Archives---May, 2004
...Yep, the home page looks a little different/worse. I'm playing, please Yogi with me. Suggestions are always welcome. And now come the oh so impressive local weather, with radar, by God. Brought back the Pravdaesque news ticker as well from the 7 AM folks. The major news organizations have yet to offer web plug-ins. As to whether the stock ticker will provide real info remains to be seen.
...With the number 7 draw, Smarty Jones has a great shot at the Preakness (see below). Following Beyer's lead about Imperialism, it may be worth a couple bucks boxing those two in an exacta that won't pay but $12 or so. As always, triple crown races rarely offer superior wagering opportunities.
...This is not genius insight, in fact you'll hear varying versions of this theme ad nausium next Saturday if you watch all the Preakness coverage. Smarty Jones is no Secretariat, but there aren't any other Secretariats out there to run against so post position is everything when it comes to next Saturday. Its the only race at a mile and 3/16ths run there, largely because the track isn't big enough to accommodate anything more than a mile and an eighth. The first three post positions are awful because they point at the rail---forcing these horses to move right to get to the rail. Combine that with Pimlico's notorious reputation for favoring speed on the rail and you get the most interesting race of the triple crown from a strategic/trip point of view. Regardless, if Smarty Jones doesn't get one of the awful draws, he's got a chance to win the whole enchilada. Not a prediction, just a real possibility. Also probably not a wagering value (over/under at post is around 2:1, 3:2) from which I shall stay away. Andy Beyer's take is that Imperialism is the better horse and simply had a really bad trip in the Derby, and he's one of probably a dozen people on the planet who ever made a damn good living betting the ponies.
...Don't think I've ever seen a triple play turned the "right" way prior to Wednesday's Braves' game 5-4-3 (runner at second=force out 5U). Of course Furcal had the unassisted triple play, which begs the questions of fewer of those or perfect games. More no hitters than hit for the cycle? More triple crowns in baseball or horseracing? If you know the answers or can see yourself in a deep discussion about same before arriving at an educated answer, you probably don't live in Atlanta. No, you might live in Atlanta, but you also belong to a select group of those who consider fundamentals, theory and x's and o's more important than a really neat pre-game light show or sausage races. God bless Randall Simon and his weenie whacking ways.
...Somewhat related (and on some levels contradictory), grip not about Spiderman logos on the bases at MLB games. I'm no George Will, but something of a purist. Still, consider: First, the league has backed off and its not gonna happen. Second, cable or dish bills notwithstanding, just keep complaining about commercialization, advertising and how TV runs sports while you watch any of a dozen live sporting events on any given day for FREE! We now have a large segment of the population that just takes this for granted. Young folks who didn't have to suffer through Kurt Gowdy and Tony Kubeck (second, and a distant second, only to Chris Berman and Mr. Nancy Lopez as the worst play by play team in broadcast history) for all those lonely years, with maybe a half dozen road games televised by a local network affiliate. They don't remember the NBA finals being televised on tape delay after the local news at 11:00. These are the good old days if one wants to take in sporting events and the only price of admission is the background noise of inane beer spots. Hell, I had to pay $6 to watch a minor league hockey game on the internet last weekend. I would have gladly endured some Bud Lite spots and kept my credit card in my pocket.
...Down go the 
!
Down go the Gladiators---3 games to 1 with a 5-2 loss Wednesday night in
Idaho. The inaugural season ending in the conference finals is a long way
from Suck City and they'll be the only game in town next year. Probably
will mean a few more bucks at the ticket window, but still an entertainment
bargain in a great venue. Well done guys!
...Out of 280 million Americans (give or take an illegal or two), how many could name each of the teams still alive in the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs? Certainly not his guy, and it kinda bothers me that it doesn't bother me. Lakers v. Spurs was supposed to be a great match up, but just can't get interested...and with the NHL retiring after this season...
