December 2008 Archives

As time winds down on another year, I once again find myself pondering the expression, "don't have the time" and its brother, "can't find the time". Did so quite similarly last year, also in 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Everyone says it. Have you thought about what the person you're saying it to thinks about it? Spoiler alert: Do not expect any grandiose conclusions or Earth-shattering insight in this post. The more I thought about it over the last six years or so, the more I realized I still have no position on it.

About the time: A 91-year old person shouldn't take on a 35-year project with hopes of finishing it. He/she probably doesn't have the time. There are also instances where an arbitrary deadline is imposed. Someone called and is coming over in an hour. "I don't have time" to cut the grass before they get here.

Where age or deadline is not a factor, is it really true when someone says that? If so, wouldn't the person you're telling it to know it? There are 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, etc, etc ... (If you get less than that, you're exempt from these foolish thoughts). So, what you're really saying is, "I don't wish to use my time that way". To say it that way, of course, is kind of rude so we say, "I don't have the time" instead.

A task could/should be done and both of us are capable of doing it. I tell you, "I don't have the time". How should you react to that? Is my time more valuable than yours? Am I implying that you DO have the time? Am I simply saying I don't want to do it? Am I over-analyzing? Yes, absolutely, to at least two of those questions.

I planned to add considerably more thought to this essentially self-plagiarized (Auto-plagiarized?) entry after having another whole year to think about what I am trying to say but I have somewhere to go in a few minutes and ...

I don't have time to do it now.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year

AllTheBest,
CrabAppleLane

Quote of the Day

The blue lines are called the, uh, blue line.

Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "A view from the outfield bleacher seats. Not the best location to view the action on the ice, but we don't think the fans will mind."

If you don't have rink-side seats for the hockey game at Wrigley Field, I don't see how you can follow that game at all. -Rob

The first of three disappointing movies I watched this weekend was The Golden Compass. I'll admit I have a high standard for these magical, fantasy-type movies. If they're done very well and there's a good story, like the Harry Potter series, I go for them. Otherwise, I get in a get-to-the-point-get-this-over-with mood. This one got there early. The makers left an opening for a sequel but they can count me out unless I hear a spectacular review from someone other than Roger Ebert, who gave this turkey 4 stars.

Next up was I Am Legend. I like Will Smith and this was entirely his movie. He was in almost every scene and mostly by himself. This is another film that was lacking a story. They set it up nicely but didn't know what to do with it. He plays a cat and mouse game with some vampire-like, former-human creatures that only come out at night. He's looking for a cure to save them. About those creatures: They're so brain-dead that they run into things until they break them but they're also smart enough to bait and spring a trap on Dr. Neville (Smith). Not quite as dull as The Golden Compass but not much better, either. Ebert gave this one 3 stars.

Yes, it was a long weekend. Finally, I decided to invest the time in Transformers. This one qualifies as cheesy mindless entertainment. It also qualifies as a guilty pleasure. It makes no bones about its absurdity and I liked that. Transformers is pure comic book. You don't have to work so hard at it, though, like the previous films mentioned here today. Ebert gave this one 3 stars, too. That's a little too high but I liked this one more than the other two. It was a long, dull weekend at CrabAppleLane with no yardwork and no football that I cared much about.

Quote of the Day

You know, that seat belt thing was a pretty smooth move.

Mikaela Banes, Transformers

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Transformers visiting ancient Earth (and not conquering it?) should make for an interesting story line."

You'd think a Saints fan would be used to their favorite team staying home for the playoffs. We are but it hasn't gotten any easier over these last 40+ years. I was a kid when the Saints came into being. Beginning to think I may never experience a championship season. In another context, yesterday's loss would have been gut-wrenching. With 17 players on injured reserve, Pierre Thomas and Jeremy Shockey not playing, nothing whatever for the team to play for, and spotting the Panthers two costly turnovers, the Saints made Carolina give everything they had to win their "must" game. It was fun and I'm OK with the outcome because of the higher draft position that will result. Another thing Saints fans are used to ... always looking forward to next year.

Quote of the Day

We did not play to what my expectations were this season.

Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Okay, so blowing a 20 point fourth quarter lead then rallying late to win the game with a John Kasay field goal wasn't exactly the prettiest win in the world, but the Panthers managed to lock up the division, the number two seed in the playoffs, and a first round bye, with their win over the division rival Saints. At least they did it in classic Carolina fashion."

