Archives---February 2005
February 28, 2005
...Word on the street has it that there was some awards show on TV last night. The only thing interesting about the Academy Awards is the frenzy that surrounds the event, but science has yet to create an instrument refined enough to measure my indifference to the entire affair. Millions of others have a much different opinion, which is fine in that it appears that no animals were hurt in the production of the production, but this begs a much bigger question that I have never understood about TV programming. When a mega viewer event comes along all 200 other cable channels punt. Memo to other 200 channels: there are a hell of a lot of us out here in TV land that wouldn't watch the Oscars with a subpoena, and, consequently are in search of alternative programming. The history of dirt, infomercials or Pee Wee Herman biographies just don't cut it.
...So old Hunter Thompson ate the Egg McMagnum during a telephone conversation with his wife...(insert joke here).
...Less than a week now before my blushing bride and I attend a performance by one Mr. Elvis Costello. I make it a habit to see him every 25 years whether I need to or not. In this case, it is a most highly anticipated event.
...Belated in relaying intelligence concerning our favorite newlyweds, John and Karen Lanza. The couple took up occupancy of Karen's Manhattan flat following last October's nuptials and have now purchased a home in Connecticut. Pics of the real estate are unavailable at present, but in addition to the link above featuring pictures of their grand engagement last year, now comes a pic of the newly wedded couple on the big day.
February 27, 2005
...Having now had the honor of being corrected by
a shout out by none other than Paul IV himself, I feel compelled to take this to
the next level. What with heretofore unknown knowledge of Solon, Solons
and screeching owls (blood curdling scream just doesn't have the same ring) and
all, the Montpelier High School march to the Vermont Division 2 State Basketball
Championship is worthy of a page in and of itself. A Herculean
effort? Well, yes, but no onus is too great when an issue of such import
is at hand. So behold a multimedia experience extraordinaire that can also
serve as something of a clearinghouse for those with limited skills, such as
myself, to figure out the secret handshakes necessary to make sense of this fine
Yankee rite. So behold 
Oh
yeah, they won yesterday 59-52 and play Springfield in the Barre
Auditorium (The Aud) Wednesday night in the semi-final round. Finals
are Saturday in the same venue.
...Meanwhile, a last second bucket pushed visiting GW over Dayton yesterday afternoon and securing the Colonials hold on first place in the A10 western division. In other George Washington news, the baseball teams upends #9 Miami with a three run 9th, culminating in a bases loaded squeeze play. Colonials v. Hurricanes again this afternoon in the sunshine state.
...Talking heads time. Without objection, permission to revise and extend my remarks later. So ordered.
February 26, 2005
...Big hoops day. Its do or die for the Montpelier Solons as they play their quarter final match up this afternoon at 2:00, hosting Lyndon. Meanwhile GW has a matinee of their own against the Flyers of Dayton---also a must win. Stay tuned to Suttle World for updates as they happen.
...And while we're on the court all are no doubt curious about the Suttle World take on John, Marty Feldman, Chaney. While one has to have some degree of admiration for the old school mentality, he's gotta go. Basketball is a very physical game, but not one in which it is appropriate to deliberately fracture the limbs of opponents. Must have been fun to watch though, sorta like a scene out of Slapshot.
...Per earlier take, a the week's start oil spiked to $51+/barrel, the market was going to crash and burn and we were all going to die; but when the bell sounded Friday afternoon, the DOW closed at a high for the year. Nonsensical?, yes, but that's always the case on any given day. The only slam dunk is the market's performance over extended periods.
...Weekend TV sports listings here
courtesy of OUR friends at 
.
This includes the PGA match play event in which every player of interest has
been eliminated. On paper, match play is a welcome change of pace.
On TV its quite another thing. How bout we just fast forward to Doral, TPC
and The Masters?
February 25, 2005
...Its intuitively obvious to even the most secular casual observer that there's a white smoke event coming sooner rather than later, but I was curious by the wall-to-wall coverage each of the cable news networks went into yesterday afternoon. The Pope's death will be a wall-to-wall event, but until such time, there's not that much to cover guys. The interim does afford the opportunity to reflect on a pretty tough dude. Survived the Nazis, the Soviets, a perforated belly, Parkinson's and yet has afforded the flock worldwide more personal face time than all his predecessors combined---setting the benchmark for the modern papacy. Even in his recent feeble state he continues to a teach powerful consistent message to the faithful that isn't lost on even a godless heathen such as yours truly.
