Archives---October, 2004
October 18, 2004
...The last two ALCS games have required 9 hours and 22 minutes to complete. That's longer than the average European work week! Yeah, I know there's an extra 60-90 seconds between innings to sell extra time that enables the broadcast to be seen into my home at a marginal cost, but let's hurry it up every chance you get. Not that the guys in the NL are exactly zipping right along (to borrow from Ernie "The Great One" Johnson); but the Rastros win yesterday makes it a compelling series, as Beltran goes about putting together one of the all time great post seasons in the game's history.
...In the even a blind squirrel finds a nut
department comes a win for 
, a walkover in all three parts of the teaser. Its the
first ticket cashed this season and leaves your humble prognosticator down $320
after six weeks, and gives me the will to carry forth into the black.
Again, Yolanda appears to have changed our Office settings or some such, so an
updated accounting sheet be delayed. Click logo for details. Another
winning week in the fantasy world, now a collective 9-3 between both
leagues.
October 17, 2004
...There seems to be a consensus that it is more
difficult to go winless as opposed to undefeated over the course of an NFL
season. With that in mind
looks to keep its ohfer alive and well this weekend; and to
paraphrase the great Warner Wolf, if you had the Red Sox and 10, you lose!
If you had the Braves in the NLCS, you lose! If you had North Carolina and
29, you lose!
...It is awfully kind of the Supremes to take time out of their not so busy schedule (at least during the court's session) to decide the Ten Commandments issue. One can only hope for a unanimous, get the hell out of here type opinion. One need not be Madison, Jefferson, Jay, et al to understand that plopping a two ton monument to religious dogma in the lobby of a court house is a clear violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment to The Constitution of the United States of America. Sure, its not as though we follow the rule book much these days, but how about one just for good old times sake.
Gotta go...time for those genius picks
October 13, 2004
...Just too busy to publish much these days, especially now that I must tirelessly campaign for Senator Kerry. I learned from running mate, Senator Edwards, yesterday that if elected, the Kerry administration will empower quadriplegics to walk. The Bush administration, of course, doesn't want quadriplegics to walk because they sided with the powerful wheelchair interests. Speaking of which: Kerry's mantra is this administration sides with powerful oil, pharmaceutical, small furry animal euthanasia (insert favorite boogie man here) interests as opposed to the American people. It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong, but last time I checked oil, pharmaceutical and various evil private enterprises don't vote nor does the law permit them to contribute directly to political campaigns.
...Bully for the Sinclair folks. Don't care what it is they plan to air. Don't care who it hurts. Don't care who it helps. Don't care about its intellectual honesty or journalistic integrity. What I do care about is the fact that its their damn TV stations and they can air Tijuana donkey acts if they wish. Should you find the programming not be your cup of tea? No doubt several buttons are within easy reach to solve your problem. Regardless, it will be fun to watch it play out; and though, ironically, this may all fall out of their realm, it is time to close to doors over at the FCC.
...Post mortem on the Braves: the intangible that made this particular team so much fun to watch during the regular season---young, fast and scientific, was their ultimate undoing as well. Too many youngsters looked a bit lost out there in the post season. My take is those intangibles added up to not being to get an out nor timely hit when needed. Plus, despite their glaring pitching problems past Clemens and Oswalt, Houston is far and away the hottest thing going right now. Given the Yankees went into last night having lost 8 of their last 11 post seasons series openers, you got to like them with last night's win under their belt---though Boston may have the better ball club. St. Louis is every bit as good as their MLB regular season leading record, and are my odds on (and perhaps literally---haven't checked the line) favorite in my book. Los Cardinalas es su papa.
...Speaking of which...meetings are underway to
determine the future of .
At 0-5, there seems little need to carry forward. A final decision is
forthcoming.
October 11, 2004
...and happy Columbus Day to you too. Most folks from around here barely notice the day's passing, but the Feds, bankers and many in the northeast certainly do. I distinctly recall to pleasant surprise of a bonus three day weekend over twenty years ago living in DC. In the spirit of the holiday, Suttle World is published in very limited edition toady---don't want to get in the way of these nice men from the FTC---something about the Pick of the Week and deceptive business practices or some such.
...Early intelligence has the weekend's big event going flawlessly and a delighted bride, making for a delighted everyone else.
October 10, 2004
...Perhaps bigger than the Braves pathetic effort yesterday afternoon was the fact that Carolina football is .500 six games into the season. Could a six win Poulan Weed Eater Bowl be in the making? Dawg nation taking the ole hob nail boot up the ass or some such was pretty much fun, and LSU's win reveals the SEC for the overrated conference that it is. Lookin like Oklahoma and USC.
