December 2011 Archives

As time winds down on another year, it's time to dust off the annual post about the expressions, "don't have the time" and "can't find the time". Did so last year. I also did it in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Everyone says it. Have you thought about what the person you're saying it to thinks about it? Standard Annual CrabAppleLane Disclaimer: Do not expect any profound conclusions or Earth-shattering insight in this post because 1) my ruminations here NEVER reach that level and 2) 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 ... even on my John Deere.

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 always plan to add considerably more thought to this essentially self-plagiarized (Auto-plagiarized?) entry after having another whole year to think about it 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

5 song iTunes shuffle from the OLPH Class of 1971 playlist:

1. Tom Jones - She's A Lady - 1971
2. Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff - 1971
3. Rod Stewart - Maggie May - 1971
4. Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes - 1971
5. Tommy James & The Shondells - Draggin' The Line - 1971

Quote of the Day

The Jets are playing lousy, but I’m still convinced Rex Ryan’s lap band is made out of horseshoe particles.

Gregg Rosenthal, ProFootballTalk

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "It's become a common refrain that Alabama outplayed LSU back in November, that they won the game everywhere but the scoreboard. When your lobbying for a mulligan so you can play for a national title, I really don't mind the storyline. You're reduced to begging to get a shot in the title game, and Alabama begged better than anyone else."

I take full blame for no imagination on the title today and offer all due apologies to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The "four finger" is the one I experienced the other day and it was all I could do to not take a swing at the guy responsible. I'm beginning to think at least half of the people I shake hands with need to take lessons. A proper handshake is really not that hard to do correctly and it should be in everyone's life kit.

Got to run some errands today. Not at all looking forward to it. Procrastination in this case will probably not pay off like it once did.

About today's QOTD: That it would help the Saints if the Seahawks beat the 49ers has no bearing on what I think of that statement. Well, not really. GEAUX Seahawks.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. Christmas in the Trenches - Kim Novak - Pancake Bellyache
2. Christmas Canon Rock - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve
3. Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories
4. Wizards In Winter - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve
5. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues Featuring Kirsty MacColl - If I Should Fall from Grace with God

Quote of the Day

They come to our place Christmas Eve, and we’re going to beat the hell out of 'em

Scot McCloughan, Seattle Seahawks

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Isn't it possible that this is exactly how football in the NFL works? These are the most talented players in the world, your opponent is bound to make some plays. The better the opponent, the more plays they'll likely make, and in turn, the more plays you'll need to make. This all seems very simple to me."

True, but if they wrote that or a version of that all of the time, who would read it? -Rob

Last night's CME was Columbiana. I've wanted to see this movie since I saw the trailer. The opening scene from the trailer features one of my old hangouts, Uncle Larry's. What surprised me about the film as it got started last night was the mostly unrecognizable cast names. Zoe Saldana has a little name recognition these days but the rest of the cast from Columbiana are mostly just familiar faces from TV and smaller roles in other movies. It's one of those movies where you know the faces but not the names. That guy was in Human Target and that other guy was in Castle. Anyway, Columbiana is surprisingly well done for a formula film with a largely unknown cast. Perfect CME for last night.

Just two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance, it appears some expect the Colts to be blown up in Indianapolis. I don't buy it. I could see how they might go for a cheaper, younger replacement for Reggie Wayne but I can't imagine Peyton Manning anywhere else ... yet.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. People Are Strange - The Doors - Andrea's Gift Mix
2. In The Flesh - Pink Floyd - The Wall
3. Super Trouper - ABBA - Gold
4. Sucker Row - Mark Knopfler - Shangri-La
5. Christmas Canon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Christmas Attic

Quote of the Day

You gotta have a feel for the stuff that sells
Call it a skill

Mark Knopfler, Sucker Row

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Behind the line, the Saints are averaging 456.7 yards per game (first in the league), 331.4 yards passing (first) and 125.4 rushing (eighth)."