...Yo and I forgot to remember to go see the Braves last night. One certainly can't say its too expensive. Tuesday's a two for one $8 seats. Wednesday's are two for $18 seats and any Sunday thru Thursday game affords four people tickets, parking, four dogs, cokes and a program starting at $49 for $12 seats.
...The itinerary for the '04 Summer Extravaganza is taking shape. It would seem as though we'll see baseball in Greensboro, Richmond, Winston-Salem, Durham and Augusta. Also included is the final round of the Putt Putt National Championship and 24 lanes of duckpin bowling at Plaza Lanes in Richmond the weekend of July 24. Priceline is giving away rooms---two nights in Richmond at Homestead Suites for under $65 total---including all taxes and fees!
...The Iraqi prisoner ordeal is unthinkable in its actuality and stupidity. It calls for immediate overt actions on the part of the President himself. But it comes down to a very unsavory yet simple equation---given that the Arab press has been force feeding this kind of stuff to its audiences for years (making it up as they went along), do real atrocities really mean anything more? Will anymore folks hate us any more? Most ponderous.
...Cubbies split double header to run their
record to 3-1. Gonna get the 
in better shape soon.
..A Monday morning off...
...A prolific Sunday,...
....
drop game three of the ECHL Western Conference Finals 2-1 to the
evil Idaho Steelheads last night in Boise. The best of five series favors
Idaho by the same margin, with game four set for Wednesday in Idaho. A
deciding game five, if necessary, will be played here (at the Gwinnett Arena)
May 9. It was also a breakthrough hi-tech night at Suttle World, as the
game was viewed via PC. Paid $6 and got the live "in-house"
video feed (the video one sees on an arena's "Jumbotron" mixed with
Gladiators radio play-by-play. Production wise, it was as good or better
than back in the day locally produced sports coverage. The streaming was
seamless, with the quality of ESPN Classic on a bad day/ early 70's video like,
or a BITD, can't quite the UHF dialed in right look. If you would have
told me five years ago that I would be able to...The game itself was pretty
well played. Both teams had a similar number of scoring chances and good
goaltending, but the Gladiators failed to turn on the red light but once, a
glaring weakness (the lack of a scorer) in what has become a pretty good hockey
club.
...Kentucky Derby post-mortem---had one put a gun to my head, I would have taken the winner Smarty Jones, but at 4:1 in an 18 horse stampede on an off track, there wasn't enough value to lumber to the window. Limited props the USTRA head dude, who in a rather extensive pre-race interview, outlined something of a game plan to better promote the game. Building a track in Georgia would be a nice start (10th most populous state in the union and all). But its a slippery slope. First horse racing and pretty soon Georgians will be buying beer on Sundays. An informal poll of hookers in the Atlanta area, reveals little political will among members of the General Assembly for pari-mutuel wagering here anytime soon. Remember, the only good gambling is government gambling---more specifically the lottery in which the house enjoys a tiny advantage of 50%. Yeah, its a boring, sucker's game, but still amusing to watch poor folks pay for middle and upper-middle class kids to attend college. Such a deal---a tax on stupidity. This is definitely good policy. Derby results chart here.
...Ok, less than an hour from post. An impossible to handicap race is on a muddy track at best. Nonetheless, a promise is a promise, so here's the wager, though I can't claim to having moved any money around to get down on it in actuality. $2 Four horse exacta box---10-- Imperialism, 12--Borrego, 15--Smarty Jones, 19--Pro Prado. $2 Accross the board---19--Pro Prado. Total Wager=$54. Worse the track, better my chances. 20 minutes will tell.
...Alas, may the successful wagers and governing authorities enjoy their portions of my imaginary $54. Tickets kicked to the curb. Close to a $150 exacta (Imperialism was third), but while close counts in horse shoes, it doesn't carry much weight with the tellers window. Preakness=May17. Note the date is only two days prior to the Joey Ramone birthday bash/memorial at Irving Plaza in good ole NYC. For just 52 cents a day (for about 800 days) you can finance my travel to both events and rejoice in my on the scene reporting. Just run it through my Paypal account on the home page. I will require a seat for Pimlico. Suttle doesn't do the infield of such events with 70,000 of his warm close personal friends who may have just had a little nip or two while waiting to never see a horse all day.
