All Is Mild

The weather here in the barren wasteland is very rarely 'pleasant' and after a weekend of cold temperatures and even a couple of inches of snow in early October I, for one, was thinking that this winter was going to be a long, cold, hard winter...but that cold spell didn't linger long around here...instead, much of October was a mild, rainy month (better than snow!) and for the past 2, 3 weeks, the temperatures have been very ...dare I say it... pleasant around here... highs reaching into the 50's, no wind and usually a very sunny sky.

Any time you get nice days in November thru February you take them! What has always made winter time so suckish around here is that there is little doubt that January and February will be cold months ... so if any other 'winter' months (ie: November, December, March) happen to be cold, snowy or just unpleasant, that is what has always made winters here suck just because it is adding more time to the misery ... I've trick or treated with snow on the ground and shoveled sidewalks before Easter.

Word is our lucky weather streak is about to come to an end and in typical fashion... a nice blast of frigid air to send our temps down ... it appears as if we have likely seen the last of weather above 50 degrees for the year... now we begin to yearn for them again...

Chargers Defeat Eagles, Broncos Lose Again

Is it me or is the NFC totally over-rated? For the second week in a row the Chargers defeat an NFC East elite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Unlike the previous game against the Giants, this game the Chargers were pretty much in control from the outset and just needed to hold off the Eagles at the end.

The Charger defense may have found a 'rhythm' and, again, for back-to-back weeks made formidable goal-line stands...bending but ultimately not breaking. The Eagles totally shut down Vincent Jackson but that meant LaDainian Tomlinson had room to run and Antonio Gates had a very nice game as well. LT moved into 3rd all-time for most touchdowns scored at 146 moving past Marcus Allen and now behind Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice. But what might be the most memorable moment for LT is that he announced that his wife was pregnant. They apparently had been trying for some time to have a child and it appears that they will soon be parents.

And for the third straight game the Broncos lose and with the Chargers moving to 6-3 they are now tied with the Broncos and guess what game is next? Broncos-Chargers, in mile-high...hopefully Ed Hochuli is working a game in Cleveland so he can't screw the Chargers out of this one.

But are the Chargers for real? I'm still leaning towards no but I do see things changing on the defense and if that improves the Chargers as a whole do. I've read that Cason, who was benched from his nickel job, has spelled both Jammer and Cromartie with the 1st team against the Eagles and word is it will continue...Cason does seem to have a 'playmaker' style of play and might increase turnovers.

And just to make sure the story never dies and Tila Tequilla can continue to grab the headlines at least one more time...she is suing Shawne Merriman for the 'choking' incident that happened earlier this year. Merriman's contract is up at the end of this year... I haven't seen or heard of any Charger activity on resigning him and with this type of b.s. happening, I don't blame them...maybe if he gets 10 more sacks before the end of the season their might be some activity on getting him a new contract...

Chargers, as mentioned, have the Broncos and then they play their final game versus all their division rivals with the Kansas City Chiefs... a win vs Denver and KC puts the Bolts at 8-3 with games against Cleveland, Dallas, Cincy, Tennessee and Washington ... no excuse to not have at least 10 wins ... a loss against the Broncos...still doable...

Bon Jovi: Setting The Whore Bar High

Ok, I'm not a Bon Jovi fan...oh sure, when I was in high school and Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" was out I listened to it and may have enjoyed it, but I have never owned or even possessed a single Bon Jovi album or song.

But what has made me take note of Bon Jovi today is their blatant, all-out whore-like presence these days. That is, Bon Jovi cares so much about their fans has figured out new and modern methods to get as much money from their loyal fans as they can.

I have not seen or heard of these 'marketing' tactics in the past and doubt many other acts would be able to pull off the same stunt and make money but because there are still plenty of 30+ year old women still in America, Bon Jovi can. Here's what Bon Jovi has done... they announced a nationwide tour and a nationwide onsale date for their entire tour...but if you want tickets before the general onsale you can buy tickets early as long as you buy their new album with your tickets...so along with the $90+ ticket price a $11 Bon Jovi album is added to that price. First, I'd be curious to see how many people actually redeem their album purchase because anyone going to see Bon Jovi isn't going there to hear any of their new shit...they want to hear Living On A Prayer, I'm Wanted (Steel Horse I Ride?), Runaway, pretty much anything pre-1990.