...The Braves toss Russ the human rain delay Ortiz out there for do or die game four against the pocket rocket. No reason in the world they can't win two in a row, well, except playing like they have so far in this series.
...Pick
of the Week is up in its pathetic presentation. Hey, if I can get back to
even before season's end, I'll be way ahead of the game.
October 9, 2004
...At first I dismissed my attitude as the anomalous feelings of one weird guy, but I've exchanged words via email or conversation with too many doctors, lawyers and Indian chiefs across the spectrum of mental stability to firmly believe the following to be true. Memo to John Lanza: There are countless scores of really nice people who wish you nothing but the best on today's long awaited wedding, but be advised that there is an army of folks who will individually view you with a somewhat jaundiced eye in the days to come. Its not because of any suspicions of anything but you being the most upright of good citizens---its just that your bride is a phenomenal phenomena in that she is one of the most naturally charming and endearing folks on the planet. So act right or we'll...ehmmm, we'll...errr poison your shrubbery.
...Yep...today "its the big one: Godzilla." The Thrilla' in Old Saybrook (I'll work on that one)---the big wedding of Karen Winter and the aforementioned John Lanza. Again, while Yolanda and I remain distraught over our inability to attend, we have more intelligence on the ground than does the CIA in Afghanistan---not to mention the bride herself. Got Cincotta's number, so a few phone calls (the Vonage folks upped us to unlimited "free" long distance this month) may be lobbed. Mutual updates---I get the scoop on the party and he gets scores.
...Congratulations Boston!!! One can just see a region of New Englanders sitting down this morning to the Globe over a steaming bowl of chowder," welp, Sauux set us up fer a big let down the yeaa."
...Here at stately Roberts/Suttle Manor we shall gather around the TV this afternoon to watch what we hope to be an invigorated Braves team. We're just unsure as to whether we'll view the action from the comfort of our lovely redesigned impromptu living room or the nearby emergency room. See the nice lady from UPS brought nephew Ridge's fine new skateboard yesterday afternoon (plus free software---The Home Orthopedist). It is an impressive piece and definite upgrade, but both Yolanda and I would prefer at least a month long fracture reprieve. But, hey, it was his loot---amazing how a 14 year old can come up with damn near $65 legitimately in such a short period of time.
...Opines regarding the "debate" last night are deferred for future comment. At least this much is clear: the White House got to the Suttle Security Council in time to prep their guy on Senator Kerry's 20 year voting record. Once again, the Senator made some fair criticisms of this administration, but yesterday's take stands re: a crack ho can recognize blunt force trauma, but I don't want her to be my surgeon. And while Senator Kerry is not a crack ho (insert obligatory joke about insulting crack ho's here), good, bad or indifferent, since setting foot back on American soil in '71, Kerry has comported himself as a card carrying big government, tax and spend dovish liberal. Personally, its not my cup of tea, but marginally preferable to the weak excuse for a cup of coffee being served up by the Bush administration.
...Shout out to cousin Paul for the shout out yesterday. Got a chance to yammer on the blower with the boy yesterday afternoon. No earth shattering news or updates, but he does plan on a return to Atlanta in late October or early November and is insistent on a Mystery Valley outing.
October 8, 2004
...Well we carried out our threat of attending
yesterday evening's Braves eleven inning win. Got a steal of a deal of
some pretty decent seats in the oh so elite Lexus Pavilion. To say nephew
Ridge and I enjoyed it is, of course, an understatement. In fact, I rank
it third on the all time Atlanta Braves games list---the 6th game World Series
win against Cleveland in '96 and the Sid "Polio" Bream game 7 of the
'92 NLCS, being the other two. The Braves nation can only hope this
ignites some sort of spark in the old bat rack as we now begin a three game
series. Throw in a few decent college games (Texas/Oklahoma,
Tennessee/Georgia, Florida/LSU, Wisconsin/Ohio St.), the NFL and you're staring
straight down the barrel of a TV sports weekend from heaven. Surely in
this heavenly state even can
even find a winner for a refreshing change of pace.
...All of the of above pales, of course, to the social event of the season: the wedding of Ms. Karen Winter and Mr. John Lanza. Being held in Old Saybrook on the Connecticut shore, Yolanda and I remain very disappointed over our inability to come out and play, but are certain of the happy couple's success Saturday and for many more days to come. We also look forward to hooking up with the newlyweds soon.
