Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

I started the day with my Dad for some breakfast at IHOP. It was a bit crowded, but I had been waiting to try those Corn Cakes over there. They were very good.

Meal of Links

All about Keith Olbermann and "Countdown". I like Keith, watch him almost every night, but a minor criticism is I'd like to see more dissenting opinion on there. At times, there is a lot of parroting going on. Other than that, it's red meat if you're a D.

Tiger Woods played the most entertaining round of golf I've seen in a long time on Saturday. Today, he birdies the final hole to get in an 18-hole playoff on Monday. The guy is hobbling around on one leg and is still better than 99% of his fellow golfers.



The best match from Euro 2008, so far, took place today. Turkey vs. the Czech Republic. Turkey was down 2-0, then scored two goals late to win 3-2. Mindblowing comeback.

Exercise Yard

If you have some time, check out Michael Lewis and his article on Cuban baseball from the latest Vanity Fair. Lengthy, but a great read.

Visitor

None, it's Father's Day.

Now that my Dad can see, I took him to dinner. I had a gift certificate (courtesy of Cleveland Independents) laying around for Mavis Winkle's, which was gonna expire tomorrow, so we went today. We both opted for corned beef. He for a sammie and me for a dinner. I thought it was pretty decent. Boy, they had a nice whole grain mustard sauce that was yummy.

Not bad overall. This was the Independence location, where the old Cooker once stood. We sat in the bar section, so we could see the Tribe's home game in Seattle. Nice selection on tap. I had a couple of Harps. Some Irish music in the background, and thankfully, not in my ear.

Meal of Links

Has Bill O'Reilly gone mad? Even more on Olbermann from The Nation.

Toyota recalls floor mats. That might be a first.

The Superficial notes that Victoria Beckham celebrates "The War" and dresses like a Nazi. A commenter notes: Himmler Chic.





















Exercise Yard

Why you can't name a horse Nutzapper. Or, if you can, don't brag about it. But the Jockey Club has decided that some interesting names do pass the test. Jail Bait (twice) and Cunning Stunt somehow sneaked by. I think Rock Hard Ten was the last one on the national stage that was kinda funny.

Visitor

48 Down: Immortal racer Earnhardt (4 letters) Answer: Dale

Wow, Dylan and Elvis on the same tour. Costello, that is. And how do ypu figure another re-release of "My Aim Is True". Remains a classic, but is that 5 or so versions by now? Sheesh. Although this version features a Nashville concert from 1977, complete with a soundcheck.

Meal of Links

I find this interesting. Keith Olbermann gets to do a Sunday night "Countdown" on NBC this week. Highlight shows probably ruin that for the regular season, but not a bad idea. It's summer and you might get a few eyeballs watching that don't normally see it.

This guy tells us how to live frugally. "Avoid valet parking" seems to be a credo attached to me that resonates as a falsehood.

"Pretty in pink. Isn't she?" Science says it's so.

Psychedelic Furs-"Pretty In Pink"



Exercise Yard

The Indians had a one-hitter thrown at them tonight. From a AA pitcher who they saw a week ago. It's amazing how they have forgotten how to hit and still remain in first place. Barely. Good thing was it only took an hour fifty-nine to play.

Visitor

38 Across: Willem of "Spider-man" (5 letters) Answer: Dafoe

Randomness from today's Browns home game:

OK, I sat this one out and did not attend, but we are looking live at Goodison Park where...wait a minute...that was the Everton/West Ham EPL match at 11:00 a.m. on FSC. Everton won, 2-nil. At 1:00 p.m., we are actually looking live at Cleveland Browns Stadium, courtesy of CBS, and, by God, for one of a few games this year, it's in HD! Today's announce crew: "Oh, My!" Dick Enberg and Randy Cross.

No special guests today, except for the usual voices in my head. Browns Version 2.3 is in major disarray this week. We have people calling for the coach's head, while GM Phil Savage gives Romeo Crennel the dreaded "vote of confidence". Romeo, meanwhile, is seen at election HQ, asking the workers if the machine was a Diebold model. Some want Braylon Edwards shipped out of here, many because we've seemingly forgotten how to handle Albert Belle-types in this town, others, incredibly, just because he's a "Michigan Man". Coming off one of the worst defeats in Browns history, our backs are against that damn wall we've been against so many times, there is a chalkline drawing reserved for us. Also, the Browns have not scored an offensive touchdown in the last 10 quarters. So, why do I have a good feeling about this week? I am a devout believer in the theory of "You never look as bad as you do in a game like that and vice versa." It all has to do with...

Today's opponent: The Kansas City Chiefs. Yes, I know they have the closest thing to Jim Brown in their backfield, but they also have Herman Edwards as their coach. I love Herm, but this guy will attempt to run the ball about 45 times today. And they should, because we never stop the run. But, as a function of that type of offense, it consumes a lot of the clock, and they don't possess the quick-strike offense that normally kills us. Hence, I am expecting a low-scoring game, one where turnovers will determine the outcome. I expect lots of lengthy Chief drives resulting in some field goals, but not many TDs. Hence, they "will play to win the game", but it will also keep us in said game. Oh, don't get me wrong, we'll lose, but it won't be a rerun of last week. If not, there will be trouble in River City, and the whole word will be capitalized.

The weather is cold outside, because it's December. The temperature in my palatial estate is steady at 65 degrees. Warm breeze from my furnace.

Today's giveaway: None.

It took a while, but we finally got payback for the Dwayne Rudd helmet tossing game! Don't really know how the Browns won this game. Larry Johnson got his 100 yards. Trent Green was really good today, throwing 4 TDs. I point to the one series where he threw an interception in the endzone. The Chiefs were really greedy on that one. I don't think I was that wrong on the feel of the game, it's just that it was executed so differently than what I imagined. Pride on the tackle football field can overcome a lot.

