The Year in Review - 2008

Given that Joseph and I have a tradition of having a nice dinner on New Years Eve AND that we have a party to attend tomorrow evening / night / morning I have decided to review the year on this, the second to last night of the year. So, I'm verbose, shoot me...

One year ago tomorrow evening marks the anniversary of the ring exchange between me and Joseph. No, I don't wear jewelry. But, this sign of my commitment, I wear.

January 6th. I watch the Giants - Bucs game at Crispy's. He's a Bucs fan.

January 13th. I watch the Giants - Cowboys game at Sport with JonMark. JonMark's a Cowboys fan.

January 20th. I watch the Giants - Packers game at Madison Pub with Tony. Tony's a Packers fan.

Bet you think you know what's coming next...

I take my first trip to a state in the Pacific Northwest other than Washington. Portland, in fact. The dogs came too. Their first time out of state. They weren't impressed. Why were we all in Portland? Orientation for determining how we can go about adopting a child with Open Adoption and Family Services.

We got back in one piece just in time for...

February 3rd. I watch the Giants - Patriots game at R Place with a whole slew of Brady-jersey-wearing-bandwagoneers. There I sat silently at the game's commencement, telling myself to stay calm. It worked for about a half. But by the time Tyree made that catch, I was screaming and pounding my fist on a table so hard I later thought I had broken it. Rare emotional display from yours truly.

Work was work. I started on refining ADDS. Which then became PDDS. But, really, you don't want to know anything about them. Really. Oh, and we started bringing ADS on. Different from ADDS. Totally, in fact. ADS is a client. ADDS is a status. No, I wouldn't expect you to understand. Yes, I'm moving on. But before I do, ADS pulled the rug out from under us at the last minute. Lots of fun.

Joseph and I argue and make up about something.

No sooner had football ended than softball began. I vowed only to coach and not to play. The Buzz. With Tara, Ashley, Dawn, and Matt managing. Jonny, Katrina, Twiggy, and Fernando the ex-Atomic. Mike the newcomer. Chao of volleyball fame. Brett and Ike. Peggy with her love of the game. Julie with her remarkable story. Chih and his superb skill. They wanted to have fun and be competitive. And reach the .500 mark after posting just two wins in their prior two years of existence.

At the same time, I was mentoring. Chris, Chris, Chris. Struggling with his familial connections with gangs. Crips to be exact. What group of Crips, I can't say. Struggling with school. Struggling with being the eldest sibling in his family. Every Tuesday night, we met. A trip to a hockey game. A trip to the coffee house to do some homework. A trip to Chang's Mongolian Grill for some food.

Goodbye Greg, one of the company's most tenured.

Writing a page a day. The story about Alex and Abdullah. A story I had begun five years prior. I just can't seem to find the point.

Joseph playing on a new softball team, the Thrusters. A sister team of the Rockets, who happened to have had too many highly rated players the prior year. Joseph tried his hand at third. Not bad, not bad...

Mid-April, the softball season begins. Two losses for the Buzz. Out of two games. I remain hopeful. But the first pangs of desire for playing strike. In my 4/15 journal entry, 'the thrusters do not particularly need me, but it's good for me to be associated.'

So, I succumb. To be an 'emergency' player at first. But that didn't last long. I soon began to play first and second as needed. By the end, I started. I won't be making the same mistake next year.

Work is what it is. Something needs to change.

We hire someone to completely redo the master bathroom. Well worth the money. We hadn't used the toilet in there for 9 months. My idea of repairing the leaky pipe? Electrical tape and plumber's putty. And finally shutting it off altogether...

Joseph and I argue and make up about something else.

The Buzz win their first two games on 4/20 equaling their win total the prior two years. Very excited!

$600 apiece from Mr. Bush. Not the brightest of quick fixes.

Already tired of the campaign. Oy. And Palin hadn't even been heard of yet.

The Thrusters do pretty well of their own accord.

The Buzz keep winning.