...Yes, I'll watch this idiotic, scripted "town hall meeting/debate" tonight. Unfortunately, having taken to oath of the News Geek, I have no choice in the matter. We learned little from the first of these ordeals. Instead the candidates merely reinforced what we already knew. President Bush is going to keep is short and simple to avoid a faux pas and Senator Kerry is, well, Senator Kerry, who probably likes babies and dogs and such, but is one of the most tedious people on Earth. And a ultra-liberal one at that. One would think even the President could pronounce "voting record" without too much difficulty. Once again, there are more than ample fronts with which one can take issue with the current administration; but the average crack ho can look at the Tower of Pisa and tell you something's wrong. That doesn't mean I'd hire one to fix it. Yes, the official Suttle World endorsement remains undecided. The degree to which the gentle surfer wishes to gird one's own loins is a personal decision.
October 7, 2004
...Well Clemen's demise came and went, problem is the Braves left their sticks at home and let a chance to blow open the game early get away, by leaving nine men on base during the first four innings in yesterdays loss in the best of five Division Series. This is not good.
...Despite the disappointment, if all goes as plans, Ridge will get yanked out of Tucker Middle School early this afternoon and we shall foray down to Turner Field to take in game 2, which we hope will not be the last game played there this year.
...Since I'm the only one who will point out this minutiae from the VP debate...Edwards criticized VP Cheney's voting record in the Senate saying voted against Head Start, against creating the Department of Education and against the MLK holiday. Good for Senator Cheney. Here are a few dirty little secrets: not being a proper function of the federal government notwithstanding, after 30 years of Head Start the numbers show no difference in scholastic achievement between kids from the same backgrounds who did or did not participate in Head Start---the programs mission. I'm no Constitutional scholar, but I have read the document more than a few times and I do not ever recall seeing the term, word or/and inference regarding education. How does churning tax dollars through the Washington bureaucracy and returning it to the states make kids smarter? The Carter administration created this extra-governmental cabinet department nearly 30 years ago, and we all know how much public education has improved in the interim, right? And with regard to the MLK thing, there are few who hold Dr. King in greater esteem than myself, but the feds just can't start lobbing holidays at the private sector. And that doesn't begin to address to down right dirty pool played behind the scenes from here in Atlanta to get the legislation passed which rubbed more than a few reasonable folks the wrong way---not honoring King, but the manner in which it was carried out.
October 6, 2004
...No need to comment on the VP debated, because not a single vote will be swayed or changed as a result of last night's little get together. Two joint press conferences into this silly exercise and I still don't know whether Kerry/Edwards supports the war or not. Also, just a thought for the principles involved: perhaps it might not be such a bad idea to lend some attention to what the other guy is actually saying as opposed to repeating talking points rehearsed ad nausium. Again, these are the best folks we can come up with?
...I can only hope my predictions of Roger Clemens' demise in the National League will finally come to fruition beginning this afternoon. Best case scenario is for old Rog to lob a fastball at Julio Franco's dome. Braves are 10:1 to win it all---not a bad price on a pretty good ball club, though the Cardinals do indeed look like world beaters.
...Ironic that I should have had an MRI exam yesterday and then later learn that the Beatles are responsible for the CAT (now CT---they got rid of the axial part somewhere along the line) scan. Here's the deal: EMI, the Beatles early label made so much money off the band, that they portioned some of it to an in-house engineer to "play" with. The engineer had an interest in imaging---particularly three dimensional imaging. Bottom line: EMI produced the first CAT scan machines and sold nearly a 1000 of the suckers before anyone else got into the act. "Who? EMI!"
...A fond farewell to one of the funniest guys of my lifetime : Rodney Dangerfield. Though the movies, in which he gained his greatest recognition, are greatly overrated, Dangerfield was as good as stand up as ever came down the pike. Given the tales of his somewhat boisterous lifestyle, 82 would seem to have been a pretty good run too. "I asked my doctor about a vasectomy. He said, with a face like yours, you've got nothing to worry about." My wife likes to talk during sex. She calls me from the hotel room every night..." Rodney Dangerfield 1921-2004---sleep well my friend.
October 5, 2004
...Eight months after its start, the Diplomacy game Bulkington has ended in a three way draw including yours truly (Germany), Turkey and Italy. It was a great game, and given my novice status, I'm pretty damn pleased with my survival to the bitter end. Diplomacy may be the greatest board game ever, with its only downfall being the length of time required to play. Those interested in an online game or getting together for an ongoing neighborhood competition (we could complete one during an ugly winter weekend). Best of all its a simple game rules wise.
...Fortuitous for Braves fans that tomorrow's playoff opener is a 4:05 start---leaving time to take in the scintillating vice presidential "debate."
October 4, 2004
...Another Sunday and another loser for
. This is indeed getting ugly. An 0-4 pit from which
to climb.
...Very kind of MLB to make the post season schedule available. The Braves play at home Thursday and Friday afternoons, with a game 5, if necessary, set for Turner Field next Monday. Given the "from out of nowhere" recent World Series winners, and much lower expectations for the Braves this season, perhaps this is our year to pull one out of the nether regions. October has been a disappointing month in these here parts for over a decade, but the ability to be disappointed in October for over a decade is a blessing that should be savored. Given free agency and extra post season play, this run is as good as baseball has ever seen or will see from any franchise.