A conversation between two of my joking colleagues a long time ago:

Colleague One: You'll come to my funeral, won't you?
Colleague Two: I'll go to your grave (While pretending to open his fly).

Expresses my sentiments about Kim Jong-il pretty succinctly. Good riddance.

Vaclav Havel is a different matter. Quite sad to see him go.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. Sail Away - Deep Purple - Burn
2. Lady Grinning Soul - David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
3. Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - The Supremes - The Ultimate Collection
4. Sugarhigh - Coyote Shivers - Shivers, Coyote
5. Heaven - Danny Elfman - The Frighteners

Quote of the Day

There is a question over whether his late mother, a Japanese-born professional dancer called Ko Yong-hui, was Kim Jong Il's official wife or mistress — an issue that might weigh on his legitimate right to replace his father.

msnbc.com staff and news service reports

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Was this amazing one-of-a-kind statistical performance more a reflection on Brees or the Vikings’ pass defense? You’ll have to decide that for yourself. I personally learned nothing new today. I knew going in that Brees was great and that the Vikings’ secondary was abysmal. Today’s statistically absurd outcome only reinforced those points."

It wasn't that historic. He played a great game but he's actually had better games than this. -Rob

All US Troops have left Iraq. What happens there now is up to the Iraqis. This day has always been coming. I'll let others argue over whether it was too soon, too late, or just right. Iraqis will have to decide, for themselves, if they want what America wants for them, peace and prosperity, or if they want what the insurgents want for them. From the safety of distance, it looks like a no-brainer to me. Will they have the courage to make that easy choice? I hope so. The QOTD is exactly right, though.

Saints v Vikings today at noon in Minneapolis. Everything, everything, everything concerns me about this game. The Saints have been known to lay an egg in a game like this. They did it against the Rams a few weeks ago. The Vikings are better than the Rams and have been very competitive, especially at home. Drew Brees is playing very well right now and hasn't thrown an interception in a few games. He's the difference. If the Saints play smart and take care of the ball, they'll take care of the Vikes. If they're looking past the Vikings to the Falcons next Monday, they will lose this game.

I offer one today from the Library of Congress archives because something reminded me of a passage I read in high school about the German Army passing through Brussels during World War I.

Germans in Belgium -- on the way to the front

All through the night, like a tumult of a river when it races between the cliffs of a canyon, in my sleep I could hear the steady roar of the passing army. And when early in the morning I went to the window the chain of steel was still unbroken. It was like German troops advance the torrent that swept down the Connemaugh Valley and destroyed Johnstown. This was a machine, endless, tireless, with the delicate organization of a watch and the brute power of a steam roller. And for three days and three nights through Brussels it roared and rumbled, a cataract of molten lead. The infantry marched singing, with their iron-shod boots beating out the time. They sang Fatherland, My Fatherland. Between each line of song they took three steps. At times 2000 men were singing together in absolute rhythm and beat. It was like blows from giant pile-drivers. When the melody gave way the silence was broken only by the stamp of iron-shod boots, and then again the song rose. When the singing ceased the bands played marches. They were followed by the rumble of the howitzers, the creaking of wheels and of chains clanking against the cobblestones, and the sharp, bell-like voices of the bugles.

5 song iTunes shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star Playlist:

1. Shoot Shoot - UFO - Essential UFO
2. Blowin' Free - Wishbone Ash - Argus
3. Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf - All Time Greatest Hits
4. Hotel Yorba - The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
5. Highway Star - Deep Purple - Made In Japan

Quote of the Day

I don't expect them to turn into South Korea or Japan overnight.

Captain Mark Askew, 28

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "I’ve become convinced that the term “school of fish” is planted by grammar saboteurs. There is nothing school-like about fish traveling together. They dart and shoot around like meth-addled rainbows, completely lacking in discipline or academic focus."

Started this yesterday but ran out of steam.

