Biblical Archeology

HIRBET QEIYAFA, Israel (Oct. 30) - An Israeli archaeologist digging at a hilltop south of Jerusalem believes a ceramic shard found in the ruins of an ancient town bears the oldest Hebrew inscription ever discovered, a find that could provide an important glimpse into the culture and language of the Holy Land at the time of the Bible.
The five lines of faded characters written 3,000 years ago, and the ruins of the fortified settlement where they were found, are indications that a powerful Israelite kingdom existed at the time of the Old Testament's King David, says Yossi Garfinkel, the Hebrew University archaeologist in charge of the new dig at Hirbet Qeiyafa.

Once again, and in very uncertain times, it looks like the Bible has been 'proven' true. But then we already knew that.

Read more here

Happy Halloween

Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who loved playing tricks on anyone and everyone. One dark, Halloween night, Jack ran into the Devil himself in a local public house. Jack tricked the Devil by offering his soul in exchange for one last drink. The Devil quickly turned himself into a sixpence to pay the bartender, but Jack immediately snatched the coin and deposited it into his pocket, next to a silver cross that he was carrying. Thus, the Devil could not change himself back and Jack refused to allow the Devil to go free until the Devil had promised not to claim Jack's soul for ten years.

The Devil agreed, and ten years later Jack again came across the Devil while out walking on a country road. The Devil tried collecting what he was due, but Jack thinking quickly, said, "I'll go, but before I do, will you get me an apple from that tree?"

The Devil, thinking he had nothing to lose, jumped up into the tree to retrieve an apple. As soon as he did, Jack placed crosses all around the trunk of the tree, thus trapping the Devil once again. This time, Jack made the Devil promise that he would not take his soul when he finally died. Seeing no way around his predicament, the Devil grudgingly agreed.

When Stingy Jack eventually passed away several years later, he went to the Gates of Heaven, but was refused entrance because of his life of drinking and because he had been so tight-fisted and deceitful. So, Jack then went down to Hell to see the Devil and find out whether it were possible to gain entrance into the depths of Hell, but the Devil kept the promise that had been made to Jack years earlier, and would not let him enter.

"But where can I go?" asked Jack.

"Back to where you came from!" replied the Devil.

The way back was windy and very dark. Stingy Jack pleaded with the Devil to at least provide him with a light to help find his way. The Devil, as a final gesture, tossed Jack an ember straight from the fires of Hell. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed-out turnip...one of Jack's favorite foods which he always carried around with him whenever he could steal one. From that day forward, Stingy Jack has been doomed to roam the earth without a resting place and with only his lit turnip to light the way in the darkness.

Mayor Tom Moody 1930 - 2008

Tom Moody, who served as the city's 44th mayor, died of natural causes Thursday night at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was 78.

Moody served as mayor from 1972 to 1984. During his time in office, the Columbus Public School District was desegregated and the city's freeway system underwent significant expansion.

The downtown skyline also grew during Moody's time in office. The city saw development of the Huntington Center, One Nationwide Plaza and the AEP Building.

He was one of the first "big" Republicans I met when I started working in 1980. Always a class act (except when he was "inspecting the city") he will be missed. Columbus could use a Mayor like him again.

Vaya Con Dios

Listen up! You see this? This... is my boomstick!

"Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things, right now: Jack and shit... and Jack just left town."

Yep, we did it. A little mini gathering without The Wallet Draining Lich, Counselor Norwalk or the Hairy One. We ate and bashed the heir apparent PROTUS at Champs (Don Pablo's closed), went to the book store where we continued the tradition of buying stuff we don't need and went to see one of the classic films of any genre and of any era. That's right we went and saw Army of Darkness. A good time was had by all. All 8 of us in the theatre. that's right. One of the largest theaters at Lennox and we had a virtual private showing. Hail to the King Baby!

All that being said here is my top ten list of quotes from Army of Darkness.

10. Yo, she-bitch! Let's go!
09. Clatto Verata N... Necktie... Neckturn... Nickel... It's an "N" word, it's definitely an "N" word!
08. Now I swear the next one of you primates even *touches* me...
07. Alright. Who wants some?
06. Cry Havoc and let loose the Dogs of War!
05. Honey, you got reeeal ugly!
04. That's right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart. You got that?
03. Oh that's just what we call pillow talk, baby, that's all.
02. Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things, right now: Jack and shit... and Jack just left town.
01. Alright you Primitive Screwheads, listen up! You see this? This... is my boomstick!