February 24, 2005
...The Solons? Don't get me wrong, its a great word, but defined simply as "wise lawmaker;" Reckon Jumbo Shrimp was already taken or just costs more because of the extra letters and all. Aside from the fact that every third adult in Vermont has a seat in the state legislature, I'm not sure I get it, but I'm sure I don't get whatever bird it was I was looking at yesterday on the school web site. A vulture perhaps? Regardless, the important thing is that Paul Waring IV poured in 10 big Cat points (including a crucial late run busting bucket and resultant frito---take that dad!) as the fourth seeded Solons of Montpelier High School advanced to the quarter final round of the Vermont Division 2 boy's basketball tournament with a 68-54 win (in dare I say, their octa-final round) over Bellows Falls. Next up is number five seed Lyndon, Saturday afternoon in Montpelier. Both teams enter the game with 16-5 records. Stock up on Pepperidge Farms cookies and stay tuned to Suttle World for updates as they happen. Sage advice such as that offered yesterday, that no doubt played a huge role in their wire to wire win, will be dispensed in good time. UPDATE: Full story from the Times Argus here, though published AFTER Suttle World's scoop.
...Just as Ohio had the final say so about Washington in the political arena last fall, the Buckeye state would seem to carry similar sway as to the outcome of George Washington's basketball season. The Colonials were blown out last night by Xavier and play Dayton on the road Saturday---its a desperately needed win that, combined with two walkovers next week, would make for 20 wins before starting the A10 tourney.
...Oil at $50 = chaos in the markets, with all clueless as to which direction, if any, anything is headed. There's temptation to move to the sidelines, but the fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain sound, with many companies flush with cash. 10,000 or 11,000 next for the DOW? Flip a coin. Just remember: its a stock pickers market. That'll be $250 please. Thank you for calling Suttle Trade, my name is Gene, how may I help you?
February 23, 2005
...
One third of over 74,000 United States Marines were killed
or wounded in the fight for Iwo Jima that culminated in this momentous event 60
years ago today. And no, this particular photo of great fame, the most
reproduced photograph in the history of the medium, and inspiration for the
Marine Corp Memorial in Arlington was not staged.
...Definite bulletin board material for the Montpelier Eagles. Now I'm sure its the Eagles. Looks like an eagle on the web site, but it could be a hawk or a loon for all I know. I do know the web site NEVER IDENTIFIES THE AVIAN CREATURE! Regardless MHS gets called out by the Times Argus---suggesting the higher seeded good guys will have trouble in their own house against Bellow Falls tonight. Suttle World respectfully suggests the birds of uncertain identity be mindful of The Handsome One imploring The Dictators guitarist extraordinaire to "Show em where you live, Ross!" Ross the Boss always responds in a spectacular manner as no doubt MHS will tonight. For the record, what's at stake is the quite rightly coveted Vermont Division 2 High School Basketball Title. Tonight marks the first game of a sixteen team, single elimination tournament. Results and highlights to follow. Click above link for bracket.
February 22, 2005
...
Duly admonished by Ms. Yolanda, Suttle World
apologizes for overlooking the final chapter of a great cinematic story: Gidget
Goes Six Feet Under. Yes, we bid adieu to Sandra Dee at the
tender age of 62. An icon of the Beach Blanket Bingo genre that
infiltrated screens o plenty across the fruited plane some forty years
ago. Sorry, that's all I got---its Gidget for God's sake.
...
In
sharp juxtaposition, we also note the self inflicted room temperature status of
Hunter Thompson. His work was brilliant, but, unfortunately many young
folks accepted his work as journalism and went on to study and practice the
craft in a similar matter. Gathering factual information and presenting it
in an understandable manner should not be confused with highly entertaining
accounts of rubbing elbows with the A list crowd in a drug induced haze.
...Word from near the Arctic Circle finds junior Paul Waring IV and his fellow Montpelier HS cagers a fourth seed in the sweet 16 Vermont State Basketball tournament, beginning play tomorrow night. More details as time allows.
