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

Game Night

on Friday evening a group of us went up to Westerville and played some games at the Columbus Area Boardgamers event. After eating way too much at Thurman's we went up and tried our hand at 4-5 different games. It was nice to be able to play somewhere away from a kitchen or basement for a change. We had plenty of room and they had a bunch of different games we could check out to play. Good times when ever we can all get together. Thanks to the High Counselor of Norwalk for making a road trip down to join us. The Wallet Draining Lich was doing the obligitory family weekend camping trip so he missed out on some good times. Of course it isn't like he really camps with a tent or anything. He has one of those fancy rolling hotel rooms complete, I am sure, with a very comfortable bathroom.

Game Day

This week brings us the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin is coming off of a painful loss to Michigan in the Big House. The Badgers couldn't move the ball with any consistency and failed to fully take advantage of 5 first half turnovers scoring only 19 points. That being said Madison, at night, is a tough place to play. The crowd is rowdy and mean. Tressel is only 2-3 against the Badgers, including 1-1 at Camp Randall. Make sure you stay tuned in between the third and fourt quarters to watch the stadium go crazy and "Jump" as it is one of the cooler things you see other places do.

This will be a very tough game for Ohio State but I think with an almost healthy Beanie, the quickness of Pryor and a big effort from the defense the Buckeyes will get through 28-20.

Bad Joke of the Week

What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick.

This Day in History

September 30, 1955


On this day in 1955, movie star James Dean dies at age 24 in a car crash on a California highway. Dean was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed "Little Bastard," headed to a car race in Salinas, California, with his mechanic Rolf Wuetherich, when they were involved in a head-on collision with a car driven by a 23-year-old college student named Donald Turnaspeed. Dean was taken to Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:59 p.m. Wuetherich, who was thrown from the car, survived the accident and Turnaspeed escaped with minor injuries. No charges were ever filed against him.

Quote of the Week

To die will be an awfully big adventure.

J.M. BARRIE, Peter Pan

Friday October 3

I can't wait until Friday at 3:00 when we gather for a ritualistic meal at Thurman's in Columbus. Let the eating, and gaming, begin!!

Buckeye Recap

A pretty good three quarters work in a 34-21 victory over Minnesota. Tressel, as always, called off the dogs in the second half, getting a lot of people, 66, into the game. Terrelle Pryor rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for another. Beanie Wells made his return and looked pretty good. He made an incredible leaping move over a Minnesota player and looks like he will be getting back to full speed soon. He was a bit rusty and a bit gimpy but was wearing a seriously cumbersome pair of shoes. He carried 14 times for 108 yards. Next up are the Wisconsin Badgers in a scary night game at Madison.

Looks like it will be an exciting year for upsets as Number 1 USC, Number 3 Georgia, Number 4 Florida, and number 8 Wisconsin all lost this week end.

Go Bucks!!

Never Leave Your Partner Behind

We went to see the newest movie from Sherwood Church called Fireproof. These are the same people that produced Facing the Giants a few years ago. that movie was made for $100,000 and made ten million. This time they spent $500,000 and I'd be willing to guess it brings in at least 25 million this weekend alone. The movie stars Kirk Cameron from the Growing Pains TV show. He has a pretty impressive Christian witness that you can read about here.

The church behind the movie, Sherwood Baptist Church has a very impressive outreach program and are really involved in making quality family films and the Kendrick brothers are being called the Christian Coen brothers. This movie will make you laugh, think, sit on the edge of your seat and reflect on your own relationship in two hours. I give it 4 Floyds not because of the great acting or great lines but because of the great message. It was nice to see a movie like this in the theater. Guys, go see this one with your wives.

Game Day

The Season starts today. The Big Ten opens against Minnesota and the road to the Rose Bowl (and maybe beyond) begins here today. The Gophers come in 4-0 averaging 36 points per game. They haven't played a real tough schedule but it is rated #25 by these guys. In comparison Ohio State is rated #4 behind Georgia, Michigan and Baylor.

