Nice!

My wife and I have a 3-year-old son and we always talk about being jealous of his "footie" PJs.

I may have to pull this trigger on this one.

espn.com's "insider" feature

==begin rant==

I love espn.com ... it's my first and main source of sports news. Lots of great feature writing, columnists, stats analysis, etc.

That being said, their "insider" feature drives me absolutely insane.

Let me get this straight, you want me to pay $40 year (unless I subscribe to ESPN The Magazine, then it's free) so I can read additional sports stories online ... seriously?!?

In a day and age when it seems like you have to pay for anything and everything, it really frustrates me that espn.com wants me to pay for the "privilege" of reading more of their content.

I've got news for them ... not gonna happen.

OK, I'm done now.

==end rant==

Patriots @ Ravens

Bill Simmons of espn.com is one of my favorite columnists. He's a Boston native and very passionate about Boston teams.

He writes a weekly column during the NFL season and picks the games' winners. This week was especially good and of the Pats @ Ravens game he wrote:

Patriots (-20.5) over RAVENS

The best part of these nationally televised Ravens games? When they show Ray Lewis doing his elaborate pregame entrance at home -- he always looks like one of those washed-up WWE wrestlers holding onto the same entrance gimmick they had from 12 years ago when they were still popular. It's like seeing Hacksaw Jim Duggan carrying the American flag or something. Stick a fork in the Ravens.

(I have to admit, I'm already looking ahead to the Steelers and Jets. What if the Pats left Chris Hanson inactive for the Jets game and played without a punter? Wouldn't that be the ultimate slap in the face? Know this going in, Mangini ... we're not punting. Can you think of a better psychological ploy? It's one thing to go 19-0; it's another thing to be the team that intentionally scratched their punter before a game for the first-ever Eff You Transaction. Now I know what I want for Christmas.)

LOL ... perfect! I would so love to see Bill Belichick mess with Mangini and not play with a punter for that game ... and not only to not play with a punter, but make an announcement that he's doing so. Excellent.

Nintendo Wii

So my sister-in-law is trying to get a Nintendo Wii for her 8-year-old son for Christmas ... it's the only gift she really wants to get him.

I'm truly astounded at how short in supply these things are ... just amazing. I was actually in line at a Toys R Us on Black Friday at 4:30 a.m. and didn't even get into the store before people were walking out saying the store didn't even have them, let alone being sold out.

The Wii has been on the market for over a year and stores still don't have them?!? And I read recently that Nintendo says it won't be able to meet the Christmas season demand. Seriously?!?

UPDATE: After a couple of weeks of looking online and monitoring the brick retailers, I scored a Wii today (Nov. 30) at amazon.com for the MSRP of $250 with the help of wiialerts.com ... very psyched and needless to say, my sister-in-law is excited as well. Now I can move on with my life ... mission accomplished. LOL

Just when you thought you'd heard it all

This story about the British teacher and the teddy bear just gets more and more unbelievable.

Now people in Sudan are taking to the streets and calling for her execution.

I literally don't even know what to say.

Sports and Star Wars ... perfect!

"It's not what you think!"

Let the Hot Stove games begin!

So Twins pitcher Johan Santana is on the trading block and the Sox are going after him ... hard.

Giddy up!

Mix Santana, he who has won the AL Cy Young award twice in the past four years, in with Beckett, Schill, Dice-K and Wake and you've got one hell of a starting rotation.

Wowzers ...

I'd make a comment about even if the Sox don't land Santana and are just doing this to make him more expensive for the Spankees but as we've seen in the past, money doesn't matter in NY.

Speaking of which, if I were Santana, which team would I more want to go to ... the Sox, who have a proven track record in the post season now and appear to poised to make a serious run at the World Series for a few years, or the Spankees which seem to be a rudderless ship without someone to steer.

Brit teacher jailed in Sundan

Just amazing ... I'm truly at a loss for words over this story on CNN.

About the only thing you can say about this is that at least she isn't going to get the 40 lashes.

Bo Knows

Ever wonder what happened to Bo Jackson? He of the two-sport fame (baseball and football) in the late '80s and early '90s?

Check out this story on ESPN.com. Not only is it a good story about (IMO) an interesting person, it's well-written, too.

Unbelievable

I understand different cultures have different values and laws than we do, but this story on CNN is insane, IMO.

