Childish Games

I typically look down on these sort of things as silly, annoying things, but must admit that I enjoyed reading both Dana's and Lynn's enough that I feel that I should do one too.  It's like how I feel about Facebook: I don't like it, but in the Judd Nelson from Breakfast Club kind of way where you just rip it because you rip on everything.  Plus, I've held out this long...why cave at 27 when people my age are starting to quit on Facebook?  But I digress, I'll do the 25 things because I don't want to hold out just to hold out and be all Judd Nelson on you all (the 3 people that may or may not look at this thing).

1.  One of my favorite things to do is hide behind doors or walls and jump out and scare Dana.  Childish, yes.  Hilarious?  Without fail.

2.  When I do activities such as shaving, brushing my teeth, putting away a dish, etc...my off hand (usually my left) takes on a claw shape and is raised to stomach level unconsciously.  I can't tell you why, but Dana has noticed and takes a lot of pleasure in making fun of it.

3.  I love my dogs, especially Pistol.  He has the purest heart, and a somewhat slow brain.  He's an outside dog, which means he stinks.  Dana says this is why she won't snuggle him.

4.  My favorite movie is The Godfather.  And the difference between it and other classics is that it still stands up.  I won't even debate someone that this isn't the best movie of all time.

5.  My TV intake is getting out of control.  I'm ill right now that season 2 of Mad Men isn't available yet because I REALLY want to see it.  A week for our home isn't complete without Michael Scott, Desmond Hume, or the many sad, sad girls from The Bachelor.

6.  That's another thing, my intake of really girly shows has increased as expected by living with Dana.  But she doesn't seem to mind as I tear these women to shreds.  Side note, I know it's blasphemy to criticize reality show stars from Alabama, but this list must be made:

a) the old looking lady from this year's Bachelor is as creepy as I've ever seen.  I'm sorry about her husband, yes.  That said, her "sexy voice" makes me extremely uncomfortable, and she looks like an alien to me...a really old one.

b) Bo Bice? Really "heavy metal" of you to go on American Idol.  And by the way, thanks for that song that is still stuck in my head.

c) Taylor Hicks?  I didn't watch because of you.  An embarrassment.  

And yes, I acknowledge that I'm the only person in this state that feels this way, but come on!  We're the state of Hank Aaron, Bear Bryant, Bo Jackson, Harper Lee, et al.

We're a little better than this...kind of.

7.  I love my friends.  We're that group that stayed friends since we were kids like you'd see in a movie.  

8.  I knew Dana and I were right for each other when we went to a movie together the first time.  I sheepishly asked her if she wouldn't mind sneaking in some candy (and by 'some' I mean like 3 pounds worth) in her purse.  She not only agreed, but squealed with joy at the idea.  She, however, doesn't like the new development having to sneak in fountain drinks in her purse for me.

9.  I take my coffee like a complete sissy.  Sugar and cream until it looks like a white russian.

10.  My favorite band is Counting Crows, and this is usually met with either intense approval from a fellow fan or condescending "Didn't they put out that Shrek song?  They suck."  I won't apologize, they're combination of music, lyrics, and harmonizing is as good as it gets for me.  Listen to Anna Begins, and tell me your heart doesn't break, I dare you.

11.  This is about Dana, but she didn't tell you that her cooking show was called "Now We're Cooking" and I'm laughing as I type this.

12.  My name is Michael Kent Jackson which led to many anxious moments at the beginnings of class where I knew they would call role and everyone would laugh at the guy with the freakshow's name.  I've actually had nightmares about this.

13.  I can't help but love Michael Jackson's music though.  If I could see one music act in their prime, it would be him.

14.  I endured only one heartbreak (2003) as a Red Sox fan, making me a quasi-bandwagon Sox fan.

15.  I endured years of heartbreak as a Celtics fan, making me a beneficiary of their rebirth rather than a bandwagon fan.

16.  To Dana's irritation, nothing makes me angrier about pop culture than when an "average at best" woman is presented as a  "hot babe."  I'm talking about you, Sarah Jessica Parker.  Of course, the worst case of this in history is Serena Williams.  The mere sight of her makes me angry now...and scared she's going to attack me.