I offer one from the back deck on this dreary CrabAppleLane Sunday. This is our backyard Bradford Pear tree. It still has a mixture of green, yellow, red, and brown leaves along with a plethora of Bradford pears. No idea if the pears are edible but nothing I know eats them.

CrabAppleLane Sunday Bleakness - December 28, 2008

Quote of the Day

He needs to know he's disgraced himself and he's disgraced the people of Illinois.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "It's kind of ridiculous that the Panthers are still scraping to secure the division at 11-4, with the Arizona Cardinals floundering at 8-7 yet locked in for a home playoff game, but hey, that's just the way it goes."

Tip of the cap to Anastasia Barr. From the MSNBC piece:

They put me in at outside linebacker, which isn't even the position I had learned. "What do I do?", I asked. "They said, 'If someone comes to your side with the ball, tackle him.'"

First rate instructions if you ask me and she did exactly what she was told. Most NFL teams could use an outside linebacker who could follow those instructions.

A few errands occupied us most of the afternoon. It should be noted that I didn't witness any distressed retailers. The prices I saw were as high as ever. Fireworks stands were offering 50%-75% off but they seem to do that every year.

Renewed CrabAppleLane's domain for another 5 years yesterday. Curious why it costs extra to keep domain info private. Hard to believe it's been 8½ years already.

Quote of the Day

It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked.

Warren Buffett

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "i'm going to burn a 2008 calendar on new year's eve. seriously. i can't wait to see it go up in flames."

Discovered water on the floor near our brand new washing machine the other day. Love our washer manual's troubleshooting section. Under "Washer leaks", it says, "Check household plumbing for leaks.". Couldn't possibly be their washer? Since the thing is brand new, we do think it's a partially-blocked slow drain causing a backup/overflow. Patsy thinks she knows what might have caused the blockage and I knew much better than to comment on that. Poured some Drano Max Gel down the drain last night and that seems to have worked. We're keeping an eye on the drain and a towel on the floor just in case. Still, I think it a bit absurd, even arrogant, to not even allow for the possibility that there could be a problem with the washer.

Quote of the Day

Well I'm a talking about the midnight rambler
The one you've never seen before
Well I'm a talking about the midnight rambler
Did you see him jump y'all's garden wall
And if you ever catch the midnight rambler
Steal your mistress from under your nose
Go easy with your cold fanged anger
I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby
And it hurts

The Rolling Stones, Midnight Rambler Live

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "And that is the best thing about Christmas."

Merry Christmas from CrabAppleLane

Quote of the Day

There is a cemetery where personnel and their families were buried but no inmates' graves because when they died -- of disease, exhaustion or executed on the guillotine -- their corpses were just thrown to the sharks. The fish were alerted by the tolling bell at the little stone chapel, according to Henri Charrière, the prisoner known as Papillon, who wrote a fanciful memoir of his time here in the 1930s and 40s.

Charles Bremmer, London Times

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "The last presents have been delivered, the last cookie eaten, the last glass of milk consumed, and the last stocking filled."

Snowzilla has supporters and detractors. Maybe this should have been the QOTD:

And before dawn Tuesday, in downtown Anchorage, someone erected a small, misshapen snowman at the entrance to Anchorage City Hall: A crude mini Snowzilla brandishing a protest sign that read "Snowmen of the world unite!"

Love Snowzilla, glad I don't live in the neighborhood.

An over-hyped Super Bowl is a bit of a redundancy. A Jets-Giants Super Bowl might have raised the bar on hype. That matchup seems very unlikely now. However, a new one has taken its place. An Eli-Peyton Super Bowl, Manning on Manning, brother against brother, the last two Super Bowl MVPs, blah, blah, blah. That one could happen and even seems likely from here. The Colts and Giants are playing very well. That game, hyped like nothing before, wouldn't bother me as much and is surely preferable to a Jets-Giants Super Bowl.

Today's QOTD inspired by the New York Yankees. According to ESPN.com:

New York has committed $423.5 million in salary in the past month, with $161 million going to left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia ($23 million per over seven years) and $82.5 million to right-hander A.J. Burnett ($18.5 million per over five) last week alone.