On a side note it looks like they are trying to make The Evil Dead (Army of Darkness II) for a release sometime in 2009. I hope they don't screw the pooch on that project.

Bad Joke of the Week

Top 10 Signs You Are Too Old to Be Trick or Treating:
10. You get winded from knocking on the door.
9. You have to have a kid chew the candy for you.
8. You ask for high fiber candy only.
7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.
6. People say, "Great Keith Richard's mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.
5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or ..." and can't remember the rest.
4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.
3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.
2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.
1. You avoid going to houses where your ex-wives/ex-husbands live.

Greg Oden - out again (still)

Poor Portland, they have been down this road before. It looks like our oft injured former Buckeye is well on his way to becoming the next Sam Bowie rather than the next Bill Russell:

After missing all of last season because of knee surgery, Portland Trail Blazers center Greg Oden injured his foot in his first regular-season NBA game and will be sidelined two to four weeks.

The team said Wednesday that MRI and computerized axial tomography scans confirmed Oden has a mid-lateral foot sprain.

Oden was injured in the first quarter of the Blazers' 96-76 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

World Series - Game 5.2

Wow. What a game. When it resumed in the bottom of the 6th inning it was like a Hockey Shootout. Phillie scored one in their first at bat. Tampa Bay came back to retie it at three on a solo shot by Rocco Bardelli. Philadelphia came right back in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead on a double by Pat The Bat Burrell and a single by Pedro Feliz.

Tampa fails to score in the top of the eighth which means they'll be facing Brad Lidge in the 9th.

Longoria up first popped up to Utley. One Out
Navarro singles to right. Perez pinch runs and steals second.
Zobrist pinch hit for Bardelli and lines out hard to right. Two Outs.
Hinske pinch hits for Bartlett and strikes out to end it.

And Phillie has it's first championship, winning the game 4-3 and the Series 4 games to 1, since 1980. Party on Philadelphia!

World Series - Game 5.1

In a World Series first game five was postponed with the score tied 2-2 after 5 1/2 innings. The Lord High Commissioner decreed that they can't resume Tuesday so now there are all kinds of problems with tickets having being sold for the games in Tampa that will be pushed back at least two days. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. And oh yeah, just be glad this idiot isn't running for President. But then again that would improve baseball.

This Day in History

October 28, 1886


On this day in 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicates the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

The statue’s full name was Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World. It had been a gift from French citizens to their American friends in recognition of the two countries’ commitment to liberty and democracy and their alliance during the American Revolutionary War, which had begun 110 years earlier. The 151-foot copper statue was built in France and shipped to New York in 350 separate parts. It arrived in the city on June 17, 1886, and over the next several months was reassembled while electricians worked to wire the torch to light up at night.

As President Cleveland accepted the statue on behalf of American citizens, he declared "we will not forget that liberty here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected." The statue quickly became a symbol of America’s humanitarianism and willingness to take in the world’s "tired, poor and huddled masses"--in the words of the poem by Emma Lazarus inscribed on the monument’s pedestal--who yearned for freedom and a better life.

"Lady Liberty" was originally intended to work as a functional lighthouse and, from 1886 to 1901, the statue was operated by the United States Lighthouse Board. In 1901, the War Department took over its operation and maintenance. The statue and the island on which it stands, now known as Liberty Island, were together proclaimed a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge on October 15, 1924, and, in 1933, the National Park Service assumed oversight of the monument. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan established a commission tasked with restoring the deteriorating Lady Liberty in time for a centennial celebration in 1986. A joint French-American preservation and rehabilitation group cleaned the statue and replaced the glass and metal torch with gold leaf. The original torch is on display in the statue’s lobby.

Today, the Statue of Liberty is a major tourist attraction, hosting as many as 5 million people every year. Although access to the statue’s crown was restricted following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, tourists can still visit Liberty Island, and the statue’s pedestal observation deck and museum.

World Series - Game 4

Forget Joe the Plumber. I want Joe the Pitcher/Home Run Hitter/ Game 4 winner. Joe Blanton, who could have been a Cincinnati Red, led the Phillies to an old fashioned 10-2 butt kicking of the Rays.