Then after seeing that super-awesome offer I notice that Amazon.com is selling the new Bon Jovi album for $4! Yes, for four bucks you could buy their crappy new album on Amazon.com but if you want to buy tickets for their show you can get it at a special promo price of $11 ... boy Bon Jovi, you and your managers are as greedy as they get...glad I don't like your music at all and I don't feel sorry for any of the women out there that will trample over each other to throw money at you...they are stupid and prove why....

The Office: Jumped The Shark, What Else Is On?

Something I haven't done in a while is comment on the television I've been watching and what made me think of doing so was a continuing discussion I have had with some co-workers...

I have watched The Office on NBC for several seasons and have seen every episode now and up until mid-way through last season the show has been pretty good, but this season we have mostly agreed that The Office is on the decline and it is almost accelerating every episode...I use to be excited to see the latest episode and I think by season's end I could very likely not even be a viewer anymore... The show, which was a comedy has quickly switched gears and is more of a dramedy now and becoming more of a drama then a comedy... Pam and Jim got married and the show deemed it fit to essentially strip them of their characteristics that made viewers like them...Pam is a mean, sour bitch now and Jim is serious and unfunny. Micheal Scott, once a likable awkward person is now a pathetic, pitiful person. The show has centered around those three characters and the comedy has all but been sucked out from the show... There is usually a side-plot involving Andy and Dwight that will provide the 'comedy' portion for the show but is too light and never seems all that funny...likely because it is inserted in-between some 'serious' plot scene involving the primary three... The Office, had a good run but like M*A*S*H and Cheers the show began as a comedy and evolved into more of a drama ... that's when I lose interest and have already begun to do so with this latest show...

On the upside, I've discovered Secret Girlfriend on Comedy Central. A show that is right up my alley... no morals and mostly nonsense. You are the 'star' of the show...which is seen from the view of the camera... each half hour show is made up of 2 15-minute episodes...not sure if girls would like this show because it is mostly 'guy humor' ... beer, girls, computers, pot.... etc... but regardless, is hilarious, imo. If there is now one show I am anxious to see the new episode(s) of, it is Secret Girlfriend...

I continue to watch "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" which, this season, I think has been fairly good. The show continues to be a silly show that a person will gain nothing from by watching...a show that I can enjoy. It's probably offensive to most moral people because they seem to make fun of most any and everything they can.

I have watched most of the "Parks And Recreation" series and I don't think it is too bad. Louis C.K. has been a regular guest star lately playing a character that is unlike his comedy or his previous character on his HBO show. Tom and Andy are my favorite characters on the show and need to start living together for complete hilarity...

My son (7 years-old) and I watch Human Wrecking Balls on G4 ... new season started last night and my boy was pumped. What could be cooler then destroying a helicopter with your bare hands? He also enjoys Mythbusters a lot so I usually spend some time to watch that show with him as well...

But, since I acquired my DVR a few years ago, I rarely watch any of these shows at their regularly scheduled time and besides, sitting through commercials is so boring, I usually watch most of my television a day or two late...I'm constantly saying, "Was that on last night? Good, then it's waiting on the DVR for me!" I still do not have an HD set up yet and won't get one for at least another year or 2 if I can help it... my children still destroy most everything in the house so it would be foolish to get something like that to only have my kids ruin it...

Chargers Escape New York With Win, Eagles Next

Sorry for the long delay in posting but the past 10 days have been insane at work...

So let's first go over the big Charger victory in New York over the Giants...

The Charger defense made an impressive goal line stand when the Giants intercepted Phillip Rivers and returned the ball to the Charger 4 yard line...at the time a 17-14 game with the Giants in the lead. Giants had to settle for a field goal and give the Chargers the ball back with 2 minutes on the clock...