In a nutshell, a British teacher in Sudan has been arrested because she asked her class of seven-year-olds to come up with a name for the class teddy bear as part of a project and the students chose "Mohammed." But, some of the students complained to their parents. So the teacher was arrested and charged with "offending religion" which, get this, could be punishable with 40 lashes, a jail term of up to a year or a fine.

Thus far, the Sudanese government isn't backing down ... you've GOT to be kidding me. Two things: the 40 lashes is barbaric, I don't care what their laws say. And, the students named the bear! The teacher didn't ... the students did!

Truly, I'm dumbfounded.

My Preferences

First, a confession ... I stole this idea from a friend's blog.

My preferences in life:

• Kell and Joey over anybody else
  
• Jack Daniel's over ... any other libation
  
• one word: coffee
  
• Diamond Dave Van Halen over Van Hagar
  
• Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars over Episodes 1-3
  
• Jazz over country
  
• Letterman over Leno
  
• Howard Stern over Imus
  
• Tom Brady over Peyton Manning
  
• Xbox 360 over PS3
  
• Metal over rap
  
• Chunky over creamy (gotta have that crunch)
  
• Gin & Tonics over martinis
  
• The Boston Globe over The NY Times
  
• Beatles over Rolling Stones
  
• IE over Firefox
  
• RSS feeds over searching for stuff
  
• New Balance over Nike
  
• Steak over chicken
  
• Football over baseball (but it's VERY close)
  
• Soup to nuts
  
• boxer-briefs over going commando
  
• The Daily Show over "real" news
  
• Dems over the GOP
  
• Vans over shoes
  
• Winter WAY OVER Summer
  
• Martha's Vineyard over the rest of the Cape
  
• Seinfeld over most any other sitcom
  
• Edward Hopper over ... everyone else
  
• Red Sox over Spankees (I can't even type the real name)
  
• Scrubs over ER
  
• Bones over any of those CSI shows
  

Cool ... but very depressing

While the tool used to produce this map is cool, this has got to be the one of the most depressing maps I've seen.

11 - 0

The Patriots' march to a perfect season continues after surviving a 31-28 game against the Philadelphia Eagles' excellence defense.

A few thoughts on the game and the Patriots in general:

• I actually liked the fact that this game was close instead of the blowouts we've seen this season. It showed that the Pats can compete with a good team and overcome mistakes (of which there were many).


• It amazes me that there are some out there actually criticizing the Pats for NOT scoring more points against the Eagles ... seriously. You've GOT to be kidding me. All season we've heard that the Pats are running up the score ... oy vey.


• Is Pats running back Laurence Maroney hurt or not? His sporadic play is confusing and coach Bill Belichick keeps shrugging off questions about it. Hmmm ...


• Give the Eagles credit, they came in as 22+ underdogs for Sunday night's game and showed how ridiculous that spread really was. I was impressed.


• Speaking of impressed, Eagles back up QB A. J. Feeley had a career game (27 of 42, 345 yards, 3 TDs). But, it was the 3 INTs he threw ... if not for those, the Eagles may have handed the Pats their first loss of the season.


• And speaking of impressive, the Pats' cornerback, Asante Samuel, was amazing again Sunday night, picking off Freeley's second pass of the game and running it in for a TD. Daaaaamn ... Pats should re-sign him as soon as the season is done!


• The Pats D needs to start stepping up. While the line is good, the secondary can't seem to stop the run OR the pass. This doesn't bode well for the playoffs because if other teams defend the Pats the way the Eagles did, then the team may not be able to rely on scoring an absurd amount of points in order to win.


• At the risk of being a total homer, is it me or are NFL refs REALLY looking for phantom penalties? WR Randy Moss was tagged for a total BS pass interference call which negated a TD Sunday night ... wow. Even Al Michaels and John Madden couldn't believe it. And in the past few weeks, the Pats have been called for similar penalties on offense that even the announcers have said were questionable at best. Of course, if the Pats complain, everyone will think they're just whining ...


• Finally, I thought football analyst/guru Madden made two very good points towards the end of the game when he said that the Patriots showed why they are undefeated because they make the plays they need to make and WHEN they need to make them to win. He also said that Sunday's game vs. the Eagles would "provide a blueprint for other teams on how to handle the Patriots." Going to be VERY interesting to see how the teams on the Pats' remaining schedule (Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Miami and Giants) play them now. Guaranteed film of Sunday's game will be studied very heavily.
  

Light of Doom

I don't watch the show, but I had to share this after a friend sent me the YouTube link.

