Hey, the Bruins won the Stanley Cup last night. Well, that only took 40 years.

How about that city? In the last decade, each of their major sports team has won a title. We are still waiting since 1964. For any team.

Look out for the riots in Vancouver. Apparently you riot-win or lose.

Meal of Links

"Spider-Man" officially opened on Broadway. Oh, it still sucks, but in more of an official way.

The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books. I haven't read a lot of these.

NPR lists their 25 favorite albums from this year, thus far. That's a lot of unknowns there.

E! has a show tonight on commercial stars. The Most Interesting Man in the World is featured.

Facebook lost 6 million users in the USA during May. Even Bill Gates couldn't take it.

Exercise Yard

Progressive Field will host an Ohio State-Michigan game. In hockey!

Game will be held on January 15.

Visitor

21 Down: Actor Matthau (6 letters) Answer: Walter

"The Fortune Cookie"

The bowl season has finally ended. Let me say this, I don't know how professional gamblers do it. Here I am, in this pool for the bowls, and I found myself watching more post-season NCAA football than ever. Yes, that was me watching the Kraft Hunger Bowl late on Sunday, pleading with Boston College to score in a 20-10 game, as I was getting 9.5 points. They obliged with a late, barely-made field goal to make it 20-13.

BTW, I have to go back to Christmas Eve and blame Tulsa for my avid interest this year. While driving home late after dinner, I had the Hawaii Bowl on the radio, lamenting the fact that Hawaii was getting killed. Two days later, I realized I had picked Tulsa over Hawaii and that gave me a 5-2 start. Somehow, that signalled to me that it was "Game on".

So, the Kraft Hunger Bowl allowed me to be in the running for not even first, but second place in the pool. That shows how crazy it was. All for a tie for second place, but with a cash prize. I had Oregon getting 3.5 points, and expecting a track meet, I had 81 points in the Tie-Breaker to win second place. As soon as I heard this from Kirk Herbstreit on Oregon's first drive: "Oregon is running a formation they have not used all year...", I knew I was cooked. That said to me that Oregon didn't feel they could beat Auburn using their prolific offense, so they had to try and outsmart Auburn. Hence, new plays, trick plays, any new look to confuse the opposition. I shut it off at 11:00, knowing my point total would not be reached. Not even close. So, I guess I'm happy Oregon covered, but it didn't mean anything to me.

However, I may have stumbled upon the proper betting technique. In this pool, you pick all 35 bowls ahead of time. That means any spreads that change, coaches that get fired, and other items don't matter. By December 17th, you have to look into the crystal ball and make your picks for all the games. I did and out of the 35 bowl games, I was 25-10 against the spread. Maybe I should bet events three weeks out from here on. OK, I spent maybe 20 minutes on the whole process, but still, I was awfully prescient this season.

And my interest really picked up on New Year's Day. That was really the make or break day for me, as I had kinda stumbled between the holidays. And I had a good New Year's, picking 5 of the 6 games correctly. After the early non-cover of Texas Tech over Northwestern on 1/1, I had the next 12 games in a row right, to put me back in contention.

So, what did I learn?

Virtually every team that scored first ended up winning. If you fell behind early, you were cooked. As a matter of fact, I think the only comebacks from a significant margin were Florida International over Toledo (17 points) and Louisville over Southern Miss (14 points). I had both Florida International and Southern Miss and they beat the spread.

Bad beats?

The late interception return by Iowa over Missouri cost me.

The salute after a TD by the Kansas State receiver against Syracuse. Missed the subsequent 2-pointer, which may have led to an overtime win.

Northwestern had a late interception return against Texas Tech.

Worst games (Blowout Division)?

Mississippi State 52, Michigan 14.

Alabama 49, Michigan State 7.

Troy 48, Ohio 21.

Worst game (Non-Blowout Division)?

Central Florida 10, Georgia 6.

Total misreads?

Did not see these wins at all: Illinois over Baylor, Washington over Nebraska, Maryland over East Carolina.

Late steals?

By far, the late Florida Pick-6 against Penn State with 55 seconds left. That was the only way I could win that one. Florida giving 7.5 and up by 6. It was either Penn State scoring or, if not, Florida running out the clock.

Wisconsin, getting 3.5, and scoring a TD with 2 minutes left against TCU to make it 21-19. They blow the conversion, TCU runs out the clock, OT is avoided, spread is beat.

Meal of Links

It may be getting near the end for Borders Looks like it's another Circuit City.

This will make you think. Or cry.

Seattle superhero gets "Kick-Assed". Unbelievably funny.

Peter Yates died the other day. "Bullitt" is still one of my all-timers. The scene where Steve McQueen's Mustang first appears in the bad guys rear-view mirror, and obviously the subsequent chase, is a classic. There should be a tribute on Turner. If there is, "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" needs to be included. Absolutely loved that one.

DVR alert. First, I'm gonna try the boxing series on FX. "Lights Out" premieres tonight. Tomorrow, "The Dude Abides" is on PBS. And if you have to ask who The Dude is, well...Thursday, Michel Gondry directs "Jimmy Kimmel Live".

A look back at the Ravishing one. Rick Rude.

Diet Myths. From the "Eat This, Not That" dude.