...This subject is getting tedious, but if I'm in this White House I start distancing myself from the Olympics as much and as quickly as possible. "We have given full cooperation to our Greek friends in their preparation for security, etc..." or some such new speak, so that when this fuster cluck blows up (and, God help us, that could be literal), I/the President/White House can say we did everything and more. It would seem that an anxiety disorder is not required to have legitimate pause for concern about less a savory incident as one looks at two major political conventions, a G-8 summit and the Olympics on the calendar this year.
...Sunday morning talking heads are well worth the price of admission if you go for the bearded lady/lobster boy kind of thing. Russert plays ringleader at a clown college of a show that will feature the distinguished United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and, God save us, Joe Wilson. Actually both have something sort of admirable in common---if you're going to be a professional asshole at least cash in on it as much as you can. Bob Schieffer does the two liberal one conservative thing with (R-CA) Randy Cunningham, Max Cleland and Tom Friedman (please say he's not related to Ross). Fox counters with Bob Dole and Mitch McConnell v. Joe Biden. ABC tosses out Mr. Personality, General Myers---do wish they would let George Will do his thing for the first stop set (til the 1st commercial break), and we could go on to be more productive citizens, given the show has as much going for it as does David Brinkley. I fret way too much time will be devoted to the NBA on the Sports Reporters. Two great series are getting ready to start (NJ v DET & LA v. SA), but give it five minutes and move on. So few are enthralled with to minutiae of the Lakers.
...Memo to Delta Airlines: "When every memory if gone,
And everything you know is wrong..." It was fun while it lasted. You guys still have a increasingly dusty trophy case of which you can be proud. You served as the poster child for all that can be glorious about how to create a highly successful business model in which everyone is happy (ok-airlines are highly regulated, and perhaps not the best market paradigm, but work with me here)---the American corporate dream. And now you fill the business parallel of the axiom that no man is a failure in that he can always serve as a bad example. It doesn't escape Suttle that hundreds of Atlanta area households are (and have been for some time) catastrophically affected by Deltas metamorphosis ( or change = /_\ = delta. Ironic, no?). Lot's of folks thought they had pretty well paid, secure jobs working for a company they really liked and felt a real part of. To say its unfortunate is an understatement, but the last Oldsmobile rolled off the line last Friday in Lansing. Its not that Delta is dead. Its just that there can be no doubt any longer that Delta is just another struggling airline in an industry that, as a whole, has yet to make its first dollar in profit since we started selling tickets and loosing luggage. Meanwhile, could Mayor Shirley get Southwest a couple gates at Hartsfield when she gets through setting up her kin folk with the duty free shop?
...Derby Day. The longest continually held sporting event in the good ole US of A in a sport that is nearly DOA. I have a great passion for thoroughbred racing and like most of my fellow enthusiasts, shake my head ruefully as the Sport of Kings becomes more marginal with each passing year; and the triple crown is part of the problem. For those not familiar with the game, the Derby, Preakness and Belmont are for three year olds. So basically what you're watching this afternoon is a McDonalds All-American game. The difference is while lot's of kids are going straight to pro ball, most of these horses will go to stud or foal if they enjoy any degree success. A handicapping axiom is that all things being equal, older horses always beat three year olds. Properly trained horses/mares typically reach their peak at 4-6 years old. The Breeder's Cup was supposed to fix this, but attendance and handles (not including slots) continue to decline industry wide. Its a pity. In 1950 there were three sports in America---baseball, boxing and horse racing. Two of those are nearly dead largely because they've been run with incompetent folks. Yet to look at The Racing Form (Derby past performances are free today here---.pdf file), so no prognostications, but check back for pre post time picks that will be losers cause these races are damn near impossible to handicap. Last Derby thing---got the pool ready to go---random draw at $5/ea. Will wander the hood this afternoon seeking entrants. I'll take the one left/18th pick---pool is $90 if I can get all 18 entries sold. Email with questions.