...If you don't have a dog in the fight (Big 10 or SEC play), which was more fun: Northwestern beating Ohio St. or Auburn laying the wood to Tennessee? I'll take Northwestern, though once again, it takes all the fun out of choking against Michigan in a month or so. Ah, to savor the mood of Columbus Sunday morning. Probably about the same as Knoxville, but there's nothing quite as pleasant as a city full of distraught hung over myopic fans the day after their ball club's had their tool knocked in their home dirt. Reckon it comes down to USC and Cal this weekend. Should the Trojans lose this one for a second straight year, this season will come with an asterisk---* no team really deserving of national championship that doesn't really exist to begin with.
...I'll go on the record now and forecast that no one affiliated with the National Hockey League will win this year's Nobel Prize for Economics (they're handing them out this week). Actually, Gary Bettman may win it, given that these are the folks who gave Yassar, that's my baby, Arafat the peace prize.
...Speaking of Nobel Laureates, it is well past time for Jimmy Carter to sit down to a steaming bowl of shut the hell up. Yeah, most all tend to cut the ex president some slack, despite presiding over the most failed administration of my lifetime, because he builds those houses and such. If he and Rosalynn want to stick to that and mental health awareness---great. But for God's sake, first Johnny Election Certifier (who never met a dictator he didn't like---not even Stu Boy) tells us Venezuela's election was kosher, despite statistical analysis that proves a 98% likelihood of its invalidity and then informs the world that Florida can't provide for a fair and impartial election. Perhaps this explains Rosalynn's continuing interest in mental illness.
...Off to the neurologist this morning re: my stinkin' back. Yes, I have considered just moving into a medical center, but the parking fees were a deal killer. It has occurred to me that with my nifty little Medicare card, I could motor about the metro area, amassing fists full of narcotic prescriptions for next to nothing. Could develop into quite a little cottage industry. Limbaugh wannabes are encouraged to email with their inquiries.
...Whatever happened to the new Suttle World? As with most projects, its still in the development/never get done stage. For the time being the home page works, but radical changes are still in the hands of project development. Just be patient. Suggestions gladly accepted.
...The antique shop at 29 and Idlewood is up for lease. Its perfect location and building style for the Tucker Trattoria assuming ample parking. This area will support a decent restaurant, and casual Italian cuisine is in short supply...
October 3, 2004
...Northwestern over Ohio St in overtime---well
worth being up past one's bedtime. Cousin Bill was right on the money
about Tech, laying the 14.5 and winning handily.
should have such a weekend. Just get me to the window
once, and surely things will turn around. Pick of the Week, though not
very enthusiastic (tough board this week) is up.
...As of this writing, we have survived the minor free weekend, but will bring it to a close this afternoon just in case.
...Congratulations to the A's and the Cubs---snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and all.
...Should be getting geeked about the Sunday talking heads with the election less than a month away, but my expectation is that the debate break downs will be about as tedious as the infomercial earlier this week.
October 2, 2004
...Saturday---a little coffee and a chance to catch up after a slow week in Suttle World; or at least one would think, but errands postponed for the same reasons Suttle World fell behind command the morning. Ergo a few short takes and some follow up as the weekend allows.
....I've now viewed most of Ramones Raw, and while its not Oscar material, it is a must have for any Ramones fan. Watched some of the bonus footage last night including a full 30 minute set in Italy from 1980. Very hard to believe that the entire front court is now dead, but thankfully the film and video shot does exist, though the production is somewhat lacking.
...A post season schedule from MLB would be most appreciated, but does not appear to be forthcoming until after play is finished Sunday. The Braves have secured the second seed in the National League. The "cheap" seats for the Division Series are affordable at $18. Memo to Bobby Cox: first, congrats on 2,000 wins, but now that the Cubs trail by two games, I'm beggin' ya to use the 40 man roster to its fullest. Start that second team squad like that game 6 of the LCS against the Padres.
...First and foremost, the "debate" Thursday night was boring. It was President Bush's night to put the election away, but he stuck to the simple, straight and narrow. Evidently the President's handlers were so concerned about their guy wandering off the reservation, that he took a number of fat pitches offered up by Kerry. Still a base Bush point went deafeningly unanswered---Senator Kerry will have a difficult time gathering world wide support for a war in which he doesn't believe. I'll take Winston Churchill in the center to win Peter. Hell, I'll take Paul Lynde over these clowns.
...One week until John and Karen's grand wedding in CT. Again, Yolanda and I regret having to extend our regrets.