17.  As I've been studying Emerson, I'm finding myself to have a lot of common ground philosophically with him, and that is upsetting.  But we're both optimists, hopefully that is where it will end.  Because, you know, he was sort of a fruitcake.

18.    I still dine out on the fact that I was voted "Wittiest" in high school.  Graduating class of 45 people.  That's right.

19.  I am the only person in the world who does not care for Tina Fey.  

20.  My favorite group of minorities is Asians.  They are the most polite.  Even when most people would point to their difficulties in traffic, I say they aren't doing it on purpose.  Honk at them, and they give you a deferential head bow and hand wave.  That's all I ask.  Honk at any other group, and you may get a finger, a swerve into your lane, or end up in a fist fight.   

21.  A list of my heroes would include Vince Vaughn.  He's like Springsteen.  Not much range, but he's perfected what he does do.  

22.  I'm a flag football All American.  I feel funny about this, like I'm the best of all the non-athletes.  Do you brag about this?  

23.  Until there was Dana, I was terrible with women, and had no game at all.  We watch "The Pickup Artist," and while I wasn't as bad as them, I was/am just as clueless as some of them.  I still cringe when I think of my freshman year of college.

24.  My drink is Scotch and water.  

25.  Dana is my very best friend, and while I try not to talk too much about it and put people off, it is a fundamental truth of my life and direction in life for me.  Dana is the best thing I have, and I've got a lot of good stuff in my life.

I Was Tagged!

A couple of my friends tagged me to write 25 random things about myself on Facebook, but I didn't really want to put that on Facebook because (1) it would push me to actually blog on here, and (2) this way, only a few faithful friends will read it. Here goes . . .

1. I love cats, and my favorite pet ever was Kissyfur. I doubt she'll be replaced in that category. I've never really wanted a dog, but I've married into owning two big dogs--Pistol and Grits. I've never really warmed up to them, but Kent and I took them on a long walk today, and I felt some semblance of loving pet ownership. Big step.

2. I'm obsessed with the show LOST. It used to annoy me because everyone who watched it was so crazed. Then Kent and I rented all the DVDs and I've become that person who begs others to start watching it and counts down the days until Wednesday nights.

3. I've only been married for about 6 months, but it's the best. It's better than I even thought it would be, and I'm so glad. Kent is the best and we have so much fun just hanging out.

4. I've always wanted to be a writer, but I can't think of a single thing to write about. That may explain my trouble with this blog.

5. When I watch group performances, i.e. dancing, singing, or a combination of both, I either cry or get a huge lump in my throat.

6. Kent beats me ruthlessly at Scrabble 99% of the time...literally. I've had to stop playing for a while because it was making me angry.

7. I wish I had a career direction and an actual, specific job like nurse or lawyer or teacher. I'm beginning to see jobs as just a way to make money to avoid the pressures of finding the "perfect job." It eludes me.

8. I wear black a lot. Not on purpose to be gothic or something, but I just end up in it a lot. In high school, I had a friend who pointed this out to me, but I never really cared. I wore it today actually.

9. I've become a Food Network junkie. I wish I had a house with a constantly clean kitchen, filled with every kind of ingredient so I could make all the things I see on TV. Huge confession--when I was little, I talked out loud while I made cookies and stuff, pretending I was a TV chef. This makes Kent laugh....a lot.

10. I never get tired of watching Girls Just Wanna Have Fun or Troop Beverly Hills. They make me so happy.

11. I'm addicted to candy.

12. I've never had the chicken pox.

13. Since my maiden name was Garcia, everyone always thought I was of Mexican heritage. Actually, my great grandparents came from Spain.

14. I hate saying song titles aloud. Weird, I know, but it just sounds so awkward out of context of the music.

15. I miss the caf at Samford. Two words: frozen yogurt.

16. I love thunderstorms and prefer cloudy weather to sunny weather...unless I'm at the beach.

17. I love the ocean and wish I could go to the beach about once a month. I grew up going to a small town in Florida called Panacea for summer vacations, and it's one of my favorite places in the world. I miss it and vow to take Kent there someday soon.

18. My wedding day truly was the happiest day of my life.

19. I love Alabama football games. I'm already counting down to next season, and that's something I never thought I would say . . . about any team.

20. I was an obsessive student all through school, and I feel such relief every time I think about not ever having to take another test or write another paper. That being said, I probably need to go back to school.