Sylvia gives her notice. My mentor the past three years. Time to step out on my own.

The Buzz keep winning.

Mentoring comes to an end. An odd end. Convinced I'd return. But I don't. I know I had an effect. But it's nothing particularly tangible.

By season's end, the Buzz are 13-6 having lost only to those teams with better records. A great team...

The Thrusters finish 10-7 but had to play all the B teams in the meantime. Not so much fun...

Spring turns to summer.

Last year for Yankee Stadium. I had an idea while attending a July 21st game between the Mariners and the Red Sox with Todd. In which the Mariners were pummeled. I didn't act on it... yet.

The softball tournament to be seeded in the World Series. The Thrusters and Buzz both tried for it. And both fell short. But still, the best season with which I had ever been involved. Except maybe for Service Master when I was a pitcher. We wore the ugliest yellow you'd ever want to see. I was 10. God, that was a long time ago.

Good puppies, Cleo and Buddy.

Good kitties too...

Friendships made. Sam and Mark. Rusty. Rusty. (Yes, there are two of them.) Gerry. Denny. Greg. Randy. &d. JB. Todd. Kurt. Keren. I love my Buzz.

Renewal of old friendships.

Brief argument between me and Joseph. We make up, of course.

A tattoo, gasp.

That idea keeps gnawing at my brain.

Whilst the economy tanks like it hasn't in 80 years.

Work is work. It feels like a Marx brothers film.

I call Richard, my brother, and make it happen. I spend the first day watching Michael Phelps win his 1300th gold medal with my brother and sister-in-law. The next day, I walk from the garage and smile at the speechless old man.

We go to Yankee Stadium for the last time.

And then I repeat the performance for my grandparents as well as for my Uncle Mark, Aunt Ruth, and Julia.

Too short, but glad I made the trip.

Sarah Palin? Really?

World Series in Seattle. I saw none of the games. I participated in just one activity. Oh well, the trip home was better...

Joseph and I argue and make up regarding some third mundane matter.

I start a blog.

Work does a triple somersaulted lutz. Or something. Goodbye Erik. Hello Mark. A Marx brothers film turns into a Three Stooges short.

The Pink Buzz walks 60 miles whilst Maggie and I stalk them incessantly. Quite the experience. Very proud of Joseph, Katrina, Twiggy, Fernando, Tara, Ashley, Julie, and Julie's friend, whose name escapes me at the moment. Woop woop, woo!

TD's Official NFL Picks. And Fantasy Football of course. Two teams, fourth and sixth. Eh.

A World Series between Tampa and Philly. Blah.

'Are you glad I brought you to this concert?' Joseph inquired. 'I am, I said.' A wonderful birthday replete with German beer and food. You should try Szmania's.

Followed by some sailing on the boat belonging to Sam and Mark. A little caviar. A taste of driving. And cocktails. Nothing better.

Rest in peace, Uncle Jimmy.

I battled the garbage disposal and won. I battled the lights and lost.

Joseph and I battled a bit. But we made up. And it was all good.

There was a trip to Fla in between. A business trip punctuated by a visit with my mother. Not exactly what I had in mind, but good to see her. And to meet her husband, Dave. Thanks again for the pen.

And for the second time in my life a Democrat was elected president. And for the second time in my life, I was within an hour's drive of Orlando when a Democrat was elected. Strange.

A couple weddings. A hockey game at the Key. A Pink Floydish concert at the Paramount. And the Color Purple too.

Thanksgiving with Joseph's cousin and our friends Matt and Drew. Ate too much. But that's expected.

My sister-in-law is pregnant, happily.

Work, work, work. Strateejery. Six Sigma.

Snow... Oh my Lord, the snow. Like I haven't seen since I've been here.

And Christmas with the trees and the village and a canceled party and presents not here on time. It had an odd feel to it, in retrospect.

But still, it was perfect in itself as Joseph and my father partook in a meaningful conversation.