Jenny McCarthy and vaccines. Again.

Here he is. Johnny Paycheck, Job Shover. That one song clearly obscures his greatness.

ABC gives the Oscars more red carpet treatment, up to 90 minutes this year. Hopefully, better hosts!

Palin's missed opportunity. Seems she'll lay low for a while.

Exercise Yard

Michigan signed Brady Hoke as its new coach. Probably not a bad choice. He comes Lloyd Carr-approved and for a defensive coach, he surprisingly has had some prolific offenses.

He had Nate Davis at Ball State, and if you watched the bowls like I did, San Diego State had a fun offense to watch. Can easily see him improving the team immediately.

Visitor

43 Across: Actor Neeson (4 letters) Answer: Liam

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

I love Dean Martin around the holidays. I don't know if he is best accompanied by a martini or a hot toddy. Regardless, he sounds like he might enjoy a drink or two any time of the day. Especially when he's singing, "It's A Marshmallow World". I love the word "Pumpkinhead".

"It's A Marshmallow World"/Dean Martin and Beverly Sills



I am done with work now until 2010. Posting may be sporadic over the next week or so.

Meal of Links

TV through the holiday weekend? Why, here's your last-minute Christmas specials and marathons.

This is a dick move. LA restaurant removes LA Times food critic and publishes her picture.

New restaurant reality show prize will be your own chain. Chocolate Egg Nog parlors!

The Comcast-MBCU merger. I now have a headache.

The Big House is quite a unique treasure. Let's rent it out for a party.

No one is buying 3D TVs. Now get ready for the format wars to further confuse everyone.

Put away all that late activity by Senate. We're still fucked.

Catching up with Will Shortz. The most powerful man in puzzles.

The 10 Best Serious Eats recipes of the year. The chicken wings are definitely in my rotation. Did not try the burger recipe, because this Whitey's recipe is the one.

Exercise Yard

Was Myles Brand unbelievably the sane one at the NCAA? The Terrelle Pryor incident delivers another goofy ruling by the infractions committee. Suspensions, major ones at that, but not yet?

Visitor

37 Down: Pianist Laredo (4 letters) Answer: Ruth

Hey, I have no heat today. WTF? And it's cold, too. Geez, this has happened at least twice before where it suddenly gets cold and blammo...no heat!

We'll see what this is gonna cost me.

Meal of Links

I saw "Faster" with The Rock back in an action movie and I absolutely loved it. Loved it from the moment when Tom Berenger gives him advice on leaving prison and what happens if he runs into any trouble on the outside. Berenger asks him if he has any questions and The Rock asks him, "Where's the exit?". Great stuff. Billy Bob Thornton is in this, as well, and is good. He explains his absence. And what have we learned from the movies.

Willie Nelson is arrested on a dope charge. That is not really a surprise.

The sexiest bartender in America lives in Cleveland. Never heard of her.

Best movie spaceships. Lots of cool ones.

Exercise Yard

Well, I suspected it very early this season. Michigan kinda sucks.

They waited until the OSU game to play badly on offense, defense and special teams in the same game. Season-low 7 points. My sense is Rich Rodriguez is gone.

Even if Jim Harbaugh, in fact, comes in, I can't believe he could coach 'em up that quickly. Because the recruiting of Rodriguez means the cupboard is bare, especially on defense.

Visitor

37 Across: Ludlum's amnesiac Jason (6 letters) Answer: Bourne

Let's see what the Browns do with the Chiefs tomorrow. Lots of the early picks seem to be going the Kansas City way. Weather may be a factor, 50% chance of rain. Let's not forget the Chiefs played in a monsoon on Monday and it didn't seem to bother them.

I think this is a good test. Once again on paper, a beatable team at home. The X Factor tomorrow is Seneca Wallace. Over the years, he has been a steady performer, so let's see how he does. Keep in mind, in last year's game against KC, despite Jerome Harrison gaining 286 yards, the Chiefs had a chance to win on the last play of the game. BTW, Wallace will be the 15th QB to start for the Browns since their return.

The other 14:

Detmer, Couch, Pederson, Wynn, McCown, Holcomb, Garcia, Dilfer, Anderson, Frye, Quinn, Dorsey, Gradkowski and Delhomme.

Announcer Alert: Don "Eric Wright is a shut-down corner" Criqui and Steve Beuerlein.

Meal of Links

Baltimore celebrates Frank Zappa Day tomorrow. Today is the 25th anniversary of his PMRC testimony. "Anal vapors"...Hah!

Lemurs as pets. Good God, that look would freak me out every time it greeted me at the door.

"As The World Turns" closed up shop yesterday. My favorite soap, "Ryan's Hope", is long gone.

"As the World Turns" Final Scene



Rolling Stone lists the 25 best record shops. Gotta go to Ann Arbor, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati or Louisville to find one close.

Who knew that Gwyneth Paltrow had a website called "Goop"? Worth it for the GO section. She knows her food.

Kindles for kids. School saves money.

9 regrettable sports tattoos. That Mickey Mantle look is as freaky as a lemur.

Chocolate recipes.

Exercise Yard

Might wanna hold back on the Michigan resurrection talk. It's not a Rich Rodriguez problem anymore. It's a defensive coordinator Craig Robinson problem now. Whatever mojo this cat once had defensively, is long gone. Jeezy creezy, they gave up 217 yards rushing today.