Philadelphia leads the Series 3 games to 1 and have their ace Cole Hamels going tonight in the clincher.

Blanton, who was the 24th pick of the first round in 2002, was born in Bowling Green Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky. The Reds who had the 3rd pick in that round took Christopher Gruler passing on Blanton, Cole Hamels, Scott Kazmir, Joe Saunders and Prince Fielder, to name but a few. Nice scouting Cincinnati.

Quote of the Week

There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.

-Linus Van Pelt in It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

World Series - Game Three

In a game that was delayed by rain and didn't end until 1:47 AM there was a bit of everything. Hit batters, wild pitches, errors and general insanity abounded. And luckily for the Phillies most of it happened in the bottom of the 9th. In a crazy game the Phillies beat the Rays 5-4 on a walk off infield single. Crazy, crazy, crazy. The Phils lead two games to one.

Buckeye Recap - Part Deux

Ok, Let me try this again after having a few hours of sleep. I hate it when the Bucks lose. I have a long standing tradition fo not reading the Dispatch the day after a Buckeye loss which dates back to when Ohio State lost to Stanford on New Year's Day 1971. Anyway, why didn't Tressel utilize the tight end? Not only did Nichol and Ballard have no catches there were no passes attempted to them. The offense never got in a flow partly because of Penn State's defense but mostly because of the inconsistent play calling. I understand they are limiting the offense because of Pryor but there has to be some throws he can make up the field a bit. Also, it seemed to me they went away from what was successful against Michigan State. Terrelle didn't run much and I think the edge would have been open with some creativity. The kid seemed to take the loss very hard, and very personal, which is nice to see but Tressel needs to take all the blame and not be afraid to use the athletes he has available.

The picture sums it up and we shouldn't forget that these are 19 year old kids playing in front of 107,000+ in Ohio Stadium and millions more on television. Go Bucks!

Buckeye Recap

When will Tressel learn to go for a touchdown and quit settling for field goals? It really pisses me off. The offensive line flat out sucked as Wells was held to 55 yards. The play calling left a lot to be desired as the offense never got into sync at all.

The game was pretty even through 3 quarters with the Bucks holding a 6-3 lead. Yards and time of possession dead even. Then it happened. The mistake that cost Ohio State the game, the Big Ten title, and the very remote return trip to the BCS Championship game. On third and inches from the 50 Pryor, instead of sneaking up the middle like called, bounced off tackle and had the ball knocked lose and PSU recovered. Penn State takes it in after a nice drive and burns 4 minutes off the clock to take a 10-6 lead. Penn State put in their back up quarterback who led them down the short field to grab the lead.

Ohio State lost its composure, fumbling the ensuing kick off out of bounds inside the ten and punted. PSU got another field goal and the Bucks drop a very painful game 13-6. Ohio State had one last chance but Pryor was picked off in the end zone with 27 seconds left. I will give him credit in getting the ball down the field and putting the Buckeyes in position to at least try to tie it up. He also manned up after the game and took responsibility for the loss. So now 10 and 2 is the goal. A far cry from August and BCS Championship Game expectations.

Good bye Miami, so long Pasadena, hello Holiday Bowl or some other really lame bowl. I am so disgusted right now.

OSU home night games

Less than an hour to go and I'm nervous about this one. So I started researching when the SEC game announcers said "You know how Ohio State struggles in night games." Maybe they do but not at home. This is only the 8th prime time game to be played in the Horseshoe. Here they are:

September 14, 1985 Ohio State 10 - Pittsburgh 7
September 11, 1993 Ohio State 21 - Washington 12
August 28, 1997 Ohio State 24 - Wyoming 10
September 10, 1999 Ohio State 42 - Washington 20
October 06, 2001 Ohio State 38 - Northwestern 20
August 03, 2003 Ohio State 28 - Washington 9
September 11, 2005 Ohio State 22 - Texas 25

Only the loss, which still pains me, to eventual National Champion Texas in 2005 blemishes the record. Go Bucks!!

Thursday October 30th

This Thursday the Lennox will be showing Army of Darkness at 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm, 12:01am.

I think I'm going to go. What say you men?

