Archives---March, 2004

..Tending to the onus of my Sunday morning television slavery and my wife's birthday leaves me no time for you people right now.  So, just move along.  There's nothing to see here.  That's right, just move along.  Excepting:  below mentioned Hillbilly Dictators Jihad announcement expected within the next 24 hours (8:26am EST @ mark).

...Gee, I knew this site was getting a growing number of hits, but I must admit to being very humbled in the knowledge that President Bush also benefits from these takes as well.  Mr. President, the email link is all over this site, so feel free to write should you have any other policy questions you need resolved.

...It is a rite of spring in these here parts, but those reading from outside the north Georgia area may not be aware that Atlanta is the pollen capital of he world.  Actually there are a couple other metro areas worse, but few.  Monday's pollen count approached 5200 (p/cm---I think).  This is on a scale that rates 120 as "extremely high."  Those who are sensitive, of which I am thankfully not one, live in abject misery; and even those non-sensitive folks end each day crusted with a lovely coating of plant sperm.  Memo to plants:  GET A ROOM!  Follow the play-by-play here.

...Here's the deal with Dr. Rice.  Her public testimony under oath would be the most politically expedient move the White House could make, regardless of whose story one believes.  Nonetheless, the Bush administration is quite correct in its efforts to maintain the integrity of executive privilege (not to be confused with executive hall pass invoked unsuccessfully by the Clinton junta).  It would seem the most logical solution is to carve into concrete that the September 11th Commission is an ad hoc anomaly, and that by agreeing to testify under oath, Dr. Rice in no way sets any precedent for presidential advisors being  subject to congressional subpoena, etc...And as an academic aside, this administration, either through the directive of the President or others, is determined to put some juice back in the executive branch.  Some would argue that such efforts would return the Presidency to co-equal status with the other two branches.

...Just more great hoops.  Very torn by the St. Joe's/OK St game.  Got the Cowboys winning it all in the pool, but how great would it be to have 2 A-10 teams in the Final Four?  No, I don't think Xavier can beat Duke, but I (and you) didn't think Xavier would be playing today anyway.  A Tech win this afternoon, and Gene the Caucasian puts three teams into the Final Four.  Such a deal.  Diagnosis on the UConn Okafor kid is "root nerve damage."  I'm not a neurologist nor do I play one on TV, but, in clinical terms, that sounds like a boo boo that would really ouch.

...Sympathies to our northeastern buds effected by the I-95 debacle, which probably includes anyone north of Richmond.  No doubt Abdul was watching with great interest.

...On the home front limited props to the folks at our neighborhood ER at Northlake.  Yolanda lost a brief skirmish with an azalea in her chain gang like gardening labors yesterday afternoon.  We quickly discerned that persons with more sophisticated tools than we had at the house were necessary the extract the intruding hunka hunka burning bush.  And from her outer leg, just below the knee, a beautiful half gram, quarter inch long baby piece of azalea was birthed.  Just the hassle of an ER that was a bit busier than one might expect on a Saturday afternoon.   Patient doing well with a prognosis of full recovery.  That's our household's third trip through that particular emergency room---each satisfactory.   

...It was ugly, but a win is a win.  Tech advances to the elite eight, with Suttle still holding onto three of his Final Four picks, including eventual champion OK St.  And how bout them Musketeers?  I count 2 A Ten teams standing.  That would be the same number as the Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 10 combined.  Anyone care to revisit the issue about the strength of my ball club's (GW) conference, in which they finished the regular season ahead of Xavier?

...Late lob at CBS.  We've already covered the fact that 60 Minutes is a fraud and has been for three decades.  Then they pay for the Michael Jackson interview.  Now Dick Clark and his book get half the freakin show.  Guess there was just so much to cover that there was no time to mention that the the publisher is Simon and Shuster, which is owned by Viacom, which also owns CBS.  60 Minutes---professional wrestling's gift to journalism.

...From our you just can't make this stuff up department comes a headline flashing across the TV one morning this week:  Monty Python to re-release Life of Brian in April.  That's funnier than the damn movie which is pretty damn funny to begin with.