February 21, 2005
...Only 43 guys, well, really 42 because while Grover Cleveland rightly counts twice, he's still the same dude, have ever held the office of President of the United States. Toss out the relatively short tenures of Ford, Kennedy, Harrison, Taylor, Garfield and Harding (a total of about 10 years out of the six) and we're down to well under 40; and of those, we have only a birth defected handful of guys since the steam made the wheels go round and round. It may well be worthy of note, that guys is an androgynous term, and while it has been a totally testosterone based party to date, all are welcome. We'll take Lady Thatcher for $1000 please, Alex. But, believe it or not, I digress. Not sure there's really a point in our little math exercise, excepting that its a small club and the cause of an infinite amount of considerations about the office and those who have held it---at least for yours truly. I'll spare the rants for other times, and instead re-recommend Neustadt's Presidential Power. Though now over 45 years old, its still the text book of the modern presidency and has been on the night stand of the living quarters in the White House since its publication.
...Also recommended reading is the current non-fiction bestseller Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Its a fascinating exploration of cognitive function and the benefits and problems associated with instantaneous/intuitive v. deliberate/rational decision making. Makes your think about thinking. Very readable and just damn interesting.
...Hang on gotta make a couple clicks...OK, props to Jeff Gordon for your third Daytona win and for not being named Ricky, Dale or Ernie. No disrespect, but I really had no clue as to who won until just now. Nice they got in all 500 miles this time too. Also props to...wait a sec...OK, the East for their big win over the West yesterday in the NBA All Star game, another unknown result until this writing. Tech should say excuse me, but take the win anyway in a whacky ACC finish Sunday against Florida St. Meanwhile GW drops the rubber game of an early season 3 game series in Statesboro against Georgia Southern over the weekend, while the Colonial Babes beat Xavier in OT to claim a share of the A-10 West lead.
...And for those of you who picked up on the Steinbach thread in a search engine, email me for details of the big Suttle World Steinbach President's Day sale!
February 20, 2005
...GW coasts to win number 17 against Duquesne yesterday afternoon. This reminds me of a belated shout out to Savannah State for eclipsing the Colonials previously held distinction for losses in an NCAA season. And yes, per dude on Around The Horn, I am shocked they have dropped the women's bowling program the very same week the basketball team finishes a winless season, and fires its coach only days after the death of Dick Webber. Oh, the humanity. Again, its this week where the rubber meets the road as the Colonials travel to Xavier and Dayton; then close out the season March 1st and 5th (both on TV) against St Joes and Rhode Island. There's always the win the tournament route to the dance, but having the RPI Gods on one's side is even better.
...Steinbach Nutcrackers! Get your red hot (well, maybe there's a more appropriate term) Steinbach Nutcrackers here! Peddling a few on eBay the last several years has been somewhat successful, but tedious. Now inquiring of collectors and dealers who may be interested in a lot or two of the remaining 15 or so. I write this paragraph only because much more obscure references than this have brought emails from seemingly out of no where from really neat people (like Edward and Blair Tanner and Jon Kincaid of recent vintage). As to this subject, I'm not terribly concerned so much about their neat quotient as I am about their cash, but you get the point. So if you know of someone who is in need of, or if you should yourself be in need of a mint condition Steinbach Nutcracker in its original packaging, Suttle World is your one stop shop. Seriously, now that the search engines have been covered, should you find yourself here because of a search, email for details. There really is a collection of about 15 full sized Steinbach's should you have an interest.
...Nearly talking heads time and little else to relate. Still no takers in the standing long weekend gaming invite.
February 19, 2005
...A very average mid-February day for the ATL in the meteorological department. One our brothers and sisters in the northeast would envy. Still, long time denizens are guarded by lower GI rumblings that foretell of a yet to be realized winter weather event of some significance. The sun and upper fifties will also birth the predictable worry of the early flora and fauna "blooming/budding too early"---a tedious whine repeated each year about this time. Sort of like yesterday's Iraqi flagellation deal, just much less faster and louder.
...The big event's for President's Day Weekend are akin to the Blue/Gray Classic in Suttle World. Neither the NBA All Star Game nor the Daytona 500 (or maybe the 287, we'll let you know later) hold any interest. These are the dark days of sport. A time when one is already ready for hoops conference tournaments. Still here are your weekend TV Sports offerings.