Now, here I sit. Joseph and I are more secure in our relationship that we were one year ago, though we need to get going on that adoption. My relationship with the old man is on the mend. I have attainable goals. I have good friends. I have loving family. I have a roof over my head. I have a job. And I have my health. What more can I ask?

This...
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And Go Giants!

NFL Picks Revisited Again... How did we fare?

Although the picks for this coming weekend's games will come later in the week, I wanted to check to see how Uncle Mark and I fared from the beginning of the year - and then how I fared with some of the picks I changed mid-year. You will find our original picks below followed by the real winner.

AFC East:

Uncle Mark Initial: New England

TD Initial: New England

Playoffs Started Today: New England

By Season's End: New England
Winner: Miami Dolphins
Comment: I don't think anyone saw this coming, but good for them.

AFC North:

Uncle Mark Initial: Cleveland

TD Initial: Cleveland
Playoffs Started Today: Pittsburgh
By Season's End: Pittsburgh
Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Comment: As of mid-season, there really was no doubt.

AFC South:

Uncle Mark Initial: Jacksonville
TD Initial: Jacksonville

Playoffs Started Today: Tennessee

By Season's End: Tennessee
Winner: Tennessee Titans
Comment: I just don't know if they have what it takes to get to the big game.

AFC West:

Uncle Mark Initial: San Diego
TD Initial: San Diego

Playoffs Started Today: Denver

By Season's End: Denver
Winner: San Diego Chargers
Comment: Not Orange Crushed, Orange Lambasted..

AFC Wildcards:

Uncle Mark Initial: Pittsburgh and Indianapolis
TD Initial: Pittsburgh and Indianapolis

Playoffs Started Today: Baltimore and New York

By Season's End: Buffalo and San Diego
Wild Cards: Indianapolis and Baltimore
Comment: Peyton does deserve MVP. Flacco does not deserve Rookie of the Year.

Notably Absent:
How in God's name did the Jets flounder? Mr. Favre, go home.
Though no New England fan, I feel for a team that goes misses the playoffs at 11-5 while they watch an 8-8 team go to the big dance.
Yeah, I already said Orange Lambasted.

NFC East:

Uncle Mark Initial: Dallas
TD Initial: Dallas

Playoffs Started Today: New York

By Season's End: New York
Winner: New York Football Giants
Comment: The team with the most depth in the NFL but they need big mo'.

NFC North:

Uncle Mark Initial: Green Bay
TD Initial: Minnesota

Playoffs Started Today: Chicago

By Season's End: Minnesota
Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Comment: Quite the crapshoot for this one, huh? Does anyone else see the Viqueens going anywhere?

NFC South:

Uncle Mark Initial: Tampa Bay
TD Initial: Carolina

Playoffs Started Today: Carolina

By Season's End: Carolina
Winner: Carolina Panthers
Comment: In the end, I think this was the best division in football...

NFC West:

Uncle Mark Initial: Seattle
TD Initial: Seattle

Playoffs Started Today: Arizona

By Season's End: Arizona
Winner: Arizona Cardinals
Comment: And this was the worst.

NFC Wildcards:

Uncle Mark Initial: Minnesota and Philadelphia
TD Initial: New York and New Orleans

Playoffs Started Today: Tampa Bay and Washington

By Season's End: Tampa Bay and Washington
Wild Cards: Philadelphia and Atlanta
Comment: Please explain to me how the Eagles pulled this one off. And Matt Ryan is the Rookie of the Year.

Notably Absent:
I can give you three ways the Eagles pulled that one off:
The stellar character of America's Team
The decimated defense of the Yuccaneers
The mere mediocrity of the midway's madams.

Sunday Scribblings: I Believe

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. No characters are based on real people, whether living or dead. Any resemblance to a real person is pure coincidence.

A co-worker and I had talked about having drinks to have all those conversations we told each other we should eventually have. It was a few weeks after Christmas. A Friday night. Mild enough for mid-January. A light rain falling. We walked to a small hole-in-the-wall bar on 2nd avenue.

