CrabAppleLane Blog II

A visit to the orthopedist

2012-02-02T11:40:27Z

X-Ray Technician: Right knee? Left Knee?
Me: Both knees and right elbow.
X-Ray Technician: Falling apart? Accident?
Me: Falling apart.

The good news from Tuesday's visit is that the x-rays were pretty encouraging. My knees haven't changed much in the last three years. The bad news is one of the more promising treatment options may not be covered by our insurance. I think I know what this is about, though. The old saying goes "you can pay me now or pay me later". If the insurance company chooses the cheaper "pay me now" option, they pay for it. If they choose the much more expensive "pay me later" option, your next health plan or the one after that will pay for it. The insurance companies know that most people are switching plans every year or two because their health insurance premiums are partially paid by their employers and their employers are constantly switching plans to lower their premiums. It's a circle but I wouldn't call it vicious.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Tom Sawyer - Rush - Moving Pictures
Heart Of Gold - Neil Young - Harvest
You're All I've Got Tonight - The Cars - The Cars
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
Baby Blue - Badfinger - The Very Best Of Badfinger

Quote of the Day

Landlords in Britain's capital are evicting tenants so they can cash in on this summer's Olympic Games by charging tourists many times the usual rent.

Marian Smith, msnbc.com

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "SUPARTZ may be the right treatment for you if: 1) Your knee pain is due to osteoarthritis"

CrabAppleLane Sunday - January 29, 2012 Issue

2012-01-29T20:14:05Z

Some TV ...

Five years of Chuck ended on a bittersweet note Friday night. Patsy and I are big fans of the show. I'm sorry to see it go but it really did run out of steam towards the end. The first couple of seasons were very funny, very warm. The Chuck character was so much more fun to watch when he was geeky and insecure and trying to get the girl who was way out of his league. Confident, gun-toting Chuck wasn't as much fun. It was a great show for a while, though. By the end, it was just a good show.

Some personal stuff ...

Spent most of the day yesterday furniture shopping for our living room. We're getting more and more discouraged and disgusted with that process every day. Some of the online reviews we've read of the brands and products we're considering have been so overwhelmingly negative that I have to believe there is something to them. Our last buying experience in this area was also negative so our insecurity is just mounting while our current furniture continues to annoy us ... and continues to kill my knees and back. My $99 desk chair is the most comfortable piece of furniture in the house.

Speaking of knees, my left arthritic knee is in a bad way. Swollen and painful. I didn't contribute to this list of potential symptoms but I could have. I have them all. Tramping all over several furniture stores yesterday didn't help. I'll be seeing my orthopedist this week about them. Hopefully, all I need is a dose of cortisone. My right non-arthritic knee is sore mostly from compensating, I think. As I've said here a few times, there is little doubt in my mind that knee replacement surgery is in my future but I want to postpone it for as long as possible.

Some silly stuff ...

I unknowingly observed the "Twitter Blackout" yesterday.

I wonder how John Kerry got my email address. One paragraph sums up the gist of it:

We know all too well what�s coming. Republicans will attack, assail and lie to destroy President Obama and usher in one-party rule. If the thought of President Gingrich leading a GOP Congress scares you beyond belief, then I�m asking for your urgent help.

Says here a Gingrich-Obama election would have more people voting against one guy than voting for the other.

And some football stuff ...

The smart money says the Indianapolis Colts will be releasing Peyton Manning in the not-too-distant future. He'll have quite a few interested suitors and he'll command a sizable contract even though no one really knows if he'll ever be healthy enough to play again. Good Luck, Peyton ... and please stay in the AFC.

I will not watch the Pro Bowl today. If one of my favorite players gets hurt, I don't want to see it. Two of the Saints All-Pros, Carl Nicks and Drew Brees, don't even have a contract for next year. They'd better be careful. Brees dislocated his elbow in this game one year.

Finally, some CrabAppleLane Sunday stuff ...

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

CrabAppleLane Trail - January 29, 2012 � Needle bed coming along

CrabAppleLane Trail - January 29, 2012 � From the worm�s perspective

CrabAppleLane Backyard - January 29, 2012 � Nothing but blue skies

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks, 1964-1971
Make It Last - Montrose - Montrose
All Over You - Live - Throwing Copper
Stargazer - Rainbow - Rising
Crossroads - Ry Cooder - Crossroads

Quote of the Day

She really worked me over good
She was just like Jesse James
Yeah, she really worked me over good
She was a credit to her gender
She put me through some changes, Lord
Sort of like a Waring blender

Warren Zevon - Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "I didn't ask my mother to buy me a trumpet or violin. I started right on the water hose."