...Doraville (ATL suburb) authorities have yet to identify the naked man arrested driving an empty school bus on Peachtree Industrial Blvd Tuesday. He didn't have any identification on him.
...Also on the blotter today we have a memo to those perpetrating what appears to be a recent rash of home invasions: Yall come see us when you can. We have some lovely parting gifts for you, each weighing about one gram, 9 mm in width with a neat little hollow points.
...In the there may be hope for this world department comes word from fellow Hillbilly Dictators Jihadist Rob, who reports a recent trip to the local music store in Feta, WI (or some such place in rural WI) found the employee wearing a Ramones t-shirt and Dictators hat as Cheap Trick blared on the PA. Perhaps we can save rock n roll, or, at least, die trying. Speaking of which, The Handsome One (a/ka Handsome Dick Manitoba, a/k/a King of Men a/k/a Richard) has his bar's web site up--- www.manitobas.com . And while I'm at it, memo to The Dictators: take a deep breath, kiss and make up and schedule some gigs! Yes, I know this thirty year behavior pattern is as predictable as the swallows returning to Capistrano, but let's expedite the process. We're not getting any younger here.
...Cubbies win! Cubbies win! My command of the language is limited in many respects including the inability to write slurred words, so just read the first two sentences as though they were. OK, I'll give it a shot: "Heeeey! Hoooow bout un ice cole Butwiser?" Anywho, the Cubbies did win to move their record to 2-0, and I shall leave the rundown of the game to Coach Cincotta who writes:
Cubs played and won
game 2 last night, a tidy 3-1 win. Excellent pitching
by both Derek O'Toole, a 3rd yr lefty who turned in his
longest (3 innings)
and tidiest effort thus far, and by our ace Bobby Poillucci,
who only
allowed 1 baserunner in his 3 innings of work. There
was excellent defense
and virtually zero offense displayed by both teams, which
lead to many
yawns from the parents, who were otherwise happy with the
results, and
also with the fact that the game only took 1 hr 20 mins to
complete.
...No disrespect intended towards our fellow Jihadists Karen and John, but with the beginning of the Warrendale Little League (the official charitable organization of the Hillbilly Dictators Jihad) season in lovely Waltham, MA it seemed time to give some home page attention to Sal Cincotta's 2003 defending champion Cubbies. There was also that thing about John and Karen getting "enganged" which sounds more like a pathology than glorious event. Ysdlexia is fun. But let not your heart be troubled. Pics of the happy couple can still be found here. Suttle world will interrupt its regular programming to bring you updates as warranted with the approaching nuptials in October.
...Proving that there's no problem that a little grape Kool-Aid can't solve, witness the Jim Jones school of kid control.
...Put another hash mark in the NASCAR is not a sport column. Another race ended during a time out, but no one seems to care. Finishing a race under a caution flag is even more stupid than a shoot out to determine the winner of the World Cup (ironic both are about as boring as competition gets).
...The radar works!!! Behold the lovely green, yellow and red Doppler images brought to you on the home page.
...Never been to the Meadowlands, and will now have to put it in the list of sports venues that I never had a chance to attend. In October, when the Giants are 1-3, there won't be enough fire fighting resources in the entire northeast corridor to put out the stadium set ablaze by those oh so lovely New York fans. Eli may be all that, and I wish him nothing but success, but this screams of Hershel Walker. They gave up two ones and a five for Ryan Leaf or Jeff George? "Eli's coming. Get your batteries...."