Here we go again. The Major League Baseball Players Association, easily the most powerful union left in America, is against a salary cap. If the small market teams try to impose one or tries to pass any other measure that reigns in the free market, there's going to be a strike. Another baseball strike on the heels of the steroid scandal is probably not in anyone's best interest. Maybe the Brewers can ask for a bridge loan from the government.

Quote of the Day

Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap.

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "In a surprise move. the Yanks have swooped in and signed Mark Teixiera"

Sorry, I'm not at all surprised. The Yankees can sign anyone they want. No one in the game can compete with them. -Rob

Buffy update: He/she is still here and will get fresh nectar this morning. Chatter, chatter, chatter, never shuts up, charming as all get out. Very pleasant to have around this winter. Hope he/she makes a permanent home here. The ruby-throats wouldn't like it but they don't like much of anything, except my special nectar.

Slumdog Millionaire is on my list of movies to see. Usually, I wait for this type to come to HBO/PPV. Think I may have to see it in the theater.

Turns out I didn't need Brandon Jacobs big night Sunday. Won my first solo championship in the league I founded. Gives me a bit of symmetry for the two leagues I'm in. One championship in each with a partner, one solo championship in each, one loss in the championship game in each, and many, many seasons in each where my teams failed to make the playoffs at all, with or without a partner.

Today's QOTD inspired by Fish Fear Me.

Quote of the Day

I still need you but
I dont want you now

The Coral, Dreaming of You

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Take the Appalachian back-porch music of the Carter family and paste a Lily Allen-style 21st-century 20-something's attitude on top of it and here we are."

So my brother, Dave, called me last night. "Man, how bad am I down?". He has no computer at home and our fantasy football teams are playing each other for the league championship. I tell him he's down by 28 but he has three Giants players (Eli Manning, Amani Toomer, and the Giants D/ST) in the Giants-Panthers game and Greg Jennings for the Packers going Monday night. All I have left is the Giants Brandon Jacobs and I don't even know if he's going to play. I tell him I think I'd rather be him than me. Then, I lament not playing the Broncos Jay Cutler over the Dolphins Chad Pennington. Cutler would have given me an extra 12 points. He laments that he played Derrick Ward rather than Larry Johnson. I corrected him and told him he DID play Larry Johnson. It was Wednesday when he submitted his lineup and he didn't remember. Things are looking pretty good for him. But then ... they play the game. Turns out Derrick Ward would have been the better play for him by 5 points. Not only did Brandon Jacobs play for me but he got me three touchdowns and the lead grew from 28 points to 39 points. I'm done. Dave still has Jennings going tonight. I've had that guy over the years. He's never had a 39-point performance for me but I'm still not celebrating until it's over. The Vikings lost yesterday (Sorry, Dave - Different Dave) so I'm hoping the Bears will be motivated. A little Bear weather tonight in Chicago would be greatly appreciated. Go Spawn.

Falcons fans will be pulling for the Saints next week. An odd thing if ever there was one. At stake is a division crown and a playoff week bye. I might tune in.

Both of my entries are contending in the CrabAppleLane College Bowl Pool. It's still early and my downward moves aren't expected until later in the week.

Another one from the CrabAppleLane backyard yesterday. No reason. Just like the look of winter here.

CrabAppleLane Backyard - December 21, 2008

Quote of the Day

Awful, embarrassing. We stunk. Any bad adjective you can use, throw it in there.

Dan Orlovsky, Detroit Lions

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "With Marinelli not taking the bait and keeping his cool despite the constant badgering, Parker asked one of the most classless questions I have ever heard: "Do you wish your daughter married a better defensive coordinator.""

A little too personal, I think. -Rob

It's a perfectly bleak winter Sunday here at CrabAppleLane. Stayed in and upgraded the blog. Figures that it would go smooth for the first time ever on a day when I really had little else to do.

Saints beat the Lions today in a game that no one cared about. I didn't watch any of it but to beat a team on their home field as bad as that (42-7) when the visiting team is coming in with about a third of their team out with injury only tells me that the home team just doesn't want to play any more. I've witnessed more than my share of that phenomenon here and I feel for the Detroit fans. I hope they find what they need in Detroit right after my team does.

CrabAppleLane Backyard - December 21, 2008

About today's QOTD: It's Delmer's fault.

