Archives---September, 2004
September 30, 2004
...Again, short in the take department due to other commitments, but wanted to get on the record as bidding the third quarter an enthusiastic AMF. Making it through last night's "debate" was a struggle on par with staying awake until the end of Monday Night Football. It was a no win situation for Senator Kerry, yet he comported himself in a "presidential" manner, and appears to have carried the evening, or at least so say the overnights. Polling data is interesting stuff for those of us fascinated with political machinations, but are of little value unless broken down by state (OH, FL, WV, WI, CO, NM to name a few). Still inclined to believe we'll be headed to bed early the evening of November 2nd.
...The weekend looks more promising for Suttle
World fans, with an opportunity to catch up with the week in review with oil,
the election, Ramones review and, of course, the magically imploding 
Pick of the Week.
September 29, 2004
...Of course its great! The first third, or actual film itself was most enjoyable. Other two-thirds of miscellaneous footage, including a full 30 minute live set still to come. Well worth the $20.
...Yeah,
, Pick of the Week cannot suck enough. But the fantasy
world is perking right along, with combined records of 5-1 (2-1 in DUFFLE where
the $$$ is).
September 28, 2004
...Commitments elsewhere this week make publication problematic, but safe to say the news of the day is the long awaited release of Ramones Raw. Review tomorrow; yes, its demanding to mix in five hours of video before the Presidential "debates" and football this weekend, but let not your heart be troubled. I shall persevere for you, the little people.
September 26, 20004
...Well I said I'd give the new Hawks ownership a shot. Signing Kevin Willis would not appear to be one of the fastest ways to win back the hearts, minds and fannies of hoops non-goers in the ATL. This is a guy we ran out of town in 1927 because he couldn't suck enough. Now just pick up Elvin Hayes and Elgin Baylor and you've got one hell of a front court (or at least two thirds).
...Barry Bonds has been intentionally walked 116 (ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN) times so far this season. This well may be the greatest offensive year by a player in the history of the game.
...Speaking of a-holes, though behind the curve, its never too late to lob a well done to Bill Parcels. Over a dozen calls to the Jets front office on the eve of the Super Bowl? He and the Cowboys deserve each other, and here's to opening a big can of Bumble Bee whoop ass on South America's team Monday night at the hands of my beloved Redskins.
...Me and Christopher Hitchens on identical pages? Well, I used to subscribe to The Nation and he used to write for them so I guess we all grow up eventually. Hitchens and Andrew Sullivan of the New Republic spoke in unison with Tim Russert on his most excellent and very well hidden hour long show in CNBC this weekend. Both made compelling arguments for the Iraqi invasion (White House version or not); and both made compelling criticisms of this administration that has terribly mis-managed the effort. The unwillingness to devote the resources necessary to win this thing and maintain order in Iraq borders on the obscene. There is no excuse for over 1000 dead and 7000 wounded. We're the freakin USA---the mack daddy of the world and we can't control some rag heads in Iraq? Add troops, seal the borders, install martial law and go door to door, if necessary, to ferret out the "insurgents" (a misnomer, because these folks had already been brought into the country by Saddam before the war for this exact purpose). By most any measure, this is a failed administration, but a scan of the ballot finds nothing but even more unsavory choices. Now this week we get a meeting of the minds: an incumbent who totes around the football but cant pronounce nuclear versus a guy with the vision and charisma of a dead flashlight battery. What a country.
...The History Channel has now officially run out of programming material. Yesterday afternoon: The History of the Shovel. I kid you not.
...Quiz for today: bigger clown---Madeline Albright in or out of office?
...
Pick of the Week is up and damn well better
be good, or the hole will be getting a bit too deep.
September 25, 2004
...Ho hum---another season, another pennant. 13 in a row---the number speaks for itself, requiring no further comment. Long since out of ammo, the Bobby Cox detractors will no doubt pick up rocks and sticks to hurl at the guy. I don't get it, but then again, not many get baseball.
...Only marquee match up on the college grid iron
today is Iowa/Michigan. For whatever reason, parity or just a down year,
there doesn't appear to be any one dominant team out there, excepting perhaps
USC, but there's no way of knowing since they don't play anybody. On the
NFL side of the ledger, the staff at
is working countless algorithms to find a winner for week
3. As always, the Pick of the Week will be posted before the 1:00 Sunday
kickoffs.
...Memo to Iran: stock up on shovels while you can. That sure is a pretty missile you unveiled yesterday. My guess is that it magically turns into a rather large hole in the ground after Yom Kippur. No nuke for you.
September 24, 2004
...Late to publish this morning, but well worth the wait as Senator Kerry "clarifies" his position on the war and a "comprehensive plan against terrorism." Basically, Kerry seems to advocate a large expansion of military and intelligence resources. Sounds great, but it seems a bit different than a twenty year voting record in the Senate against such measures. Now we shouldn't have gone into to Iraq, but a month ago we should have even with the knowledge of forethought. Iran and North Korean nuclear programs will be brought under control through sanctions and inspections. This course of action, that has proved so effective in the past, was no doubt discerned by Kerry being briefed by staff since he couldn't make it to those Intelligence and Armed Services Committee meetings. All of this must come as a great relief at the White House. The President can now afford to stumble in next week's debate and still have the latest Kerry manifesto to compare with exactly opposite positions he has taken during the course of the campaign. It is looking increasingly bleak for Democrat fans, but not as bleak as the Kerry campaign looked in early March, and he's not dead yet. Finally, if I may be so bold, I'll field the heckled question during the speech: "What are your going to do about AIDS?" Personally, I am not going to engage in risky sexual behavior or share intravenous needles.
...Magic number remains two for the Braves, but
Florida is in town for the weekend. Win the series and clinch a thirteenth
consecutive division title. This is approaching UNC Women's Soccer status,
eclipsing any similar record in professional sports by 4 (think the Celtics had
9 in a row). Speaking of UNC Women's soccer and college dynasties----Cal
has won all but 5 NCAA Rugby Championship since they began handing them out in
1980! And yes, judicial notice has already been served that if not for the
strike year, the streak would have been interrupted. Meanwhile back in
Atlanta, this leads to a now traditional short lived sports dog days in latter
September. The pennant is in the bag, the Gladiators home opener is still
a month away (Oct 29) and based on last week, Tech cannot suck enough.
With no one with a dog in the Georgia fight, the only impressions about Athens
is that if Georgia is the third best team in the country, college football is
having a real down year. College football provides for a fair number of
interesting exhibitions through November, but remains a farce until a playoff
system is put into effect. And there's still the trusty NFL and
desperate need to cash a ticket. Look for pick tomorrow.