Michigan gives up 37 to an FCS school, UMass. At home. Ugh!

Visitor

21 Down: Moe, for one (6 letters) Answer: Stooge

This is why I like Will Ferrell.

Will Ferrell as Jeff Vuvuzela



Meal of Links

The unbelievable success of the Old Spice campaign. That guy is everywhere.

Remember the argument against Shawne Merriman making the Pro Bowl in a year he admitted steroid use? How about Letterman's extortionist getting an Emmy Nomination.

Carl's Jr. comes up with the foot-long cheeseburger. BTW, I had the strawberry and banana smoothie at McDonald's today. It's pretty tasty. Although I cannot see how anyone could down the large. I had a small and it was pretty thick and filling. Free samples next week.

This is it for Dick Cheney. His latest treatment renders him without a pulse.

Lately, America has taken a shine to hating Al Gore. I thought they always disliked him.

Brooklyn Decker...those are new!

The Original "Those are new"



Budapest-Masters of Parking



Exercise Yard

The biggest house is once again The Big House. Almost up to 110,000.

Visitor

10 Down: "The Teflon Don" (5 letters) Answer: Gotti

Why would anyone be upset with the Browns loss to the Lions today?

Sure, they should have won and the defense still sucks. And sure, a third down run after the 2-minute warning would have run more time off the clock. And sure, they gave up an 88-yard game-winning TD drive, riddled with bad clock management, to a rookie quarterback, helped by one of the dumbest pass interference calls ever. A penalty so obvious, the ref had to call it.

But this game was basically played for shits and giggles. By both teams. It was like they were facing their own offenses and defenses in practice, but the results counted and everyone got paid. Save it for the games that really count.

Like next week against the Bengals.

Meal of Links

Mark Bittman with the best advice for prospective Thanksgiving chefs. Calm the fuck down!

Check out this guy. Not a fan of Lego Rock Band.

Matt Taibbi with a terrific piece on the appeal of Sarah Palin. The first WWE politician.

Exercise Yard

My football fan woes continue:

My alma mater, Miami, wins one game this year.

My beloved Michigan finishes last in the Big Ten.

And, of course, the Browns losing to the Lions on the last play of the game.

Visitor

None. On a nice, sunny fall Sunday.

So, the Browns still haven't picked a Quarterback. Is that really going to make a difference this year? There was one key stat glossed over after the Browns beat the Titans, 23-17, last night.

The third preseason game has now become the highly-regarded "dress rehearsal" for the season. Probably a ploy to sell tickets these days, as even the Browns fans either have given up on full fare for preseason games or come disguised as orange seats. But the starters do have their most extended stint of the preseason during this game and some use this as a harbinger of things to come.

So, as the Browns fandom fellates each other because they think they've found a new starting QB, Brady Quinn, keep this in mind. The defense gave up 201 yards in the first half and should have been losing by a score of at least, 13-3 (more likely, 17-3), at the half.

OK, that didn't happen and the defense somehow gets a teeny bit of credit for that. But if you value highly what you saw last night, then be prepared for the better teams in the league shredding them.

If you're thinking the Browns are playing it close to the vest and showing nothing, then you have no worries. I say wake me up before Game 1 and then we can start the honest evaluations.

Meal of Links

Hey, we're almost a big city. Cleveland now has a beer week. Looks like it'll be easy to find a cheap pint that week.

The smells of New York. My favorite: "A medicinal-smelling person" on the Upper East Side.

Let's say you wanna cheat for your friends in baseball. Could you get away with it? Ask Miguel Tejada.

Exercise Yard

What the hell is going on with the University of Michigan? I guess they don't like Rich Rodriguez very much.

Visitor

None, on a Sunday that reminded me of early spring.

Quick Browns thoughts. Brady Quinn is quickly approaching “Saint Tressel” status after only two games. Compiled a few games for comparison between Quinn and Derek Anderson.

Browns/Bengals: Anderson 15-24, 138 YDS/TD/INT/74.7 QB Rating
Browns/Jaguars: Anderson 14-27, 246 YDS/TD/Sack/95.6 QB Rating
Browns/Ravens: Anderson 17-33, 219 YDS/2TD/INT/Sack/80.2 QB Rating (His last start)
Browns/Bills: Quinn 14-36, 185 YDS/Sack/55.9 QB Rating

Note that I tossed the Giants game as an aberration. Anderson’s last 5 starts, 4 sacks. Quinn’s first 2 games, 1 sack. So the problem was not Anderson holding the ball and getting pummeled or being a statue. They went to that dink passing attack after the first Ravens game, which we are now getting with Quinn. I'll give you the fact that Quinn is more mobile, hence the bootleg and rollouts we saw last night.

In Anderson’s last 5 starts, his QB Ratings were:

Bengals 74.7, a road win.
Giants 121.3, a home win.
Redskins 57.9, a road loss.
Jaguars 95.6, a road win.
Ravens 80.2, a home loss.

In Quinn’s two starts, his QB ratings were:

Broncos 104.3, a home loss.
Bills 55.9, a road win.