LSU fans had better start getting used to Les Miles' name popping up wherever there's a coaching vacancy and if Les doesn't feel the need to quash every one of those rumors when he's hot, LSU fans should get used to that, too. Very few stand next to him when times are tough. They should also ask themselves just how tough it's really been. His record is 75-17 in 7 years. That average is almost 11 wins per year. Not bad by today's standards. Or yesterday's or tomorrow's. There is still an asshole element at LSU that doesn't like him, though. They are not the same crowd, that used to include me, that wasn't always sold on him. That crowd is getting smaller by the minute. No, the asshole crowd is different. They adored Nick Saban because he was so well spoken, so intense. They don't like Miles because he's less well spoken, less conventional, and cares more about his family than his job. They're pretty quiet now because he's only assembled the best football team in LSU Tiger history. If they win another BCS Championship, I think you can put his team up there with the 1971 Nebraska team. Some still won't like Miles and will probably succeed in chasing him away one day because, really, why would he want to put up with them forever? Yeah, I have nothing but contempt for that bunch.

About today's QOTD: I must still read the rest of that article. I'm not a big fan of that kind of threatening activism. Big, national advertisers are easy targets. Some group, howling at the moon, stirs up controversy and no matter how trivial the controversy is, national advertisers pull out because they just don't want the headache.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. Never Gonna Change - Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South
2. Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf - All Time Greatest Hits
3. San Francisco Bay Blues - Eric Clapton - Unplugged
4. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie - John Baldry - OLPH 1971 Mix
5. Boulder To Birmingham - Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Real Live Roadrunning

Quote of the Day

In other words, the truth is false if it does not look the way one thought it would.

Amy Davidson, The New Yorker

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The Vikings and Saints play in different divisions within the NFC, but including this weekend’s matchup they’ve met annually over the past four seasons and their battles have been dramatic. The Vikings out-dueled New Orleans on Monday Night Football in 2008, the Saints got past the Vikings in overtime of the 2009 NFC title game and then the two teams met in prime time to open the 2010 regular season."

All three games were memorable. -Rob

From WWL-TV this morning:

Four local tour guides are filing a lawsuit against the city of New Orleans.

The group says the city's permitting requirements violate their First Amendment rights.

About their first amendment rights: Fiction is protected, I suppose. Left up to me, they would have to present their entire repertoire to a history panel before becoming licensed. I am no authority on New Orleans history but I know some of the things I've heard from these guys are not true. The French Quarter was NOT ravaged by Hurricane Katrina's flood waters as I heard one of them say.

About today's QOTD: One of the Titans claimed he heard a whistle coming from the Saints sideline. The Saints gave that all of the concern and consideration it deserved.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. Easy Lover - Phil Collins - Hits
2. Road Fever - Foghat - Live
3. The Dogs Of War - Pink Floyd - Delicate Sound Of Thunder
4. Better At Hello - Laura Browne Sorenson - Marilyn Drive
5. Our House - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Déjà Vu

Quote of the Day

He’s a famous Who Dat Saints fan. So high school football games, Johnny Cash, and Whistle Monster – and I’m going to go with Whistle Monster. He was there helping us out anyway he could, and he got a little press here so I think that’s my answer.

Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Frazier was optimistic on Adrian Peterson and Christian Ponder being able to play this weekend against the New Orleans Saints."

Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson in back to back games. Just great, thankyouverymuch. -Rob

From the Glad That's Over Department: Now that the game is over and the Saints won, I think it's safe to say the Saints-Titans game yesterday featured maybe the worst officiating crew I have ever seen. They missed some pretty obvious penalties, called some of the ticky tackiest penalties, and called penalties that no one else calls. They called Drew Brees for illegal procedure when he moved his head on a hard count. ALL quarterbacks do that. It IS illegal and I don't mind them calling it if they called it more often and more consistently. Hasselbeck does it, Brady does it, Rodgers does it, both Mannings do it, especially Peyton. Tough game yesterday but a W is a W. I think Jake Locker is going to be a terrific quarterback but he made an awful rookie mistake yesterday on the last play of the game. The one thing he had to do was throw the ball. Someone should have been in his ear telling him that he can't take a sack under any circumstance. He took the sack. On to Minnesota. It's Vikings Week. :)