I had never seen this friend outside of the office. I knew he was married. That he enjoyed the outdoors, especially biking and hiking around Seattle. That he was indifferent about his position at work. And that he considered himself an atheist.

The bar's interior, poorly lit, reminded me of a stormy night with its dim maroon glow and turbulent noise. Not loud, per se, but turbulent with the muttering of dissatisfied middle managers who had enough to spend on a watered down eight dollar fru-fru drink.

I and my friend stuck with pitchers of beer. An amber ale. Enhanced by the red glow. I poured.

There ensued a natural silence. The awkwardness of seeing a person I thought I knew well in a new situation and circumstance. We started where I'd imagine most of those types of conversation begin. On some topic we both shared in common. Work. Gossip and the like. Innocuous stuff. Inconsequential.

After we had both finished our second glasses, I proactively begged pardon and asked a question about which I was unspeakably curious.

'Why are you an atheist?'

I blurted it out, having never met a self-proclaimed atheist before. Having spent three years in a Roman Catholic seminary, I just couldn't understand the concept.

With tongue in cheek, he asked, 'Why are you a Catholic?'

Having been in the seminary, I had the answer. What I thought to be a rather intelligent answer, at that. 'I was originally Catholic because I was born into it. My parents and grandparents taught me to believe in the Trinity. Then, I went to seminary and struggled mightily with my faith. But in the end, even though I subsequently left the seminary, I determined that Blaise Pascal put forth the best reason to believe in God.'

'And what's that?' my friend asked.

'The jist is that people should act like God exists because if he does and you abide by His rules, you're all good. And if he doesn't, then you've lived a good life anyway and thus there's no loss.'

'Interesting justification.'

'So, now you. Why don't you believe in anything?'

'What?'

'You know, why are you an atheist?'

'Those aren't synonymous,' he said. 'I'm an atheist; I believe in things.'

'Yeah, okay,' I responded thinking he was joking with me.

'I don't believe in God. Disbelief in God is as much a belief as your belief in God is.'

'Uh, okay. Well, then how can you justify to yourself that God doesn't exist?'

'Prove he does,' he replied.

'Prove he doesn't,' I shot back.

'Exactly.'

'Huh?'

'What the hell do they teach you in the seminary?' He chuckled. 'I have chosen not to belief after a long and hard struggle with faith. I don't believe in any of the institutional crap they call religion. And I certainly don't believe in all the mumbo jumbo about some omnipotent being getting mad and zapping us with lightning. Or sending his son who happens to be human but also God to earth to save us and not really saving a damn thing. He was just a guy who got himself killed. And what's more is I have the right to believe what I believe.'

'I don't deny your rights as guaranteed by the government, but what if you're wrong?'

He smiled widely. 'If I'm wrong, at least I'll live in eternal damnation knowing that I was more courageous than most to take - as Robert Frost said - the road less traveled.'

I smiled back at him. 'Yeah, and in the immortal words of Jerry Seinfeld, sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.'

As has most of our religious conversations since that first one, it ended in a draw. And in each of us attempting to persuade the other all the more.

Funny how faith works...

TD's Official NFL Picks - Week 17

The final week. Five teams vie for two playoff positions in the NFC while six vie for three positions in the AFC. Suffice it to say, this final week promises to be one of joy and heartbreak alike. I have decided to choose these picks binarily. Games that mean something. And games that don't.