21. I hate playing sports. Too much pressure and potential for disaster.

22. I'm an introvert...married to an extrovert.

23. I love mexican restaurants solely for the unlimited chips and salsa.

24. When I was little, I wished my parents would send me to boarding school. It always looked so romantic and fun.

25. I'm a homebody.

Ok, your turn. I tag Ashley, Lynn, Kent, Ellen, and Ann Wade.

Closing the Book on 2008

First of all, let me just say how nice it is to have Dana back on the team here at the blogspot.  Now if you'll allow me, I have to get a few things about the Sugar Bowl off my chest.

-I hated this match-up from the beginning because no matter what, you cannot motivate a team to play Utah unless that team is Boise St. or the like.  Granted, great teams motivate themselves no matter what, but I think that we showed we are not a great team, unless we have everything just so (meaning all of our pieces in place and run our gameplan just how we like it).  We are a good team, not a great team...by the way "great" is the most mis-used adjective in all sports media.  

-You can never overstate the importance of the offensive line.  UGA had a sub-standard season, given the hype coming in.  They also struggled in big games giving their quarterback time or their running back holes.  The reason:  their offensive line was mainly freshmen and sophomores.  Alabama by contrast had a terrific season because their quarterback was sacked only 12 times this season, and their running backs had large meadows of running room whenever they needed them.  We had three All-SEC linemen, one of which is going in the top 3 in April.  

The week of the game we lose our best lineman, shuffle things around, then lose our second best lineman in the first 5 minutes of the game...all of a sudden, we ain't the same team anymore and things are NOT just so.  JP got sacked 8 times, threw two picks, and fumbled once...sounds like 2007 to me.

It reminded me of that scene in Bloodsport where Chong Li throws the blinding powder into Frank's eyes and then just toys with him for the next 5 minutes. 

losing the linemen was the powder in our eyes...only we didn't train with blindfolds on and somehow sense where their punches were coming from.  That movie is bullcrap!

-Utah was better prepared and better coached during the prep period.  Score after 10 minutes of gameplay: 21-0 Utah.  hmmm.  Their fist drive was something like what I would do to the computer on "freshman" settings in College Football 2002 for Playstation 2.  And that had nothing to do with our O-line.  After the 1st quarter, we settled in and held them to just 10 more points, but when I say "just so," I don't include down three touchdowns in that.  Alabama fans have known all year that our style can not depend on quick scores to get us back...it was always about pounding the other guys into submission slowly and winning by 10-20 points.  

-Utah was definitely better than us on Friday.  I just wish that if we were going to lose, it would have been more like the Florida game where we had no real excuse except we weren't quite there yet.  But then I ask myself, "Are you really there yet if things have to be 'just so' for you to win?"  The answer is yes if you won 12 times by making things that way for yourself.  

-One last thing, losing to Utah tasted like Poo Sandwich.

Now for more real life things, 2008 saw us get married and move into a nice little house.  It took the dogs to a new home as well and they got a dog apartment that far beats any shelter they've had in the past...got em a space heater in Nov.  

It saw Dana and I both do some "career experimentation."  It gave us many firsts like Christmas and Thanksgiving together, houseguests for a weekend, a vacation alone, SEC championship game, and our first fight as a married couple which of course Dana won (she is much smarter than me).  

It is important to me to look at life and try to only focus on the good and positive things, and there have been more than enough of those this year.  I feel really lucky most days, and on the days that I don't, I just think about how differently things would be without the people around us who've invested themselves in us.  And how rewarding it can be to invest back in them.  

Without getting too corny, I feel like that is the best lesson I learned in 2008: to continue to invest in people.  It feels good to have people believe in you.  And it feels good to give that to someone else.

For those that don't know, I'm going back to school in a few days with the objective being to become a teacher.  Any thoughts and prayers for us during this time will be appreciated.  Mainly for my study habits and our bank account.  

Also, for 2009, I resolve to play more basketball (to get into shape), to be a good student, and to play a practical joke, videotape it and post it online, kind of like this one, beware the language:

My favorite prank in their series.

Our Famous Nephew

Only the pride of aunt-hood could force me back to blogging.  After being shamed and ridiculed by Kent, Lynn, and various other friends for refusing to write, it was little Grant that caused my change of heart.  