“Quinn was 14-of-36 for 185 yards. Not great, but not bad.”-This is a Terry Pluto quote in today's PD. WTF? Barely 5 yards per attempt. No touchdowns, no long balls. If that was Anderson, he’d be hearing it today. Especially after having 11 days to prepare. The Browns certainly let everyone know Quinn’s QB rating against Denver was 104.3. I’m pretty sure we will not hear much about this week’s 55.9.

Any argument about "Quinn would have been better had not Braylon Edwards dropped passes" holds zero water. Because you could flip that argument to the two biggest drops that Anderson threw this year. One against Dallas, another against Baltimore.

All I’m saying is, if we are going to denigrate Anderson as mediocre, let’s not conversely anoint Quinn for doing basically the same thing. He's two games in, let's wait a while. Remember, we thought Anderson was the man after game 2 against the Bengals last year. And, yes, I am still not on the bandwagon, but am holding a reservation.

And don't get me started on the Browns run defense giving up 185 yards last night.

Meal of Links

Google is now hosting the Life Photo Archive. Why here's Joe DiMaggio at Dinky Donuts!






































Bruno strikes again. You'd think people would wise up.

How The New York Times met "The Simpsons".

Family Guy Spelling Bee

This put me on the floor.



Exercise Yard

Even Desmond Howard is not too sure about this Rich Rodriguez guy. Rodriguez has probably hired a food taster, at this point.

Visitor

27 Across: Brother of Curly (3 letters) Answer: Moe

I watched the Presidential Debate last night and it's a funny thing. We get all jacked up about these debates, but historically, anything above a 1% shift in the aftermath is an anomaly. I tend to be as non-partisan as I can watching these things. Always watch the C-Span feed, no split screens, etc. After it ended, I thought it went 50-50. Upon further review, I go Obama's way, 55-45. That may not sound like much, but a 55-45 in the right states in November is a landslide.

There can be only one conclusion though:















My note-taking broke down in this way (start to finish for each):

McCain:

What disdain he has for Obama, not even looking at him. Noticed this immediately, as the handshake greeting wasn't even perfunctory.
"Ted Kennedy, the Lion of the Senate."
"Republicans and Democrats sitting down..."
He invoked Dwight David Eisenhower, drawing many youthful stares.
Again with the "Chris Cox, head of SEC, must leave" theme.
Earmarking, a gateway drug. As Iggy Pop sings, "Of course, I've had it in my ear before. I gotta Lust for Life!"
DNA of bears...Palin, anyone? And, my pen is old.
"Pork-barrel", then "sheriff", then "Miss Congenialty". That goes to Palin this year, BTW.
No tax relief for single, white males. Again.
"It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left." Really good line, except McCain is normally in the aisle itself, so, it's not that far.
Ethanol is bad. And I sunk a Battleship budget!
"Spending freeze" Whoa, where did that come from?
Let's go nuclear. It's fun. Like that "Funkytown" ad from Areva.
"We owe China $500 billion." Lots of bad pet food and killer toys, I guess.
"Miss Congenialty". Again.
Surge!
I happen to like war.
"I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere. I've been to Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Waziristan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia. I've been everywhere."
"I have a bracelet."
"Second Holocaust." A canard, this will never happen.
"League of Democracies"? Like the UN, only better? Bring back the "Knights of Prosperity"!
"You don't understand."
"Ahmadinejad"
"Brezhnev, Andropov or Chernenko until Gorbachev was ready with glasnost and perestroika." Oh, you name dropper and big word user, you.
"Without preconditions." Sing it to the tune of "Gary, Indiana".
"North Korea." "Dear Leader." "North Koreans are three inches shorter." Huh, Edith?
"No one from Arizona is against solar..."
"Offshore drilling is a bridge"...to Nowhere, perhaps?
"We are a long way from safe."
Did he really say torture? "Oh, no he dint."
"I know the veterans. I know them well." And my veterans voting record is horrible.

Obama:

"Main Street", cue the Bob Seger.
"...policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain..."
"John said that the fundamentals of the economy are sound." You won't look at me, I'll call you John, instead of Senator (internal fist-bump!)
Right to point out that earmarks comprise a small percentage of the budget.
"I don't know where John is getting his figures..."
McCain will tax your health benefits.
Alternative energy.
Kids, study your math and science. The Chinese are in space right now!
"..free ourselves from foreign oil..."
"Google for government" and I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
"The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel." Too much Iraq spending.
"Orgy of spending..." He said "orgy". Heh heh heh heh heh
"Six years ago, I stood up and opposed this war..."
"But that's Senate inside baseball..." BTW, check out my flag lapel pin!
"We've got to deal with a growing poppy trade that has exploded over the last several years." Small business loan, anyone?
He says Taliban like "Tally Man". Harry Belafonte affirms.
"I've got a bracelet, too..."
"I believe the Republican Guard of Iran is a terrorist organization." So there!
Henry Kissinger actually becomes the focus of the debate for a while. WTF?
I'll talk with anyone, anytime.
They seem to say the exact same thing about Russia and Georgia. Except McCain acts like they don't.
McCain always votes against cool energy stuff.
"And one of the things that I intend to do as President is to restore America's standing in the world. We are less respected now than we were eight years ago or even four years ago."