...Its also the time of year that I plead with the powers to be----STOP THE GOLF! Yeah, the Tour Championship thing at East Lake is pretty cool, but everyone thinks their event this time of year is pretty cool, making for the stupid tour and a golf season that never ends. JUST STOP! Put the sticks in the garage and dust them off in time for the clam bake in January.
September 23, 2004
...Early publication this morning. Nephew Ridge reports to lovely Tucker Middle School about a half an hour early this morning for some math tutoring. This is a good thing, while your humble web bon vivant is pretty good in the ciphering department, I'm too old to remember why. This is problematic in the "show your work" era of mathematics into which the student in question is now entering. Cousin Bill is also an excellent source in the numbers game, but put the two of us together and you get an hour long esoteric discussion that proves the wheel to be square and Ridge pulling out his hair because this is just problem number 14 of 10-35 that must be completed in a given homework assignment. Of course, all this fine edumacation boils down to a few of life's axioms: if it appreciates, buy it; if it depreciates, lease; don't bet a naked triple with change; and always double down on 9 if the house is showing anything less than ace or ten.
...Further inventory of the homestead finds the spouse fully recovered from what turned out to be over six weeks of struggle with the most virulent of upper respiratory infections. Freed from phlegm's conniving control and with an entire room stripped to the concrete slab, the agenda would appear to be full.
...Radio spots are rolling out in Atlanta for Ted's Montana Grill. No, Ted, you're supposed to be working on the college football playoff scheme (see below). Maybe it can turn into a cross promotion---The Bison Bowl, is it a yummy entree or NCAA national championship game, or both?
...Let's this get this particular issue and its more generalized teachings out of the way before sundown Friday. Koufax refusing to pitch game one of the World Series in '65 to observe Yom Kippur was one of the most notable days in American Jewish history---a story that now is passed down. His devotion was inspiring and heroic. Now here come a couple guys in MLB making the same announcement about not playing tomorrow between bites of their BLT. Its not only demeaning to Koufax and all observant Jews, but also further distances fan from player, if there is any distance remaining to span. This segues into the no show for the birth of a child or similar personal events. I do not begrudge what pro athletes make, but must insist folks paid several millions of dollars a year show up for work every day. Set your priorities as you wish, but when you sign the contract, observe it up until such time as the paychecks start bouncing. Regardless, Molotov, and please remember to dobbin only in designated areas.
...I understand that Atlanta is father west than Detroit---a mere 50 miles from Central Time, but if yesterday was the equinox, why was there a seven minute difference in sunrise and sunset, per: The National Weather Service? Here I spend all day trying to get an egg to balance...
...Like it or not President Bush will pick up a bushel basket full of undecideds today with the Iraqi Prime Minister's speech before a joint session of Congress and photo-op at the White House. BTW, Prime Minister Allawi is a brain surgeon by trade, not to be confused with the two prime contenders for this country's chief executive position.
September 22, 2004
...Just in case you're up late balancing your checkbook, here's a calculator for help. This little java applet will no doubt take on a much more prominent role in the still to be new and improved Suttle World.
...6 days until the release of Ramones Raw. Your local DVD retailer will gladly make sure a copy is available on September 18 (or at least a Barnes and Noble around here will), and per-orders are being accepted on amazon.com, et al. $20 for over five hours of video. Hell, folks get paid more to make Nikes in China.
...Just when I thought I'd mined all the stupid bowling to be found on the planet....From the folks who think curling is a wild way to spend a weekend night, comes 5 pin bowling. A little research reveals an interesting history for the game's beginning, but the fact that it apparently thrives 100 years later is nuts. And I haven't even done the candlepin thing yet. Speaking of which, soon to be departed across the street neighbors Bill and Allison have created one of the southeast's finest backyard bocce facilities. We failed to take advantage of the court this summer, but look towards this fall season. Meanwhile, with the crisp autumnal atmosphere, and nephew Ridge mixing in a little street football into his daily diet, the loading dock fairies begin dancing in one's head. No doubt cousin Bill is in. Larry is the other logical candidate, but remains MIA. Email with your Godfather sightings here.
...What's the frequency Kenneth?
...A shout out to the American pharmaceutical industry. Today is the first without an amoxicillin supplement in nearly two weeks. Given the battleship floating volume of antibiotics pumped through my veins in the past several years, it is most comforting to find a simple, wide spectrum, o.p. (today's challenge---find a MD or RN to tell you what "op" means, literally. Everyone knows what it means in practice---take orally, but no one knows/remembers the translation---answer tomorrow) drug to work effectively (and cheaply, once I talked them off the Augmentin ledge).
...Turning to the business page, this breaking news----Interstate Bakeries, the makers of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, has filed Chapter 11---citing the low carb craze as having taken a huge toll, as attorneys for the makers of the American junk food icon waddled up the steps of the Federal Courthouse. Evidently, the deep fried Twinkie craze (I kid you not) wasn't enough to keep things going. Operations will continue for the time being, but I'd go ahead and stock up just in case. Twinkies have a shelf life longer than Keith Richards.
...In other biz biz---more and more vendors are telling Delta "COD please." The once unimaginable in this town may well come to pass. The bigger story is/would be that it wouldn't be that big a story. The city and the times they are a changing. Yankees still having migration considerations should watch this story closely. If Delta goes belly up, there's going to be some real cheap (in northeastern dollars) very nice real estate available in Clayton County. And from a purely consumer's point of view, it probably means Southwest moving into this market = even cheaper fares...But not cheap enough for Cat Stevens. You can just see him slapping his own forehead---"I knew I should've taken the Peace Train."
September 21, 2004
...Welcome autumn! Though not officially here until tomorrow, we welcome your cooler temps and daily reminders of why we live here to begin with. Fall is Atlanta's shining season, though pollen sufferers may disagree, the particulate matter is literally exponentially less than that of spring and the mercury is headed in the right direction.
...Where's Oliver Stone when you really need him? Time for today's version of America's favorite parlor game: Conspiracy Theory. First in the fact department, it is slacked jawed amazing that Sumner Redstone has not called for Rather's resignation. From a purely business point of view, I don't think this is what Viacom signed up for in acquiring CBS. The prime time line-up has made an impressive come back (a dubious distinction in our cable/satellite world) only to have the once heralded news department drop to number 5/last, behind CNN in the "news" business. Just to be helpful, here's a memo the folks at Black Rock can cut and paste to save time--- Dear Dan: You're fired. Courage, Sumner. No, I don't think the higher ups in the Kerry campaign and CBS news were working directly with one another, but the issue does beg further investigation. What is wholly possible is that over zealous campaign workers could eagerly solicit information from a CBS producer, who works in a culture that cannot be distinguished from that of the DNC. Meanwhile back at the White House, things couldn't be going better---carrying forth with a dubious administration without the scrutiny normally due an incumbent seeking re-election.