For the love of the game:
Detroit @ Green Bay
The Detroit Lie Downs will go the way of the auto industry this weekend. The only thing that can help them now is the government's financial bailout money. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh
Why is this one meaningless? Pittsburgh has the second spot in the playoffs. And Tennessee has already secured the first. Still, a Pittsburgh - Cleveland game has always been more than just about any playoffs. I just wish that the Brownies could hold their own in this contest. But, they're out of their league. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Not at all excited about this one. Not much to say about it, in fact. This one's a crapshoot. TD chooses: Kansas City Chiefs

Tennessee @ Indianapolis
What will these teams do in this one? Reminiscent of last year's Pats - Giants season ender but without all the 16-0 hoopla. They're familiar with each other. They're both in the playoffs. And I think both will want to make a statement. It's more important for Peyton to make this statement. But will it be loud enough? TD chooses: Tennessee Titans

Washington @ San Francisco
It's a shame this one doesn't mean anything because I think it could be a good one. Washington gave a little too little too late last week against the Eagles, but they looked good in doing it. And Singletary has his miners playing for all the pride they're worth. I say Mike makes a final statement. TD chooses: San Francisco 49ers

Seattle @ Arizona
In this game another Mike makes his last game time appearance as Seattle's head coach. And based on the way the Cards have been playing the last five weeks, I think the Seachickens might actually give him a 'W'. TD chooses: Seattle Seahawks

For the love of the playoffs:
Carolina @ New Orleans
Okay, so I know Carolina's already in. So are the Falcons, for that matter. But their respective spots are not yet secure. And the difference between winning and losing this game could be not only a first round bye but a game played at home after that first round bye for the Panthers. That's why I think John Fox will have them ready to win. TD chooses: Carolina Panthers

Chicago @ Houston
Da Bears. Dey have a chance but not a good one. And dis is no gimme game. Houston's disappointin' but dey can still play. Can Lovie get em to play like dey can? Eh, sure. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

New York Football Giants @ Minnesota Vikings
But this is the game the Bears need to be watching. I'd imagine all Bears fans are Giants fans this weekend. But with Jacobs most likely sitting this weekend and with the G-men looking into the playoffs, I'm just not sure they'll be putting their best foot forward. In any case, this is no easy game for either team. TD chooses: New York Football Giants

New England @ Buffalo
Can Buffalo play spoiler two weeks in a row? Although possible, Belichick has had Buffalo's number. And I just don't think they're up for a dogfight with the likes of the Patsies. TD chooses: New England Patriots

Oakland @ Tampa Bay
A pirate battle. There be some backstabbin' to be done. Oakland has improved minimally, but not enough to shut down Tampa. TD chooses: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

St. Louis @ Atlanta
For a couple moments during the middle of the season when the Rams beat the Cowboys and Redskins, I thought they were showing some kind of rebirth. Instead, it was just a gasp for some air. They've since descended into the pit again. Not good. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons

Dallas @ Philadelphia
A perfect ending to the season for these two teams. I'll admit that I'm more concerned about the ability for the Cowboys offense to be explosive, though Westbrook underneath is no picnic. Still, unless Buddy Ryan shows up on the Philly sideline, I've gotta go for the Iggles. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles

Jacksonville @ Baltimore
I only chose the Jags last week out of obligation. Believe you me, I ain't obligated to no one to choose them this week. And so I ain't. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens

Miami @ New York Jets
Can Miami pull off one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history? From 1-15 to 11-5 and atop the AFC East? From what I've seen, yes. Not to mention the fact that the Jets seem to have hung up their cleats after that game with Tennessee. What's up with that? TD chooses: Miami Dolphins

Denver @ San Diego
Beware the Bolts. It's almost as if they're on a mission. And there has been a precedent set of late for rather low seeds to make a statement in the playoffs, e.g. 2005-6 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2007-8 New York Giants. If I thought Denver was the better team or could even attempt to stand in their way, I'd choose 'em. But I don't think it's true, so I won't. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers

A Tale of St. Dismus

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. No characters are based on real people, whether living or dead. Any resemblance to a real person is pure coincidence.

I wanted so badly to cancel. To tell the pastor that I couldn't do it alone. But I didn't. Something told me I shouldn't.