More, from the best polling site out there.

Meal of Links

Paul Newman died yesterday. Probably Hollywood's best philanthropist and a pretty shrewd car guy, as well. One of the greats. OK, the ones you have to see are "The Hustler", "Cool Hand Luke", "The Sting", "Absence of Malice", "The Verdict", "The Color of Money, and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". I put "Slap Shot" and "The Hudsucker Proxy" in a different category because they may not be as well-known, but are wonderfully funny. So many of his scenes stick out. One from "The Verdict", not the summation, but where he waits for Polaroids to develop and the case and his life seem to get all that much clearer when it's done. Plus, the phone ringing at the end. David Mamet wrote that screenplay and it's genius. But here is one of my favorites.

"Guns or Knives?" from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"



renting vs. Homownership.

All about TV Detectives. Jim Rockford should be No. 1.



Exercise Yard

For some reason, I stuck with the Michigan-Wisconsin game today. Only to see the greatest comeback in the history of The Big House.

Visitor

45 Across: Eponymous swindler Charles (5 letters) Answer: Ponzi

I had to visit the doctor today for what appears to be bursitis. Wiki has a picture of the tennis ball I've been lugging around for the past two weeks. Which makes me wonder what their pages for STDs look like. Anyhow, the doc suggests what he wants to do involves needles. Yes, that's I wanted, to drain the stupid thing.

So, as he's prepping all of the needles, gauze, band-aids, etc. I notice the injectable of choice is lidocaine. Yes, half of the Roger Clemens treatment! All I can think of is him defiantly saying, "Lidocaine and B-12!". As we were draining and injecting, the doc kept reminding me that they needed to test the blood for uric acid to see if it was gout.

Damn. I always associated that with old guys and their tootsies. I understand that gout has a lot of pain associated with it and my current pain was about a zero, it just looked gross. We are pretty confident that this will test out as bursitis. Hopefully, never to return.

Meal of Links

Sue Johansen is retiring. The type of show, when you stumble upon it for the first time, you never forget.

Some cool photos from National Geographic. I think the Brazilian one is a very fascinating mix of old and new.

Amazon looks like they are starting a new service for out-of-print recordings. It's hard to fathom that anything would be out-of-print these days, but I guess there are some that make the cut.

Exercise Yard

Charlie Weis sure is talking a lot for not being a very good coach at Notre Dame. He accuses Michigan of already lining up excuses for next season. Same guy who recently said, "I could get hoodlums and thugs and win tomorrow. I won't do it that way."

I hope U of M wins by 50.

Visitor

31 Down: Player for whom Giants Stadium, oddly, is the home field (9 letters) Answer: New York Jet

On a day that Mr. Whipple ran out of Charmin and an ex-fiancee is trying to poison Bill Nye the Science Guy (She Blinded Me With Science?), here is what I am listening to:

"Berlin"/Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"Jeepster"/T. Rex
"The Underdog"/Spoon
"Denis"/Blondie
"Tick Tick Boom"/The Hives
"True Love Is Not Nice"/Jonathan Richman
"Call To Arms"/Angels & Airwaves
"Kool Thing"/Sonic Youth
"You Only Live Once"/The Strokes
"Fans"/Kings of Leon
"The Moneymaker"/Rilo Kiley
"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up"/Cake
"Gronlandic Edit"/Of Montreal
"All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down (Live)"/Raul Malo
"I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass"/Nick Lowe
"A Gallon Of Gas"/The Kinks
"Into The Wild"/Eddie Vedder
"The Jean Genie"/David Bowie
"Stuffy Turkey"/Thelonious Monk
"Red Right Hand"/Nick Cave

Here is what I am avoiding:

Anything by Paramore and the song from the Apple iTouch commercial, "Music is My Hot, Hot Sex" by CSS, is starting to border on annoying, because I am starting to sing it now. You know, "Music is my boyfriend, music is my girlfriend, music is my dead end, music's my imaginary friend..."

Maybe this will stick in your head, too. "This is the time to make babies.":



Meal of Links

Before you do anything else today...Go Elf Yourself. It takes a little bit of time, but you'll laugh.

You know, I always wondered if this were an inevitability. The Red Hot Chili Peppers sue Showtime over "Californication".

"Warning, Warning!" Once again, foods we thought were healthy probably aren't. Man, I like baked beans every once in a while. I get the Bush brand with Onion. They do have some with some high sugars like their Barbecue and I think they have a Maple Syrup one or something ungodly.

Exercise Yard

Lloyd Carr says, "Adios, muchachos!" after that bad OSU game. Let the search begin!

Visitor

41 Across: Actors Haim or Feldman (5 letters) Answer: Corey

I've finally digested the list of the Top 50 TV Icons. Omigod, Jimmy Smits is on there. I can't help but think of Krusty the Clown when I see him. "And I'll be played by Jimmy Smits!"

I Don't Get The High Ranking:

49. Calista Flockhart
39. Jennifer Aniston
37. George Clooney
31. Sarah Jessica Parker

Should Be Higher:

50. Larry Hagman
34. Bob Barker ("Truth or Consequences and "The Price Is Right". Enough said.)
28. Howard Cosell (Monday Night Football. Ali. Dominant for a long time.)
19. Andy Griffith (We are almost cradle-to-grave with that guy.)