Super Bowl is set

2012-01-23T11:28:12Z

Last time the Giants and Patriots hooked up in the Super Bowl, I thought the Giants had a chance against the undefeated Patriots because of their great pass rush. This time, I think they have a chance because I think they have the better team ... and because of their great pass rush. Eli will overtake his brother in Super Bowl rings.

The three times the Saints have played the Giants since Sean Payton has been here: 30-7 (2006) at the Meadowlands, 48-27 (2009) and 49-24 (2011) at the SuperDome. The Pats: 38-17 (2009) in the SuperDome. Don't get me started on what might have been ...

It saddens me that Gabby Giffords is stepping down. The QOTD is hers.

5 song iTunes shuffle from the CrabAppleLane Five Star Playlist:

Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel) - Kansas - Masque
Warrior - Wishbone Ash - Live Dates [1973]
Baba O'Riley - The Who - Who's Next
The Rover - Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf - All Time Greatest Hits

Quote of the Day

We can do so much more by working together. I don't remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice

Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The fact that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords survived a gunshot wound to the head was so wondrous, so astounding, so miraculous, that it made us believe that another miracle wasn't out of the question."

CrabAppleLane Sunday - January 22, 2012 Issue

2012-01-22T23:28:44Z

I'm all over the map about this NY Times piece on Apple:

It's not just about cheap labor � flexibility in staffing, supply chains and reconfiguring factories matter

Translation: It's about cheaper EVERYTHING. In the automotive industry, we have seen foreign manufacturers build factories in America in order to sell their products here. Eventually, Apple and others like them will see some pressure to start providing some of the high wages necessary to purchase their products. That pressure won't necessarily come from government although some of it surely will. No, it will come from consumers and some of the industries that ARE paying the higher wages that are benefiting Apple and their ilk.

A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company�s dormitories, according to the executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day.

How many of those 8,000 can afford an iPhone at current retail prices? Quite possible the foreman can't even afford one.

Full disclosure: There are two iPhones and an active iTunes account at CrabAppleLane. I don't feel guilty but I do feel conflicted sometimes.

RIP, Joe Paterno. Your anguish is over.

About today's QOTD: I'm a fan of the first two Underworld movies. Can't remember if I saw the third one. Kinda think I did, though. CME is still a fave here with or without black latex Kate although that's definitely a nice touch. :)

You know your eyesight is starting to fail when you try to put air into a tire without removing the cap. Was quite pleasantly surprised to have the tractor start right up after sitting idle and outside for so long. Didn't get much maintenance done this weekend because my arthritic knee just wouldn't cooperate but it's parked by the garage and it's ready when I am. Might be able to do some work this week when I get home. Looking forward to a spring garden and more tomato sauce.

CrabAppleLane Tractor Wheel - January 22, 2012

CrabAppleLane Tiller - January 22, 2012

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Goodbye Blue Sky - Pink Floyd - The Wall
Come And Get It - Badfinger - The Very Best Of Badfinger
Ace Of Spades - Motorhead - Ace of Spades
Im A Doun - Meav - M�av
Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks, 1964-1971

Quote of the Day

The comely British actress � also currently being seen in theaters as the wife-in-peril in "Contraband" -- has returned to once again don the skintight black latex outfit that is these films� biggest draw to fanboys.

Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "I would really like to see more young bands bring the symphonic element..For I feel it really adds to the crushing music and separates it from the hordes of Death Metal Bands nowadays."

Lulls continue

2012-01-22T00:52:30Z

From the Title-Says-It-All Department: I started this entry yesterday but lost steam almost immediately. I find a lot of things about my own personal blogging experience to be a bit discouraging. I'm discouraged at having to go to registration for commenting here because I can't get the blog to work right without doing so. The bright side of that? ZERO spam. I'm discouraged at the lack of time and inspiration I've been inflicted with lately. I attribute that to the new job and the fact that I haven't been sleeping very well. I'm discouraged at how the iTunes shuffle looks in IE9 unless I change to "compatibility view" (I just discovered that this morning). Most of all, I'm discouraged that I haven't been keeping up with my blogging friends' sites. I'm convinced it's only a temporary funk but it's been with me a good while now so maybe not.