I walked into the prison with a bible in my left hand. I walked back to the metal detector and emptied my pockets. The shoes came off too. Almost as if I were boarding a plane. I greeted the guard - one of the Sunday regulars - and emerged beep-less from the detector. A guard lead me through the series of doors that brought me to the inner guard post. From there, another guard walked me to the religious office.

It was my first time without Pastor Thibideaux. I was familiar enough with the regulars, but still scared not only to be there alone but also to have the responsibility of leading the group activities.

I worked through the order in my mind. Opening prayer with a song. Read and interpret from the bible. Group sharing. And then closing prayer. An hour in all.

I heard the bell. And they began to enter. Bill first, as usual. A small squat man with beady eyes and a crooked smile. Then John, a tall burly sort with a bald head. Jim next with his round red face and missing teeth. Followed by Rodrigo - Rodi - a short Latino with glasses. And finally, Graylon, a large black man who reminded me of Michael Clarke Duncan.

We were getting ready to begin when there came a knock at the door. I opened to find a guard with a young man of no more than 25 years who looked like he had just come from college. His eyes were inviting, his face shaven and his smile wide.

'Sir, this is Ricky. He informed his counselor that he wanted to come tonight.'

'Sure' I said, 'Come right in.' Ricky stepped inside and looked around cautiously.

'Go ahead in, Ricky' I said. And so he did. But the guard kept me back for a moment.

'He doesn't talk much, and I wouldn't force the issue if he doesn't.'

'Okay' I responded.

I closed the door and walked back into the chapel where John and Jim were cracking a few harmless jokes. Bill started the tape for our opening song. And Graylon finished passing out the lyrics to the music.

The song ended. We had a moment of silence. And then Graylon passed out the bibles for everyone. The passage was Luke 23: 39-43. As it turned out, it was Bill's favorite passage because it strengthened his faith and hope. The passage in which Jesus tells a criminal with whom he is crucified that it would be the day they would meet in paradise. I discovered within the discussion that the criminal's name was Dismus. And, in fact, he is referred to as St. Dismus.

Then all hell broke loose. A siren sounded; it startled me terribly as I had not heard it before. 'Aww, shit,' said John.

Rodi stood up and walked to the door. 'Guard ain't there,' he said. Then he walked out the door and was gone.

I walked up to the altar and asked everyone to sit down. I then asked how long lockdowns usually lasted. 'Ya never know' responded Bill.

That was when I noticed Ricky rocking in the back of the room. Back and forth as if keeping time to soome melody that we couldn't hear. And he was whispering to himself, but no one could make out what he was saying.

John. turned around and said, 'What the hell's the matter with you?'

I told John that we should get back to our Bible passage. But he didn't listen. Instead he turned around and said, 'Hey freak show, what the hell's your problem?'

Ricky looked up, his eyes a bright, cool blue. 'I do't like bein' stuck.'

John laughed in his face. 'Get over it, freak show.' John turned around and thus didn't see what was coming.

Ricky hauled off and slammed a bible into the back of John's head knocking him cold. He swung next at Jim catching him in the temple. Jim's head fell back against a pew; he was out too.

Bill and Graylon flanked the altar; I stood to the back. Rodi was still out near the front door. That was when Ricky pulled a shank from his pants and started yelling at us, 'Get me outta here! Now!' He just kept yelling it. Repeating it time and again while waving the shank.

Bill and Graylon began to move forward from either side, trying to talk Ricky down. But Ricky wasn't coming down. That's when Rodi came back through the front door and caught Graylon by surprise with a shank of his own. One stab into his side, and Graylon was down and bleeding. Rodi looked up at me and said, 'You're our ticket outta here.' Rodi then turned the shank toward Bill. Ricky and Rodi outflanked him and closed in.

That's when Bill took his own bible and rushed Rodi. Rodi stabbed violently but stuck the shank into the bible, which gave Bill the opportunity to give Rodi a blow to the head with his large forearms. But Bill wasn't quick enough to get back up and defend against Ricky, who stabbed Bill in the small of his back.