...Hoops---Cowboy Up!  Gene the Caucasian picked Oklahoma State from the get go and still has another two final four teams alive.  Is there anybody out there who doesn't think Billy Packer isn't the poster child for AA---Assholes Anonymous?  I am always suspicous when "everybody" is of the same opinion.  Even if its his mother, please email with a redeeming feature for this cretin.  And, yes, I know no man is a failure.  He can always serve as a bad example.

...350 votes to increase taxes as a member of the most exclusive club in the country.  Were I the president, I'd have the number tattooed on my forehead.  Gut instinct has the junior senator from France as the Massachusetts Miracle x2.  And the plotting to assassinate members of Congress years ago.  Well, youthful exuberance and all that you know.  There are more pressing issues such as turning World War IV into a law enforcement action.  That police action in Korea sure went well didn't it?

...First dub of The Dictators CBGB  sound check finally made and forwarded to Sal.  More to follow as I now struggle with our ancient VCR (or a bad batch of blank tapes) to make copies now that neighbor Cindy has found the elusive transfer cable for her camera that we were so fortunate to have in NYC for the Honeymoon Haj.  Thanks again ladies for your indulgence in my monopolizing your electronics the past several months.  Thanks also to brother Sal for sending the care package with videos of both shows.  You da man!  Master Plan CD arrived this week.  They would be a lot of fun to see, given the Fleshtones connection, and the material is a bit more palatable to those less inclined towards the hard core.

..."Smells like a steak and holds 35.  Canyonero."  Hadn't seen that episode before.  A truly great line among the many TV's longest running show has produced.

...Geez!  Things were going along so nicely...GW men blown out by Virginia in the first round of the NIT, then Colonialettes are trounced by DePaul (83-46).  Carolina loses a heartbreaker to Texas---great game that only one team can win.  Top that off and I'm in sole possession of fourth place in our pitiful four entry bracket, but still close with all final four teams alive and well (3 play today).  More cogent thoughts once the sweet sixteen are finalized this evening.  Truly four of the greatest days in American sport.

...in the "and a young man's fancy turns to baseball" department, Sal reports that his World Series defending champion Cubbies are bringing back serious talent from last year's squad.  Don't know the whole drill, but played my last year of official Little League in northern Virginia/DC (shortly after Lincoln's assassination) on a team that had for the most part been together for several years, as they climbed the age ladder.  Its a pretty cool system and the familiarity makes the kids better players.  So, good luck and thanks for all the goodies received yesterday.  I shall wear my Warrendale Little League shirt with great pride.

...Speaking of the Warrendale Little League, the official benefactor of , Sal sent along video of both December CBGBs shows.  Have only watched the Saturday gig (the good one---sans tech probs) and can see both Yo and I bopping about periodically.  Good video and sound quality for a home video cam. 

...Will let the dust settle before weekend hoops takes, cepting a couple things...First, perhaps its just a sign of old age, but CBS makes watching these two days really tough on the viewer.  Viacom has plenty o media outlets so each game can be individually televised (which is receiving full TV coverage to begin with).  So what if some games are on MTV.  Better than this bouncing around which leaves the casual viewer bewildered as to waz happenin.   Best solution for me was real time internet scoreboards.  Yahoo seems to be the best and will be amended to reflect same---along with some other links to the bigees.  Make Suttle Sports your portal to cyber sports info.  Hey, I need the hits if I'm ever going to do anything with this site, so you may as well click though my site as type in urls.  Makes Suttle World your home page.

...Hoopdeedoo!!!  Garage sale dream come true!  Decided to stop in on a couple yesterday in the neighborhood, only to come across a 1971 edition of a Sports Illustrated Pro Football game for 50 cents.  Its in near mint condition.  Know it can fetch at least $50 on eBay, but the game geek in me wants to hang on to it, despite owning a different edition.

...Yes, I know it was spelled wrong.  Sue me...