From the Department of Redundancy Department: I will never fully understand why some must transition from online to telephone. After a three email exchange with a business party, where I thought I answered all questions, I've been asked to call the party on the telephone. My guess is we'll be repeating all of the same questions.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

1. Cerilene - Sister Hazel - ...Somewhere More Familiar
2. Trouble Me - 10,000 Maniacs - MTV Unplugged
3. The Prince Of Peace - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories
4. White Christmas - The Drifters - 16 Greatest Hits
5. The Load-Out - Jackson Browne - Running On Empty

Quote of the Day

We will never be a bend-but-don't-break defense. We're about hit, hit. Swarm to the ball. Make sure that if they catch it they pay.

Jabari Greer, New Orleans Saints

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "It looked like the Saints might roll like I thought they would, as methodically moved down the field before stalling out inside the 10 for a field goal, then Darren Sproles took a punt 82 yards to the end zone after the Titans went four-and-out. Sproles' punt would be negated by a holding call, though, as we entered the flagfest portion of the game. There would be fourteen more penalties between the two teams before halftime and the Titans first a first-and-thirty-five their next possession."

Last night's Alec Baldwin skit was chicken shit. Not sure why Saturday Night Live indulged it. American Airlines was completely right to toss him off the plane. Baldwin was completely wrong. That skit was insulting to ALL air travelers, everyone in the airline industry, and to all security personnel. Rules and regulations, particularly ones that are as easy as that to follow, are not a joke. Shame on everyone for that bit of silliness, including the live audience.

The Saints are in Nashville today for a tough game with the Tennessee Titans. Anxious to see how they do against a playoff-caliber team outdoors. That's been everyone's contention this season; that the Saints are a different team away from the SuperDome and/or outdoors. By everyone, I mean every "expert". It's tiresome but I suppose we're going to keep hearing it every time they hit the road. The old adage is as true today as it has been since Sean Payton and Drew Brees got here. If they take care of the ball, they'll take care of the Titans. Speaking of Sean Payton, the Times-Picayune has a good story on him today. What I liked most was how he handled NBC Sports. They filmed him eating a hot dog in the press box during the Saints game with the Colts earlier this season. He was not happy about that. It was his first game after he was injured and he really didn't know what to do with himself in the press box. He certainly meant no disrespect. Go read how he handled it. :)

OK, so now we know who's been eating all of the CrabAppleLane whole corn.

About today's iTunes shuffle: iTunes classifies Little Green Bag as jazz. Not in my book.

5 song iTunes shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star Playlist:

1. Further On (Up The Road) - Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
2. Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection - Little Green Bag
3. Blowin' Free - Wishbone Ash - Argus
4. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes - Elephant
5. The Needle And The Damage Done - Neil Young - Harvest

Quote of the Day

The Broncos are the talk of the league. More and more people are watching. And you could indeed say they’re tuning in to find out how far God can take a team. Because that’s just another way of saying how far grit can.

Frank Bruni, New York Times

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The Titans are going to have to impose their will today. New Orleans wants to play a finesse game on offense. It will be ugly if the Titans let them. Jerry Gray sent the message early this week that he wanted to see some shots today. Hopefully his guys will take that to heart and knock the Saints out of their rhythm."

The Saints are a little more physical than people think. -Rob

Last night's CME was Cowboys and Aliens. Nice to see Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in the same movie. It appears Craig is the heir apparent to Ford in the laconic, action hero roles. OK by me. He's excellent at it. It also has Olivia Wilde, who has been a fave of mine since her Black Donnellys days. Not that I would but I don't think I could be a spoiler for this film because the title pretty much gives away the plot. Just look at today's QOTD. That's CME of a high order. I liked it and give it four of five stars. Some didn't, though. See BOTD for a harsher critique.