Missing:

James Garner (What a serious omission. I'm such a fanboy, I have some of his phone messages from "Rockford" on my iPod. "Jimmy, old buddy, buddy. It's Angel. You know how they allow you one phone call. Well...this is it.")
Bugs Bunny (Every Saturday morning. Damn, every week and he's not on here.)
Steve Allen (Hello? What am I missing?)
Dave Diles (C'mon. The Prudential College Scoreboard! Bah!)

Other TV sounds on my iPod that I like:

Frank Costanza: "I find tinsel distracting."

Fox Mulder: "Whatever tape you found in that VCR isn't mine."
Dana Scully: "Good. Because I put it back in that drawer with all those other videos that aren't yours."

"THEY BROKE ELIAN"S BED!!!!!"

Meal of Links

Well, Hugh Grant sold his Warhol for $24 million. I guess he can afford a few more box office disasters. However, this exhibit looks something to check out in Big D. Foreigners doing karaoke to The Smiths. I dunno, I think it looks interesting. I do a pretty good version of "Ask" myself.

The Cal Marching Band salutes old video games. Pong was funny.

TV is pushing the race card. And I think I laughed at everyone of the jokes.

Exercise Yard

The Henne/Hart/Carr Chart at the University of Michigan. Let's hope for a big win this year, men.

Visitor

65 Across: 1969 baseball upstarts (4 letters) Answer: Mets

Randomness from today's Browns home game:

















Chad Johnson jumped into the Dawg Pound today, but they seem to be telling him his circle's gotta go.

Special Guest: I took Shaun, attending his first Browns game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. When it comes to the NFL, I subscribe to the theory that you're never as bad or good as you showed the previous week. Browns Version 2.3 cannot be this bad, can they?

Last week's pessimism was spot on and did we have a week of "lack of institutional control" or what? The starting QB, Charlie Frye (who I was never sold on), just declared the starter, is now traded after one of the worst performances I've ever seen. So, now we are left with Derek Anderson to drive the bus, while Brady Quinn gets familiar with the owner's manual. Not sure how good Anderson will be, but I thought he was clearly better than Frye, but the coaches seem to have a mistrust about him. I look for better things today, but not great.

I expect "Brady, Brady!" chants early and hopefully there isn't a riot at the game.

Today's Opponent: Another one of our division rivals, the Cincinnata Bengals. As old Browns coach Forrest Gregg used to say, "The Cincinnata Bengals are a fine football team." They had a big win against the Ravens on Monday night. Most people use the Monday Night Hangover theory to say the Bengals may not be that good today. But aren't the Browns the hair of the dog for everyone these days? This should be a revenge game for the brutal shutout they put on us here last year. Strangely, I don't think anyone on the team mentioned it this week. The Bengals defense seemed better last week, causing lots of turnovers, reminiscent of 2005. Carson Palmer leads a really good offense. We have kept Chad Johnson in check lately, and Rudi (Rudi Can't Fail!) Johnson normally runs all over us, except for that shutout last year. If the Bengals have no one arrested on the way here, they will probably win today.

The Weather: A little bit cloudy early. But the sun came out, the temperature was about 65 and it was a very nice day to watch a game.

Today's Giveaway: The Browns gave away some sort of flag item today. The sponsor was my mobile carrier, AT&T Mobility.

















Is this a dream? Is it still Sunday morning? Pinch me.

Section 345: Let me say this. This game was like finding a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk. No, make that $500. Absolutely unexpected. It was nine years of frustration coming out in one glorious afternoon. Crowd into it in a massive way, even though the bathroom by our section was starting to flood by the end of the third quarter. No fights in our section, no defense from either team and the guy from Home Depot was seen delivering lights because the toteboard was starting to run out of them.

Best Browns Play: Probably not seen on TV. But after Jamal Lewis scampered for a 47-yard gain in the fourth quarter, Kellen Winslow did a cartwheel on the field. A cartwheel! That's how giddy everyone was getting.


















Second-Best Browns Play: I loved the Browns first TD to Joe Jurevicius. Quite simply, Anderson threw a pass for the score that Charlie Frye cannot.

Worst Browns Play: The score is 41-38, Browns. They run Lawrence Vickers on a fourth-and-1 on the Bengal 49 for his only carry of the day. No gain, of course. Sick feeling returns immediately to my stomach.

Best Line from Me: "I think hell is chilly today, because we're back in the playoff hunt." by a nose over "Derek Anderson has thrown for five TDs today." Not a gem, but I like typing "Derek Anderson has thrown for five TDs today." a lot.

Best Line from Shaun (after the win): "You may want to keep in mind, I AM the good luck charm." by a nose over "Hey, I just heard Peter Jennings died."

Best Line from a Nostradamus (while waiting for the escalator, taunting Bengal women): "The score is gonna be Browns, 33-31, late. And you're gonna be mad when your boy throws an interception and we win." I thought him an idiot, but props to him, you drunken sage, you.

Oddest Browns Jersey: 66 Zukauskas, 57 Bentley, 84 Chiaverini. My God, a Chiaverini!

Food Items: Shaun said two beers and two hot dogs totalled $22. Twice.