Worst Browns play: Derek Anderson's interception on our last play in regulation. I thought we may lose after that one.

G.E. Who?

Best Line from me (after Anderson's 33-yard run): "That son-of-a-bitch with his crzay legs, just won us that ballgame!" or words to that effect. I think there were more expletives.

Best line from random voice in head (After Romeo Crennel challenged the Chiefs third TD): "Fucking idiot. We need that timeout."

Oddest Browns jersey: I wore a Tim Brown Raiders jersey. At least, it had the word "Brown" on it.

I consumed some items I had previously bought. In-game meal consisted of a salad, stuffed chicken breasts with broccoli and cheese, with sides of corn and, goodness, more broccoli. That should keep Dominion running til Tuesday, I'd say.

Best Browns play: The shovel pass from Anderson to Jason Wright in the 4th quarter, which gained 54 yards, which led to the Browns third TD. Superceded by "Crazy Legs" Anderson's 33-yard run in OT.

I sported no boas today. Now, this Thursday may be different.

Best Commercial: The FedEx Push-Pin One. "Bill, you have no idea where China is."

Best Commercial Music: "Galvanize" by The Chemical Brothers on the Budwesier Select ads.

Best Commercial Whores: My beloved The Who, who have allowed Cisco to use "Teenage Wasteland". Cha-ching.

Unluckiest Drivers: Jetta drivers. Behind every hedge, around every corner, is a driver just waiting to ram into one of those. But, safe happens.

Most startling accent: Leonardo DiCaprio in "Black Diamond".

Worst accent: Jessica Simpson for DirecTV.

Worst stat: The Browns gave up 417 yards. For once, we were better, as our offense gained 438, including 150 yards rushing.

2nd worst stat: Nothing else really jumps out. It's amazing how the play-calling gets rejuvenated after a heinous loss.

Most interesting stat: Joe Jurevicius had 6 catches for 75 yards. Coming into today's game, he had only 18 catches. That is something I've been harping on all year. Quit ignoring him and throw him the damn ball.

The Browns, who gave every blowhard lots of material this week, came through in a fashion I didn't expect. Derek Anderson looked pretty good as he took over for the injured Charlie Frye. The things I liked about him today was that he possesses a major league arm and seems to have good pocket awareness. Let's not go overboard just yet. Let's see how the other teams defense him when they get some film on him. Once again, the Chiefs loss is really bad, similar to San Diego's loss at Buffalo last year. Those critics of Herm Edwards' clock management can all come out again. The Chiefs used no timeouts late to save time for a final drive. Green fumbled and a Browns interception placed the ball on the Browns 42 with five seconds left. He elected not to toss a Hail Mary, but to go short and set up a field goal attempt. But with five seconds left, it didn't work. Very questionable.

Certainly, the Browns best game of the year. Too bad, it's a short week and not much time to celebrate.

Meal of Links

Today's inspirational sports story comes from the most unlikely of sources. Buddy Bell. When he was the Indians' bench coach, defense good. When he left, defense bad.

Keith Olbermann picks up more good press. I want more Michael Musto on there.

Richard Dreyfuss says, "Bring back civics.". That was one of my favorite classes.

Exercise Yard

Last night, it was a crowded night of boxing, as Showtime and HBO bumped heads. The bouts featured Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto on Showtime and Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy and Winky Wright on HBO.

The Margarito-Joshua Clottey fight had all the makings of an upset. Clottey gave the champ a major battle for four rounds, probably winning the fight, until he broke something on his left hand. It appeared his own corner needed interpreters, because it sounded as if Clottey wanted to quit between different rounds, eh, about five times after that. Margarito took the decision.

The star of the night was definitely Miguel Cotto. Even though his opponent, the unbeaten Carlos Quintana, got some licks on him, Cotto destroyed him in 5 rounds. His move to 147 was a good one and he looked fantastic.

The HBO fights were lagging. Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy is starting to get exposed and even though he won, he is really eating some leather in his last two fights. I think the fans have figured it out, as well. Regardless if Lacy won on a "hometown decision", the guy is done.

Last, but not least, Winky Wright delivered a typical Winky Wright performance in gaining a decision over Ike Quartey. Winky had the defense going great, but just doesn't hit hard enough. So, he piled up the points, while we waited for the inevitable outcome. Winky called out his boss, Oscar de la Hoya, but that won't happen. Even if Oscar beats Mayweather in May. The annoying part of this fight was the guy who screamed, "Bye-Bye, Ike!" for 12 rounds. He also threw in Quartey's nickname, "Ba-Zoo-Ka-a-a-a." for a change of pace. I hope he was pummeled at some point.

Visitor

None, it's a rare Browns Sunday at home.

Today is "Happy Odd Couple Day". So, Oscar, use your coaster!

The greyhound episode:

Felix: You were right, Oscar. He's got racing in his blood.
Oscar: Then he needs a transfusion.

"Password":

Felix: "It's a known fact that Lincoln loved mayonnaise."

Hah!

Meal of Links

The GQ food critic ate a lot in NOLA. And has a long report on what he found. And, of course, the local rebuttal.

Life is good for Keith Olbermann. Ratings and book sales are up.

This guy hates the fireworks at the Cavs games. Imagine that, someone disliking pyrotechnics.

Exercise Yard

My Dad and I attended this evening's CSU game against Notre Dame. This wasn't Notre Dame from South Bend. This was Notre Dame from South Euclid. I expected Cleveland State to win by 25, and they won by 26. The final score, in a Friends and Family game, was 88-62.

Visitor

53 Down: "My Dinner with Andre" director Louis (5 letters) Answer: Malle