If you missed this week's Castle season finale, the song below is the one that closed it out. Excellent. Great choice. Full disclosure: It will get in your head and stay there.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Give A Little Love - The Mostar Diving Club - Triumph of Hope
2. You Are My Miracle - Roger Whittaker - New World In The Morning: The Encore Collection
3. Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss & Union Station - Live
4. One Slip - Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse Of Reason
5. Something's Happening - Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive!

Quote of the Day

Demons took your gold. When you get to Hell, you can ask for it back.

Jake Lonergan, Cowboys and Aliens

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Despite a premise that fused two once-reliable genres and a cast featuring both Indiana Jones and James Bond, Jon Favreau’s $163 million Cowboys & Aliens got smurfing smurfed at the box office over the weekend, opening to a measly $36.2 million — well below even the modest $45 million its makers had predicted."

About today's QOTD: He's right. It's just business. Card fans should be thankful that they got his very best years. The Cardinals can be thankful that they got those best years ridiculously cheap. The Angels could afford to offer him a long-term, big money contract because they can transition Pujols, a pretty good fielding first baseman, to designated hitter as his fielding skills start to diminish. The Cardinals had to look at the long term. How much longer would he be an every day first baseman? I doubt he has 10 years in him at his position. In fact, I think he'll start being removed for defensive purposes in the next four or five years. In the National League, he'd also start taking day games off after night games and have to transition to pinch-hitter. A $25 million per season pinch-hitter would be thoroughly ridiculous.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Homeward Bound [Live] - Simon & Garfunkel - Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits
2. Chain Of Fools - The Commitments - The Commitments
3. Mellow Yellow - Donovan - AM Gold: The '60s Generation
4. Don't Damn Me - Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I
5. The Prophet's Song - Queen - A Night At The Opera

Quote of the Day

I'm sure others are working up a good sweat while delivering angry sermons that vilify Pujols for being disloyal, ridicule the Cardinals for being cheap or savage the Angels for overpaying an aging star.

Bernie Miklasz, St Louis Post-Dispatch

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "As for Pujols, who has 445 career home runs and 455 doubles, Cashman said that Pujols’s agent, Dan Lozano, had checked in on whether the Yankees might be interested acquiring him. Cashman politely declined."

The battleship USS ARIZONA sinking after being hit by Japanese air attack on Dec. 7,1941., 12/07/1941 by The U.S. National Archives

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Tuxedo Junction - The Andrews Sisters - 50th Anniversary Collection
2. Speed King - Deep Purple - Deep Purple In Rock
3. Games People Play - Lissie - Covered Up With Flowers
4. Alien - Bush - Sixteen Stone
5. Presence Of The Lord - Blind Faith - The Cream Of Clapton

Quote of the Day

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

President Franklin D Roosevelt - December 8, 1941

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Annotated Draft of "Day of Infamy" Speech: Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan by Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 8, 1941; Papers as President, Master Speech File; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library (NLFDR); National Archives and Records Administration"

Amazing document. So glad someone saved it. -Rob

Routine change starts today and, naturally, I got a pretty bad night's sleep. I blame anxiety but I think genes are just as responsible. Dad didn't sleep well at night, either.

About today's QOTD: The Saints defense goaded the Lions into some of the penalties that absolutely killed those guys last night. They were after-the-whistle, unsportsmanlike penalties. The Lions are talented but also young, inexperienced, and undisciplined. They're gaining a reputation for losing their cool and other teams will surely follow suit and try to get some cheap penalties on them in coming weeks. For the Saints part, that's a game I'd rather they stop playing. It works sometimes but it backfires sometimes, too. They need to focus on what they're doing and leave the playground stuff elsewhere.