Remember this band's name ... I'd be shocked if we don't hear from them in the future ... seriously. May not be your kind of music, but you gotta admit that for only 12 and 13 years old, these kids have great stage presence and polish.



UPDATE: Ok, I made the first post then saw THIS ... wow.

Be all you can be

So I pick up the Boston Globe today off of my front porch and see this story on the front page about the Army's latest recruiting numbers.

The good news (if you can call it that) is that the Army made it's goal for the first time in months.

The bad news? They met their numbers by accepting more recurits with "criminal records, drug or alcohol problems, or health conditions that would have ordinarily disqualified them from service."

Nice ...

AFC Champs ... again

From Boston Globe.com:

The Patriots have won the AFC East division championship today, by virtue of the Buffalo Bills losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 36-14.

The Patriots have now won five straight division titles, and have captured six of the last seven crowns. The five straight division titles set a record for most consecutive division crowns in AFC East history.

The Patriots tie for the earliest division clinch since the NFL established the 16-game schedule in 1978. Three other teams clinched their division during the weekend of their 11th game since 1978 -- the 1985 Chicago Bears, the 1997 San Franvcisco 49ers and the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles.

If I were on the Simpsons ...

... I'd look like this:

Turkey Day

It's gobble gobble in the US and that means lots of eating, drinking and being with family for most of us.

It also is a time to reflect on what we're thankful for, something I've been thinking about for a while.

What am I most thankful for this year? My wife, Kelley, and my son, Joey, to be sure.

But I'm also very thankful to and for the women and men who serve this country now and in the past. Was watching Good Morning America this morning and they showed stories of soldiers coming home and surprising their kids and their schools ... just amazing. It emphasizes once again the incredible sacrifices these people make to serve in any branch of the military.

Regardless of your feelings about the War in Iraq, you simply have to support our troops ... they're doing a job, one that takes a special person to answer the calling for (I know I couldn't do it).

As Edward R. Murrow used to say, "Good night and good luck."

The Belichick Factor

Just saw this online about the point spread for the Pats vs. Eagles game this Sunday. The Pats offense is good, but daaaaamn ...

Las Vegas has set the betting line for Sunday's game between the Patriots and Eagles, and New England is a 23.5-point favorite.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio writes on ESPN.com that this is the largest point spread in NFL history for a game that does not involve an expansion team.

"Nowadays, you don't see too many spreads over 16 or 17 points," Sean Van Patten, an oddsmaker at Sports Consultants in Las Vegas, told Paolantonio. "That's because most teams take their starters out in the fourth quarter of a lopsided game. The Patriots don't. I call this phenomenon The [Bill] Belichick Factor."

Wowzers ...

Mike Lowell, Part 3

Word has come down that Mike Lowell has re-signed with the Red Sox. Terms of the contract are for three years, $37.5 million.

This is excellent news for the Sox and Red Sox Nation. I think having Lowell patrolling the hot corner only helps the team's chances of defending their WS title. Lowell is a fan favorite and appears to be a great presence in the club house.

I have to say, tho, that I found it interesting that there appeared to be little active interest from other teams in trying to sign him once he hit the free agency market (other than the NY Spankees). Either other free agents were more coveted or, because of his age, Lowell wasn't as attractive as others ... ? Dunno.

Whatever the reason, I think it's great he's coming back. Even if the past year was a career year for him at the dish and he doesn't put up the same numbers, he's an excellent defensive third baseman.

Maybe there's something to it ... maybe

OK, I'll admit it, the Pats are running up the score. They just scored to make it 42-7 with 8:49 left in the third quarter. The Pats were 4th and 1 in the red zone and could have kicked a figgie ... but they went for 7.

Not exactly the greatest display of sportsmanship, IMO.

Still, it's kinda fun ... snicker.

Mike Lowell, according to Schill

Interesting comment from Sox pitcher Curt Schilling on his blog about Mike Lowell ... he makes a good point:

"I can assure you that Mike Lowell knows exactly how I, and all his teammates feel about him. He’s invaluable on and OFF the field. What some don’t understand is that this is a business decision for both sides. We all get that. Mike is negotiating what might be his last long and large contract, he has every right and obligation to do the right thing for he and his family. You cannot begrudge him that. I honestly think it will work out and he’ll be back here, if that doesn’t happen I, like everyone else on this team, will HATE to see him leave.