...Since the Kerry campaign seems to be out of ideas, here's something to run with. Have the Senator announce a secret plan for ending the war. He could say he was briefed on the whole thing during his 1968 Christmas in Cambodia. Hey, it worked for Nixon---well, except the Cambodia thing.
...Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik (a dark horse in his own party) doesn't come across as a nut on radio, but he still can't address the concepts of the incredible shrinking world and taking the fight to the aggressors, in his misguided isolationist view. Maintaining ballot status may win the day in the still to be announced Suttle World endorsement. While we quite rightly devote a great deal of attention to matters abroad these days, the math hasn't changed at home, and an alternate/third party view is going to be necessary to carefully dismantle (or strategically implode) this Ponzi scheme we've built.
...While still on the politics page, nice spot Move On. Perhaps your next effort can utilize computer animation to hack off body parts and disembowel some geezer as a metaphor for alleged Medicare cuts. Then, near the election, you can roll out the "vote Democrat or the puppy dies" campaign. Involvement in Iraq is a viable issue worthy of in depth discussion, but I don't think I'd have Jane Fonda producing my TV material. Meanwhile, I have formed my own 527 group---Swift Boat Veterans against Time and Space.
...Congrats to nephew Ridge who continues to bring home a plethora of B's in his scholastic efforts to date. We continue to be impressed with Tucker Middle School and our resident student. In other familial news, embargoed to date, maternal grandmother Tootie Carson would seem to be making a satisfactory recovery following an angioplasty procedure last week. Though the convalescing process will be deliberate, her prognosis is good. Meanwhile, maternal mother, Pat Carson is frantically moving towards an October 1 closing date on a new home in lovely Flat Rock, NC (about 15 miles south of Hendersonville in the western part of the state---a readable point on the map for the uninitiated).
...Not enough from Randy Moss last night.
The Dictators fall to 1-1 in 
action, with The Great Falconi on the horizon this weekend. The injury to
Steven Davis notwithstanding, I'll stick with my draft strategy and roster as
is.
September 20, 2004
...Per the Suttle meteorological axiom, the first post summer crisp clear morning comes our way this morning after Sept 15th. Mother nature's mood swing is most welcome, and even the tropics appear to have calmed for the time being. The morning also finds nephew Ridge rushing to beat the bell---his return from the weekend's Calhoun visit not ending until about 7:30.
...Belated congratulations to the Hickory Crawdads for their SALLY League Championship. The Crawdads swept Columbia 3-0 to claim the South Atlantic League pennant. Nice town and great ball park which we had the pleasure of attending several years ago.
...While it is understood that many, if not most, of the 30 some "gay marriage" initiatives are on various ballots for the purpose of energizing the "religious right", Suttle World can go on the record (again) on this matter. Government shouldn't be in the marriage business to begin with. Why should two consenting, competent adults require permission from the government to enter into a marital relationship?---or a business, charitable or shoe shining relationship for that matter. Ergo the point is moot in the realm of Suttle World. In the real world there are real implications, in that the feds and states meddle in defining dependent insurance coverage (as do private business policies). To that end, the real world answer is, of course, same sex marriages should be legal. Hey, straight folks haven't exactly done the institution any great favors over the course of history, but the law should allow some "grandfathering" with regard to the insurance and other fiscal matters involving dependent eligibility in other "benefit" programs. And yes, Gay Divorce Court will be one of the most successful shows in the history of TV.
...
is off to a slow start to say the least, but I'd take Kansas City
again this afternoon. Need a big night from Randy Moss and I can go a
perfect 4-0 after two weeks of fantasy football action (2 leagues). The game
is up in the air. The first two week's have produced only two undefeated
teams, I hope to make it three with a win tonight. The Yahoo winners
league win is in the bank to move Team Elvis to 2-0. Speaking of which,
the new DUFFLE page is coming along nicely.
September 19, 2004
...Think things to have gone well last night. Susan Werner was actually pretty good. Though not an award winning solo performer, she's a very talented technician and clever songwriter through a number of styles. Cafe Alsace proved lovely as well. Our first foray---the kitchen is superb, the service, while somewhat weary as the weekend/Saturday night was coming to a close in a still three quarters filled room upon our arrival, was friendly and efficient. Reasonably priced (appetizers avg $5---though we blew the wad on the $7.50 pate; entrées $12-18) and worth a try. Right on the square in Decatur---121 E Ponce---across from Mick's.
...LSU has learned one of life's great lessons: He who lives by the Mit)h, dies by the Mit)h. And, yeah it was a questionable flag*, but not having a dog in the fight, unlike dear now unhappy neighbor and fellow DUFFLEr Cindy, it was pretty cool to see the Tennessee kid avenge his own Mit)h. And can the old guys in the ugly sports coats please explain to me again why we can't have a playoff in Division 1? This is a job for Ted. He's not busy, and while nutty as dude is, he does get things done. Things thought impossible, like say broadcasting home games locally in order to get into a few million homes (at the time) via cable, or say, an all news network...I say let's make sure his medication is in order and make this his last great media coup---a college football national championship. And how bout them Tar Heels? Meanwhile, George Washington remains undefeated. Speaking of which, disappointed but not surprised to learn that the Colonials farthest foray south will be to Greensboro to take on Wake Forest, and that will be televised, as will five others on ESPN or ESPN2.
*---no flag ever thrown if you're kids have the discipline not to
retaliate; further evidence of why we don't wager on teenagers.
...Working on
Pick of the Week at time of initial publishing. Look for a
deffinative pick---on the new and improved page, by noon. Up now as a
matter of fact.
September 18, 2004
...Ahh...Calgon has taken me away. Taken me away to a magical place with a soggy den carpet, a dead car and three dogs inappropriately barking too early for a Saturday morning. One might begin to think trusty Calgon has led me astray, but I failed to mention that is a morning sans a minor, manic travel, Level 1 Trauma Units and/or the manifestations of hideous contagion in for what seems a lifetime. It gets a whole lot better when one considers how many folks not that far from stately Roberts/Suttle Manor have soggy/mud puddle houses, cars dead because they are rubber side up as opposed to my drained battery and dogs still lost after being blown or carried by the the local creek and/or river into the next county. Plus we needed to pull up the carpet downstairs a long time ago, and a jump and 20 minutes of Saturday highway driving will remedy the automobile. The dogs, well, they're just stupid dogs---of which new pics would seem to be in order.
