It's fun when your team wins, (heh, heh, Patriots 39, Steelers 26. I could type that all night.) And therein lies the problem. I'm tempted to watch the post-game, 7SporttsXtra, waiting to see the disappointed look on Ron Borges' face. I could go on nfl.com all night, going over the play-by-play, stats, box score.
I really need to go to bed now. Channel 7 is running reruns of Extra now, so it's as good a time as any. Even though I'm pretty wired, I have to at least try, otherwise I'll be up all night. So, good night.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Christmas Time Is Here
It's official -- the holiday season has begun. I know this because I heard "Christmas Time is Here" on the radio on my way home from my writer's group meeting last night (actually this morning, the writers got a little out of control and rowdy last night).
Granted, I heard it on 93.3 FM, that Providence radio station that starts playing Christmas music around Labor Day. But I say this counts. It's actually been pretty quiet on the holiday front. I didn't see any holiday commercials until Nov. 3.
I remember when I was a kid, Christmas ads wouldn't start until Thanksgiving morning, and I bet those who have been around longer than me probably would say at some point they didn't start until mid-December. In recent years it seemed Christmas ads would begin by Columbus Day, so maybe this is a step in the right direction.
In any event, kicking off the holidays with the best opening jingle from the best Christmas special of all time. (we'll see how long this link stays up) isn't a bad thing at all. I now feel like it's that time of year.
Granted, I heard it on 93.3 FM, that Providence radio station that starts playing Christmas music around Labor Day. But I say this counts. It's actually been pretty quiet on the holiday front. I didn't see any holiday commercials until Nov. 3.
I remember when I was a kid, Christmas ads wouldn't start until Thanksgiving morning, and I bet those who have been around longer than me probably would say at some point they didn't start until mid-December. In recent years it seemed Christmas ads would begin by Columbus Day, so maybe this is a step in the right direction.
In any event, kicking off the holidays with the best opening jingle from the best Christmas special of all time. (we'll see how long this link stays up) isn't a bad thing at all. I now feel like it's that time of year.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Battery Dead, Brain Dead
I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to cars, I'm not an expert on mechanics. Apparently, people who are paid to be mechanics don't know much about cars either.
My car battery died yesterday morning. It's been coming for awhile; every once in awhile I could feel the car have a tough time turning, but yesterday it was done. I called AAA. The AAA guy comes and can't start the battery. So he says, "It's not the battery, it's the starter." The he says, "Actually, it might be the alternator."
So I sit in the car, watch him do his thing. He checks the alternator and it's apparently fine. He "fixes" the starter. Then he "jumps" the battery. I turn the ignition and the car turns, but barely. There's a Monro shop right around the corner from where I live. I get the car there.
I walk in and tell the guy what's happened to date. "It's the alternator," he says. I drop off the car, walk home and wait for a call. Monro guy calls back and says, "We checked out the alternator and the starter. The only thing that's wrong with the car is you need a new battery."
A new battery has been installed. I can't wait to start my car tomorrow and listen to it stall.
My car battery died yesterday morning. It's been coming for awhile; every once in awhile I could feel the car have a tough time turning, but yesterday it was done. I called AAA. The AAA guy comes and can't start the battery. So he says, "It's not the battery, it's the starter." The he says, "Actually, it might be the alternator."
So I sit in the car, watch him do his thing. He checks the alternator and it's apparently fine. He "fixes" the starter. Then he "jumps" the battery. I turn the ignition and the car turns, but barely. There's a Monro shop right around the corner from where I live. I get the car there.
I walk in and tell the guy what's happened to date. "It's the alternator," he says. I drop off the car, walk home and wait for a call. Monro guy calls back and says, "We checked out the alternator and the starter. The only thing that's wrong with the car is you need a new battery."
A new battery has been installed. I can't wait to start my car tomorrow and listen to it stall.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The NFL Is Still Better On TV
One of the big drawbacks to living in an area where you have Charter, the bastard child of cable companies, is that you can't watch Thursday Night Football. Charter doesn't carry The NFL Network.
Apparently I missed a good game that just ended minutes ago. The Ravens scored with a minute left to take a 21-20 lead, only to have the Falcons march 80 yards in about 35 seconds to score a touchdown and win 26-21.