Apaloosa

I went to see the latest Western out at the theatre. I love westerns, I really do, so it would be really hard for me not to like one (at least at little). And all of the recent releases have been really pretty good, until now. Based on a novel by Robert B. Parker, Appaloosa is a western we have all seen before. Parker is the guy who wrote the books that the old Spen$er for Hire TV series was based on. He also writes the Jesse Stone series that Tom Selleck stars in.

Ed Harris, Viggo Mortenson, Jeremy Irons and Renee Zellweger make up a pretty solid cast and the costumes and scenery are outstanding. The problem lays with the overall movie. At times the dialog is pretty cheesy and the characters don't play especially well of each other.It can't decide if it wants to be an old "B" style movie western or some other style of movie masquerading as a western. Mr. Cole and Mr. Hitch (Harris and Mortenson) play a different type of lawmen, but we have all seen this story way too many times and this one doesn't do enough to make itself stand out. Do pay attention for some pretty good one liners sprinkled throughout.

If you like westerns go see it, but don't expect much. I give it two Floyd's because I'm just not sure how to rate this one.

D&D Movies

I know none of us can ever forget the classic from 2000 with our friend Snails but has anyone seen, or heard of, this movie from 2005?

Dungeons & Dragons: The Elemental Knight or
Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God

Quote of the Day

You're trying your damndest, you strike out and they boo you. I act like it doesn't bother me, like I don't hear anything the fans say, but the truth is I hear every word of it and it kills me.
- Michael Jack Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies 3B (1972-1989) on Philadelphia Fans

Game Day

It is said that Big Ten titles are not won in October only lost. Here comes Joe Pa and the third ranked, and undefeated, Penn State Nittany Lions. Ohio State will need to play a perfect game in order to win. They can have no turnovers, they must convert all trips into the red zone to touchdowns, they must take the ball away and win the special teams battle. Pryor will need to have his finest game of the season, especially passing wise.

All that being said I think the Bucks can pull this one off. Ohio State wins 31-21 behind Beanie Wells. Go Bucks!

World Series - Game Two

Another good game. The Rays jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on to beat the Phillies 4-2. Pretty good pitching all over the place and some good situational hitting by Tampa. The teams travel to Philly tied 1 game apiece and hopefully the rain will hold off for them. So far so good and it has been a well played Series.

World Series - Game One

Game One to the Phillie 3-2. Behind the lights out pitching of Cole Hamels and a first inning two run home run by Chase Utley the Phillies win 3-2. It was a fun game with two hungry, exciting, young teams going head-to-head. We'll see if the Rays can win tonight or if they fall into a giant hole heading to Philadelphia.

Bad Joke of the Week

John Kerry walks into a bar. The bartender says, "Why the long face?"

The World Series is here

One of my favorite sporting events. Two young, exciting teams going at it. Chase Utley is a beast and should be the NL MVP. BJ Upton is incredible and on one heck of a roll right now.

This Day in History

October 21, 1921


On this day in 1921, President Warren G. Harding delivers a speech in Alabama in which he condemns lynchings—illegal hangings committed primarily by white supremacists against African Americans in the Deep South.

Although his administration was much maligned for scandal and corruption, Harding was a progressive Republican politician who advocated full civil rights for African Americans and suffrage for women. He supported the Dyer Anti-lynching Bill in 1920. As a presidential candidate that year, he gained support for his views on women’s suffrage, but faced intense opposition on civil rights for blacks. The 1920s was a period of intense racism in the American South, characterized by frequent lynchings. In fact, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) reported that, in 1920, lynching claimed, on average, the lives of two African Americans every week.

During the 1920 presidential campaign, Harding’s ethnicity became a subject of debate and was used by his opponents to cast him in a negative light. Opponents claimed that one of Harding’s great-great-grandfathers was a native of the West Indies. Harding rebuffed the rumors, saying he was from white "pioneer stock" and persisted in his support of anti-lynching laws. Although the anti-lynching bill made it through the House of Representatives, it died in the Senate. Several other attempts to pass similar laws in the first half of the 20th century failed. In fact, civil rights for blacks were not encoded into law until Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Harding’s public denunciation of lynching would appear insincere if one were to believe allegations that he had actually been inducted into the Ku Klux Klan while in office. In 1987, historian Wyn Wade published The Fiery Cross, in which a former Ku Klux Klan member claimed to have witnessed Harding’s initiation into the Klan on the White House lawn. Scholars have since pored over Harding’s papers, but have found no evidence to support this allegation.