...Perhaps the Kerry campaign can get a bump from the Sunday talking heads, but at this point the campaign has the traction of a bald radial on ice, and must be betting the ranch (the ranch in Crawford, TX in this particular case) on the debates. September 30 looms quickly on the horizon. The endorsement of Suttle World remains undecided, especially since my former Libertarian Party (note link on the recently updated links page has been removed) has chosen the nutty isolationist world view path. This is doubly complicated in Georgia, where the President will win handily. It comes down to whether I want to unenthusiastically punch Libertarian again to maintain ballot status or not vote for Senator Kerry. Tough call---I'll get back to ya. Where's Barry Goldwater when you really need him? I would give serious consideration to a Joe Biden or Joe Lieberman in this election, but noooooooooo, we get a cartoon character. Alas, Hubert Humphrey was truly the last great Democrat. Ohio is far from a certainty, but I am increasingly of the view that we shall go to bed early if we choose on November 2; and this is an electorate that would put Bill Clinton back in office if he were the nominee.
...Several more casual announcements...1) I am
taking my wife out tonight. Reviews tomorrow. This also raises an
issue worthy of mention. The often referenced Yolanda has both permission
and the innate computer savvy to affect this web site as she sees fit.
Complaints and criticisms are typically appropriate when doled out, but the
record will show a conspicuous silence from she who must be obeyed.
2) We're going to try to call today and/or tomorrow, but having given our
brothers and sisters at the United States Postal Service several days to affect
delivery, Yoland and I have forwarded our regrets to Karen
Winter---finding ourselves very disappointed over our inability to attend
her wedding to be celebrated on the
Connecticut (damn I spelled it right on the first try!) shore October 9th (all
around cool dude Mr. John Lanza is the groom to be). Guys, we are
heartbroken by the necessity of changing our plans, but be assured that we will
raise a toast to you on your most special day, albeit in absentia.
3) Injuries notwithstanding, I shall Stand Tall and defeat the dreaded
neighbor from across the street (to whom I need to still return the battery
charger I borrowed) once again this weekend in week II of
action. Gonna work on the page some this morning and should at least have
standings cut and paste from Yahoo etc... Yes, its from the Department of
Redundancy Department, but its my site and I can paste if I wanna... Not
to be confused with I don't wanna walk around with you. 4) I shall
settle up my DUFFLE dues today.
...Speaking of which 10 days until the release of Ramones Raw.
...Still working on the
Pick of the Week. Look for a posting later today along with
this year's accounting ledger. Yes, I remember last week's loss (stupid
Buffalo and Jacksonville), and that I'm down $100.
...Power outage may have delayed publishing, but we're back and running.
September 17, 2004
...It seems as though I recall reading that Johnny was having some health problems, but that escaped me (unlike the later irony) as I read a Washington Times interview with the retired guitar guru from March of this year on Tuesday. The piece made no mention of cancer; and evidently Johnny seldom did. Instead the piece devoted attention to his right leaning political view and his amazement that he was still considered relevant. But relevant he was and shall remain. You see boys and girls, Johnny was an Oppenheimer like figure---deeply intricate in rock n' roll's own Manhattan Project, creating a powerful secret weapon to defeat the forces of evil (disco, The Eagles, Styx, et al) that threatened our way of life. The Ramones won that war single handedly on the ground, playing some 2300 gigs in 22 years of constant manic work. Joey lived to see some of the success and critical acclaim of his last impeccable effort. Dee Dee lived to see Dee Dee ram another stick in his arm; and Johnny, the one who led as "normal" a lifestyle as the law would allow in the aforementioned 22 years, leaves us much too soon; but having lived to have seen the Ramones renaissance that is currently underway must have brought some comfort during what where, no doubt, many difficult days. Sleep well my friend. You're image shall remain over my left shoulder at this keyboard and your work shall live forever; because, as we all know, there's just no stoppin' the cretins from hoppin'. Now brothers and sisters I ask you: who will save rock n roll?
...The last question is not entirely rhetorical, but this is neither the time nor place for a rant on same. Suffice to say we're not getting any younger here as others continue to "pursue other interests."
...Sure I could attempt to make this into some sort of essay, but that requires work on construction and the like---plus every other paragraph on this page starts with ... so I'm just trying to be consistent here. Anyway, the first of my favorite Ramones stories. In early 1978 I had read and heard enough of the band to have some idea of what I was in for. I do not believe the my 16 year old date was---and yes, the math and laws in effect in the state of Georgia at the time do add up---not to mention we're MARRIED NOW for God's sake. The undercard featured a great long lost local band: Cruisomatic and The Runaways. Somehow, I believe she found the group entering the long since departed Municipal Auditorium ahead of us (one of whom crawled while being led on a leash by another member of the party) to be a touch of culture shock. I found the Ramones to be more than a touch of shock. By the wise old age of 18 (damn near 19, thank you) I had seen literally hundreds of acts, but nothing like the Ramones. They sold it like Ron Propeil on crack; and better yet, I got it, or at least I thought I did. Several hastily acquired lps later, I was sure I got it---and we'll have fun fun fun til Daddy takes the Marshalls away.
...Second verse, different from the first. The other story is a recollection of a long piece that appeared in Cream a year or so later. The reporter was following the band on the road, riding on the bus. The entourage was between Dubuque and Des Moines (or some such place---could have been anywhere---they're working 150 nights a year at this point) when the bus stops for a fuel and rest stop. The band pours into the adjacent Quicky Mart, the driver starts pumping deisel and their road manager (his name escapes me) emerges to stretch and get some fresh air. He's approached by an elderly woman who tells him how nice he is for "looking after those retarded boys."
...Only 11 days until the release of the Ramones Raw dvd. Less than a month until the Atlanta screening of End of the Century.
...Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor did not escape the wrath of Ivan unscathed. Its a story of 25 years of different neighbors landscaping in different manners, but the bottom line is that our natural drainage paths cannot handle a deluge of several inches in a as many hours. Consequently, the bottom floor of the estate was soaked. Today, will mark the lovely task of recovering said water from the carpet, etc... The consolation is that the carpet was shot to begin with. The weather has led to a second school hurricane holiday. All metro Atlanta school systems are closed---perhaps not a bad deal, given over 250,000 customers were without power as of last night, no doubt, including a number of schools.