...On the local scene---a Ridge/Mokian encounter yesterday in beautiful downtown Tucker. The lad was doing the skateboard thing as brother Moke patronized Matthews. Apologies for not returning your call yesterday afternoon. Aforementioned nephew Ridge ended up spending the night with a friend nearby, and we hit Sangria's and called it an early night. Speaking of which, brother Bill responded almost immediately to yesterday's plea for folks to "come out and play" but failed to answer the bell/phone as the evening waned. No Amber alert posted yet. Via email we hear that brother Paul and his multitudes are doing well among the now snow covered Green Mountains, and indicates he'll be in town in March. Updates to follow.
...Had it wrong, the Colonials host the Dukes of Duquesne this afternoon (2:00). A win would make for 17 in reach of the elusive 20. The current RPI is 66 (not good). Surely a two win week could inch em up a little.
...Without objection, permission to amend and extend my remarks...
February 18, 2005
...We bid a bon voyage to those who have had the wisdom of following this weekend's Suttle World travel trip and are en route to the Queen City (insert joke here (damn, I'm funny---scaling new heights of literary idiocy with triple entendre)), Charlotte, to catch Cruis-O-Matic Saturday at the Double Door Inn.
...Be sure to look for great deals on parenthetical phrases (on sale soon---here at Suttle world, in, a yet to be created, on-line store). Also, believe it or not, we'll also have tremendous prices on ellipses...
...If you find great amusement in Philippinos nailing themselves to crosses, then the you'll think the video of the funky chicken self chain flagellation going on today in Iraq to be uproarious. Sorta looks like the Florida A&M band's salute to sadomasochism, but, hey, smoke em if you got em; different whips for different folks, and all that...The only thing I'm confused about is this "body is a temple" concept that forbids (depending on your particular faith) consumption potentially dangerous substances from alcohol to caffeine. That part makes sense, but it seems a self administered south Georgia ass whooping would also be on the list.
...Long weekend for many---any gamers around? Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor would be delighted to host any of a number of wholesome activities. There's always Diplomacy---sure it takes the better part of a day to play, but a day chock full o fun; or perhaps a good old fashion poker game---nothing too serious, a $20-25 buy in or some such. And we've still got the "host a murder mystery" thing to unwrap. Interested parties should contact via their medium of choice, like email.
...Pitchers and catchers have reported, by God.
February 17, 2005
...Busy herding cats the last 48 hours or so (at least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it), ergo a dearth of scintillating commentary lately. Not that there has been a lot going on to miss.
...Speaking of things not going on, the NHL officially cancelled the 2004-5 season yesterday. It was a foregone conclusion before this time last year that there wouldn't be hockey, but some recent movement by both players and owners held out "hope" for a settlement/salary cap. The NHL may not be dead, as contemplated on this page previously, but it certainly is better served by calling it quits as opposed to a farcical "mini-season" that would have done more harm than good. The prospects of play resuming this fall now appears to be a a better than even money bet, but I've been able to survive hockey depravation so far, and don't anticipate buying many $50 tix if the Thrashers do lace em up again in September.
...Props to my former employer Choice Point for peddling the personal identity info on over 145,000 folks to a fraud ring. Memo to Choice Point: don't answer those emails about Nigerian money transfers. Word has it some are not legitimate, but I can hook you guys up with a great deal on Viagra.
...The Los Angeles Times reports that a big tree hugger group is asking that polar bears be placed on the endangered species list. Its all because of global warming you know, or so say the advocates. Of course, this ignores the fact that there are 25-30,000 more of Yogi's cousins bumping around than 30 years ago, but any organization smart enough to endorse the Kyoto treaty must be on the right track. Of course, because the U.S. is not a party to Kyoto, we're all going do die, with the non-endangered endangered polar bears going first. What to do? Its certainly not the bear's fault---they had no paw in producing hideous greenhouse gasses (well, maybe they do a little, but that's another story) that are going to end life as we know it on planet earth. Now how we managed to triple the world's population and double human life expectancy since the industrial revolution is of no consequence and should be ignored---pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Regardless, we've gotta save these bears. The only solution would appear to be adoption. Yeah, your a/c bill may go up some, but can't you find it in your heart to take a overheated polar bear into your home? They're great with delinquent children and are a real help with those pesky infestations of spawning salmon that always seem to be scurrying around.