About today's BOTD: He's right. Nate Burleson had three offensive pass interference calls and a facemask call go against him. The facemask was correct and the others were ticky tacky. ALL NFL receivers push off in tight coverage. Burleson broke the golden rule, though. He straightened his elbow and extended his arm. That's simply too obvious and they'll always call that one.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. '39 - Queen - A Night At The Opera
2. Computer Age - Neil Young - Trans
3. Umleitung - Status Quo - STATUS QUO The Collection
4. Quality Shoe - Mark Knopfler - The Ragpicker's Dream
5. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett - The Rolling Stone Women In Rock Collection

Quote of the Day

Grow the (expletive) up!

Dominic Raiola, Detroit Lions

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The Lions put up a fight against the Saints, but in the end they couldn't overcome their own stupidity and some really questionable calls. Detroit is now 7-5 on the season."

We decided to go to one of our favorite places to eat last night. I had the grilled pork chops. I've been getting pork chops at just about every restaurant I go to that serves them lately. The wood-grilled pork chop I got a few weeks ago at Muriel's was outstanding. After eating the restaurant variety many times now, I have reached the conclusion that Patsy and I both overcook them when we make them at home. They're still very good overcooked but I think we both need to work on it. I guess I'll be eating a lot of pork chops. Work, work, work.

I had a perfectly good plan for today that included a noon Saints kickoff but the NFL went ahead and ruined it with their "flex" scheduling. The Lions are in town for a tilt with the Christians Saints. Should be a fun game. I'm expecting a shootout. The Texans are holding a touchdown lead in the 3rd quarter. GEAUX Texans. :)

Former Tulane Green Wave and current Chicago Bear running back, Matt Forte, left the game today with a knee injury. If you want to know why proven running backs are constantly trying to renegotiate their contract, this is why. If you also want to know why NFL teams are reluctant to do so, this is why.

Georgia had the right idea yesterday. Throw everything at LSU. Do things you've never done before. Throw on every down. Try an onside kick. Take chances. They knew they didn't have the depth to play with the Tigers for 60 minutes. I don't think anyone does. Their best chance was to get ahead early and try to hang on. Good plan. Wasn't enough. Tiger fans have seen this all year. The LSU defense and special teams keep the games close while the Tiger running game starts slow, picks up steam and, by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, the opponent just doesn't want to tackle the big, strong, fresh LSU runners any more. It's old school football. They now await the BCS to see who they'll face in the SuperDome. It will be Alabama or Oklahoma State. I don't think Oklahoma State has much chance against LSU but they deserve that chance. Alabama is the better team but they had their chance in Tuscaloosa. No way is it fair for them to get two chances at the Tigers while the Cowboys get none.

I offer one from the CrabAppleLane bedroom window.

CrabAppleLane Checkerboard Backyard - December 4, 2011

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Black And White - Three Dog Night - The Best Of Three Dog Night
2. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding - Am Gold 1968
3. Fighting For Madge - Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On
4. Lunchbox - Marilyn Manson - Portrait Of An American Family
5. Carousel Man - Cher - Half Breed

Quote of the Day

After the way we handled OU tonight, somehow, I can't imagine LSU playing Alabama twice. It doesn't make sense. It looks like it's an SEC closed system if that happens, and Alabama didn't even win the conference. Here we are. I think we are the ones who will play LSU, and for all the right reasons.

T. Boone Pickens

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "It’s all part of a program started in 2001 by Brazilian social entrepreneur Fabio Rosa, who, along with help from Canadian investigative journalist Paul McKay, are on a mission to bring clean water, light, refrigeration, basic communications and, ultimately, better health and education to some of the poorest people on the planet."

Until I figure out what's wrong with "anonymous" commenting here, signing in will be necessary. My latest fix didn't work and I'm a bit discouraged by that. Thankfully, most of the readers here already have Typepad accounts. If you don't, it only takes a minute to register. You can also create an account here through Movable Type. Update: I'll create your Movable Type account if you want one and don't hesitate to ask. I'll be happy to do it for you. Spammers have figured out how to register. Wish they would go away and die. Sorry for the inconvenience. Most blogs are doing something similar mainly to keep the spammers at bay so I suppose we can look forward to less spam.