From the Department-of-Redundancy Department: Trying hard here not to belabor a point but the best reason to have satellite/cable television right now is because some of those stations are still doing "scripted television". I HATE reality TV. If you ever watch Justified, you'll throw rocks at American Idol. You should be throwing rocks at American Idol anyway. The networks have totally forgotten how to do original hour-long dramas. They don't give anything a chance unless it's CSI: Something, NCIS: Something, or Law & Order: Something. NBC's Prime Suspect is just starting to mature into a good show despite the handicap of being compared to one of the all time great series, its' British predecessor. Naturally, NBC cancels it.

From the Funk-Could-Be-Related-To-Disappointing-Ends-To-Football-Seasons Department: There is no doubt that the end to LSU's football season was disappointing to me. I'm also very disappointed in the way the Saints season ended. Both teams were outplayed. Both teams were undone by long-standing issues. In LSU's case, it was erratic and inconsistent quarterback play. Entering the season, that situation was the biggest question mark. It never improved. In the Saints case, it was turnovers. All four of the Saints losses this year featured turnovers. In the Sean Payton era, the Saints only lose when they turn the ball over. On the bright side, both teams figure to be championship contenders again next season.

From the Procrastination-Doesn't-Always-Pay Department: I have some tractor maintenance and garage-cleaning to do and I can't get it done from the computer. Now, that would be a useful app that some computer geek could turn into a Gates-sized fortune.

From the CrabAppleLane-Foggy-Crystal-Ball Department: Says here both Harbaugh brothers lose tomorrow setting up a Patriots-Giants Super Bowl rematch every Patriot fan only thinks they want. The Giants are now the team to beat.

From the Search-For-Practical-And-Affordable-Furniture-Continues Department: One of the nice, but depressing, things about blogging is there is a chronicle here for me to check on. Depressing because we've been looking at living room furniture for nearly three years now.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Take Me Home Country Roads - John Denver - The Essential John Denver
Give A Little Love - The Mostar Diving Club - Triumph of Hope
That's The Way I've Always Heard - Carly Simon - Carly Simon
Amazing Grace - Judy Collins - The Very Best Of Judy Collins
Early Bird (Bonus Track) - Mark Knopfler - Get Lucky (Bonus Track Version)

Quote of the Day

Brees is expected to sign one of the richest deals in NFL history, with an annual value around $18 million per year. He said, however, that he doesn't want or expect his deal to prevent the Saints from retaining other key free agents such as guard Carl Nicks and receiver Marques Colston.

Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "A family spokesman says former Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who is battling lung cancer, is in serious condition after experiencing health complications."

Monday Morning After

2012-01-16T11:46:31Z

Tough way for the Saints season to end but they were outplayed by the 49ers. It was a great game, though. By far, it was the best game of the weekend. The offseason starts earlier than the Saints and their fans wanted. They have three big free agents to worry about: QB Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston, and OG Carl Nicks. In addition, Head Coach Sean Payton will be coach-hunting. WR Coach Curtis Johnson is leaving to take the head job at Tulane. DC Gregg Williams is probably leaving to join Jeff Fisher in St Louis and OC Pete Carmichael is interviewing for the Dolphins head coaching vacancy. Of the three, I won't be all that sad to see Williams go. The Saints have spent draft choices and free agent money on defense for the last several years and they're not much better now than they were when that push started. They need new direction. I also don't think Pete will get the Dolphins job because the Dolphins are pretty famously short-sighted and are looking for a big name. He's a terrific young coach. The Dolphins can and probably will do worse.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

When You Were Mine - Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
The Big Money - Rush - Chronicles
Perfect Strangers - Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
The Fool And Me - Robin Trower - Bridge Of Sighs
On The Turning Away - Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse Of Reason

Quote of the Day

New Orleans (14-4) committed a whopping five turnovers, lost a valuable offensive weapon (running back Pierre Thomas) to a head injury in the first quarter and rallied from deficits of 17-0, 20-14, 23-17, and 29-24 to take a 32-29 advantage with 1:37 left.

And in 88 seconds, they gave back all they'd taken away, their season ending as suddenly and jolting as running into a brick wall.

John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "Thank you to one of our loyal fans Denise VO-S from Twitter @DVOS580 for sending us this awesome pic."

49ers on my mind today

2012-01-14T16:02:51Z

Well, the time is here. The 49ers are tired of hearing about the Saints offense and the Saints are tired of hearing about the 49ers defense. The Saints are tired of hearing about their "soft" run defense and the 49ers are tired of hearing about their "game manager" quarterback. The Saints are tired of the "dome team" label and the 49ers are a little miffed at being a home underdog.