...In other lesser mammalian happenings the good news is that a weenie starter dog didn't win. The bad news is once again the overt bigotry against big, stupid, slobbering dogs was obvious as a German Shorthaired Pointer took Best of Show at Westminster this week. Hell yeah, we watch the dog show here at stately Roberts/Suttle Manor. Well, actually we watch the first hour of the first night to see the aforementioned big, stupid, slobbering breeds, and this year there's a newly recognized Westminster breed that is also now the new world heavyweight champion stupid, slobbering dog---the Neapolitan Mastiff. A seeming mix of St. Bernard and Bloodhound, this is dog in its greatest nobility. Visit the official website for the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club.
...GW whoops mighty Fordham last night, and Duquesne, despite being a roadie, should put a 17th notch in the win column Saturday. Its next week when we'll find out what this Colonial team is made of as they travel to Xavier and Dayton---both very tough outs for anybody on their own floors---Dayton being particularly brutal.
February 15, 2005
...Suttle World devotes a fair amount of commentary to bowling, albeit mostly in a farcical manner, but the death of Dick Weber yesterday is most worthy of more than a passing mention. Weber may not have put bowling on the map, but he was a giant in a sport that ruled TV through the 80's. As difficult as it may be to believe, ABC's regular Saturday PBA show consistently drew the highest ratings number in sports. Bigger than the baseball's "Game of the Week" (did you know that Tony Kubek got hit in the throat with a ground ball in the World Series?); bigger than the NFL. Weber was the Richard Petty of bowling, winning 26 PBA events, and his son, Dick, Jr., is second on the all time money list. It also seems ironic that his death at the age of 75 came just two days after last weekend's tour event in Akron, the Mecca of bowling, always hooked up with Firestone BITD.
...Belated take on a most excellent edition of Meet The Press last Sunday---the exchange between Pat Buchanan and Natan Sharansky was about as good as TV gets. Sharansky is truly an "only in America" story, except his endeavors weren't in America (though it was the Reagan administration that demanded and got his release from the gulag in which he had been held for many years). From Soviet political prisoner to the Israeli cabinet member---pretty good run. Anyway, he and Buchanan debated the notion of the "democratization" of the Middle East. Sharansky believes it to be worthwhile and doable. Buchanan suggests the attacks on the U.S. are motivated not by a hatred for American values, but by American policy of intervention in the region. Both are compelling arguments, leaving an objective observer with a real esoteric head scratcher. Amazing---a civil debate regarding the issue of self determination with which the world has wrestled for going on 300 years; on television no less without any jingoisms or predictable, clichéd pomposity. Perhaps there's hope for the medium yet.
...That will be $2.5 trillion please. Paper or plastic? That's the budget for the imperial federal government this year. To quote the nice folks at TopTips.com who provide the debt meter on the Suttle World home page, "its the entitlements, stupid!"
...Valentines was a red letter day at stately Roberts/Suttle Manor. Actually, it was a black letter day, in that Madam Roberts closed the deal with the nice folks at Crowley & Clarida, LLP. The details are to everyone's liking, pushing stately Roberts/Suttle Manor into the black for the first time in a while. Well done my dear.
...Pitchers and catchers report Thursday. I'll pause for a while to enjoy the whole coming of spring, rejuvenation notion that the Grapefruit League always invokes, and cast aside the roid deal for the time being.
February 13, 2004
...Television would appear to agree with my Colonials. GW took a double digit lead early in the first half and never looked back, breezing to a 17 point win over Richmond. Depending on how the bottom 10 (of the top 25) performed last week, GW may well be able to creep back into the polls Monday. A slam dunk betting strategy would seem to be emerging this season as well. The few teams able to beat Carolina on any given night are destined to get whooped next time out regardless of opponent or venue. Maryland's easy win over Duke yesterday afternoon is further proof. Contact your mortgage broker immediately, in that one could reasonably expect the Tar Heels to drop at least one more before beginning that six game run in March.