Pryor should have a big game today and I look for Boom or Beanie, maybe both, to go over 100 yards rushing. Pryor has a very deceptive strong arm so look for at least 4 long balls today. He might not complete them but look for him to throw them. I'm still worried that the "D" is still too much of a work in progress and will give up a few big plays. The point spread is OSU by 19. Take the Bucks to cover.

My prediction is Ohio State 38 Minnesota 14.

Go Bucks!

The Mighty Have Fallen

Oregon State has beaten the greatest college team of all time, the 2008 USC Trojans 27-21 in Corvallis Oregon. The Beavers led early and had to hang on big time. USC tried an onside kick with 1:18 left to seal it. Jacquizz Rodgers carried 37 times for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Wonder what a healthy Beanie would have done against the Trojan Gods?

Bad Joke of the Week

What type of jewelry does a dragon like best?

Theirs.

3 months to Christmas Eve

You better watch out!!

Hobbit Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE HOBBITS AROUND THE SHIRE & MIDDLE EARTH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
DEAR HOBBIT & FRIEND.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
MAY THE FUN NEVER END.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
DEAR ...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
DEAR HOBBIT & FRIEND.

- Marc Gunn, of the Brobdingnagian Bards

Concerning Proper Birthday Gifts and the Giving Thereof

by Daisy Brambleburr of Bindbale Wood

As readers of Professor Tolkien's immortal THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS will know, hobbits do not receive gifts on their birthdays. Instead, we freely GIVE gifts--in the long run, this works out better for everyone involved, as you give gifts once a year, but are practically guaranteed to receive at least one a week every week of the year. We like that.

Appropriate gifts range in stature from a simple card with a birthday greeting for a passing acquaintance to lavish imported oddities for your nearest and dearest. Some have expressed puzzlement on how to categorize recipients and levels of gift to give. Here are some guidelines:

Your Postman/Banker/Inn Keeper/Favorite Barmaid/etc : In the case of service personnel not specifically related to you, but of which you are fond, the birthday greeting card (with perhaps a birthday song folded around a single gold coin for the REALLY special ones) is considered good form. These say "Happy Birthday to Me" without being overly pretentious.

Your Relatives Below Fourth-Cousin and all Removes : For those distant relations who you feel obligated to acknowledge but do not know very well--or particularly like--it is appropriate to recycle the least favorite birthday gifts that you have received in the previous year. If possible, refrain from giving them back the gift they gave to you on THEIR birthday, but it is not something to worry overly about, as they probably gave the same thing to everyone they knew.

Your Relatives Between First and Third Cousins : Now, we are starting to get to the gifts that require a bit more thought and generosity. Here, you should keep in mind the personality of the intended recipient, and try to find something that matches their personal tastes. It is still appropriate to give a gift that you have received but do not care for, but it should be something that you feel the one you are giving it to will enjoy better than you did. For example--that lovely handcarved musical instrument that you are too tone deaf to play would be a wonderful gift for your cousin Dandelion who shows a real aptitude (but make a birthday song a stipulation--that way you both get something to enjoy.)

Your Immediate Family : Be prepared to provide new gifts for your siblings and offspring. It is only polite. These gifts should at the very least be purchased from Bywater or Bree, as there should be some sense of the exotic to them. Again, bear the personality of the recipient in mind. The amount spent on each gift is a good way to show whether or not a family member is in favor at the moment.

Your Spouse or Sweetheart : This is the single most important gift of all. It should be as lavish and spectacular as you can possibly make it--because you want the same in return. Something that they will definitely not want to give to a fourth cousin next birthday.