...Today's pool is how long til the first bar room discussion of back in '04 when 22 teams went around their elbow to their assholes in order to get Manning in New York, and that the last anyone heard he was selling insurance in Biloxi. I've got June 2006. Meanwhile, with Stephen Davis off the board, my Redskins fill a big void at safety. Bring on the Gibbs machine. Hell, Dick Vermeil did it, and he's got the emotional stability of a heroin addict in withdrawal.
...Memo to NFL: why are you obsessed with this age thing. Teenagers are not going to become standard player fare. Michelle Wie, who'll be in town next week, notwithstanding, pro football is a game for big boys and its the penultimate meritocracy. Grip not and let a brother earn a paycheck. And now what becomes of big Mo? No NFL. Don't think Ohio State can have him, so what's a brother to do for a year? Can't see him at the Wendy's drive-thru. One can only hope its a productive year before he begins an over-hyped career that will end in obscurity within the average life span of a gerbil. Yeah, Maurice is overrated.
...While I'm at it memo to the Manning Compound: Its not like to old days Archie. Franchises routinely improve by eight games in a year. Don't whine about San Diego. They've got a more recent Super Bowl appearance than, oh say, the Colts or Saints. Plus, being Manning III is tough enough. Please don't dump New York and its life or death Giants culture/media upon him. Consider the weather. Consider sharing a locker room with Jeremy Shockey. Consider calming down and taking the $15 million signing bonus check to the bank. Don't forget to get a receipt.
...Speaking of the freak....errr.....Michelle Wie, giving serious consideration to going out to see her next Friday. Just seems like a great opportunity to get a "I saw..." experience checked off your list. And this could end up being way up their on the list. I shall never have another Michael! More info on the Chick-fil-A tourney at Eagle's Landing here.
...Not that it comes as a great shock, but there
is now some official mourning at the 
World Headquarters. Several band members appear committed to other
projects at present, which is a nice way of saying that some or all principals
have their respective undergarments entangled. Reliable Dictators
underground intelligence sources are temporarily unavailable, but a full
accounting of the back room intrigue shall be divined. Meanwhile, you can
follow the company line, and above mentioned projects, at 
.
...We're number one! We're number one! Atlanta named Spring Allergy Capital of the U.S. (story)! Yeah, I've been whining about this all season. Just wanted to bring in some objective observations. And, as always, you can follow hedonistic ways of the local flora and fauna, by way of the Atlanta daily pollen count.
...Hey, you got a bushel basket load yesterday, so today the Briefing staff slacks off a bit, dedicating some effort at further crafting a letter to our friends at the Federal Communications Commission.
...In the you just can't make it up department, McDonalds CEO keels over from a cardiac event at a franchisee's conventional in Orlando. Trial lawyers would have already filed in excess of 10,000 class action law suits by now, but most can't get out of their offices due to drool covered floors caused by their hyper salivation over the story. The family of the decedent has asked that orders be super-sized in lieu of flowers.
...Patriots Day...word from Boston is that the Warrendale Little League season should begin next week. The traditional opening day parade in Waltham is scheduled for April 25. Hillbilly Dictators Jihadist Sal Cincotta's Cubbies look to defend their 2003 championship. Check for regular updates here. Today also marks the ninth anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and eleven years since the Texas Fireball Massacre in Waco. Both of these events have been planned as wings in the Clinton Presidential Library, between the perjury and Whitewater exhibits.
...May I remind the gentle surfer who is so eager to buy the latest Bob Woodward book about the author's incredible talents. Remember, this guy is so good, he got Bill Casey to come out of a coma to reveal scores of hideous atrocities committed by the United States just before Casey died. Never mind that his family kept a continuous bedside watch during the last two weeks of Casey's life and don't recall old Bob being around, or that Casey was completely unresponsive to any stimuli during the last month of his life. Perhaps Woodward can be the focus of Mel Gibson's next cinematic effort.