Post Thanksgiving Gaming Anyone?

The Columbus Area Boardgamers are hosting their post Thanksgiving After Turkey Day gaming weekend. Can you guys get away? What say you men?

Look who might be back - according to ESPN

By Ivan Maisel, ESPN.com

Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke after the No. 2 Crimson Tide's 24-20 victory over Ole Miss on Saturday about his team's lack of self-discipline.

"Discipline is doing what you're supposed to do the way you're supposed to do it when it's supposed to get done," Saban said. "But self-discipline means you can do it in any circumstance whether you feel like it or not. You make yourself do it."

Listen to the coach. Don't give in to the dread in the pit of your BCS stomach that the Big Ten champion and the Pacific-10 champion have reasserted themselves in the national championship race.

You know you want to scream, "Not Ohio State! Not again!" Don't do it.

You know you want to penalize USC, not reward it, for winning at Washington State 69-0. Don't do it. Had the game been in Los Angeles instead of Pullman, the score may not have gotten out of control. Trojans coach Pete Carroll could have emptied his bench. With only 64 players on the USC travel roster, per Pac-10 rules, Carroll didn't have a bench to empty.

But let's get back to Ohio State. The fear that the Buckeyes have rewritten their name on the short list of BCS Championship Game contenders is based not only on their back-to-back losses in the past two of these games, but also the 35-3 beatdown Ohio State suffered against USC last month. Your fears may be valid. But consider:

First of all, Ohio State beat a very good Michigan State team 45-7 in East Lansing. As much as it may hurt to say it, the Buckeyes on Saturday looked like one of the best teams in the country.

Second of all, Ohio State next plays Penn State. The winner of their game in Columbus on Saturday night will be one of the best teams in the country, even if it's leading the Big Ten.

And third, with Missouri and BYU eliminated from the national championship race, there is that much more room for an Ohio State to re-enter the discussion.

The Nittany Lions overcame a sluggish start, scoring the last 39 points of the game to defeat Michigan 46-17. Penn State performed the mirror image of Alabama by starting slow and finishing fast. That will always be more impressive than a team that starts fast and hangs on.

"We're not just focused on winning," Saban said after the game. "We're focused on how we win."

If it will make you feel better, concentrate on the way Texas toyed with Missouri in a 56-31 victory Saturday night. When the Longhorns ascended to No. 1 last week, they earned a combined 83 of 126 first-place votes between the AP and coaches polls. Between their performance and that of the Tide, the Longhorns received 123 of 126 first-place votes Sunday. One team looked championship-ready again this week. Ohio State did too, and if the Buckeyes find a way to upset Penn State, you may as well get ready to deal with them again.

***********************************************************************************

All I know is if the Bucks win out and somehow manage to get to #2 in the BCS I will have to get a portable defibrillator and have on hand for that night. Go Bucks beat Penn State!!

World Series - It's The Rays!!!!

What a game. Tampa Bay is going to their first World Series ever, facing Philadelphia, after defeating defending champion Boston in Game 7 of the ALCS 4 games to 3. Boston jumped out first but the Rays used their power and pitching to win the deciding game 3-1. It should be an exciting World Series and I might be forced to root for an American League team.

After Thanksgiving Gaming

The Columbus Area Boardgamers are hosting their post Thanksgiving After Turkey Day gaming weekend. Can you guys get away?

World Series

Ugh. Boston wins 4-2 on Saturday to force a Game 7 with the Rays. Have I mentioned lately I really strongly dislike Boston? That being said look for the Sox to save the day for the national media and advance today to face Philadelphia in the World Series.

Buckeye Recap

Where has that offense been all year? The offensive line was pretty dominating as the Bucks rolled 45-7. Superman Pryor really needs to work on his deep passing game and I'm sure that will be a big priority during the off season. But at least they threw the ball up the field and unloaded the box a bit. The freshman finished 7-of-11 for 116 yards and a TD and had 72 yards rushing on 12 carries, including an 18-yarder for a score early in the game.