For me, the game will hinge on turnovers. The only way the 49ers can stay close to the Saints today is with significant help FROM the Saints. The Saints defense will not necessarily force a lot of turnovers but they will undoubtedly force some punts. The 49ers gave up 500 yards to the Cowboys and Eagles earlier this year. The Saints offense is better than both of them. Methinks their lofty defensive ranking has more to do with their schedule than their abilities. As always ... if the Saints take care of the ball today, they'll take care of the 49ers.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Crazy On You - Heart - Dreamboat Annie
The Highwayman - Loreena McKennitt - The Book Of Secrets
A Groovy Kind Of Love - The Mindbenders - AM Gold 1966
True Colors - Phil Collins - Hits
Little Bit O' Soul - The Music Explosion - AM Gold: The '60s Generation

Quote of the Day

Now when you're feelin' low and the fish won't bite
You need a little bit o' soul to put you right

Little Bit O' Soul, The Music Explosion

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The 49ers did not rule anyone out of Saturday�s playoff opener against the New Orleans Saints, and instead listed five players as questionable. Although that signifies a relatively healthy club, a concern has deepened over No. 3 cornerback Chris Culliver."

Alabama

2012-01-10T11:13:47Z

Congratulations to the Crimson Tide on a great victory over the Tigers. LSU just didn't have enough quarterback to compete last night. All of the Tiger fans bashing Les Miles this morning or last night are kidding themselves. We all knew LSU's one glaring weakness all season was at quarterback. As bad as Jefferson was last night, he was the best one on the team. The Tigers are loaded up for next year, including some new quarterbacks. They'll be back.

By the way, that's the second 21-0 whipping LSU took from an SEC team in a New Orleans postseason rematch. After that famous Halloween night in Baton Rouge when Billy Cannon returned an Ole Miss punt for a touchdown that won the game and pretty much won him the Heisman Trophy, the Rebels put a 21-0 beating on the Tigers in the rematch in the Sugar Bowl and that one was about as close as last night's game was.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

What Makes You Think You're The One - Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
The Killer Inside - Better Than Ezra - Deluxe
Witch Hunt - Rush - Moving Pictures
Out On The Weekend - Neil Young - Harvest
Into The Fire - Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

Quote of the Day

We�ve had a nice run here. We won a lot of games, and you cannot enjoy it any more than we have. In the same vein, it was as painful as anything we�ve been through.

Les Miles, LSU Head Coach

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The Niners will be able to run on the Saints defense. Frank Gore is rested and presumably healthy enough. He should get 20 carries and average near five yards a pop. The Niners will control the time of possession and, most importantly, keep the snap count low for Drew Brees and the Saints high-powered offense."

CrabAppleLane Sunday - Playoff Issue

2012-01-08T15:51:25Z

The Lions made it interesting into the 4th quarter last night. I'll admit I was concerned. The Saints defense will get some criticism this week but they came up with two turnovers and forced the Lions to punt three times. When the defense gets off the field five times without giving up a score, the Saints are going to be tough to beat. The Saints are brushing off their own turnovers. I like that a lot but I'd like to see them eliminate turnovers altogether.

The Lions have some talent. Calvin Johnson is a great player. Matthew Stafford is a good young quarterback although I think Johnson has a lot to do with his great numbers. He threw one pass straight up in the air last night in the general direction of Johnson. His back was turned when he launched it and I'd bet anything a closeup would have revealed that his eyes were closed, too. Calvin just went up and got it between two defenders. I don't know what the proper defense is for that.

These two teams are a reflection of their head coaches. Whereas Sean Payton is a confident, aggressive head coach with a very nasty streak, Jim Schwartz is a whiner. The Lions need a few playmakers on defense (As does just about every team in the NFL) and Schwartz needs to grow up so that his team can.

The marquis matchup next week will be the Saints offense versus the 49ers defense but the game will really hinge on how many times the Saints defense can get the 49ers offense off of the field. The Niners are not nearly as explosive as the Lions and I expect the Saints D to play a lot closer to the line of scrimmage. If the Saints can get them into a lot of third downs, they'll surely win some of them. I'm not convinced the 49ers can stop the Saints offense but that offense will simply wear them out in the second half if they don't get some help from their own guys on the other side of the ball. This game figures to be more like most other Saints games this season. The 49ers will try to play keep away and the Saints will try to play keep up.