...Neighbor Cindy is not only kind, but also intuitive in her continuing take that the video transfer cable would eventually turn up.  Perhaps it was the karmic intervention of  Deidra's recently concluded trip to France, but it has indeed turned up.  History:  The ladies were kind enough to loan us their video camera when we went to NYC in December.  The vast majority of what we taped was a Dictators sound check at CBGBs the afternoon of Saturday, December 6.  Of course we wanted to share this with other members, but have been technologically challenged by the absence of the aforementioned cable.  Others might describe it as laziness.  Regardless, dubs of the tape should be rolling off the old VCR shortly.  Speaking of CBGBs, picked up this little ditty for a buck on ebay last weekend.

...Link to my brackets below.  Thought I had a pretty good day at 12-4, but no! John and Yo pick 13 winners.  Just great games that don't require comment, merely the pleasure of witnessing same.  Witnessing this weekend in Denver, are Dad and Mary, following the Tar Heels.  We can only hope this trek brings them to Atlanta next weekend.

...Sixteen games today and Friday, a total of 32 contests between now and sundown Sunday.  The time for speculation regarding sleepers, and #1 seeds has now passed.  Time now to toss up the rock and behold the glory.  Speaking of which, dear ole Dad emailed yesterday to inform that he and Mary are headed for Denver to see Carolina this weekend.  I can only hope their trek brings them to Atlanta next weekend (UNC bracket).

...Though the charts and graphs relate that April 15 is the final frost date for Atlanta (insert joke here), spring has indeed sprung.  No doubt, there will be more than a handful of mornings which shall cause concern to many an early gardener, but with Bradford Pear, Cherry, Apple and Peach trees now in full bloom...Mere speculation on my part, but it would seem that last year's "wet" summer followed by a somewhat "normal" winter, might lead one to believe that this will be a pollen season of epic proportion as the local flora and fauna fornicates with wild abandon--- leaving area residents to sleep in the metaphorical wet spot created by hedonistic ways of the plant kingdom.  The seasonal Yellow Menace.

...No, I wouldn't know an Oklahoma State Cowboy from a Polynesian nun (excepting I would expect the Cowboy to be taller and weigh less---welcome to Gratuitous Comments R Us, how may I help you), so this year's brackets instead of matching all ACC teams in the Final Four, are a bit more realistic, without a #1 seed making it out of their regions.  Just over 24 hours and counting.  New NCAA Tourney takes just added a couple graphs down.

...Belated Sunday morning talking heads take:  Secretary Powell represented rather well, leaving me still undecided about the administration in the foreign policy department.  Regardless, the who knew what and when argument is important, but a would seem be a mere academic exercise under the shadow of this World War IV in which the United States in currently involved.  In that arena the administration gets it, where the junior Senator from France apparently does not.

...Now a bit of time (Wed pm) to wax poetically about the NCAA Tourney.  My brackets speak (or slur some might argue) for themselves, so just a few takes on my method regarding March Madness.  Tech comes out of the St Louis region, despite strong efforts from Zaga and Providence.  Kentucky lost to Georgia twice for God's sake, while Tech beat two different numbers #1's (Duke was #1 when they beat em in Cameron?  If so, how many other teams have beaten two different #1s in the same season?) on the road.  Anyone who wants to take Kentucky to win the region for even money, please email me.  I'm sure we can work something out.  Lot's o folks have Charlotte knocking off St Joe's, and I'm no exception.  Again, don't know much about OK St, but 27-3 in a decent league looks pretty good to me.  Duke showed too many vulnerabilities down the stretch and in the ACC tourney and won't get out of the Atlanta region, be it in the elite eight, as I have it, or before.  Reddick could shoot 73% in the tourney and prove me wrong.  MS St looks very strong---much more so than anyone else in the bracket.  Finally, in Phoenix, if I hear one more "expert" tell me how Maryland blew its wad in the ACC tourney and is primed for an upset, I'm going to take a hostage.  These are 20 year olds, who have 3 days rest, sans practice and travel.  Somehow, I think the Terps will be ready.  In fact, ready enough to knock off Stanford.  UConn, again, just seems faster and louder.  Final four is a coin flip.  Mine came up Oklahoma State.  Well, thar she blows.  Yeah, its wrong, but so is yours and yo momma's. 