Wells looked healed and ran hard going over the century mark. Chris “Beanie” Wells had season highs with 31 carries, 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

The first quarter explosion pretty much took Mr. Ringer out of the game and the defense stepped up big time with two touchdowns and five turnovers.

Next up Joe Pa and Penn State in a prime time game at the Horseshoe. Penn State will load up the box and dare Pryor to beat them with his arm. The Buckeyes must win this game to get a BCS Bowl game at the end of the season. Go Bucks!

Holiday Outings

I sent a text out today about getting together over the MLK weekend. Since most of us have Monday off I thought about maybe doing the Sunday and Monday part of the week end. Of course if any one wants to come in early that would be cool also. My thought was to reserve the lodge at a park by my house and we could have that for an extended period of time. It would be like our own little con. King Con if you will.

Also we need to start planning on when we are going to get together during the Holidays. I have a lot of time off in December so I'm pretty flexible. So take a look at the calendar and lets get a plan together!

Game Day

The Buckeyes travel to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans today. Say hello to Mr. Ringer who is averaging 158 yards per game. He has two games with over 200 yards rushing and another one with 198. On the flip side of that is Cal and Iowa both held him under 100 yards with him getting more than 25 carries.

The Buckeyes will need to be able to sustain drives and convert more than just field goals today. Former Buckeye D Coordinator Marc Dantonio leads the Spartans now and I'm sure would love to hang a "L" on his former boss. Look for a hard fought, hard hitting, hard win for the Buckeyes today 27-21. Look for Boeckman to make an appearance or two in the Red Zone today. That being said I think Pryor will click on a couple of the deep plays to Robiske and Beanie will step up to the inevitable comparisons to Ringer. Go Bucks!!

World Series

Looks like the Phillies will wait until the weekend to find out who they will be playing. Boston overcame a 7-0 deficit to beat Tampa Bay 8-7 and stay alive in the Series. Ugh. It wouldn't have been so bad except for the ridiculous amount of man love they were heaping on the Red Sox. Hopefully the Rays can get it done on Saturday. My prediction is that if Boston can force a game 7 they will be facing Philadelphia in the Series. And as much as the media would love to see Red Sox Nation in the Fall Classic is how much I would hate to see it. Go Rays!!

Board Game Santa

I came across this over at Board Game Geek and thought you guys might be interested. Basically you sign up for a Secret Santa type thing. You'll buy a board game for someone and mail it out and someone will do the same for you. Here is the link.

Holiday Challenge

I want to challenge you guys to join me in this worthy cause. We have all been blessed in immeasurable ways and this is a great opportunity to give something back. Lifeline has been an outstanding Mission for years and we have a tie to it with a former minister (to some of us), classmate (to others), and friend to others.

My suggestions is that we all throw in $20.00 or so and purchase the requested items and then drop them off in Westerville next time everyone is here. Here is the list:


Foods items needed:

*
Canned and foil packaged meats and meals * Dried beans and peas
*
Rice * Pastas (all types) * Canned vegetables * Soups
*
Canned meals (such as Spaghetti-O’s, etc.)
*
Bottled water * Peanut butter * Powdered infant formula * Baby cereal

When donating foods, choosing lighter weight food items allows for more food to be packed on the 40-foot container.

Relief items will be shared with other mission organizations in Haiti.

Please note: we are NOT requesting clothing or shoes; only food.

What say you Men?

World Series

Half the field is set as the Phillies take care of Manny and the Dodgers 4 games to 1. Cole Hamels looked very sharp and should give who ever comes out of the AL a lot of problems. Since the Series doesn't start until Wednesday October 22, the Phils will have plenty of time to get their rotation set. Maybe next year the Reds can be somewhere close to still playing in Mid October.

Bad Joke of the Week

Why do gorillas have big nostrils?
Because they have big fingers.

Wish List

A guy at work recommended this game to me for our group. Any one heard about, or played, it? Sounds like a good way to kill a couple of hours. I think I'll try to pick it up soon. Also, Counselor Norwalk had Pandemic which we played at GenCon this year. I think it would be good for Durwaine's Game Club for his students to play sometime. So maybe we can play several of these sometime soon.

Holiday Get togethers

Any one have any ideas on a date, or dates, when we can get together during the Holidays? I'm pretty much up for anything and can travel to where ever. What say you Men?