Best Fan Cam Feature: Anyone yelling for the Browns. I'm telling you, medics were called, because people were in pain from smiling too much. It was so stupidly euphoric.

The Fuckin' Run: The Browns gave up 137 yards on the ground. Miraculously, they ran for 226 with Jamal Lewis getting 215.

Worst Stat: It took me 55 minutes to get home. Because most people stayed at the game, for once.

2nd Worst Stat: Today? Dwell on any negatives? No fucking way.

Most Interesting Stat: The Browns had a 300-yard passer, a 200-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers. They had never done that as a member of the NFL.

A game that was one for the ages. Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards in offense. There have been MONTHS where the Browns have not gained that many yards. This was a game where the Bengals did this:

Carson Palmer, 33 out of 50 for 401 yards and 6 TDs

Rudi Johnson, 23 rushes for 118 yards.

Chad Johnson, 11 catches for 209 yards and 2 TDs

and incredibly, the Browns still won. Somehow, the football gods smiled upon our little hamlet today. And the guy I saw today with this t-shirt: "Cleveland: A Drinkin' Town With a Football Problem" may have to get a new tailor. Or at least he can buy a Derek Anderson jersey and not rent one. I am reminded of the old Raider broadcaster, Bill King and his call of the infamous Holy Roller to describe today's game.

"It's not real! A man would be a fool to ever try and write a drama and make you believe it. And now, this one will be relived - forever!"

Browns win, 51-45, in what may have been the most improbably delirious game I'll ever see.

Meal of Links

I probably won't camp in Alaska.

Lots of sites about movies. You may want to find out something about an actor, perhaps. Someone like Russell Crowe, for instance.

Lloyd Carr knows Russell Crowe. But Jim Tressel knows how to beat Lloyd Carr. Can't figure out which is more important.

Exercise Yard

The Tigers are coming to Jacobs Field this week. These three games are the whole season right here.

Visitor

None. It's another Browns Sunday.

Football has started. Boy, I am expecting big things from Michigan this year. What? They lost last week to Appalachian State? At home? Hey, Coach Carr said we can start over this week and by God, that's the proper attitude. Very reminiscent of the Belichick Occupation in Cleveland when offensive coordinator Steve Crosby said we once won a game because we had better stats.

I am playing Fantasy Football this year. Different, in that we don't have to worry about salary caps or injuries or waiver wires. We are trying a game where once you use a guy for a week, you cannot use him again for the rest of the season. Sponsored by NBC Sports. Very intriguing concept. Beauty is you don't have to spend lots of hours on it.

QBs: Harrington, Cutler
RBs: Parker, Portis
WRs: Stallworth, Holmes, Chambers
TE: Crumpler
K: Stover
Defense/Special Teams: Pittsburgh
Sunday Bonus Player: Owens

All individual, no league. Highest ranked person wins.

I'm taking the approach of waiting to use most of the superstars for games where you know they'll clean up.

Meal of Links

Name that color. Crayola has a headache.

Coming to a TV near you this fall. Farrelly Brothers: No. Kevin Smith: Yes!

Rick Rubin talks about the state of today's music industry. Looks like the record companies might have to grab concert, merchandising and Internet revenue.

Exercise Yard

Still looking for answers to that U of M debacle against Appalachian State on Saturday. Haven't found any yet, but at least it's Emo Week.

Visitor

24 Down: Rochester's boss Jack (5 letters) Answer: Benny (Nostalgia Week continues)

Wasn't that OSU-Michigan game "Shat-rageous" or whatever the ad for "Show Me The Money" says. And to witness the trailer for the new "Rocky" was almost unbearable. Also, I'm sure Bo was "looking live" from football Valhalla, but his death had not much impact on the game, as some misguided people thought.

I have been pretty much anti-Michigan-OSU rematch, but I think it may happen. Rutgers died in Cincinnati. USC won (and isn't it funny to hear the announcer say, "He got a piece of Booty.") and if they beat Notre Dame next week, the Irish are out. Realistically, how could Michigan fall behind Notre Dame, given the fact they beat them handily. I still believe the SEC winner has a shot, but 42-39 is tough to ignore.

As for the game, Michigan played OK, but they never really stopped OSU on defense. I think OSU may have had one or two punts all day. I thought Michael Hart and Chad Henne played big for Michigan, but it's tough to compete with the passing game of OSU. Troy Smith won the Heisman today, and their receivers had a really good first half. But the two long runs up the middle just killed the Wolverines.

We got to see another coach kick an extra point when he should have gone for two, but it only mattered from the standpoint of Michigan having to attempt a 2-point conversion after their next touchdown, which they did. It's becoming an epidemic of stupidity. Disappointing today, but as Gordon Gekko says: "You win a few, you lose a few, but you keep on fighting. And if you need a friend, get a dog."

Meal of Links

Man, O.J. is back. And no one likes it very much.

Lemmy sponsors youth soccer. Ain't that a kick.

Here are some of TV's memorable Thansgiving moments. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

Exercise Yard

I know the NBA is just starting to get going, as most teams have played around 10 games. But pay attention to the Utah Jazz, this year's most entertaining team to watch. Other NBA news.