Rivers shook off the interception and promptly drove the Chargers 80 yards down the field and hit Vincent Jackson for the game winning touchdown with 21 seconds left...a very thrilling comeback and credit goes out to both the offense and defense for making it happen...

But let's put this all into perspective...the Giants, after starting 5-0, beating mostly poor teams, are now on a 4 game losing streak after the Charger loss...most certainly a team that has lost its direction. The Giant defense is not as stout as some made it out to be and the Giant offense doesn't seem to have the 'quick strike' or be a hi-scoring caliber type team. The Chargers, to me, still haven't beaten a quality opponent this season...

The Philadelphia Eagles come to town this week, a team that lost to the Raiders this season and lost to the Cowboys their last game. Many thought that the Giants had their backs against the walls last week are now saying the same about the Eagles this week, but the truth be told, in the NFL every game should be treated as a 'must win' until you have your playoff ticket punched.

The Broncos have lost 2 in a row now and the Chargers are only 1 game back and face the Broncos the following week... if the Chargers win this week that game will be play for at least a share of the lead of the AFC West, a Bronco loss this week and it will be for sole possession ...

It's half-way point for the Chargers ... their final 8 games have 4 games against teams with winning records (Eagles, Broncos, Cowboys & Bengals) and 4 games against teams with losing records (Kansas City, Cleveland, Tennessee & Washington). If the Chargers can beat the Broncos and win 1 other game against the "good" four and sweep the "losing" four that would mean an 11-5 season for the Chargers...very impressive looking on paper and I still think feesible. The question will be as to whether the Chargers are really that good...which, unfortunately, they are not...just benefactors of a weak schedule...

Yanks Win World Series

The New York Yankees finished up the World Series last night by beating the Phillies. And if I was able to predict the World Series outcome as close as I did, namely Yanks in 6 games, most games with more than four runs (only 1 game had 4 runs), Yanks winning the low score game and almost splitting the homerun derby games (winning 3 out of 5) ... I have to think the World Series was actually very anti-climatic and predictable ... for everyone that is not a Yankee or Phils fan, that is.

But the 'odds' held and under the current MLB salary system, the odds are that every year the Yankees should be the World Champs just because they are allowed to buy the best players in the entire league...still the primary reason MLB sucks these days...

Well, congrats Yankees, you have bought your 27th World Series Championship....

Chargers Beat Raiders, Barely...Again

The Chargers beat the Raiders for the 13th straight time, but like the first game this season the Chargers did everything they could to keep the Raiders in the game and potentially winning...But like in the past, this Raider team just isn't good. JeMarcus Russell is likely a bust for the Raiders and that really hurts a squad already down...just ask the Chargers (ala Ryan Leaf era).

Yes it is great to see the Chargers get a win but not so great knowing that they could have very much lost the game and would have most certainly lost if they were playing a remotely competent NFL team.

All the 'weak' spots seemed to have some hope against the Raiders...Shawne Merriman not only had his first sack in almost 2 years added a second...in fact the Chargers doubled their season sack total from 5 to 10 in the one game against the Raiders yesterday. Cromartie had an interception...grant it, Russell badly overthrew his triple-covered receiver, but doesn't change the outcome.

But some 'weak' spots continue to very noticeable...Tomlinson had 2 touchdown runs, one out of the Wildcat formation, but the Charger run game was very muted. The Chargers jumped out to a decent half-time lead, 21-10, failed to really do much in the 2nd half and let the Raiders hang around. After Kaeding kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 8 with under 5 minutes to go the Raiders were able to convert on one 4th down conversion but not on their next...Charger defense held against a bad team and got the win.

This week another team that appears to be "The Best Of The Lousy", the New York Giants come to town to face the Chargers. The Giants are like the Chargers, all their wins have came against bad teams...but they do have 1 win against a team with a winning record, the Cowboys which came in week 2.

So this will be a game that will determine who is truly the Best of the Lousy NFL teams and whoever loses will be the 2nd Best of the Lousy NFL Teams...

If anything it will be Rivers vs Eli part 3 (I think it is...) and if my memory serves me correctly, I do believe Eli has never beaten the Chargers...