September 16, 2004
...This just in---Johnny Ramone, legendary Ramones guitarist, died in his sleep overnight in his California home following a four year struggle with prostate cancer. Rolling Stone covers the breaking story here.
...Don't recall ever getting a hurricane day off from school, but this morning brought dry streets and the second closing of all metro Atlanta schools (including DeKalb) for the second time in as many weeks due to heavy rain.?.. It truly is a public service for the average commuter, especially for pm drive, which should prove interesting to say the least. The much earlier start of the school year (August 9) may provide more wiggle room schedule wise. Regardless, nephew Ridge has the day off. I too am making hurricane preparations---boarding up stately Roberts/Suttle Manor. Not to protect the house from the elements, rather to keep out other kids who I fear shall make the estate their shelter from the storm. Forecasts do call for heavy wind and local rain totals from 4-6".
...Yeah, still working on the new home page. For now, everything seems to be acting nice. Still a somewhat improved version is under construction with completion still expected by week's end. Acu-Severe Storm-Team-Pinhead Weather Radar for greater Tucker here, for the time being.
...Memo to Dan Rather: "medication time (ding)...medication time (ding)..." Last night's effort was pathetic, but serves as a great object lesson for any who had any doubts about exactly how agenda driven CBS "News" is and has been for decades. Even Worker's Daily World subscriber Uncle Walter has lobbed a bomb at Rather from the deck of his boat. Funny that there was no doubt about the authenticity of correspondence that stated "I loathe the military..." written by a sitting president in what was a deliberate effort to evade service, but that didn't seem to matter to CBS---or at least they didn't have folks working on the story for nearly a decade as is the case here. With Lee Atwater's untimely passing, I'm not sure anyone at the RNC has the gumption to have been responsible for all this, but it would be the greatest "dirty trick" on record.
September 15, 2004
...Though not having held a press conference in over six weeks and granting few interviews with the national media Senator Kerry appeared on the Imus in the Morning show this morning making a rather convincing (though at times misleading) critique of the White House and their conduct in various policy arenas, but still seems lacking an alternate vision. Despite a miserable start, the Kerry campaign is far from dead for two reasons: 1) The campaign, with some rather savvy folks on board, seems to understand their only chance to win is to pull upset narrow wins in a few "swing/key" states. This means literally pressing the flesh with a few thousand voters a day in pre-determined precincts in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, etc... and lot's of contact with local TV. 2) The "debates"/joint press conferences will receive an even greater degree of scrutiny this time around, making September 30 a potential turning point for either camp. My gut tells me there's a "Poland is not under Soviet control" type faux pas on the horizon---just don't know from which of these less than stellar candidates it will emanate.
...Meanwhile it is becoming painfully obvious that changes desperately needed in the current administration are not forthcoming. There would seem to be few, excepting the Secretary himself, who don't think Rumsfeld has to go. Same with Ashcroft and Wolfowitz just to name a few.
...At least the current hurricane season is sharing the love. No disrespect to our brothers and sisters in Mobile, but a hit there or on the Panhandle won't have nearly the economic fallout as a strike on New Orleans. Shut down that port for a few days, and an entire season's grain harvest starts backing up the Mississippi---not a good thing given the overall rise in commodity prices over the past year. Oil interests are also of great concern.
...Doubly glad I didn't fork over $20 for a back dress circle seat to the Boortz thing at the Fox a month or so ago after seeing the televised cut and pasted version last night. It was simply too painful to watch. Dude is as good at the talk radio thing as anyone on the air and has been for many years, making the 35 year tribute appropriate. Unfortunately it came off like a very awkward dress rehearsal for a high school awards program or some such....only made it 20 minutes---difficult to imagine anyone made it through the entire hour.
September 14, 2004
...Little to share today as repairs to Suttle World continue. Warning!: Orange Signs Ahead! But as long as you brought it up---is there fifteen miles of continuous interstate highway within the state of Georgia that is not some sort of construction or work area? Just because somebody's brother-in-law has the orange sign contract doesn't mean they have to be used! This is not to make light of true road construction areas. Last check had that the most hazardous non-farming occupation in the country, but if you're going to put up a sign explaining that I will be summarily executed for speeding, please post the freakin speed limit! And no, for the record, I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 15 years.
...Ok a little more, since you asked---got the final payment off to the very nice lady in Florida who I bumped on the return leg of Haj Impossible/Abu, Dude, Where's My Car. Once again our thanks to Ms. K for her most gracious and reasonable attitude in handling what could have become a very cumbersome and drawn out exercise. It has been a most reaffirming experience, proving there are still straight up folks left in the world.
September 13, 2004
...Another quicky just to get on the record and while the teaser went down with a miserable Jacksonville v. Buffalo game. Consolation could be found in two fantasy wins (2-0)---far and away my best opening day in this, my 13th season, of playing.
...Also testing new hosting package---reupped with the Powweb folks and today is the expiration date if you will. Publishing should be seamless, but a few clicks will confirm same.
Viola or cello or whatever! Props to the Powweb folks for the seamless transition. Though they are the only web host with which I have had experience, it is difficult to imagine better service or a much better deal. A project for the fourth quarter, is to get Yo to help me play with their SQL/storefront interface and set up the Suttle Silly Store just to see if it will work. The FrontPage interface is truly seamless so far with any broken links etc... attributable to yours truly---another ongoing project.
September 12, 2004
...Having a little trouble with FrontPage the last day or so. As problems are being remedied, I shall post Gene, the Caucasian's Pigskin Pick of the Week here. For week one of the NFL season we go right back to the exotics that made the Caucasian a modest winner in 2003. You'll recall that unless otherwise stipulated all Pick of the Week's are $100 wagers. This week its a three team; six point teaser (point adjustments reflected): Jacksonville at Buffalo over 29; San Francisco +9.5 v. Atlanta; and Green Bay +9 at Carolina.
September 11, 2004
...A moment to remember our 2973 fallen brothers and sisters from the attacks of September 11, 2001 and our ceaseless efforts to obliterate the forces of evil that led to their murders.
September 10, 2004
...Without objection, I ask permission to amend and extend my remarks due to a less than clear (than usual) view due to bacterial infestation...
...Yeah the home page looks a bit different as I
clumsily cut and paste to get a
link up and going again. The Pick of the Week will be up
prior to Sunday's kickoff.