...Just as he would "go to the video tape," we go to the icon's, Warner Wolf, playbook to paraphrase today's Suttle World admonition: if you watch more than five minutes of the Pro Bowl, you lose!
...Much like nephew Ridge, many of you are staring at a three day weekend quickly approaching on the horizon---leaving you no excuse not to make the Cruis-O-Matic gig at the Double Door Inn, Saturday in Charlotte. In fact, its the perfect practice run for those who aspire to join the mighty Hillbilly Dictators Jihad---sort of a pseudo mini-haj if you will to help get you into fighting shape should a genuine Haj opportunity present itself. The completion of a Haj, of course, being one of the requisites to be considered for membership. Hell, a 5 minute cursory search reveals a non-skanky Days Inn for under $55 for two nights, and a Charlotte Checkers home games both Friday and Saturday nights. A southeastern travel opportunity extraordinaire. Contact Suttle Travel for all your magical mystery tour needs.
...Talking heads time, so I leave you with an assignment. Two ducks, a priest and a rabbi walk into a bar... Finish the joke. The best entry wins my 2004 World Almanac. The decision of the judges is final. Void where prohibited. GI Joe sold separately. Which reminds me to dust off the divorced Barbie line. She comes with all of Ken's stuff too. Sorry, its a compulsion.
February 12, 2005
...With all due respect to Neil Simon, Arthur Miller was America's Shakespeare. His work is the most compelling theater our nation has produced, and by all accounts he was a pleasant and likeable chap to boot. His death yesterday at the age of 90 ends one of the world's greatest literary chapters. And nailing Marilyn Monroe isn't a shabby entry on his resume either.
...One more reminder---George Washington on the tube this afternoon, as the Colonials take on the Spiders of Richmond at the Smith Center in Foggy Bottom (ESPN 2:00).
...Someone turn a fire hose on Phil! Geez, a 60 last week and a 62 Thursday?!! Beware the left hander, especially if he leaves the long stick in the bag on a regular basis.
...Congratulations to the DNC on their selection of Dr. Dean as chairman. He's an excellent, honest depiction of the face of the party. He can occupy the current Mt. Rushmore along with Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi, affording the American public with a good clear view of the Democratic Party.
...It has been a long time coming, but work is finally underway. The Citizens Revolting Against Potty Portrayals (CRAPP) movement (so to speak) has begun. The now ubiquitous pictorials began innocently enough several years ago---a few cartoon bears shitting in the woods. No, we were not particularly pleased at the depiction of Yogi reading the sports page while pimping Charmin, but we thought this would pass (so to speak). Had we acted then, perhaps we could have been spared the now copious piles of feted feces flung in our face by Madison Avenue on a daily basis. No, we do not wish to see Old Faithful made regular with Metamucil, nor do we wish to witness Imodium print ads depicting Santa in lower gastro-intestinal distress while stuck in a chimney. We are not amused by the Pepto-Bismol open orifice office conga line, and we are increasingly disturbed now that cartoon baby bears are now being lured into the woods by the older bears with the promise of soft absorbent tissue. Get a stall, for God's sake. The list of offenders is numerous and will soon be documented. You will then be called to action to demand that we be spared being subjected to other's call of nature. The first step in organizing a grass roots movement such as this is, of course, to create a really neat logo. Mission accomplished. Feel free to view, print and distribute our logo with pride and vigor as you await further marching orders. Just say no to number 2! Gotta go. Gotta go. Gotta go right now.
February 11, 2005
...Aside from Pete Rose, there is not a less credible person associated with Major League Baseball than Jose Conseco (those of you insisting Bud Selig be included, just calm down). Still, we are quickly coming to the point where the last decade of baseball will be the "yeah, but..." era. At present, I'm somewhat ambivalent and redundant as to whether I want a full breakdown of how roids altered the game. Yeah, its outrageous, but assuming some meaningful testing is put in place, I can be easily soothed by the beauty of the game itself and 135 years of recorded history that can even things out (damn, I'm funny). Another possible positive, is that much like the infusion of Euros into basketball, perhaps the end of baseball's Bluto era will give way to a greater emphasis on fundamentals. Who knows, maybe old school stuff like hitting a cut off man or the ability to bunt will make a come back.