Grant is our new nephew.  He was born two seconds after midnight on January 1, 2009, making him the first baby born in the new year in Atlanta!  My brother Michael has always had amazing luck and a knack for winning things, so this should come as no surprise to the Garcia family.  But it was still very exciting!  They won free baby food for two years, free diapers for a year, and major news coverage in Atlanta.  

Little Grant joins our other nephew Joseph and niece Caroline, and we have another niece on the way...due in March!  Maybe she'll be born on St. Patrick's Day.   

Kent and I love spending time with all our nieces and nephews. Kent especially enjoys playing any and all sports with Joseph, and Caroline and I are beginning to bond over ballet steps and baby dolls.  We can't wait to get to know Grant and Carly (to be born in March).

Here's the link to an article and video interviewing my brother and sister-in-law.  Isn't it funny how we still get so excited to see someone we know on TV?  

click here

In other news, one of my New Year's resolutions is to contribute to the blog...we'll see how that goes.  I have hope!  

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!  

Pictures to catch you up

on the honeymoon, Dana and "Ol' Gassy Poots" the horse. I named him that as this was my vantage point for most of the ride.  Yes, that is a large black lady in a sombrero in the background.

back from the honeymoon; assembling the tv stand. The look speaks for itself.

Dana and our pumpkin, who we never named, but if we did, it would have been

 "Dead Too Soon."  He was in the garbage before Halloween.

In his prime.

Lois and Clark for Halloween.

Me and JP Wilson on gameday.  Actually, it's Mark and Megan's baby, Sam.  The friendliest and happiest kid you could ask to be around.

Us with Dana's dad just hours before Tim Tebow took our smiles for the day.

Our seats.  Taken before kickoff when hope was springing.

Christmas pictures and stories sure to come, Dana?....no?  Oh well.

The sting of defeat and other thoughts

There's a scene in Lonesome Dove where Jake Spoon (a known outlaw) gets tracked down and hung for horse-thievery and murder.  The ones that catch him are his former partners and friends.  As Jake awaits his fate, he says something along the lines of "Well Gus, if it was going to be anyone..."

That is how I want to feel about Alabama's recent loss in the SEC championship game (we committed no horse thievery, nor murder by the way).  If we're going to lose, at least it was to the team that will probably be the national champions, and in a close game.  And at least I admire their quarterback not only as a player, but a person.  (My buddy Mike constantly refers to Tebow as "The Missionary," which is what his nickname should be in my opinion.)  At least...it was Florida, a worthy adversary.

And there's always an underlying feeling, as discussed here before, that this season has been one big pleasant surprise, playing with house money, and anything outside of beating our rivals and turning a few heads was all gravy on top.  

But it is still difficult to look at the game on Saturday and not think, "We had em, and with one or two breaks we win that game!"  Because a shot at the title comes around rarely...unless your Rocky Balboa.

Some assorted thoughts on our game experience:

-If it is possible to feel sorry for a Heisman Trophy winning, national championsip quarterback, I guess part of me does.  This guy is hated by half the sports fandom out there for reasons beyond his control.  He's like Derek Jeter, only worthy of at least half the praise he gets.  He's a machine.  And Urban Meyer is not going to win a national championship after he graduates, watch.  The only way to run that offense at that level is with a Tebow at QB, and there's only one Tebow per generation.

-Javy Arenas, Sam Cassell, Brett Favre, Roy McAvoy.  These are examples of guys who are good because they are so infinitely confident, while being a detriment to the team because they are so infinitely confident.  "What was Javy thinking?" is the question going around Bama fans' conversations.  

Here is the answer:  "I am unstoppable.  I hold the record for return yardage and TDs in Bama history.  If I can just catch the ball, I will score a TD, there is no way anything bad can happen if I get the ball in my hands..."  Results of this type of logic are split between return touchdowns and cataclysmic field position and/or turnovers.

-Julio Jones is the only Bama player in my lifetime to come in and live up to the hype.

-Nick Saban said that he felt like he failed the players after the game...So does that mean he's going to work even harder?  Yeesh.  Good luck, Lane Kiffin.