Quote of the Day

Can I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo.

Fletch Fletcher, Fletch

Blog of the day via Disarranging Mine is here.

Quote from said blog: "Thanks to Mark Forman for the meme tag. The idea here is to post the sixth photo on the sixth page of your Flickrstream and then blog it. "

Marie tagged me to do this. Post the 6th photo on the 6th page of my FlickR Photostream. Unfortunately, that one had already been blogged about so I went to the 6th photo on the 6th page of the 6th set.

Father and daughter

That's my wife, Patsy, in her father's arms just a few months before he passed away. The picture says it all far above my poor power to add or detract.

Quote of the Day

So the task of the proposed "car czar" -- silliness on stilts -- would be to supervise the pruning of GM's nameplates and dealerships.

George F Will, Washington Post

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Aspiring super-villain Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris) wants to join the Evil League of Evil"

We went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra Show last night in New Orleans. It featured a white-knuckle-fog-advisory-convoy drive across the 24-mile-long Causeway on the way there, a massive traffic jam around the New Orleans Arena, that was totally unprepared for it if you ask me, and a white-knuckle-fog-advisory-right-lane-only-35mph drive back across the Causeway. It was a late night. About the show: Last year, I thought WOW but it seemed long and slow in some spots and a little heavy-handed with the narration. They read my thoughts and adjusted. This year, I'm thinking WOW about the show. Less narration, more music, and a better mix of songs. We once again had the western tour featuring Al Pitrelli, Jane Mangini, and Angus Clark and they did almost all of their usual show. They dropped Christmas Canon Rock, which I missed, but they added spectacular renditions of Flight of the Bumble Bee, Hall of the Mountain King, a very satisfying taste of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir, and then, Robin Zander joined them for a couple of Cheap Trick songs. I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out working here this morning on 4 hours sleep. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo is their best song and it was as powerful as ever. It's the showstopper, my favorite Christmas song, and if they come back again next year, I'm in. They are phenomenal musicians, pay super attention to detail, and are musically equipped to do anything they want. It was a great show.

Update: Keith Spera of the Times-Picayune had a less enthusiastic take on the same show although I wouldn't quibble about his description of it. Different strokes. The things he described are the things I like in a big rock concert.

Quote of the Day

I'm the guy they used to call Deep Throat

W. Mark Felt, August 17, 1913 - December 18, 2008

Blog of the day via Pitcherlady is here.

Quote from said blog: "I cannot pretend to know what it is like to grow up in Greece today, or what my attitude about things would be if I was a Greek youth. But I'm not, and these riots have left me feeling alienated and unsettled, and once again searching for home."

Tooling around FlickR a couple of days ago, I came across the State Library of New South Wales. What a great idea. Make digital collections of things BEFORE they're lost to theft/flood/fire/age/whatever. Tip of the cap to New South Wales for committing to it.

Here are some parents who really love their kids. On top of that, you have one supermarket defending itself for not serving the customer and you have the other defending itself for serving the customer. There are times when I think it is perfectly acceptable for a merchant to refuse service. I think I would have served that jacka$$, though:

Heath Campbell said he named his son after Adolf Hitler because he liked the name and because "no one else in the world would have that name."

Perhaps there's a reason, Mr Campbell. That poor kid can't change it until he's an adult. One commenter said that name is child abuse. I agree but I don't know if the courts would. Johnny Cash wrote a song about a father naming his son "Sue". Wonder what Adolph Hitler Campbell is going to think of his father when he grows up.

Quote of the Day

Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."

Johnny Cash, A Boy Named Sue

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Well so much for the turtle watching! We arrived in Bargara expecting to see the turtles nesting on the beach and then dive in the morning, however 2hours before we were due to start on our very best David Attenborough impressions the most incredible storm came through the town!"

Today's QOTD comes to me via Infospigot. It's from an exposé by the New York Times that makes for interesting reading but I'd bet anything that board and their very relaxed standards survive this controversy unscathed. I would like to know what distinguishes "middle-class moronism" from other forms of moronism, though. Anyone want to take a stab at it?

Leads me to the old folk song "I've been working on the railroad". The kids singing it in the schoolyard never made it to this verse:

Someone's makin' love to Dinah
Someone's making love I know
Someone's making love to Dinah
'Cause I can't hear the old banjo

Alrighty then. I had no idea.