...A weekend project may well involve mixing a periodic poll into the site. The first question: should I follow to dogs' advice when they talk to me, or are they conspiring against me?
...Another reminder, GW on TV tomorrow against Richmond (ESPN 2:00), and a damn good thing too, given the onset of NFL withdrawal. Pitchers and catchers reports next week. Speaking of which, it would appear as though nephew Ridge will be movin on up to the JV baseball team at Tucker High School, leap frogging his middle school peers. Details to follow.
February 10, 2005
...Simply no time for you silly people today. The roles of Jerry McGuire, Perry Mason, Shirley Booth, and Ward Clever beckon. Smoke em if you got em.
...Old school is old school, but not necessarily good school as witnessed last night by Carolina going Reggie Theus last night. Meanwhile, GW inexplicably has a second straight week without a mid-week game and a Saturday on TV. This week its a home against Richmond (2:00 ESPN).
February 9, 2005
...An Ash Wednesday blast from the past----long story short, I had a day to kill in NYC about 20 years ago. I stumbled out of Penn Station, and while bumping around midtown, I was struck by how much dirtier the city was from my recollection. It was at least two hours until I figured out it was Ash Wednesday, explaining why so many folks appeared to be chimney sweeps.
...Pickled herring is the official "give it up for Lent" item of Suttle World.
...Though there's 10 days left to hype the event, its never to soon to be making your plans to see Cruis-O-Matic and the Spongetones in Charlotte Sat., Feb. 19. The appropriate links are at the top of the page. We're also inside the four week window til the Elvis Costello show here in the ATL.
February 8, 2005
...Fat Tuesday. A few idle thoughts.
First, is there some sort of emesis over/under for the French Quarter
today? Then there are the recollections of New Orleans, the host of the
co-founders of the 
a difficult to believe nearly three years ago. Turned out
to be a great trip, with the city not nearly as awful as portrayed by many over
the last decade. The Dictators were great. The room/suite turned out
to be a great deal. Harrah's was giving away money and the weather was
splendid. The moral of the story is to visit the Big Easy a couple weeks
after Mardi Gras. During this window, you get the year's only livable
climate and they've had plenty of time to hose the place down since the party
ended. Just don't call the hotel on Fat Tuesday to confirm your
reservations. They seem really busy then.
...At this writing no determination has been made as to whether to discontinue life support for nephew Ridge. No, he's not sick or anything like that. Its a grades thing (or lack thereof), and disconnecting his life support is just one of several options on the table.
February 7, 2005
...Well I got the under right anyway. Though poorly played through the first three quarters, as Super Bowls go yesterday's contest had a fairly high entertainment quotient, with Philly backers happily heading towards the cashier's window. And aside from the residual hysteria in Boston, the ball is downed for yet another year. '05 regular season play begins Labor Day weekend. I do worry about our New England brothers and sisters, what with the Beanpot tourney beginning today. Just pace yourself as best as possible, especially those still hungover from the World Series thing.
...Pitchers and catchers report next week.
February 6, 2005
...Given today is not one of the high-holy days of the sports calendar, as opposed to the conference finals two weeks ago, the cheese-oid bunting would seem to be a bit too much. Probably so, given I fully expect the Pats to repeat handily (handily being a derivation of a horse racing term describing a type of workout---you're welcome). At this writing, the line remains an even seven points, with an over/under of 47.5. Neither is compelling, but consider one of the silly prop bets I bumped across---first touchdown scored. Kevin Faulk pays 22:1!!! No big plans for the big game---perhaps some of the usual suspects and a few Brauts.
...In the weekend's Suttle Dog Food Theory of Life of Life Theory exercise, it was the best of times and the worst of times. The good part was that the garbage picking up was done in time to catch most of the second half of the whooping GW put on Temple yesterday afternoon. Big win on national TV is a good thing, cause sports writers are no different than us mere mortals in that they can only watch one game at a time. On the other side of the ledger: first came word that the PBA Atlanta Classic was sold out for this afternoon's final ESPN televised matches. A bite in the old bowling bag indeed, but quite understandable in that it would appear that there are only a few hundred seats available in the TV set up. But causing even more dismay was the fact that Ridge and I were shut out of last night's Gladiators game. Sucker was sold out. Reckon being the only game in a town of nearly 5 million is a good thing---to the tune of a league leading average attendance of nearly 6500 per.