...Sunday morning talking heads...280 million humanoids running around in this country and we get Kerry or Bush to be the most powerful man in the world. Perhaps George Carlin is right. Choice in America is an illusion, the only real ones we get are paper or plastic.
...Couple additions to the ever expanding list of
.
First, The United States Quoit Association
or USQA. Here, Troy Frey has built and maintains a sight devoted to the
ancient game of quoit. This guy gets it with regard to the internet.
His passion for an ancient and obscure activity is brought to life and promoted
through the glory of the world wide web. Quoit early and quoit
often. Speaking of links, sign up for the newsletter offered by the ticker
at the top of SUTTLE
SPORTS---I
get a dime for every subscriber from my page.
...Television is such a wonder, providing incredible insights into this whacky world in which we live. Up to this point I thought prosperity and greater knowledge of human reproduction were the root causes behind zero/negative population growth (not counting immigration), but after watching the old tube this year I have come to the conclusion that no male in North America has had an erection in the past twenty years. Is that a Cialis in your pants, or are you just glad to see me?
...Missed the President's speech last night and have yet to read a copy of same, so I shall save post mortems for tomorrow.
...From the better late than never department we get the President's address tonight. Regardless whether the administration's plan is to convert the entire Arab world to Christianity, I'm begging you to put forward clear objectives with yardsticks with which to measure. The Suttle Middle East Treatise is near, and the progress report on the President is not looking favorable. Memo to Senator Kerry: I can run a lame ass whiny campaign for half of what you're now paying. Break off an email and let's make a deal. Same goes for the RNC.
...The
is new and improved. Coach Sal reports the team
won Friday night to push their record to 7-4, securing first place for the
regular seasons and a place in the City Championship (whatever the hell that
is---not demeaning, just have yet to learn to intricacies of how them Yankees do
stuff). Yes, the term Yankee is deliberately used in the hope of pushing
at least Bostonian's "Niagara Falls" button. Remember, its never
too early to wait til next year.
...Kevin Garnett made sports writers/media (you know, the folks who haven't enjoyed the $100 family of four night at the old ball park experience and lecture fans on their demeanor) who penciled him in as MVP must feel rather smug this morning, and deservedly so. KG steps up and the Timberwolves get the Lakers for a shot a a midsummer night's final.
...Ok, so I didn't publish before post. Long story short is $20 worth of tickets paid $28.80. Needless to say Smarty Jones looked very impressive in the win. The Belmont probably won't have eight entries, so the triple crown is better than even money.
...Market appears to be in the toilet before Monday's opening bell. Despite sound economic footing at home, there's just too much uncertainty elsewhere for equities to stomach. The assassination of the Iraqi leadership, change on governments in India, an anticipated leveling of demand from China (which wouldn't be such a bad deal at the gas pump), etc... The DOW falling to 9,000 would appear to be a real possibility, though I would expect it to finish the year closer to 11,000 if the President is re-elected and there are no major domestic terrorist incidents.
...Much like Derby Day, I begin with some vital links and a few random thoughts having not looked at the free past performances available today at The Daily Racing Form. Also, an interesting free handicapping site that The Washington Post pimps---e-ponies. Its sort of a Beyer speed figures on steroids, computer analysis that shows promise in at least eliminating dogs. Still think boxing Smarty Jones and Imperialism in an exacta is my play, but will weigh in for certain by post time. Track live odds here, or will be starting around noon.
...Highly recommended viewing when repeated, is the History Channel's show on the MIT blackjack team/coup. An absolutely fascinating look into combining math, rigorous psychological training and just plain smarts to beat the house---legally. The show recounts their efforts in the early and mid 90's. Given facial recognition software and more hi-tech security gear, pulling off a similar endeavor today would even more difficult, but possible.
...It seemed reasonable for the market to tumble earlier in the week, but just as it seems to get its whit's about it, a 100 point day vanishes in the last hour of trading. Today is a triple witching day and so far, so good. Fundamentals remain great and energy prices are acting in lieu of the Fed. Just keep buying Band-Aids®.
