waving his hands in front of his face before every pitch in a "Get these damn bugs offa me!" motion. A-Rod opted for the windshield wiper method of bug removal. It was so bad, with one out, Chamberlain again called for the spray. The scoreboard responded with a "Bug Off, Yankees!" message. Inside that park last night, it was extremely humid, so the bugs showed up for about 40 minutes, then eased up. It was as if the Indians had run out of tricks on how to score and got a delivery from Acme just in time. It was amazing to watch.

The Tribe got two good innings again from Rafael Perez and finally won it the eleventh. Travis Hafner with a bases loaded single off of Luis Vizcaino and then major noise from the fans. Well, that only took 4:23 to play.

The view from 546:

















My first game this year, it snowed. My last game, bugs invade. Maybe it's our year. Let's see what they can do in NYC, starting tomorrow.

Meal of Links

It is sometimes baffling what what you can find. I think my all-timer was an ax in my backyard.

Black Friday was yesterday, Huh? Oh, it's Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday.

Strange day of horse racing on ESPN. Patrick Biancone, a well-known trainer, was suspended for having cobra venom (it's a painkiller) in his barn. Two horses were euthanized and another broke down. However, on a fun note, Independent George ran in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland today. Remember, "A George divided against itself, cannot stand!". He finished fourth, part of a Superfecta that paid $11,354.60.

Exercise Yard

Kid snares foul ball from Angels catcher off of Manny's bat in the fifth inning. A run eventually comes in to tie game. Later, Manny wins in it in the ninth with a homer.

Visitor

52 Down: Kim's ex (4 letters) Answer: Alec

Is there a more thankless job than cleaning your garage? I can't think of any. But that's what I've been doing lately. Fun factor kinda on the low side.

I've also been trying to sneak in a last bit of grilling, as well. Last night, it was chicken. Today, I tried the "salt the shit out of your steak" preparation I had come across earlier. I had a strip steak and thought it worked out pretty well. Fairly tender, but I am going to try it a little more on the rare side next time to see the results. So far, so good though. I'll see how a different cut works, as well.

Hey, I yelled "Jesus Christ" at some driver in the Post Office parking lot today. Just as a nun was walking by. Is that bad? She didn't say anything or look. Well, as far as I know, because I had something urgent I had to look for in my glove compartment. Didn't find anything, I mean, it, before I moved on.

Thought I'd finally watch some college football today, as I am waiting for the Pavlik-Taylor fight next Saturday. But all the late afternoon games were shitty. And what's the deal with Ohio State on both ABC and ESPN locally? Cannot think of a dumber move. Anyhow, those games became nothing more than background noise after a while. But I noticed songs by Bob Mould (which I guess has been on a while) and Emerson, Lake and Palmer were on commercials. I think Mould was on for TIAA-CREF. ELP, I have no idea, I think it was college football related. I looked up and saw a guy being tackled. Hell, maybe it was the band during a game, I don't know.

OK, we have seen Beach Volleyball cheerleaders. Pretty fans, of course, of World Cup Soccer. Can't tell if these are cheerleaders or lap dancers at the Rugby World Cup:

























Meal of Links

Finally, a country with an exchange rate so simple, even I can understand it. Not good for us, but blame Canada. Let's see, one U.S. dollar equals one Canadian dollar. I think I can handle that.

Christmas reality show, "Clash of the Choirs". Have we reached rockbottom with this one? Wow, they rocked "Adeste Fidelis", didn't they?

The guy from O.J.'s press conference. It was damn funny.

Paul forwarded me this survey of which presidential candidate you align with the closest. According to this, I would vote for Mike Gravel and run away from electing Sam Brownback. I believe Gravel is further left than Dennis Kucinich and I'm pretty sure Brownback is the furthest to the right. But we all know they won't be on the ticket.

Exercise Yard

I'm not sure if this debuted with any fanfare, but Cleveland.com has a Browns database up and running. This covers all of the game action from 1946 to the present. A very neat tool.

It helps clarify some things you may have thought you had seen at some games. For instance, when I was a kid, did Thom (the original Jhonny) Darden really fumble away an interception return when no one was within 20 yards of him against the Bengals. Yes, he did. Here is how it was described: "There was one sack and an interception by Thom Darden.

The Cleveland safety made his steal in the second quarter when the Bengals seemed ready to move in for another score. Darden grabbed the ball at his 3 but lost control and fumbled out of bounds at the Cleveland 30. He appeared to have a clear path to a touchdown or a long gain at the least."

We lost that game, 10-7.

Even then, the horrible plays stuck with me.

Visitor

42 Across: Uncle (4 letters) Answer: Ben's BTW, awful clues/answers today. Zodiac sign was "The Crab"? Duh-umb.