Quote of the Week

"I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." - Bilbo Baggins

Yankee Stadium

Today is the last game in Yankee Stadium and it truly is the end of an era. I am not a Yankee fan but this is a bit of a sad moment. Major League Baseball, in my opinion, made a huge mistake not ending the season with the Yankees at home. The game will be on tonight on ESPN at 8:00 PM and I'm sure it will be worth watching just for the clips, interviews, ghosts and memories. If you get a chance to pick up this weeks Sports Illustrated you should. There is a great article about the Stadium in there. You can read it here

Buckeye Recap

Starting at Quarterback... number 2... Terrell Pryor. I'm pretty sure, baring injury, we will be hearing that announcement for the next three seasons. While Pryor wasn't perfect out there he certainly showed enough to help get some excitement back. Pryor threw for four touchdowns, which caught me a bit off guard. His line looked like this:

10 for 16, 141 yards 4 TD's. He threw one meaningless interception on a Hail Mary right before the half.

He also had 62 yards rushing. I'm just happy having a win, some excitement about the team and some hope for the rest of the season. That being said they need to keep improving since the Big 10 season starts next week. Bring on the Gophers

Game Day

It is The Men of Troy, part deux.



Bad news from the Dispatch:

Ohio State tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells has seen improvement in his injured right foot, but he will miss his third straight game Saturday.

Coach Jim Tressel yesterday said Wells' foot responded much better to back-to-back practices this week than it did last week, but said Wells still wasn't "functionally ready" to play.

Tressel would not put a timetable on Wells' return to action, either.

"He's got to be able to function at the Beanie level," he said.

Wells suffered the injury Aug. 30 against Youngstown State, on his 13th carry of the season. The junior from Akron was considered one of several preseason Heisman Trophy hopefuls, but that chance now has evaporated.

"Gosh, I hope that's not forefront in his mind," Tressel said. "My experience with Beanie is what's most important to him is when will he be back to help his team. Those other things, yeah, they're goals, and I hope they are, but they're not in the forefront."


Troy is not a bad team. They might be better than Ohio University. Ohio State needs to step up and be Ohio State. They can not afford to lose three games before they settle on a quarterback like they did in 2004 when they lost three in a row (Northwestern in OT on the road, Wisconsin at home, and Iowa on the road. They lost later that season at Purdue and easily could have lost in week two to Marshall. That type of season (8-4 with 2 close calls and a bowl game win over Kansas State)will not be acceptable.

I like the Bucks, in a game that will be closer than the final score, 31-17. I think this will be the coming out party for Mr. Pryor.

**** Kick Off Update**** Pryor gets the start and Mike Brewster starts at center. 1st time in OSU history a true freshman has started at both center and quarterback!!!!

Ahoy Mateys. Parlay?

Avast me hearties. tis talk like a Pirate Day. Grab some booty and give us yer best arrrrrrr

Bad Joke of the Week

Long ago, when sailing ships ruled the waves, a captain and his crew were in danger of being boarded by a pirate ship. As the crew became frantic, the captain bellowed to his First Mate, "Bring me my red shirt!". The First Mate quickly retrieved the captain's red shirt, which the captain put on and lead the crew to battle the pirate boarding party. Although some casualties occurred among the crew, the pirates were repelled.

Later that day, the lookout screamed that there were two pirate vessels sending boarding parties. The crew cowered in fear, but the captain calm as ever bellowed, "Bring me my red shirt!". The battle was on, and once again the Captain and his crew repelled both boarding parties, although this time more casualties occurred.

Weary from the battles, the men sat around on deck that night recounting the day's occurrences when an ensign looked to the Captain and asked, "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before the battle?". The Captain, giving the ensign a look that only a captain can give, exhorted, "If I am wounded in battle, the red shirt does not show the wound and thus, you men will continue to fight unafraid". The men sat in silence marveling at the courage of such a man.

As dawn came the next morning, the lookout screamed that there were pirate ships, 10 of them, all with boarding parties on their way. The men became silent and looked to their Captain for his usual command. The Captain, calm as ever, bellowed, "Bring me my brown pants!!