...Reckon the indignant resignations will start flying out of Black Rock in New York. Ooops, wait, we're talking CBS here and their tabloid program 60 Minutes, an arm of the network's "news" division. Seems they were "fooled" by the erroneous document/letter regarding the President's National Guard service. Gee, wonder if they would have been fooled if the object of the story was the junior Senator from France? Well, of course not, this, again, is CBS "News" with its managing editor Comrade Rather that long ago abandoned any shred of journalistic integrity to instead serve as an organ for the Democratic National Committee. Andy Rooney (New Deal liberal that he is) would appear to be the only player left with any modicum of respectability. One can only hope he goes Bernie Shaw before assuming room temperature. Hey, maybe CBS can join forces the the New York Times. Just imagine the stuff they could make up if they put their heads together.
...Those who could find Indy with a hook (and it was out there) had a good opening night. Otherwise, most everyone else got a push with the NFL opener. Like most 9:00 starts, I made it til halftime. One had to be impressed with both team's ability to move the ball, but neither team looked invincible, leading me to believe this will be another Falcons Super Bowl type year where a team will come out of nowhere.... Sorry, I don't have the magic team for '04, but let's pull for Uncle Joe and the Redskins just for the hell of it.
...Very pleasant and professional encounter with one Elliot Royston, MD yesterday. Though running the typically twenty minutes late, the staff was noteworthy in that two folks thanked me for coming in and choosing their practice---sort of "thanks for your business"---a refreshing change for the medical profession where the roles of customer/employer and employee are often blurred. Doc Royston has the bonafides: (Yeshiva) and appeared much more interested in the patient (me) than the 4,254,875th standard government issue upper respiratory infection I presented, which was treated in an appropriate manner. Though I have not required the services of an internist over the past several years, it is comforting to have found a practitioner in Tucker.
...Junior league update has Ridge making his first trek to Fernbank. A DeKalb County school tradition, I recall field trips to the place 35 years ago and assume kids took field trips to the place before it was built---I think its the law. Still, now with an Imax theater and other faster and louder features compared to BITD, we look forward to his impressions. Meanwhile, Jessica is set to return to school in Statesboro this weekend, having been cleared to do so by the medical powers to be. A follow up appointment with the neuro group is set for the end of the month. Given her mobility, it is doubtful the small vertebrae fractures will be an issue. Til then, its still the good old neck and back brace.
...Memo to Rafael Furcal: while I know you don't make the big bucks yet, the major league minimum is $300,000/year leading me to believe you could mix in a cab every now and then. MLB did a pretty good job getting tobacco out of the game. Perhaps it would help to get the six cases of beer iced down after every game out of the clubhouse too. As every adult non-Amish homospaien can testify to, getting arrested for DUI is no easy undertaking. Getting caught twice in three years would tend to indicate a problem in firewater department.
September 9, 2004
...Given my involvement, a few errors in getting up
and running had the to be expected bumps in the road, but after diligent effort
on the part of your humble Commissioner, plus others to fill in my poor record
keeping, all appears to be right with the fantasy football world.
...Staying in the realm of tootsie ball, the NFL
continues to get Special Suttle Points (exchangeable for S&H Greenstamps)
for marketing, this time opting for a great match up in a Thursday opening night
marquee game. Indy and the Pats may be the best two teams in the league
and three points looks like an attractive number to give the Colts, but the
chances of
getting up and running today are near nil. I shall demure
from this particular contest, though a last minute update is always
possible. Hey its not like the picks aren't a great leap of faith on the
part of the occasional visitor. Getting NE +3 in a three team teaser is
very tempting, assuming one can find two other games of value.
...Much of the reason the Caucasian won't be up and running is because the Caucasian is literally not up and running, having declared no mas to my own special strain of our household contagion. Curious what this pretty much randomly selected internist has to say as opposed to medicine woman seen by Yolanda at the Doc in a Box over the weekend. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest there's a connection. Aside from Ridge, that leaves Jessica, two weeks removed from a serious automobile accident, the healthiest resident of Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor. Ponderous man...let me light another cigarette and give it some thought. Where's Mary Poppins when you really need her? Typhoid Mary has already moved in.
September 8, 2004
...DUFFLE draft 2004 went well albeit a bit long. Reigning champion Bill drew first pick and took the obligatory Priest Holmes. Biggest surprise of the evening for me were the number of QBs taken in the first round. The Dictators are an aged bunch that require uncle Joe to put together at least a functional offense in DC and the Seattle line can hold up enough the get Shaun some room to run. Picks to be posted on Yahoo post haste. Thanks again to our perennial draft hostesses C & D.
...Everyone returned to Wall Street from Martha's Vinyard to find an under priced market. 11,000 will be surpassed by year's end, but after the election in a bigger than usual Santa Claus rally. One is tempted to use speculative dollars to buy into a chip ETF. The sector has taken such a beating over the last six months... Meanwhile when the dust finally settles, it looks like we're at or above $40/barrel for oil for the foreseeable future. Core inflation has to begin to show some upward trend, but a little inflation for the average home owner isn't such a bad thing, unless, of course, you happen to be Allen Greenspan.
September 7, 2004
...In the quite rightly numbers obsessed game of baseball why does no one every mention Hack Wilson's 190 RBI year?
...Local school systems (including DeKalb) shut down and as of this morning over a quarter million Georgia Power customers are sans juice in metro Atlanta. The only noticeable damage at Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor was that Alice was toppled in the garden. She was treated for minor dirt and leaf coverage and released from an area hospital. No doubt, millions have been inconvenienced in varying degrees of severity by this weather, so the thoughts and prayers of Suttle World are sincerely offered in good faith to those who have suffered. Still if you can't get a giggle from video of 1500 Red Cross volunteers in a Red Cross shelter because they couldn't get to Florida...
...And they postponed three Devil Ray games? Hell, they should have turned Fanta Large Urnge Park (or whatever its called) into a shelter---guaranteeing the largest crowds of the season (38 trailer dwelling "families," a dozen crack dealers and three dozen from a senior center). In the Tampa Bay baseball world marketing opportunities like this don't come along often. And speaking of aimless franchises---while I'm fully aware that through the glory of the internet one can get action on any sporting event in the world at any computer in the church basement deepest in the Bible belt, but for God's sake MLB cannot put a team in Vegas. Charlotte and Washington are ready when you are.
...And for those of you keeping score at home---Carolina did indeed come from behind in their home opener to defeat the ever formidable William and Mary. Only nine more to go until you get Duke. Meanwhile, the Georgia Southern Eagles represented well (and by my guess took home a nice looking check) in Athens. Didn't see but a few plays and don't know indicative the score was to the actual match up, but my guess is Southern covered.
...Speaking of which---The NFL cranks up Thursday
night, with a regular full schedule for Sunday and Monday night.