ALL eyes now turn to tomorrow night's BCS Championship game in the SuperDome. The dream of the Saints and Tigers both winning championships is still alive.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks, 1964-1971
Hello Dolly - Louis Armstrong & All His Stars - Sings - Back Through The Years/A Centennial Celebration
Doctor Jimmy - The Who - Quadrophenia
You're The One - Maire Brennan & Shane McGowan - Circle of Friends Soundtrack
Rockin' In The Free World - Neil Young - Freedom

Quote of the Day

Now she puts the kid away and she's gone to get a hit
She hates her life and what she's done to it
There's one more kid that'll never go to school
Never get to fall in love, never get to be cool

Neil Young, Rockin' In The Free World

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The New Orleans Saints are the better team and there�s no shame in saying that. Detroit is relevant in football discussions again and the Lions are well positioned to keep progressing. That�s what this season was always going to be about for me. A fanbase that has been so willing to buy into fools gold finally has some concrete reasons to put their trust in this team and its leadership. This season is over but this era of Detroit Lions football is just beginning."

Tuesday Tidbits - First 2012 Issue

2012-01-03T11:47:28Z

It's playoff week here at CrabAppleLane. ALL eyes are on the Detroit Lions right now. The Saints are entering the game fairly healthy and on a roll. No excuses, no quarter.

A week from today is the LSU-Alabama rematch for the BCS National Championship. Very tough to beat a great team once. Even tougher to beat them twice. The oddsmakers and pundits don't think the Tigers can do it. I think they can. FWIW, I agree with the QOTD.

It was good to see former LSU Tiger, Matt Flynn, have a great day for the Packers this past Sunday. I'll always root for him. You'll have to wait about 60 seconds for the replay to see his fantastic play against Steve Spurrier's South Carolina team but I think this is the best fake field goal I have ever seen. Love Les Miles watching the big screen replay. Good Luck in free agency, Matt.

Speaking of Matt Flynn, I wonder just how much experience he had in playing games on the frozen tundra of Lambeau. Saints and Saints fans shouldn't get too caught up in the prospect should it come to pass. Let the pundits and naysayers do that.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds - Rock: The Train Kept A Rollin'
Hotel Yorba - The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
I Know A Place - Petula Clark - AM Gold: The Mid-'60s
Lookout Mountain - Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South
Tearin' Out My Heart - Rainbow - Straight Between The Eyes

Quote of the Day

Oklahoma State has earned a title shot they won�t receive

Ben Kercheval, CFT

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "The Detroit Lions are one of the 12. You can argue if they belong or not (they do) until you are honolulu blue in the face. The Detroit Lions will play the New Orleans Saints on Saturday -- their first step on the road to the Superbowl."

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T06:00:01Z

From CrabAppleLane

CrabAppleLane - January 1, 2012

The Saints are in a tough spot today against the Carolina Panthers. There's a better than average chance that winning today won't get them anything. The 49ers have to lose to the Rams and their 3rd string quarterback for the Saints to gain anything. I hate to admit it but they half-assed it last year when they were in the exact same position. Football is a physical game. If you don't play with intensity, you get hurt. The Saints lost three important players in last year's final game and it cost them in the playoffs the following week. Added to that volatile mix is Drew Brees passing yardage record is at stake. He pretty much has to play to stay ahead of Tom Brady, who has to play to clinch the AFC's top seed. I think they're just going to play to win the game and let the chips fall where they may but I think there's something in each player's mind that will prevent them from playing all out. I hate that. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it. I'm on pins and needles today. Please let them get out of this game healthy. If they do, I think they'll be in Lambeau Field in a few weeks for a rematch. If they somehow get the bye, I think you can bank on it.

5 song iTunes shuffle:

Rolling in the Deep - ADELE - 21
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2 - War
Closing Time - Semisonic - Feeling Strangely Fine
Whipping Post - The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band
In My Time Of Dying - Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

Quote of the Day

Do you have change for a million-dollar bill?

Associated Press via MSNBC

Blog of the day is here.

Quote from said blog: "You Won�t Find South Carolina on THIS List!"

Time Running Out on 2011

2012-01-01T05:59:59Z

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:

Tom Jones - She's A Lady - 1971
Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff - 1971
Rod Stewart - Maggie May - 1971
Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes - 1971
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."

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:01Z

Merry Christmas
From CrabAppleLane

Christmas Eve And Other Stories

2011-12-24T13:31:41Z

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:

Christmas in the Trenches - Kim Novak - Pancake Bellyache
Christmas Canon Rock - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve And Other Stories
Wizards In Winter - Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve

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

Columbiana

2011-12-22T11:58:16Z

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:

People Are Strange - The Doors - Andrea's Gift Mix
In The Flesh - Pink Floyd - The Wall
Super Trouper - ABBA - Gold
Sucker Row - Mark Knopfler - Shangri-La
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)."