...While still in playoff mode---too bad about Calgary. First, the Flames left 25 years ago. There is no attachment to Atlanta any more than the Twins have ties to Washington. Second, with the NHL about to gather together to sip grape Kool Aid from the Stanley Cup, a San Jose v. Tampa Bay final would have been most apropos.
...Oh to celebrate today's (5/19) holiday in the Big Apple. The Joey Ramone Birthday Bash is set for tonight at Irving Plaza. Check out the lineup and other wondrous related happenings at joeyramone.com. Also most noteworthy birthdays for May 19 include good friend and fellow Hillbilly Dictators Jihad co-Founder Bill Swartzberg, PETE FREAKIN' TOWNSEND, Andre the Giant, Malcolm X and Ho Chi Minh (five out of six aint bad, though the latter did inspire the high school colloquialism for that unpaved stretch of road in Chamlbee linking Shallowford and North Peachtree).
...We were going to go...but forgot to remember not to forget to go to Tuesday night Braves games, cause the cheap seats are two for one. So what if we missed the 15th perfect game of the modern era? I'm the guy who went to the diving range after Bob Horner's third homer, saying "what are the chances?" Just damn! Even worse, though I knew Johnson was starting, that also escaped me last night after we didn't remember to go to the ball park, and, consequently, I didn't watch a single pitch on TV either---opting for a hodgepodge of nothing instead of history in the making. Alas. Box score here.
...Fairly entertaining Lakers win, but still not in the groove, and now the hopes of a Tampa Bay/San Jose swansong Stanley Cup final have been dashed. Not to worry, the $25,000 Putt Putt World Championship is up for grabs in ten short weeks. Not to mention the U.S. Open in six.. Speaking of which...will spread by word of mouth, but notice be served here first---Sunday through Thursday Braves games offer a package for four folks---4 tix, PARKING PASS, 4 dogs, 4 Cokes and a program for $50. Sunday, August 22 = Giants. First one with a check for $25 gets the other two seats and the various accoutrements. The seats are $12 tix---check Turner seating chart for more details.
...Not following the Braves as closely as I should, its easy for me to say Cox should have gone to the bull pen well before he did in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies. The Smith kid gave em 6 plus great innings and was running out of gas as hitters got their third look at him. Regardless, this idiotic scheduling makes this 12 game Phillie/Expo stretch is heap big important. I asked for a pennant race...comforting to see the Burrell kid look as clueless in leftfield as Chipper.
...Another college sports take---the women's softball thing is still pretty tedious. All would seem to be outstanding athletes, but the game leaves something to be desired---still too pitching dominated, especially in a six inning format. This can make for compelling viewing much like watching Phil Niekro pitch in his prime---wherein the ball game could rest on any given pitch (see boys and girls, Phil didn't get much help, and pitching when you know you'll have to knock in the two winning runs yourself, makes the mental approach to the game different, than say, oh, Pedro). This is the same problem facing Wiffle Ball, and, as always, I have found the solution with a little help from my friends---more details later.
...Don't forget your NCAA Lacrosse Final Four starting today in Baltimore. Princeton takes on Navy at 11:30. The second game should begin around 2:00 and features Johns Hopkins v. Syracuse. The final game is set for 2:30 Memorial Day. The semis will be televised on ESPN2 with the finals on ESPN, and all much more entertaining than the annual go cart race in Indy. For seniors in these "lesser" sports its truly win or go home, in that it will probably be the last time in their lives that they will strap on the gear to play another competitive game in a sport to which they have devoted a lifetime.
...The Winter/Lanza wedding extravaganza has grown faster and louder with the official announcement mailing and the launch of a web site dedicated to the blessed event. The ceremony is set for October 9 in the Nutmeg State of Connecticut. As previously reported, Lanza is a great guy, but I had no idea the man had so much juice. The ceremony will be performed at church named for him; and who knew the guy had been canonized. All this time we believed sainthood was reserved for the bride in question.