About today's QOTD: YES.

Less than an hour from kickoff.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Blue Collar - Bachman-Turner Overdrive - The Anthology
2. Sick As A Dog - Aerosmith - Rocks
3. Surfer Girl - The Beach Boys - The Ultimate Rock & Roll Collection: The 60's
4. I Want It All - Queen - Classic Queen
5. Great Wide Open World - Cowboy Mouth - Mercyland

Quote of the Day

Take the Bulldogs and the SEC title game lightly? I don’t think so. This team is not just after a national title. It’s after greatness.

Tom Planchet, WWLTV.com

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Your team doesn't get to play in the SEC Championship Game every day, so, if you don't mind, we're going to make a big deal out of it."

My daily routine is changing. Entries here will be posted at different times and not necessarily on a daily basis any more. Life just sometimes gets right in the way of my hobbies.

Boo, Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When I clicked on your link, I was blasted by two very loud ads. I wasn't able to turn the sound down or off on one of them because the buttons don't f%^king work but I was finally able to find the pause button. I couldn't even tell where the other ad was coming from.

About today's QOTD: Not the biggest fan of Warren Sapp but he's exactly right about Ndamukong Suh.

About today's BOTD: It was a nice try on his part but his analysis is a bit faulty. The pick in his illustration was charged to Brees because all interceptions are but that one was on Jimmy Graham. He ran the wrong route. He was supposed to cut in front of the defender who made the interception. Jimmy Graham is a joy to watch. He sometimes runs the wrong route, he drops too many passes, and he occasionally has passes bounce off of him because he isn't looking for the ball. He has very little football experience and he's thinking entirely too much. Despite that, he is the best tight end in football and he's getting better every week. He's also a great kid and his enthusiasm is infectious. Love him.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Waiting For The Day - Gerry Rafferty - City To City
2. Downtown - Petula Clark - AM Gold 1965
3. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - The Commitments - The Commitments
4. Eli's Coming - Three Dog Night - Captured Live At The Forum
5. Circus - Eric Clapton - Pilgrim

Quote of the Day

I was like, what are we appealing here? You don’t want to roll that tape again, do you? … That was Thursday. That was Thanksgiving. Moms and grandmas are watching. … You can’t do that.

Warren Sapp, Showtime

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "For this week’s play breakdown, I will show you two plays below -- one where Brees throws it up and ends up throwing a pick, while the other shows a touchdown throw."

At some point this season, the LSU Tigers moved on from being the team that was playing the best football in the country to simply the very best football team in the country. Head Coach Les Miles should be given ALL of the credit for both. There's a lot of talk that the upcoming SEC Championship Game versus SEC East Champ, Georgia, is meaningless. I don't think the Tigers are listening. They want it. If we learned anything this season, we have learned they take what they want. Says here they beat the Dawgs handily and head to the Louisiana SuperDome for the BCS Championship Game. Whoever shows up in New Orleans to face them is in for a world of hurt and that includes Alabama. If the Tigers finish undefeated, we'll have witnessed one of the greatest seasons of all time. They did not load up on cupcakes. They beat mostly ranked teams. What they've done so far has been nothing short of incredible.

5 song iTune shuffle:

1. Bye Bye Love - The Cars - The Cars
2. Just What The Doctor Ordered - Ted Nugent - Ted Nugent
3. Reason To Believe - Rod Stewart - Unplugged... And Seated
4. Melissa - The Allman Brothers Band - Eat A Peach
5. Jennifer Juniper - Donovan - Donovan's Greatest Hits

Quote of the Day

This is a championship game. You get a ring for this game. That’s what we came here to do, so we’re going to take this game very seriously.

Eric Reid, LSU Tigers

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Betonline.com has posted a line on the title game, and LSU is listed as a 2-point favorite over the Tide."