-Every fan base has them, but until Saturday, I had never come face to face with the Florida installment of the douchebag group of fans.  They were led by a fat guy who forewent celebrating Florida's win so he could yell what losers the Bama players were as they ran off the field dejected and sad.  He also wanted the refs to "Scrape up that lard-butt and finish the game!"  when we had an injured player in the 4th.  We also talked to some really nice ones on the way out who were classy, but this group behind us was on par with the worst I've seen from UT and AU...and for that matter Bama fans.

-That was as intense a game atmosphere as I've ever gotten to attend.  Both sets of fans got really loud for every play and deafening on 3rd downs.  When Bama scored to tie at 17, it was as loud as the Dome has ever been until Florida sacked JP the first time in the 4th.  Great game, great teams, just hope we go back next year.

-Dana grew up a Florida fan, and yet still doesn't know who to cheer for in the national championship game because she feels bad cheering for a team that beat Alabama...my work in converting her is over.  For the record, I've always liked Oklahoma so I will be happy with either outcome.  But it would be nicer to say that Alabama was 10 minutes and one or two plays from beating the national championship team.  And if it had to be anyone...

we met her by the way, Dana can tell you the story.  Take it away, Dana...no? oh well.

A few non-football things for a change

Well, Dana seems to refuse to write on this thing, so I know that her friends that read it are up to speed on my feelings about Bama football.  But they don't know what's been going on with us.  Here's a few of the little things that I find funny or need to tell you about:

-Dana is afraid of a lot of things.  If we're at a ballgame, she thinks about how the stadium is a perfect target for a terrorist.  Luckily Alabama only schedules jet fly-overs like once a year.  She's also afraid of creaks, cracks, dogs, other cars on the road when I'm driving, anytime I jump out from behind a door and yell, big crowds, and parties.

-I'm quite a Scrabble player.  Perhaps I'm rigging the game, but my record is close to 40-1 right now.  How do I rig it you ask?  Well, I wait until Gossip Girl is on, then I tell her I want to spend time together, but I don't care for that show.  Maybe she could watch the show and we'll play a game so I'll have something to do too.  Then she gets all caught up in whatever the bad teeth guy, bad voice girl, or butt-face dude is saying.  By the time I hear "X-O, X-O" my lead is insurmountable!!!!  This works with any of her TV shows, and then I don't feel so bad about either watching sports so much, or the tiny brain in my head.

-We made a Jack-o-lantern for Halloween too early again.  Yep, the little guy wouldn't last longer than a week.  He was so well crafted and scary looking.  By Halloween he was mercifully face down in our trash dumpster.  There were bugs and smells.

-We saw Coldplay in Atlanta.  It was fantastic, and worth the weeknight trip and money for tickets.  Except that now, Dana thinks that Chris Martin is hot.  Don't worry though,she'll come back around...I've been doing a British accent around the house, it's only a matter of time.

-There's a few things that I've brought to Dana that I think have become her favorite things.  Lost, Bama football, The Wire (which we have just begun its final season).  But she has brought something equally valuable to the table for me...Bob Dylan.  I used to think of him as an awesome song-writer whose best songs were done by somebody else.  But the man is a genius, a warrior poet, a challenged vocalist with a broken heart.  When Dana and I were dating, I thought it was cool that she liked Bob, but I wasn't all that into him.  We saw one of his shows together, but I didn't really understand anything he said, he was really old.  But I've enjoyed his stuff this last month or so and will continue. 

-One last thing, I'm predicting Bama 31 - AU 7.  That would bring nice symmetry to this awful period of suckitude.  2001's score will be 2008's I hope.

I'll leave you with a clip from long ago, but one that speaks to the heart.  Til next time, goodbye is too good a word, babe.  So I'll just say fare thee well...

The Road Back

You know, it has been a long and trying few years for Alabama football fans.  the kind of years that make you appreciate the boring brand of football Gene Stallings had us playing when he was here.  It wasn't fancy, or compelling, or even that interesting.  It was just...effective.  It was winning football.  It was beating Vandy 20-10.  

The last few years, there have been many false hopes that Bama was back.  Plenty of times I talked myself into thinking that Alabama could make a run to the SEC championship, or believing we were a top 10 team.  I think about 2005 when we started 9-0, but in the back of my mind, knowing that LSU and Auburn would probably beat us.  That our record was a product of Urban Meyer's 31-3 growing pains, and Fulmer having a down year, alongside some good luck on our part.  Things had to break right for us to have any chance at actually going to a BCS bowl and competing with USC or Oklahoma.  We would have to be lucky.