...After all the rhetoric and hand wringing, Social Security "reform" will end up being another exercise in rearranging Titanic deck chairs, but the President's "ownership" theme is one he would be well served to grab by the tail with both hands and swing over his head at every opportunity. On a purely political level, its far and away the best means for Republicans to gain a beachhead with "minorities." In the bigger scheme of things, one can only hope there's a snowball effect so that government begins to rediscover one's ownership of oneself. Alas, no time for discussions of natural law with a football game looming; and have you heard about that sophomore linebacker in Moultrie? You know the Dawgs are watching him real close.
...Its now fourteen months and counting. During that time The Dictators have played one twenty minute set. Once again guys---we're not getting any younger here! Speaking of which, 41 years ago (to the week), 73 million folks watched Paul McCartney on TV (Ed Sullivan). Over a hundred million will be tuned in tonight. Not bad, as show-biz runs go.
February 5, 2005
...Off to pick up the garbage. The names will be changed to protect the ignorant.
January 4, 2005
...This just in, the answer to every Trivial Pursuit boxing question, Max Schmeling, has died at the age of 99. And I didn't even know he was sick. In fact good ole Max transcended the game to become the default answer for any question that left one clueless. This sells Schmeling much too short. He was a heavyweight champion at a time when there were only 3 sports---baseball, horse racing and boxing. His fight against Joe Louis in Yankee Stadium in 1936 was the biggest sporting event of the century to that point. Schmeling also endured an underserved overt hostility, being affiliated with the Third Reich of his native Germany. Schmeling abhorred Hitler and spent much of his retirement affiliated with Holocaust victims causes. He paid for Joe Louis' funeral.
...Boxing to bowling segues work about as well as boxing to bowling segues, but here goes----The PBA Atlanta Classic continues in Norcross this weekend. The verdict remains out as to whether nephew Ridge and I will be in attendance, especially since tickets are no longer available on line. The notion of a ticket for the privilege of watching beefy people bowl, put Yolanda on the no go list post haste, but I see $15 bucks for a nationally televised once in a lifetime experience to be worthy of the expense. The Gladiators are also an option, especially since we haven't made a game this year. Gwinnett is at home Saturday night against the dreaded Pensacola Ice Pilots.
...If it would please the gentle surfer, the above paragraph shall be entered evidence as further proof the Suttle Dog Food Theory of life---won't go into the tedious details again; plus if you're not familiar and intrigued, you'll do more bumping around the site to discover.
...I would somewhat unenthusiastically lay the seven points Sunday, but given my horrific prognostication record for the season...For what its worth, this is the 39th Super Bowl and the favorite has covered something like 34 times.
...Just a reminder that the Mighty Fighting Colonials of George Washington University will be on the tube tomorrow taking on Temple in Philly (2:00 ESPN). Meanwhile I get to pay $50 and pick up the garbage even though I was never in the vicinity of the VW Microbus with the shovels and rakes and implements of destruction. Alas, but there is comfort in a repeat appearance next Saturday at home against Richmond.
January 3, 2000
...Though apparently waning, the ick has yet to depart, leaving a low probability (lower than usual) of any cogent comment on the President's State of the Union address, but for what its worth, the purple finger idea occurred to me as soon as the images of Iraqi voting started flooding in Sunday---not so much for the speech last night, rather the notion that throngs of Joe/Jane six-packs bumping around with their dyed digits as a show of solidarity.
February 2, 2005
...Suttle World regrets to inform the gentle surfer of infestation from some hideous contagion, resulting in a limited publishing docket for the near term. As has been the case in previous short absences, just bump around----there's still plenty out there you haven't gotten to yet.
...No, I don't know the story behind the ground hog thing, and given that the story ends with folks checking out a chipmunk/manatee hybrid on the second day of the year's longest month, I have neither the energy nor inclination to find out. Regardless, a wonderful and glorious Ground Hog Day to all.
...Shout out to John Paul II. It is my hope that both the Pope and I return to pontificating as soon as possible.