Quote of the Day

If labor and management put the money in the pot and we decide how our money is distributed, and the only role government plays is to be the holder of that money -- what is the problem?

James M. Brunkenhoefer, National Legislative Director for the United Transportation Union

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Got a bit of a surprise this morning while railfanning in Vancouver."

I meant to comment on this inexcusable item a few weeks ago. For one thing, placing a lien on a home for any utility bill is ridiculous. This one was for 1 cent. Yes, 1 cent. I think it more appropriate to shut off the utility and take the person to court for what they owe. What bothered me most about that piece, more than sending a 1 cent bill to a blind person and threatening to place a lien on her home, was the excuse given:

City Collector Debora Marcoccio said the letter was among 2,000 sent out. A computer automatically prints letters for accounts with an overdue balance, and they are not reviewed by staff before being mailed, she said.

That's an awful excuse. The computer can handle that easily and surely does in most collection departments. If the amount owed is below a certain threshold, the computer can set it aside for human review. Nothing magical about that. ALL accounting software can do it.

Quote of the Day

The correct answer is nothing, because he won't be wearing a toupee no more.

Dwayne Fatherree, NOLA.com

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Your honor, when you're dead and in your grave, when you feel that water coming in, it will not be rain. That will be me pissing on you."

Very long week ahead of a very short one. Kinda anxious to get to the end of it. Been a long and topsy-turvy year for me.

On the fantasy football front: One of my teams (Death on Two Legs) is completely finished for the year. Didn't make the playoffs, bounced out of the consolation tournament. The other (Spawn) will be playing in the Super Bowl. Spawn has been pleasantly resilient all season. Played this week with both starting RBs on the bench injured. Backup RB Darren McFadden had a decent game for me. GEAUX Spawn.

Quote of the Day

I didn't know what the guy said, but I saw his sole.

President Bush

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Bush ducked as the first shoe flew close above his head, hitting the wall behind him. He ducked again to avoid the second shoe, as Iraqi security men pounced on the assailant - reported to be an Iraqi journalist - and dragged him screaming out of the room."

I offer one from the CrabAppleLane yard this afternoon. Started to cut the propane tank out and even took another picture without it in frame but I decided I liked it being there. This area was totally blanketed in snow about 48 hours ago. Now, it's just pine needles. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

CrabAppleLane - December 14, 2008

Quote of the Day

And I'd a danced like the king of the eyesores
And the rest of our lives woulda fared well

The Shins, New Slang

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "I'm writing to say how much I appreciate including a digital download with your packaged vinyl. LP records have long been my preferred format for a multitude of reasons."

I offer two images of two visitors to the CrabAppleLane backyard this afternoon. Couldn't get them in the same frame. The top one was taken from my kitchen through my back door's windows. The bottom one was taken from my back deck. I believe them to be gray foxes and they are probably a mating pair. These are also probably the largest foxes I've ever seen. Quite a treat.

CrabAppleLane Backyard Visitors - December 13, 2008

CrabAppleLane Backyard Visitors - December 13, 2008

Speaking of wildlife, our buff-bellied hummingbird is still here chattering away most of the day in spite of the pretty heavy snowfall we had Thursday. Patsy has named her Buffy, the nectar slayer. I like Buffy OK but I kinda groan at the other part.

Quote of the Day

I don't want to be photographed in my old age. I feel the same way with old movie stars. It makes me sad. We want to remember them when they were young.

Bettie Page

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "It seems like every time we go to Georgia for a forecast, there is pending doom just around the corner. This time in Albany, however... nope, wait. Yep. Pending doom."

Regarding yesterday's question on how much snow fell in southeastern Louisiana, today's local rag has this to say:

At the storm's peak, however, the National Weather Service reported 8 inches on the ground in Amite, 5 inches in Bogalusa, 4 inches around Covington and at least 1 inch all over the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans to LaPlace.

Amite, Bogalusa, and Covington form a triangle and CrabAppleLane is on the line between Covington and Bogalusa so I'm thinking we had between 4 & 5 inches worth in Bush, LA. Unfortunately, much of that snow is still on the ground here this morning and it's now harder and more treacherous.