This Day in History 9-16-1988

Tom Browning of the Reds pitches Major League Baseball's 12th Perfect game.In what is one of the best pitched games of all time the Reds defeat the Dodgers 1-0 in Riverfront Stadium.

Dodgers pitcher Tim Belcher goes the distance for the Dodgers allowing only 3 hits, while striking out 7, and allowing only an unearned run to score. This game was delayed almost 3 hours by rain and then only took 1 hour and 51 minutes to play. You can see the boxscore here.

And how does a great day in Reds history get honored? With a special anniversary bobblehead night. That's right tonight is the Mr. Perfect 20th Anniversary Bobblehead Night. Ugh

Quote of the Week II

"When we walked in at halftime, nobody was saying anything," Boone said. "I mean, what the (heck), we're Ohio State -- we should be screaming and swearing and saying everything evil you can think of.

"And guys are hanging their heads, and you don't know what to say to them. You try screaming, and they just put their head down even more. We can't play like that, and if we play like that the rest of the season, we won't be anything." - Senior Tackle Alex Boone after the drubbing at USC.

Quote of the Week

“Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all.” - Cap'n Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)

Buckeye Game Fest IX

Announcing the Buckeye Game Fest IX, Thursday, October 2nd thru Sunday the 5th 2008 at the Ramada Columbus North, I-270 Exit 27, 6767 Schrock Hill Court, Columbus, OH, 43229

Oct 2-5. Looks like Board games, Block games, no Wallet Draining Lich and maybe some D&D? Should be fun.

Buckeye Recap

Another
Buckeye
Catastrophe


No Beanie, No Offense, No Win.

Ugh. As in Ugly. A 35-3 spanking handed down by USC which is clearly the best team in the US of A at this point. Pray they don't have their usual late PAC 10 choke this year because I don't want to see them in the Rose Bowl. The Road to Miami probably does a 180 and heads for Pasedena.

Ohio State managed only 207 total yards of offense and only two drives of longer than 40 yards, and one of those was in the first quarter when they scored their field goal. In the second half our best drive was 6 plays for 15 yards that 'consumed' 3:18 off the clock and that was our last possession of the game. In the second half we had 25 yards of total offense. Throw in 10 penalties and it was a very painful game. I expect to see wholesale changes in personnel next week. And I expect to see Ohio State do something they very rarely do. Come out and be the more physical team on the field. What was the lone bright spot of the day you may ask? Michigan lost again.

Righteous Kill

I went to see Righteous Kill this morning. I went in thinking this movie could not suck with two of our generations greatest actors, Pacino and DeNiro, in it and I was right. These two guys played off each other extremely well and both make you appreciate what they have done over the course of their careers. This movie has a great cast and is a pretty dark psychological thriller. Go See it. I can't say much other than pay attention to detail in this one. I give it 4 Floyd's. (3 just for DeNiro and Pacino)

Game Day

The Men of Troy. This could be Hogan or the Goat boys. It should be a hell of a game all set up for a prime time showdown. Hopefully Beanie's toe will allow him to play enough to keep us in the game. Break out the history books as I'm sure we will see Archie, OJ, Woody, John McKay and some great clips.

note --- Beanie has been ruled out and this could be a long game for the Bucks.

Talk Like a Pirate Day

One week from today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Grab your hooks, peg legs (not that pegleg Wallet Draining Lich) and favorite wench and enjoy the day

9-11

It is hard to believe that it was seven years ago today that the horrible attacks took place. This was our generations Pearl Harbor. It was the day most of us will never forget, the day that we lost our innocence. Lest we forget, may we always remember.

Bad Joke of the Week

What's a horny pirate's worst nightmare?

A sunken chest with no booty!

Fireproof -

This is another faith based movie by the people who brought you Facing the Giants. In order to keep Hollywood making good Christian movies we must support them in the theatres. I know we are taking a group from out church to see this on its opening week end and I would encourage you to do the same. It opens on September 26th.