...OK!  Time to dust of Gene, the Caucasian and his bodacious brackets.  Made the same picks on our Yahoo Mitch Madness pool.  Plenty of time to get in should the gentle surfer be so inclined.  $10 entry and no idea how many entries we'll fetch.  Email me for details if you haven't received an invitation.  More details below.

...Time doesn't permit full bracket breakdown.  Just one observation for now---Billy Packer is an amazing guy.  One would think that all the responsibilities incumbent in being the national asshole would be too demanding to allow for a broadcasting career as well, but somehow he manages to accomplish both.  Amazing!

...Hoops---The Colonial Nation is pleased with GW's effort this season, surprisingly so given their youth, so a trip to the NIT (which would seem to be deserved for an 18 win team) isn't such a bad deal.  This is doubly true for Georgia.  Despite the fact that one couldn't find the SEC tournament on TV Friday afternoon as Georgia played in Atlanta (pathetic), Vegas had to have their plus/minus at around 10 wins before the season started.  Of course, the UGA folks wouldn't know a basketball from a hole in the ground, but that's a different story. Meanwhile back on Tobacco Road, UNC/Tech was just a great game, excepting the final play, which is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever seen a Carolina team do.  Reckon the idea was to inbound to mid court and then call time out.  Regardless, it was ugly, but unlike BITD, its a moot point---the loss only possibly having an impact on where Carolina is seeded Sunday night.  Also noteworthy, that Tech was a consensus #7 pick in the pre season ACC polls, only to beat two #1's on the road.

...Tourney pool will be up and running (probably on Yahoo) Monday.  Will email the likely suspects inviting them to participate.  Should you have fears of not being a chosen one, email for details and you too can watch the 13 year old girl walk off with a couple hundred bucks, cause she liked the mascot.

...This little ditty making the rounds this morning, as the investigation continues into Thursday's train bombings in Spain.  The date is 911 days since September 11, 2001.

...Isn't it ironic that the left has picked up the mantle of economic isolationism in the name of protecting obsolete jobs while at the same time insisting the rest of the world have a say so in US foreign policy?  Last time I checked, the UN was ohfer in the war column. 

...Yeah, been slack this week with regard to these tedious ramblings, with little to add.  See previous take about St Joseph's and the A 10 tournament.

... is proud to announce the induction of yet another member.  Our second cyber applicant Steve Tully hails from Wisconsin as does fellow Jihadist Rob.  Steve caught on in the MWK era and has been a Dictators enthusiast since, having attended both CBGB gigs in December.  Steve's bio and other long promised updates soon on the Jihad page.

...The many now following the saga of Australian transsexual professional golfer Mianne Bagger can certainly empathize with her putting up an 84 Thursday in the Women's Australian Open.  The media pressure is bad enough, but the penalties for two lost balls every round must make things really tough.

...Friends and newly engaged buddies Karen Winter and John Lanza forwarded pics of a recent Deep Purple show they attended in Atlantic City.  John shares my love of Purple and was thrilled by their opportunity to meet and greet with the band back stage after the show.  Appreciate the pics guys, but one can't help notice that Ian Gillian looks 58 (10/19/45) going on 75.  Speaking of , The Fleshtones (who, rumor has it, are being considered as the band for the wedding reception) have Euro gigs scheduled through May.  So when does this Master Plan tour happen?  Will there be any US gigs?  And, more importantly, when will The Dictators come out and play?

...Martha guilty on all four remaining charges.  The streets of America remain free so long as this heinous criminal is protected from polite society.  Gut feeling is this is a Leona Helmsley kinda thing.  All those governmental resources and attention spent in a building that would have been in the shadow of the World Trade Centers if there were still the World Trade Centers standing in lower Manhattan.