One more from yesterday:

CrabAppleLane Front Yard - December 11, 2008

The front yard still looks like that this morning.

Quote of the Day

We were about three words away from a deal.

Senator Bob Corker, Tennessee

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "The Volkswagen Group has taken its place among the world's top three automakers thanks to the Wolfsburg-based company's outstanding delivery figures in the first half of 2008."

It snowed at CrabAppleLane from about 6AM until about noon. My office sent me home at 9AM, Patsy's at about 9:30AM. Places like Minneapolis and Springfield endure much more snow than this without much ado. It pretty much paralyzes us southerners, though.

CrabAppleLane - December 11, 2008

CrabAppleLane Bradford Pear Tree - December 11, 2008

Pitiful CrabAppleLane snowman - December 11, 2008 - At 51 years, 10 months ... My first, last, and only solo snowman -- Should I call Guiness? Though I placed it less than a foot from the stepping stone path, Patsy walked right past it without noticing it. Woe is me.

It's expected to be cold and windy in Soldier Field tonight. Bear weather is what I hear. Former Tulane and current Bear running back Matt Forte has probably played more games in the Louisiana SuperDome than most of the Saints roster so I'm not sure he thinks it matters much. I'm a big fan of Matt Forte and cheer him every week except this week. I'm cheering AGAINST him tonight because his team is playing against mine in the NFL and also in fantasy football. If Matt Ryan of the Falcons wasn't having such a monster year, Forte would have been a lock for Rookie of the Year. Not tonight, Matt, please.

Speaking of cold, I offer a few images from CrabAppleLane (6:15AM) this morning. We've had snow here before but never this early in the season.

CrabAppleLane Front Yard - December 11, 2008 - 6:15AM

CrabAppleLane Back Deck - December 11, 2008 - 6:15AM

Quote of the Day

That is absolutely not my sister

Deborah Mell

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Every time my kids watch Rudolph or I see it or event think of it, I go crazy."

Rudolph is Patsy's favorite. She's already watched it a few times this season. -Rob

As you've probably heard, this from Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich:

... suck it up for two years and do nothing and give this motherfucker [the President-elect] his senator. Fuck him. For nothing? Fuck him.

Moving on ...

On the NFL laying off about 150 people, a commenter named rytgersjaffoII had this to say:

Unless 64 of them are Detroit Lions, this is a real shame...

About today's BOTD: Bears fans play rough with each other. This comment from a guy named Jbasic89:

the fact that she is walter paytons daughter means i have to be nice to her
i could give three shits about her or a garrett wolfe interview

Alrighty then.

Quote of the Day

Is this a joke?

Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "She has been gracious enough to put together an interview with Garrett Wolfe and would like to know if there are any specific questions or topics you would like to hear be asked."

A mystery gift of delicious Tennessee T-Cakes was at our doorstep when Patsy got home yesterday. Not sure what they are? Read The Legend.

Patsy: Who is Jennifer B.....Y?
Me: No idea.
Patsy: She sent us some Tennessee T-Cakes.
Me: And you don't know her?
Patsy: No. The return address says she's from Nashville.
Me: No card?
Patsy: Don't see one.
Me: I think I know who's responsible.

There was supposed to be a card but it didn't survive the transaction or the trip. A moment's investigation revealed the thoughtful friend. Thanks, Pitcherlady.

Quote of the Day

I was shivering non-stop.

Oliver Edwards-Neil, 25

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Chosen by OPRAH as one of the best cakes in America, Tennessee T-Cakes are truly unique confections and only use the finest ingredients."

We watched P.S. I Love You last night. I knew going what kind of movie it was going in but I thought the cast might elevate it into something I'd like. The wife was in tears throughout but I kinda started watching the clock about an hour in. Hilary Swank, a great actor, wallows in grief at the loss of her young husband throughout the film. A scheme set in motion by said husband, which is supposed to get her to move on with her life, only prolongs the grief. That's OK for a few minutes but it gets tedious after an hour or so. IMDb lists it at 126 minutes. Seemed longer than that. Most reviews there disagree, though, so don't go by me.

So the Saints won yesterday. They still need a lot of help to play beyond December. They can help themselves a little by beating the Bears in Chicago Thursday night. Both teams are 7-6. They haven't played well versus the Bears the last two years in Chicago. The Saints have been inconsistent from week to week all year and this figures to be their down week. All indicators are the Bears will end their playoff hopes. Hope I'm wrong.