Well, Coach Saban...you have finally done it.  Yesterday, I gave no thought to which Bama shirt I was wearing.  Today I changed my desktop image from a Celtics picture to the Tide players celebrating the UT spanking.  It's not about the little superstitions anymore (although, I'll probably leave nothing to chance next weekend or for the Iron Bowl).  Today the BCS rankings will put us at number 1, and it is not a fluke.  It's not a product of luck, or Fulmer's down year again, or any "external factors" (a Saban staple at any press conference).  Sure, Texas had to lose.  But Alabama had to win too.  They've been winning.  17-14 against Kentucky.  24-20 against Ole Miss.  29-9 against the hated Volunteers.  It isn't always sexy (rarely is actually).  But it is a revelation!  It is unbelievably exciting for me.  I have thirsted for this type of success, and it's here!

Don't misunderstand.  I'm not declaring us the best in the land, the rest of the season will determine whether or not Alabama is actually #1.  What I'm saying is that I'm celebrating our rightful place in the discussion again.  We belong, and are legitimately talking about a national championship.  LSU could beat us.  Florida could most definitely beat us.  Auburn should not, but I don't want to talk about them.  The point is this:  I never expected this to happen this year.  One year ago, LSU was in this position coming to Tuscaloosa.  We're now the favorite in their place.  This is a classic case of playing with house money.  SEC championship, BCS bowl, national championship...that would all be gravy for me at this point (although I'd be heartbroken if we lost in the way Texas lost last night).  I'm remembering the lean years and just enjoying the conversation right now.  In two years, I won't be doing that.  I'll be expecting to compete every year for a BCS championship.  But for right now, I'll hoist a glass to "the sunny slopes of long ago" under Gene Stallings and his boring dominations have returned under a new regime...a Nicktatorship that will hopefully be in power for a long time.

In honor of Alabama's return to the number 1 ranking, I'll leave you with my favorite video they play on Saturdays at the stadium.

Welcome back, Bama.  I promise not to take you for granted again.

The World Celebrates 27 Years of Dana.

I love my wife very much. So much so, that I will put aside any football updates and analysis on the Tide today, and instead celebrate her. Do I think my words and thoughts are enough to get the point across? Nay...nay indeed. So I've asked a few of Dana's favorites to come along and pay tribute to the wonder that is Dana G. Jackson. Take it away, friends:

Dear Sally, I mean Dana,

I've never had such a loyal viewer and follower in my life. As I've tried to decide between Ben and Noel, you were there every step of the way, most of the time on the re-runs too. Any time my grades have slipped, or I've had trouble with my dad not supporting me, or any of the other ways to pack drama into 42 minutes I've come across, it was your unabashed love and care that got me through. Even my theme song in Season 1 and 2 wasn't enough to chase you away. That kind of friendship doesn't come around very often. You are amazing.  Amazing. Also, thanks for seeing each and every one of my movies. Oh-way-oooohhhh. Oh-way-oh-ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Love,

Felicity Porter

Dana,

How are you my dear? Heidi and I know you hate us both. How do we know? Because when we watch the show every Monday night we can here you all the way across the country say, "Uuuuugghhhhhhh!" during our conversations. I'm here to say that even though you run around judging us and hangin out with MY enemies like LC, I still want you to have the best birthday ever. So, I talked with your husband and he told me that what you really want is for me to walk myself into oncoming traffic. Consider it done. Have a happy birthday, sweety. Alright, sweet, now get outta my car.

Love, Spencer Pratt

Dana,

I think the thing to remember about birthdays is that they come every year. You can't get too up or down for just one because that is hard to maintain. Just focus on the one in front of you, Aight! Now when you start looking ahead to other birthdays, that's when you lose your intensity for this one. Once you lose that intensity, it's hard to get it back. I'm happy for you, AIGHT! I may not sound like it, and you may not believe it, but I am! Just focus on this birthday, 27. You only turn 27 ONE TIME in your life, aight. So, remember that to be successful at 50 years old, you have to get there one birthday at a time. Focus on the PROCESS of getting there and then being successful will take care of itself, aight. Now, I gotta get back to breathing life into the state of Alabama.