...Political considerations make radical changes now impossible, but one can only hope a second Bush administration, and that's far from a given, will look much different than the present. Though I did not vote for the President, he appears to be a bright chap bent on doing what he perceives as the "right" thing. He also appears to be getting poor advice and counsel.
...This and that...Nephew Ridge has returned for a stint this summer. The incredible vertically expanding young man arrived Tuesday evening, with an open jaw return. As always, his presence is greatly welcomed. Though clichéd and overstated the 2004 Ridge model year is much faster and louder on a higher spiritual plane (of course, its so high; I can't explain) as compared to the '03 edition. On request, here's the easier to find link to the pic taken several weeks ago during a teenage nerve gas summit hosted at Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor. Academic summer boot camp begins next Monday.
...Sunday's pseudo soiree proved a success. Had a total of six, including hosts. Sunday also settled any argument about auto racing being a sport (see treatise on same). Entertaining?---in the eye of the beholder. Athletic? Absolutely. Sport? NO!
...Perhaps I'm operating with bad information, but my understanding is that this whole Memorial Day thing is intended to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to the cause of individual liberty and self determination as set in motion some 220 years ago by a pretty sharp bunch of guys meeting in Philly and New York. Given that the most remarkable of sacrifices has been performed millions of times over, let's try not to blow it. Just a thought.
...Usual suspects invited for a very informal get together this afternoon. Haven't seen Larry (the impotent president of the Atlanta Table Hockey Association) and his lovely bride, Peggy, in quite a while. Mr. Bill has promised to make an appearance (thanks again for the grub Friday), and perhaps the Moke himself, though I don't believe he is aware of the festivities as of this publication.
...For those keeping score at home, the Diplomacy game is going rather well. It began in early February. The game begins in 1901. We are now half way through 1907, with yours truly Kaiser Gino/Germany kicking butt. Check archives or email for link to details.
...Niece Jessica Roberts paraded across the stage at The Forum in Rome, Georgia Thursday night, graduating from Gordon County High School in the class of 2004. Forgot the digital cam so trying to get pics to post ASAP, as opposed to the file footage now being used. Most of those in attendance shared our failure to understand why the ceremony was conducted 25 miles and in a different district from Gordon HS, but the many in attendance soon understood. A turn out in excess of 3000. Rome, a more lengthy destination in the near future, is rather charming from what we saw of downtown last night and the very well built new civic centeresque venue. It seems to have much of the appeal of the "new" Columbus, sans an army base.
...Excepting sports, would anyone miss the big TV networks if they disappeared from the face of the tube? One would hope market forces, that have been gobbling up their market share for well over a decade, will force something of value, like Super Train or Reds: The mini series. Just seems like after 60 years or so...
...Those of you still searching for that just right graduation gift, might wish to consider the tried and true eviction notice.
...Time to call Chipper's daddy. He's the mentor/high school coach right? He the guy who worked out his swing from the left side of the plate a few years back right? Could someone please buy Mr. Jones a fungo and a bucket of balls? The boy needs to get pulled over as he speeds down the highway to Rico Cartyville. A little slump now, like the rest of the ball club, is an inevitability that will right itself. Chipper has a prolific stick, but this defense thing (hammy or not) is not going to get better on its own. The boy has become a defensive liability, and you just can't regularly give the Montreal/San Juan/Saginaw/Encino Expos four outs, much less a real Major League team.
...Heads up for Tucker/north DeKalbites with lawn mower woes. Thomas Mower repair was yet another stellar local merchant experience. Cheap mower goes from dead to full function for $34.67. Super nice guy with a complete understanding of the fix it or buy a new $100 replacement conundrum. They're on Fellowship just off Lawrenceville Hwy. (US 29), across from Eckard's.