Not that it wasn't for a lack of effort on my part. I tried watching on the Internet, where nfl.com tried to suck me in with an offer to watch the game live. I was skeptical, and yeah, it was bullshit. When I clicked onto the link, it sent me to a pencil-necked geek telling me that neither Atlanta nor Baltimore was doing much for his fantasy team. There was no actual game coverage. (Actually, I'm sure there was, but it would involve giving out my credit card number.)
Then I just settled for following the game online, with play-by-play updated every 30 seconds or so. This would've been fine, except that it caused my computer to freeze. Granted, my laptop still has Windows XP, which is two releases and five years ago, but I've never had many serious problems with my laptop.
When my computer finally settled down, though, I did notice this from the play-by-play of the game's final final drive:
1-10-BAL 9 (:16) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 86-T.Heap to BLT 27 for 18 yards (50-C.Lofton). BLT-86-T.Heap was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
His return is questionable? Seriously? THERE WERE 16 SECONDS LEFT! THIS WAS THE NEXT-TO-LAST PLAY OF THE GAME! I'm pretty sure Todd Heap wasn't coming back.
Anyway, I look forward to moving somewhere that has NFL Network again. The NFL is still better on TV.
Apparently I missed a good game that just ended minutes ago. The Ravens scored with a minute left to take a 21-20 lead, only to have the Falcons march 80 yards in about 35 seconds to score a touchdown and win 26-21.
Not that it wasn't for a lack of effort on my part. I tried watching on the Internet, where nfl.com tried to suck me in with an offer to watch the game live. I was skeptical, and yeah, it was bullshit. When I clicked onto the link, it sent me to a pencil-necked geek telling me that neither Atlanta nor Baltimore was doing much for his fantasy team. There was no actual game coverage. (Actually, I'm sure there was, but it would involve giving out my credit card number.)
Then I just settled for following the game online, with play-by-play updated every 30 seconds or so. This would've been fine, except that it caused my computer to freeze. Granted, my laptop still has Windows XP, which is two releases and five years ago, but I've never had many serious problems with my laptop.
When my computer finally settled down, though, I did notice this from the play-by-play of the game's final final drive:
1-10-BAL 9 (:16) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass deep middle to 86-T.Heap to BLT 27 for 18 yards (50-C.Lofton). BLT-86-T.Heap was injured during the play. His return is Questionable.
His return is questionable? Seriously? THERE WERE 16 SECONDS LEFT! THIS WAS THE NEXT-TO-LAST PLAY OF THE GAME! I'm pretty sure Todd Heap wasn't coming back.
Anyway, I look forward to moving somewhere that has NFL Network again. The NFL is still better on TV.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The National Debt -- It's a Big Shit Sandwich, and We're All Gonna Have to Take a Bite
The United States of America has a $13.8 trillion deficit. If you can't figure out that this is unsustainable, you need a brain transplant. We all worry about the looming threat of terrorism -- and we should. But the biggest threat to the future of this nation is not al-Qaeda but the crushing national debt. Someday, the bill collectors will come calling, and they won't accept a payment plan.
ABC News ran a story a few hours ago about the bipartisan Debt Commission, which has made recommendations on cutting $4 trillion from the national debt by 2015. There's something bitter for virtually every resident in America to swallow. Say goodbye to the popular mortgage and most other tax deductions. The U.S. Government would cut its work force by 10 percent, and those who stay would have their salaries frozen. One-third of military bases overseas would be closed, and military spending would be cut drastically. More low-income people would have to pay taxes, and high-income people would have their Social Security benefits reduced.
When I was still a reporter, I once covered a proposal to build a Target in a small town in Connecticut. The next day I was shooting the breeze with a member of the Board of Selectman, who told me his phone rang off the hook that day, with both pro-Target people who said my story was biased against Target, and anti-Target people claiming my story had a pro-Target bias. He told me that's how he knew it was a fair and balanced story, because both sides felt I was against them. I'm sure there are things that could be tweaked here and there with this deficit reduction plan. But to me, the fact that it will ding everybody somehow means it's probably good public policy.
Of course, the politicians are already lining up to oppose the plan. Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said it's "simply unacceptable." Rep. Jan Schakowski, D-Ill., said "I agree that the debt and the deficits are unsustainable, but this is not the way to do it."
Then what's your plan, Congresswomen Pelosi and Schakowski? Are you gonna write a check for $13.8 trillion out of your personal fortunes to erase the deficit? Or are you gonna vote yourself a pay raise in the next session like you always do?