...Sure there are scores of programs upon which one could pick, but the Georgia people have hair trigger buttons to push and are geographically convenient, so let the bashing continue.  This is the Jim Herrick, Jr. final exam and partially why he surfs monster.com on a regular basis now.

...Losing Madge was a real tragedy.  Now Marge joins Schottzie.  If I'm Midge, I'm worried.

      Madge 1917-2004                 Marge 1928-2004                           Midge ?

...Last week's email to Andy Shernoff asking if The Dictators could come out and play has yet to be answered.  

...Though waffling over the past several months, Suttle proudly marched to his polling place today and cast his vote for Rev. Al as originally promised.  Also voted for the non-Denny's placemat map.  With the new touch screen voting, it did occur to me that the flag issue could have had a "draw-in" vote.

...Reinforcing previous take regarding St Joe's and their perfect record.   The A 10 tournament is played in Dayton this year, where The Flyers enjoy a tremendous home court advantage.  If George Washington can have a decent week and win a couple in the conference tournament, they will have at least risen to the level of a "bubble" team that didn't get in.

...Thanks again to neighbor Cindy for the ducat to see the Thrashers yesterday afternoon.  Great seats---2nd row upstairs on the red line, or $50 a throw.  Thrashers skated to a 3-2 win despite not playing well enough to merit two points, excepting when one plays teams in disarray such as the Rangers.  Got to see Messier again, which I do every 20 years or so whether I need to or not.  Also probably saw my last NHL game for some time.  Doesn't appear there will be a season for 2004-5 and perhaps 2006.  Its all good.  Gladiators=$10 and free parking.

...I think it was the television this morning that was telling me that no one had a job and we were all going to die from Ebola when they interrupted their programming.  During the pause I learned I can now get automatic folding third row seats in my new Lincoln Navigator (the only one with electric running boards).  Many thanks to Ms. Cindy and her invite to the Thrashers matinee.  It shall prove to be a worthy distraction from this incredible dissonance.  

...Mega congratulations to Dictators web maven Karen Winter and her newly betrothed John Lanza on the announcement of their engagement this week.  John and Karen are both wonderful folks and we wish them nothing but the best.  It seems impossible that Karen and I first met only 10 months ago.  The obvious question is if they go the conventional wedding route, will they have to hire a band?  Pics of the happy couple here.

...Couple inches of snow and Atlanta finally has its winter event of the season.  Unfortunately the frozen precip wasn't well predicted and fell in the wee wee hours of the morning sparing the metro area the opportunity to panic.

...BIG NEWS!!!  Found the Sports Illustrated All Time All Star Baseball charts on the web.  To the fanatic of the game produced only in the early 70's, it is much like finding the Holy Grail.  Needless to say, Larry and I are thrilled and eager to find others to put together a league or weekend tourney or something.  You too can play the all time Indians.  You can bring Firpo Marberry in from the bullpen.  Early results of first games played in 25 years:  Larry takes both ends of a doubleheader---All time Yankees beat All time Braves 6-5, 3-1.  

...Its official, the Atlanta Table Hockey League has been created.  Though we lack gear and sufficient membership to sustain any meaningful competition we remain undeterred.  For more information, contact Chief Operating Officer Larry Rich.  Tuesday night league kinda deal, with two or three month long seasons---hey, there were no takers about poker, or Wiffle or ....

...There's a harmonic convergence beginning to surround Richmond in late July.  The Professional Putters National Championship, the Richmond Braves and 24 duck pin lanes.  Not exactly a Haj but pretty darn close.  Weekend of the July 24.  Book your reservations early, so you don't get shut out.

...Where's a good Nunally Candy when you need it?

...New Diplomacy game to begin Friday night (first move due then).  Yours truly (still working on that person thing) is Germany.  Follow all the action at here.  Enter the game  name "bulkington" and you can monitor progress.  Input welcome as well as others who may be interested in getting a face-to-face game going, or a private game involving other geeks you may know across the fruited plane.  If Diplomacy and the like aren't your cup of tea, how bouts a poker game this weekend?  $20-25 buy in; .25 and .50 stuff.  Email with ideas.