Love,

Nick Saban

Dana,

I just wanted to let you know that AJ, Meadow and I are ok. We miss seein' you every week night for 2-3 hours, but we undistayand. Birthdays are hard. Especially since what happened to Tony. (Tears, and heavy breathing) To be honest, I just don't know if we'll be ok. But enough with the singing sad so-wongs, we love you honey. I just hope you were-n't "born under a bad sign with a boom boom in your eyes," whatever the ---- that means.  Have fun on your special day and try to stop thinking so much about my family's last dinner together. Just try to focus on the good times.

Love,

Carmela Soprano

Since you are an honarary Commodore, I just wanted to give you a call on your birthday...

YEEP, YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! COMMODORES! YEP!

Happy Birthday,

The Commodore

Girl, you got to strut your birthday out like this: (Swoosh, pose, and then snap). Mmmph, girl, you fine!!! Happy Birthday, girl.

Love,

Tyra

Dana,

I don't have much to say because I can't deliver lines with any emotion or feeling at all. But I do want to tell you that you are a Stone Fox!  Your husband thinks so too.

Love,

Josh Hartnett

Well I hope I the right friends of yours. If not, maybe they'll comment to you.   Next year, I'll use a Lost character or two. 

I love you SO much and am glad you were born 27 years ago. Thanks for being my wife! Happy Birthday!  See you soon.

Love,

Kent

Scattered Thoughts

Here's some things to marinate on during the greatest sports weekend in recent memory:

Even as Dana and I work our way through the last season of the Sopranos (and neither of us have seen it before), I still prefer The Wire.  I know the thought here would be to say, "He's just trying to be different and elitist..."  It's not.  We just finished Season 1 of the latter and it is freaking brilliant.  This is coming from a mafia junkie whose favorite movie is The Godfather and wishes he could be a captain in one of the Five boroughs...fuhgeddaboutit.  But The Wire is as good as anything I've ever watched on TV.

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with Alabama football.  I've fully expected them to go into the Georgia game undefeated (at least after I watched Terrence Cody eat Clemson's children), and now that we're here...I'm fighting "the feelings."  You know the ones...where you let yourself get carried away thinking you have a shot to topple an obviously superior opponent in an impossible situation.  Then when reality sets back in, it hurts extra bad.  I've become an expert at managing my feelings for the Tide but here comes Nick Saban with his olive-oil skin and perfect verbiage of what it takes to be a champion.  Aw screw it, Bama by 10 between the hedges!!!

While we're here, the last time Alabama beat Arkansas so soundly at Fayetteville was 2002, when we also beat the crap out of UT and LSU on the road (the LSU team was coached by Saban).  

Of course, we then lost our coach in the middle of the night after he phoned it in against Auburn and began the golden age of suckiosity here in T-town.

Ok, I'll stop.

I can't decide what made me happiest yesterday, Bama taking Arkansas to domination station, or watching Phil Fulmer trying to eat his hat on the sidelines as the Vols were kicking the ball around inside the 5-yard line.  It's the age old question:

Do I hate UT more than I love Alabama?

I kinda wish I'd gotten to see a game before they tore down Yankee Stadium.  I guess they want to erase any memories of this year that they have.

The new Pacino and DeNiro movie was more than disappointing.  Perfect storm of high expectations because of their names fighting against two 60-year-old guys rolling around on the floor and pretending to still be tough guys.  I'll take that 5 minutes in Heat over that entire 2 hours.  They should have just made an Italian version of Grumpy Old Men instead.

The Ryder Cup is awesome...I wish they held it on a weekend when I wasn't so pre-occupied with college football.  Booooooo!!!!!

10 years of Lebowski this year.  And there is some great stuff about it at Rolling Stone. 

I read the Buscemi interview and he said that there was some people who suggested that Donnie was just Walter's imaginary friend.  And it almost works out except for my favorite exchange in the movie:  

Donnie - Your phone's ringin, Dude.

The Dude - Thank you, Donnie.

Other than that, no one but Walter acknowledges him throughout the whole movie.

So many layers...

I'll catch you later on down the trail, until then, Take 'er easy, Dude...I know that you will.  

-KJ