Consequently, the always popular
returns for its second triumphant year promising a greater return
than last season's 10.1%. Course if you can get me 10% money in this
market, feel free to pop off an email.
...
officially opens its 2004 season this evening at the ever so
gracious C & D's as ten teams (kinda) vie for the coveted DUFFLE Cup.
DUFFLE owners are encouraged to use this email
link to contact your humble commissioner. The DUFFLE page should also be
up and running faster and louder than last year, but at present I'm having some
trouble with some bells and whistles, so at present, it serves little
purpose. Meanwhile, the Yahoo site works just fine. Again you should
join a free "custom league". DUFFLE's league number is 466197
and the p/w is duesenberg (case sensitive). Kick off is set for 8:00, but
Bill advises he may be a bit late, ergo perhaps a later start if all are agreed.
September 6, 2004
...Hey, pssst, Bob, yeah over here. Yeah its me the power to be and I know you're in a hurry, but this is only going to take a minute. Bob, you're a hard working Joe---which means either you're too dumb to no your own name or your mama is stupid as shit. Bob, to show my gratitude and that of the many sinister figures that stand behind me, I'm going to give you a day off work to salute just how hard you work. We're leaning towards a Monday in the fall so that unless you live in Florida, the weather ought to be nice, and hey, we're throwing a big picnic and you and your family are invited. Now Bob, I know what you're thinking: "Dude finally gives me a day off and now I gotta go to some freakin picnic." But Bob, there will be lot's of kids to lose your kids with. The women folk will want to get together and gaggle. And, Bob, be assured Frederick, the local pharmacist, will be on hand with an ample supply of cough syrup should the men decide to improve their well being. In fact, Bob, we're gonna encourage all the men folk to be as well as they wish. Oh, and Bob, as long as we're all there together a few folks like myself are going to say a few words about the election we'll be having in a couple months. Bob, I'd like you to pay attention to what we have to say and when you head off to vote in November, I'd like you to remember that I was the one who was smart enough to appreciate just what a hard worker you are and give you a day off to celebrate your labor. Thanks Bob---see ya at the picnic. Oh, and one other thing Bob, our data indicates your implanted transmitter is due for a tune up. Would you be so kind as to see Citizen Service Representative 21504897 at People's Center 1027 next Wednesday morning?...
...Ok there is value in celebrating American labor if one refers to the volume of ergs this country produces/emits at any given time. Americans are the hardest working sombitches in the western world in spite of an ever intrusive federal government. First generation immigrants make Americans look like lazy wastrels in comparison, and then there's the Suttle dog food theory of life. It is noteworthy that work and produce are the operative words. Americans worked for and produced the wealth that has led to the world's highest standard of living---a country in which those in poverty biggest enemy is obesity. Please note that redistribution is not to be found in that equation, excepting the voluntary efforts of individual citizens. Deviations from this path will ultimately prove disastrous. If in doubt, please consult Adam Smith. Easy for a gimpy guy with a keyboard to peck out, but if the doctor comes into the room with a Camel smoldering in his yap and tells you to quit smoking, are you not getting sound medical advice?
...A bit of a stretch, but here's a great example. First, ace reporter Dirk Bremen has found the MDA telethon though he has yet to make a Jerry Lewis sighting. Muscular Dystrophy would seem to fall into that wide variety of diseases/conditions for which stem cell research may hold great promise, up to and including a cure and prevention. At present, President Bush opposes federal funding for such research and I agree---not because it involves frozen soon to be discarded fetal tissue samples, but because the federal government should not be involved in medical research. Excepting narrowly defined public health and safety issues, this research should be performed by the private sector---that's you and your pocket book friend. There is no ban on stem cell research and it can continue with your direct assistance. Or you might be of the mindset that Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or Franks Bio Tech and Septic Repair is more than willing to devote their own/investor's resources into finding a breakthrough that would reap huge financial rewards. In this rant we find hope in Labor Day---a future in which you are able to keep more of what you produce and use it as you see fit.
...The Kerry campaign better have a couple good weeks, or send a resume to McGovern, Mondale and Dukakis. But the geniuses at the White House gave them some fodder in trying to fly a 17% increase in Medicare premiums under the radar. They had to know that the hike would necessitate taking a beating, but at least take it in the full light of day. Stupid politically, but one is reminded that the nation's wealthiest age demographic will now pay an average of $79/month for BITD coverage. Speaking of which, though not yet covered by Medicare, I join all American's in wishing President Clinton a successful by-pass procedure today. Meanwhile our friend in Quebec only has to hold out three more weeks after being diagnosed with the exact same condition back in June.
...Ridge and patient Jessica to return today, but time and means remain a mystery. The lady of the house gives up no secrets---rather normal for comatose individuals. Yolanda continues to be ravaged by the URI that just won't stop.
...This just in: Heavy winds and rain continue in Florida.
September 4, 2004
...Yeah its been quiet around here Slim. Too quiet. Fact of the matter is that care giving, fighting one's own hideous contagion and preparing for Buddy's 80th birthday celebration left publishing toward the bottom of the pile. You really haven't missed much excepting that already mentioned. The Buddy Bash appeared to come off well last night, or at least everyone was kind enough to say they enjoyed it; and in all honesty, my bride pulled off dinner for 50 pretty gosh darn well.
...Today is a day of rest, but the gentle surfer---wait, this telegram just in from Pinhead Weather reporter Dirk Bremen who is live in Hurricane Frances. I shall transcribe as I read---"DATELINE FLORIDA STOP HEAVY WINDS AND RAIN CONTINUE STOP" Well, there you have it folks---up to the second coverage of Frances is right here on good ole Suttle World. Pics here. More faster and louder features headed your way this week.
...Update on patient Jessica is from the no news is good news department. She felt well enough to spend the weekend with a friend and periodic reports are pretty much status-quo---generalized soreness, but no specific complaints. While it will be a couple weeks until we know if this chapter can be closed, she's fully ambulatory and comfortable.
...At last report the DUFFLE draft was set for this Tuesday night---I'll contact (email or otherwise) in an attempt to confirm. Preemptive emails welcome.
...This is Labor Day weekend, right? Shouldn't Jerry Lewis be begging for bucks around now? We'll get Dirk Bremen on that right after he receives confirmation from a third source that heavy winds and rain continue in Florida.