"At the same time we understand, as you need to, that what Mike Lowell signs for and negotiates is no ones business but his and his families (sic), and he’s earned that right. I know he loved being here, he appreciated and acknowledged this team, these fans, often.

"Seeing as he came from being ‘the throw in’ and a guy who fans everywhere complained about ’slow hands’ and ’salary added to get Beckett’ to pretty much the MVP or Co-MVP of this team speaks volumes about who and what Mike Lowell is. I want him back here, I think he wants to be back here, and I think the Sox want him back here. The only opinions that matter are his and the teams and if both sides want it badly enough it will happen."

I gotta agree.

Offensive

So I'm sitting here watching the Patriots at Buffalo ... there's 3:02 left in the first half and it's already 28-7 and the Bills just punted ... again. Wow. This Patriots team is the real deal this season. WR Randy Moss has three TDs this half and now holds the Pats' TD reception record for a season ... and it's only the 10th game of the season.

There's still six games left to go in this season. Again ... wow.

Madden is running out of superlatives to use in talking about the Pats and in particular their offense.

Speaking of announcers, could someone PLEASE tell Al Michaels enough with the "Beli-Cheat" discussions. For chrissakes, Al ... let it go! Granted, he wasn't trashing the Pats, but when he talks about something that happened at the first week of the season and says "most people have forgotten about it" ... yeah, well, you yappin' about it EVERY PATS GAME YOU DO doesn't help.

Just saying ...

One other thing ... starting with this game, the Pats play three games in a row that are late games (8:15-ish p.m. starts) ... man, that "flexible schedule" idea from the NFL was a great idea ... um, yeah. I'm going to go make some more coffee.

THIS JUST IN ... Brady to Moss ... TD ... 34-7 with 10 seconds left in the first half. Oh my ...

Mike Lowell

Word around the campfire today is that the NY Spankees are no longer interested in trying to sign Mike Lowelll to play first base ... they're going to go with a two-player rotation of Shelly Duncan and Jason Giambi at #3.

Also, the Phillies, Dodgers and Toronto (three teams thought to mulling offers for Lowell) apparently are saying they're not interested.

So, that would seem to leave Lowell with the option of signing the three-year offer he has from the Sox or signing with another team that has kept very quite during the Hot Stove season thus far.

Here's hoping Lowell signs with the Sox. Even if he had a career year at the dish last season, he'll still be an above-average third baseman and he's a great presence in the Sox clubhouse.

Stay tuned ...

Van Halen

Have you seen this latest tour? Wowzers ... worth every penny (and man, is it expensive to go to a show these days!) ...

Diamond Dave put it best when he said, "This here is the new Van Halen ... three-quarters original, one-quarter inevitable!"

The music was amazing ... "Mean Streets," "Hot for Teacher", and "Everybody Wants Some!!" were worth the price of admission alone. Eddie was at his best and Wolfgang was better than expected on bass.

Speaking of concert pricing, I really wanted to get a t-shirt (for old time's sake) but was in NO WAY going to pony up $40+ ... are you kidding me?!?

Barry Bonds' indictment

Good lord, what a mess.

I rolled my eyes a bit when I heard the talking heads saying this was a bad day for MLB, but the more I think about it, the more they're right. It is sad that a guy like Bonds who now (for better or worse) owns the baseball home run record is perceived so poorly in the public's eye. So many kids looking up to people like him ... yeesh. No wonder baseball is less and less the nation's past time.

Still, it will be interesting to see how long before someone plays the race card ... I can't imagine folks like the Rev. Al Shaprton and (maybe) Jesse Jackson not coming out and saying something about how if Bonds was white, there wouldn't be such a hub bub about this.

Of course, those who think that way, IMO, are soooooo missing the point. Bonds LIED TO A GRAND JURY and folks, when you do that, you can bet the Feds are going to come after your ass. I really hope Bonds isn't surprised by this indictment. The "cream and the clear"?!?

Please ...

Not for nothing, but ...

One of my favorite expressions .. that and, "it'll look good from my house" ... very appropo for many situations.

Blogging is an interesting thing ... I've always wanted to start one and didn't think I had much to say. But, I realized that I missed writing (used to be a newspaper reporter) and I thought blogging would be a good way to keep the writing skills up ... that, and clog the 'net with more useless info.

Writer's strike

I just finished reading Trey Stokes' blog post about the WGA's strike and he's right ... more people need to be aware of what's going on here because the money involved is ridiculous. Here's hoping the writer's come out of this with something to show for, unlike the strike of '88.