And, in a way, this is our fault. Last week I blogged that we get the government we deserve, and I'm gonna keep blogging it until people wake up and realize we need to start electing a different breed of politicians into office.
ABC News ran a story a few hours ago about the bipartisan Debt Commission, which has made recommendations on cutting $4 trillion from the national debt by 2015. There's something bitter for virtually every resident in America to swallow. Say goodbye to the popular mortgage and most other tax deductions. The U.S. Government would cut its work force by 10 percent, and those who stay would have their salaries frozen. One-third of military bases overseas would be closed, and military spending would be cut drastically. More low-income people would have to pay taxes, and high-income people would have their Social Security benefits reduced.
When I was still a reporter, I once covered a proposal to build a Target in a small town in Connecticut. The next day I was shooting the breeze with a member of the Board of Selectman, who told me his phone rang off the hook that day, with both pro-Target people who said my story was biased against Target, and anti-Target people claiming my story had a pro-Target bias. He told me that's how he knew it was a fair and balanced story, because both sides felt I was against them. I'm sure there are things that could be tweaked here and there with this deficit reduction plan. But to me, the fact that it will ding everybody somehow means it's probably good public policy.
Of course, the politicians are already lining up to oppose the plan. Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said it's "simply unacceptable." Rep. Jan Schakowski, D-Ill., said "I agree that the debt and the deficits are unsustainable, but this is not the way to do it."
Then what's your plan, Congresswomen Pelosi and Schakowski? Are you gonna write a check for $13.8 trillion out of your personal fortunes to erase the deficit? Or are you gonna vote yourself a pay raise in the next session like you always do?
And, in a way, this is our fault. Last week I blogged that we get the government we deserve, and I'm gonna keep blogging it until people wake up and realize we need to start electing a different breed of politicians into office.
Regis Is Getting Bad Financial Advice
There's a TD Bank commercial out these days where Regis & Kelly are window-shopping and happen upon an atrocious suit. Kelly says, "You should buy that." Then Regis says, "I don't know. I think my bank balance is a little low."
Seriously? After a decades-long career as one of the iconic figures of television, Regis has to check his bank balance to see if he can afford a bad suit?
What the hell is Regis spending his money on?
Seriously? After a decades-long career as one of the iconic figures of television, Regis has to check his bank balance to see if he can afford a bad suit?
What the hell is Regis spending his money on?
Monday, November 8, 2010
In Memoriam: Wade Phillips
One of the entertaining aspects of the 2010 NFL season has been the train-wreck that is the Dallas Cowboys. To be honest, I don't hate the Cowboys, or even have any reason to hate them (okay, maybe the whole We're-Gonna-Play-The-Super-Bowl-On-Our-Home-Field-This-Year talk this offseason got a little tiresome). But the circus atmosphere surrounding this season for the Cowboys has been fascinating.
Alas, the Cowboys 1-7 start and 45-7 shellacking at the hands of Green Bay last night was too much for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to bear, and he fired Wade Phillips on Monday. This is a great loss -- not for NFL coaching, but for people like myself, who enjoy watching coaches and their silly mannerisms on the sidelines. Whether he's scratching his chin, cursing after getting beat on a field goal on the final play of the game or or just running the gamut of his series of clueless looks, nobody made watching a coach patrol the sidelines more entertaining than Wade Phillips.
This is the third time Phillips has been fired as a head coach -- he also got the axe with the Denver Broncos in 1995 and the Buffalo Bills in 2001 -- so his head coaching career is probably done. You only get so many chances in the NFL. Phillips will be missed, if only for his goofball persona.
Alas, the Cowboys 1-7 start and 45-7 shellacking at the hands of Green Bay last night was too much for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to bear, and he fired Wade Phillips on Monday. This is a great loss -- not for NFL coaching, but for people like myself, who enjoy watching coaches and their silly mannerisms on the sidelines. Whether he's scratching his chin, cursing after getting beat on a field goal on the final play of the game or or just running the gamut of his series of clueless looks, nobody made watching a coach patrol the sidelines more entertaining than Wade Phillips.
This is the third time Phillips has been fired as a head coach -- he also got the axe with the Denver Broncos in 1995 and the Buffalo Bills in 2001 -- so his head coaching career is probably done. You only get so many chances in the NFL. Phillips will be missed, if only for his goofball persona.
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