Visitor

11 Down: 2002 skiing silver medalist (10 letters) Answer: Bode Miller

I'd love to talk about Pam on "The Office" or the "B" sample of one Floyd Landis, but...there's kind of a big game played this Saturday at 3:30, down the road a piece.

(Bo Schembechler)

















I kinda like this one. Al Pacino (or is it Frank Caliendo?) fires up the Wolverines for Saturday's game against the Buckeyes. And a nice segue into the "Victors".



Meal of Links

(Tom Harmon)















A bunch of OSU-Michigan traditions. Probably should still be played at Noon, but moved to 3:30 because of the magnitude of this year's game.

(Desmond Howard)









Seems this is the only thing Taft has won lately, besides a light sentence from a judge. The annual Governors Bet. Apparently, Taft stole parts of his gift basket, because the only thing they mention from his side is chocolate buckeyes.

(Anthony Carter)















An OSU-Michigan debate.

(Charles Woodson)















Famous alumni.

Video of the Week

Not taking the rivalry too seriously, here is a song by the Dead Schembechlers. I love the name of the band and the song and the war film approach to the video. Things to look for: The old timey football practice (I think it's the Browns in Vero Beach under Marty), major league fireworks throughout, nuclear winter, lots of people ducking and covering near the end. The closing title "For the truth about the international Wolverine conspiracy to enslave mankind. www.deadschembechlers.com" Ha ha ha.

Dead Schembechlers-"Bomb Ann Arbor Now"



Exercise Yard

(Braylon Edwards)














What to look for during the game.

Visitor

1 Across: At 7:03 p.m. Saturday, the #1 team in College Football (8 letters) Answer: Michigan

John Kolesar. 1988. Michigan beats OSU. At Columbus.

The kick return...



...then the TD grab.



Meal of Links

Nancy Pelosi endorsed John Murtha for House Majority Leader. The problem is not everyone's on board with it, something to do with Pelosi's comments about the D's and ethics. Next minefield: Alcee Hastings as Intelligence Chair.

The 2006 Weblog Awards nominations are open. Always a great place to find new favorites.

This guy's a little late to the Bob Ufer Party. Where's that scoring horn? Gotta find that for Saturday.

His call of Anthony Carter's TD against Indiana in the 1979 Homecoming game is still the greatest football call. Ever. "...from football's Valhalla..."

Exercise Yard

Did the Red Sox acquire the rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka or Sidd Finch? Apparently, Matsuzaka throws a Gyroball. Whatever it is, Casey Blake can't hit it.

Up for debate is whether the Red Sox putting up $51.1 million for Matsuzaka makes financial sense. What is not up for debate is that the new TV, Internet, and Satellite Radio deals are giving owners lots of money to spend. And they are spending it.

My God, Aramis Ramirez almost got MANNY Ramirez money (5 years/$75 million) from the Cubs. Matsuzaka may get $38 miilion for 3 years. Let's see what Barry Zito gets. This is not good news for the Tribe.

Visitor

2 Down: Greene of "Bonanza" (5 letters) Answer: Lorne (Dead or Canadian?)

There was another fire here locally last week and I'll be damned if one of those "Teddy Bear Memorials" didn't soon appear. I don't get these. Typically when a youngster meets an unusually cruel fate, the scene of their demise becomes an instant memorial. I'm not sure why people do this.

Sadly, the one who can benefit from all of the gifts isn't around. And we really don't know if they even liked these items in the first place. Maybe they were into Star Wars or Transformers or something else.

As an observer, I get misty when I read about these things or see them on the news. That's why I don't watch "Extreme Home Makeover". But I am not affected to the point where I purchase a bear to make myself feel good about the situation. Can't we do something more practical with our time and money?

And who becomes the caretaker of said memorials? And what's the statute of limitations on when to take it down? A week? A month? And who gets the remnants at that point? These things beg to be answered, I think.

Meal of Links

Here is the rest of the 100 Greatest Cover Songs. Some excellent choices, but others, especially near the top, seem to be chosen for their sheer audacity. If you choose some videos, try to watch Social D's "Ring of Fire" (Obviously a homemade one), Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold The World" (and if you ever hear Lulu's version, it's really good, too. But it is a great Bowie song, so no surprise), "I Fought The Law" by the Clash, "Bizarre Love Triangle" by Frente! (a beautiful record), "Viva Las Vegas" by the Dead Kennedys (when punk was punk), and Devo's "Satisfaction". But if you can watch one video, make it "Proud Mary". This is the Ike and Tina Turner Revue at its best. It's from a "Soul Train" with Don Cornelius (is that a napkin or a tie?) and his afro plus Japanese subtitles (Ha, I still introduce Graham Central Station as Don). The girls are shakin' it, the horn section is at the little kids' stage on the side, and everybody's groovin'. Tina is a tour de force on this one. "...we never, ever, do nothin' nice and easy."

Time tries to do a Top 100 Albums list. First of all, compilations should not be on the list! Second of all, no "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall" or any Allman Brothers or Elvis Costello. Uh, that makes the list null and void. End of discussion.

Another art crime. A Goya was stolen in transport. Interesting caper.

Exercise Yard

I think Michigan has a big game this week. Or so I've been told.














Visitor

59 Across: Lacoste of tennis (4 letters) Answer: Rene