Quote of the Day

You know, I was in an off-Broadway play with Al god damn Pacino I don't need this shit. Want the balloons?

Leprechaun, P.S. I Love You

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "I had Christmas music playing on the stereo, the house was (relatively) tidy and nothing was on fire."

It was a Sunday morning 67 years ago...

It's a good matchup although Texas fans may disagree. For once, it's not the fault of the BCS. Well, not directly anyway. Texas fans should place the blame on the Big 12 conference for attaching their tiebreaker rules to BCS standings. A three-way tie where all other factors are identical is going to be messy no matter how you do it but I'd prefer they had their own criteria oblivious to outside influence. That's not to say that's any better. In the Big Ten many years ago when Michigan and Ohio State tied for their conference championship and a Rose Bowl bid, the matter was put to a vote of Big Ten commissioners. At the time, it was rumored that Michigan State cast the deciding vote AGAINST sister school Michigan. Gotta tell ya. This method of selection is probably just as fair but way more fun.

Here nor there: The Mutton Birds do a really nice cover of Blue Oyster Cult's Don't Fear the Reaper in The Frighteners and that's how I was introduced to them. I thought A Thing Well Made was a bit of a joke song at first. I can see someone on Saturday Night Live singing it because the theme of the song is really just about an ordinary life but the truth is that it not only features a euphonium, which I find unusual, but it works and is thoroughly original. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Well done, Mutton Birds.

I offer one from the CrabAppleLane backyard on this gorgeous Sunday.

CrabAppleLane Gum Tree - December 7, 2008

Quote of the Day

You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.

Albert Einstein

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "I hope that by preventing our investments from suffering the consequences of their ill management we're able to leave those future generations enough money to pay the debt we're running up for them."

From Helen A.S. Popkin of MSNBC:

Isn't it enough that the government thinks they know better than us when it comes to spending our entertainment dollars? In February, they're making our perfectly adequate faux wood-paneled TVs obsolete by cramming free digital TV down our throats.

And every station is going to tell you about it incessantly. If you haven't noticed the streaming reminders for the last few months, then you really are a person who doesn't watch television. All you have to do to see one is to leave your TV on for 5 minutes ... tops. She's right on about the free broadband, too. Like her style.

Quote of the Day

Some people are like Slinkies - Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Unknown

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "See, when I set it up about a year ago, a pop-up box with a question came up somewhere in the process and apparently I did not understand the implication of a "yes" response well enough and the damned thing sent Friend Invites to everyone in my e-mail address book that was also in Facebook. That was about as embarrassing as anything that happened to me in junior high, so I really didn't want to go anywhere near the site again for a long time."

Via Instapundit: Product placement is the theme. It sails right over my head. I think Paris when I see the Eiffel Tower in a movie, New York when I see the Statue of Liberty, and London if I see Big Ben. That kind of placement works. Unless it's an integral part of the story like the Challenger in Vanishing Point or the Thunderbird in American Graffiti, a car is just a car to me when I see one in a movie. If Ford was trying to influence me in Quantum of Solace, they wasted a ton of money. If you read a few comments on that blog entry, it appears that automotive product placement insults most of those who do take notice. With that in mind and with the automotive economy being what it is these days, I'm thinking film productions will be buying/leasing their own vehicles in the near future.

Quote of the Day

We haven't quite decided yet whether he committed suicide or died trying to escape.

Captain Renault, Casablanca

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Continuing his efforts to turn the Lower Ninth Ward into an environmentally sustainable, largely solar-powered and "high-powered neighborhood," Brad Pitt and Co. (through his Make it Right Foundation) today opened the most technologically advanced playground in North America."

You know there must be someone out there just dying to smoke that stuff. Dying to.

Despite their very clumsy efforts at seeking aid, I think it's in our best interests to help the US automakers. More competition in that industry is better for consumers.

Yeah, this is a good thing to have in your office. No matter how fun it looks and how bad I you want to play. Advertised as "especially delightful during work hours". I don't think so.

About today's QOTD: I don't think anyone is old enough or tough enough to live that life. It's a very sad, very angry, and very short life.

Quote of the Day

He thought he was old enough, tough enough to live that life. He wasn't. We all worried about him.