September 1, 2004
...Updating if only to turn the cosmic odometer to September, as we wave AMF to an rather onerous August. Niece Jessica was in fact discharged from the Medical Center in Macon yesterday afternoon, arriving at stately Roberts/Suttle Manor around 5:30. Though rightfully sore and moving a bit slowly, she's proving to be a most accommodating patient, racking up a good twelve hours in the rack last night---the best medicine to be had at this point. Further imaging will be necessary over the next couple of weeks to make an exact prognosis on various vertebrae factures, but expectations are for a full recovery with the aid of the current cumbersome hardware (neck and back brace). Otherwise it is a day of rest for the remainder of the house. Yolanda is taking the next two days off to assist in the caregiver role and make final preparation for Buddy's 80th birthday soiree this weekend.
...One quick take is Arnold and his speech to the RNC last night. Though he was about 5 minutes too long and lacked a big finish, his performance approached that of Mario Cuomo, the Bob Beaman of convention speakers. The California governor came close to clearing that bar.
August 31, 2004
...Prognostications of Jessica Roberts' discharge from the Medical Center of Macon today may well prove to be premature. Diligent imaging has revealed a crack in a lumbar vertebrae, resulting in the prescription of a back brace to wear for the next few weeks. Said braces are cooked to order---requiring a fitting and the like. Should the braces fabrication be completed today she will be released. If not, she should be paroled Wednesday at the latest. Needless to say we are anxious to get her here and settled in for her convalescence. Yolanda and I are also very appreciative of the many friends and family who have been so helpful in assisting in this ordeal, including the patient who has been a real trouper. File this under "one day we'll look back on this and laugh, but not today."
...How could MENSA and the Republicans schedule their national conventions in NYC at the same time? Ooops, my bad, the protestors seen to date actually would seem to have an average IQ roughly equal to that of a dead flash light battery. But bless their little misguided hearts, just like the Clan in Skokie or our dearly departed friend Josea marching in Forsyth County, I vehemently defend their right to display their stupidity in front of God and everybody. Didn't catch Rudi last night, but look forward to Zell this evening. And now Ed Koch endorses the President. One more time boys and girls: for whom would Osama vote?
...Is this the most fun Braves team since '91 or what? This ball club squeezes every once of production out of the skills available. I see hustle and a hunger to win that has been seemingly absent the past several years. Regardless, the TWELFTH consecutive division title would appear to be in the bag. Yes, post season play has been disappointing, but am I the only one left that appreciates the meaning of winning a pennant in a 162 game season? Always seemed to be a much better indicator of who has the superior team(s) than a seven game series.
...Props to Dick Ebersol at NBC for his take on the network's success televising the mercifully concluded Olympics. Ebersol was unapologetic about media complaints about prime time coverage, explaining they weren't after the hard core sports fans. Fair enough. Still, glad its over.
August 30, 2004
...We expect Jessica to be released from the Medical Center of Macon later today. No single MD would commit to it yesterday, given several disciplines must sign off on her leaving, but all indications point to an afternoon discharge. She will indeed convalesce at Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor for the next couple of weeks. At this point, it appears she will be able to continue her studies in absentia, but that too is up in the air until more contact can be made with the powers to be at Georgia Southern. We look forward to her presence, especially if she brings extra pain meds. We also look forward to waving a frantic AMF to August----an overly eventful month.
...The Olympics end just when I find an event I can really get into: full contact marathon running. Perhaps this is a career path to explore, I can get a rainbow colored afro wig, a Manitoba 3:16 t shirt and show up at major sporting events. Not sure who would pay me or how much, but I'll work out the details later.
...Perhaps the take of the year comes from the mouth of President Clinton yesterday. While leaving church services in Harlem...................................................................................(pause to allow the gentle surfer to let their eyeballs to roll down into their upright and locked position), Clinton opines about the swift boat ads as being untrue and that Kerry's accusers are guilty "of bearing false witness." That boy aint right.
August 29, 2004
...Just in from the Surgeon General: Rolling an SUV at 75 mph can be hazardous to your health. Quitting rolling an SUV at 75 mph now greatly reduces serious risks to your health. And not rolling an SUV at 75 mph greatly reduces the risk of cardiac events among immediate family. Bottom line: Jessica is going to be OK. Still a couple of things to check out, but she should be released in a few days and convalesce here at Stately Roberts/Suttle Manor for the next couple weeks, a great relief for her brother Ridge who currently occupies the estate's west wing. Pics of the former Honda Passport do not do the severity of its damage justice, but perhaps a quick look will give some pause for consideration the next time one rolls out of the driveway that one is operating a 2000+ pound machine = heap powerful medicine. Yolanda was relieved of overnight duty Saturday and we shall return today, to allow Dr. Gene to survey the situation and generally be a pain in the ass for the very professional and caring staff at The Medical Center of Macon. The incident was stressful enough, but pile on the fact that she's in a hospital bed in the middle of nowhere (relative to relatives) and the panic attacks begin to set in. But the folks at this truly fine hospital have done everything within their power to ease such concerns. Morphine and a gaggle of friends stopping by (mostly gorgeous young ladies with 20" waist lines---yes we hate you, but in a nice way) helps as well.
...The Suttle fire your stinkin' lawyer kit has proven successful. Email for your own package should you find yourself with a not so bright arrogant bastard as your barrister. It would be a bitch if one's errors and omissions insurance premiums headed north in a big way, but I doubt it could be any worse than lingering in limbo for 18 months while folks hold a large chunk of one's change in exchange for doing nothing. And yes, your humble web publisher is pretty familiar with NY Times v. Sullivan, resulting in the careful wording of this paragraph that identifies no one and quite possibly concerns a theoretical situation in a parallel universe.
...And how will Juan Antonio Sonofabitch classify these Olympic games? OVER! is my most fervent hope; but, again, props to Greece who pulled it off while I foresaw a disaster waiting to happen. Now we must endure a grueling two years before the next winter games, which, excepting hockey, are even more boring than the summer events. Hey, next to the World Cup, its the world's biggest marketing effort and that's what makes the world go round; and justly so given the events that provide an excuse for the marketing are in themselves mind numbingly dull.
...Speaking of mind numbingly dull, the Republican infomercial starts this week in NYC. But be prepared for something of a surprise, as the party will begin to raise real issues about the campaign, or at least compare and contrast the records of the two major candidates. Zell should be a lot of fun, but not nearly as fun as Democrats trying to spin him away. BTW as you grip over the increase in the number of folks in poverty, may I remind you that your humble webmaster is counted among them and I don't recall missing many meals lately. Actually, I may have missed many meals, but can't remember because I don't have access to socialized medicine to treat my amnesia..
...From the better late than never department: Ridge decided to once again eschew the Davey Jones look in exchange for a trim. Behold the before and after pics. References to similarities between the before pic and that of yours truly from the stone age (below) are unnecessary, thank you.