This Day in History

October 14, 1944


On this day in 1944, German Gen. Erwin Rommel, nicknamed "the Desert Fox," is given the option of facing a public trial for treason, as a co-conspirator in the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, or taking cyanide. He chooses the latter.

D-Day was launched, and Rommel's prediction of disaster for Germany's position played itself out. Still, Hitler would not consider negotiations with the Allies. Rommel ended up in the hospital after his car was attacked by British bombers and he was forced off the road. Meanwhile, details of the failed assassination plot had come to Hitler's attention, including Rommel's contact with the conspirators. As Rommel was convalescing in his home at Herrlingen, two generals visited and offered him his choice-trial or suicide. Rommel told his wife and son what had transpired, and that he had chosen to take the cyanide capsules the generals had provided.

The German government gave Rommel a state funeral. His death was attributed to war wounds.

Next Game Night

Durwaine has procured another game, the classic Settlers of Cataan. Looks like we'll be breaking that one out of the box next time we get together, at a date yet to be determined. I also picked up a game called Dragonology which isn't a bad little board game either.

Quote of the Week

A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz. ~Humphrey Bogart

Buckeye Recap

Wow. First of all the World's largest drum did not come to the game. SO fans were treated to a full pre game show, complete with Script Ohio, and a great half time show. All Universe basketball player Katie Smith was honored and had her gold medal with her also.

This was like the 02-03 grind it out Buckeye wins, complete with punt and play defense and strong special teams. I have never been to a game with so many 50+ field goal attempts in it. The play of the game was Jenkins block of the punt which was recovered for Ohio State's only touchdown. Beanie rushed for 98 yards and Pryor was a very efficient, but boring, 10 for 14. Purdue was never really a threat and showed next to nothing in the way of big play, quick strike capability at any time in the game. A win is a win is a win and the Bucks win 16-3 and should move up a notch in the polls. Don't expect to see the Top Eight range until they beat Penn State in two weeks.

Some good things that happened yesterday:
#1 Oklahoma getting beat by #5 Texas
#13 Vanderbilt losing to Mississippi
#20 Auburn losing to Arkansas

Michigan losing to Toledo
Notre Dame losing, getting screwed really, at North Carolina


Next up Michigan State and Mr. Ringer with his 150 yards per game.

Game Day

The Boilermakers and their very large drum come to the Shoe today. It is their coach's last trip thru the Big Ten and I'm sure they'll want to send him out with as many wins as possible. But this won't be one of them. I think Pryor will just go off today and I think they will get Robiske more heavily involved. Beanie runs big in the second half and the Bucks will roll 38-7. Go Bucks!!

I need a Viking's horn

Any one have something like this? My daughter is the costume and prop director for a local High School play and they need one of these. Let me know if you have one laying around. Thanks

Bad Joke of the Week

Where do you find a dog with no legs?
Right where you left him.

This Day in History

October 7, 1943
Japanese execute nearly 100 American prisoners on Wake Island

On this day in 1943, Rear Adm. Shigematsu Sakaibara, commander of the Japanese garrison on the island, orders the execution of 96 Americans POWs, claiming they were trying to make radio contact with U.S. forces.

In late December 1941, the Japanese reinforced existing forces on Wake Island, part of a coral atoll west of Hawaii, in massive numbers after being unable to wrest the island from a small number of Americans troops earlier in the month. The Japanese strength was now overwhelming, and most of those Americans left alive after the battle were taken by the Japanese off the island to POW camps elsewhere. Ninety-six remained behind to be used as forced labor. The Allied response was periodic bombing of the island--but no more land invasions, as part of a larger Allied strategy to leave certain Japanese-occupied islands in the South Pacific to basically starve in isolation.

The execution of those remaining American POWs, who were blindfolded and shot in cold blood, remains one of the more brutal episodes of the war in the Pacific.

Quote of the Week

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. - JACK TATUM

Buckeye Recap

Whew! Terrelle Pryor and Chris "Beanie" Wells led the Bucks to a last minute win over Wisconsin 20-17. Beanie, who really didn't carry the ball that much ran for 168 and Pryor led a last minute drive and rolled 11 yards into the end zone with 1:08 left. The defense held firm and picked off a pass on the Badger's final possession. I'm sure Tressel loved that type of game but I am convinced he is trying to kill me. Go Bucks