Keishell Hills, 19

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Back in the days of dial-up modems, when broadband was still kind of dreamy - we had these things called "utilities". Windows was just an operating system, and there were all kinds of things that it "didn't do" yet...like unzip files, manage themes, burn cd's, and countless other things."

I miss Norton Commander. -Rob

From the New Zealand Herald:

An Auckland internet cafe has been charged for allowing punters to watch movies at computer terminals.

Some of it makes sense. Most of it doesn't. I think I understand the desire to see a movie up to two months before its official release. That makes a little sense. A "punter" (Love that term) plops down $5 or so per hour to watch a two-hour movie on a computer screen and maybe buys coffee and a sandwich from the cafe. Something to be gained by both parties. Again, that makes a little sense. How many punters are doing that, how much money are they making on each, and is it worth the risk of getting caught? And why just prosecute the cafe owner? Why not prosecute the punters, too? It seems to me that if you have enough punters to make that activity profitable, you're going to get caught. Even if the amount of activity doesn't raise a flag with law enforcement, chances are pretty good that one of your customers will probably get caught doing something else and give you up in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Quote of the Day

When it comes to FEMA, it is so important, for our state that they fix this agency.

Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Governor

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "Illinois entered the Union on December 3, 1818. The 21st state takes its name from the Illinois Confederation--a group of Algonquian-speaking tribes native to the area. An Algonquin word, "Illinois" means "tribe of superior men.""

The fantasy football regular season is over in most leagues this week. Some will play another week and have two rounds of playoffs but we prefer to end now because we like three rounds of playoffs. In one league, my fantasy football team (Spawn) finished 8-5, made the playoffs as a second seed, and will get a bye despite a convincing loss this week. My other team (Death on Two Legs) in my other league, which I thought was quite a bit better than the 8-5 team at the beginning of the season, finished 5-8 and is off to our consolation tournament. The team I felt pretty good about was pretty bad and the team I felt pretty bad about was better than I thought. A pretty typical year for me.

The Saints are pretty much done for 2008 but I'm optimistic for 2009 because they'll still have Drew Brees, the defense is playing better now in spite of the injuries, they'll probably have a last place schedule, and, finally, because Jake Delhomme and Jeff Garcia will be another year older and even less effective. Known-Saints killer Jeff Garcia was pretty ordinary this past Sunday. On top of that, I can't imagine another season where 16 players get declared out for the year. They still have to do something about their consistency issues, though.

Can we please NOT HAVE a Jets-Giants Super Bowl? Pretty please?

Oddsmakers have made the Gators a 10pt favorite in the Florida-Alabama SEC Championship game but I like the Tide's chances.

About today's QOTD: For once, I agree with Mike Celizic or "hat guy" as my friend, Nightfly, calls him.

Quote of the Day

I don't know what the Giants are going to do to Plaxico Burress, but none of the options should involve writing him a regular paycheck.

Mike Celizic, MSNBC

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "IT IS enough to send any fans of the Caped Crusader into a flap. Batman is set to be "killed off" after almost 70 years of crimefighting."

About Apple: I am wondering this morning how Apple got all of my email addresses. I'm getting 5-6 messages per day at several of my email addresses from them. My iTunes account is responsible for them having one of them but I can't account for the others. They're very close to the spam filter at the moment.

About Walmart: I've never been near a Black Friday rush and never will be but I think this is a tradition that can be discontinued. At the very least, they need to build barriers and take other measures to slow down the stampede.

About Plaxico Burress: What are you doing at a night club during the season? I wonder if I could hire out as a babysitter for one of these professional troublemakers athletes. You want to go where?

Quote of the Day

They were more than mere game-changers, those plays by the Buccaneers' defense. They were season-killers.

Mike Triplett, Times-Picayune

Blog of the day here.

Quote from said blog: "So I get it, I read the news, we're apparently facing some kind of worldwide economic apocalypse. This all seems unreal to me, not 'cause I've been immune to its impact -- because trust me, my consistently near-empty pockets are particularly empty these days -- just 'cause the economy is a structure we set up, like ... as humans? Why'd we invent something so crummy, and why can't we take it back, like a broken toaster? "No thanks, we prefer the fire pit after all, works every time?" I'm down to hunt & gather."