That's when the guard rushed in and fired his taser at Ricky, who crumpled to the ground screaming. The guard called for backup and then looked around the area, only to find me paralyzed against the back wall.

'Ma'am you need to come with me.' The guard hurried me out of the room and back to the interior guard post. They questioned me there and then sent me on my way.

I vowed not to go back to the prison after that. I informed the pastor of my decision. He understood.

A few days later, the pastor visited me at my home and told me that Graylon had survived his injuries but that Bill had died. Before he had died however, Bill had asked the pastor to give me his St. Dismus medal. In addition, he had passed along a note. It read, 'It was a miracle you came because I was ready to kill myself after our group meeting. I was just tired. I guess God agreed.'

Mere Minutes: A Phone Call

I was in the office beginning to wrap Joseph's gifts. Joseph was in the dining room wrapping mine.

The phone rang. Joseph answered. He later told me he said Merry Chrismahanukwanzaa. The voice on the other end gave him a hard time for saying Happy Kwanzaa. And then asked to speak to me. I answered. It was the old man.

He had a Christmas Eve celebration at his house this evening. My brother and his wife. The old man and my stepmother. My grandmother. My stepgrandmother. My stepsister and niece.

In any case, he asked if I was having a party. No, I replied. Oh, well, who answered the phone, he asked. Joseph, I said. Does he celebrate Kwanzaa, he asked. No, he was probably kidding. Oh...

We talked for a bit. Then he passed me to my brother with whom I spoke for some time. Then to my niece...

The old man got back on and told me he wanted to talk to Joseph. Okay, I said rather surprised. I brought the phone into the dining room and gave it to Joseph. The old man apologized for giving Joseph a hard time. And then they proceeded to have a conversation. A longer conversation, in fact, than I had had with the old man.

The big deal? That's the first time Joseph and my father have spoken to each other in the 6.5 years I've been in Seattle.

God works mysteriously. This is why I love Christmas!!!

To you, my family
To my father and his wife,
To my mother and her husband,
To my brother and his wife,
To my Uncle Mark, Aunt Ruth, and Goddaughter Julia,
To my sister and niece
To my brother and nieces
To all of my grandparents who will never lay eyes on this blog,
To my cousins, aunts, and uncles,

To you, my friends
To Jared
To Jeff and his fiance
To Brian and Jeff
To Mike wherever he is
To Sean
To Tara and Ashley
To Drew
To Matt
To Tony
To Keren and Harry
To JB and his wife
To Elliot, Abbie, and their beautiful son
To my Buzz
To my Thrusters
To everyone with whom I enjoy talking and spending time

And of course
To Hemingway
To Macavity
To Buddy
To Cleo
And to Joseph whom I love...

I wish you all a very Happy Hannukkah!!! and Merry Christmas!!!

May God grant you happiness in all that you do.

Video of the Week: I Fought the Lights and the Lights Won

It was last week. Wednesday. We expected a snowstorm with heavy wind. The snow did not come; the wind, to some extent, did. We deflated the 8' snowman for fear that he would fly into the oblivion of some neighbor's yard.

The snow came Thursday. And Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. Suffice it to say, we haven't seen Frosty since. In fact, the only trace of him is a wire leading to a buried black stake. But Frosty was not essential to the lighting.

But tonight... tonight I came home and expected to see the lights twinkling in the depth of the night. What I saw was darkness. And at that moment I knew the lights had won. The burnt out fuse lingers beneath about 6 inches of snow atop the roof. And I ain't goin' up there...

So, we shall be lightless this Christmas externally. But, no matter... we have our two trees internally.

And thus I am inspired to display the video for this week. I must say that I always laugh aloud when he takes a swing at Santa...

A Christmas Story... No, not that one...

It has now been 16 years since this story began. And 13.5 years since it ended. It's a Christmas Story... of sorts.

I was a sophomore, taking Honors Algebra 2. Until that class I was not particularly good in math, but my teacher proved to be a God-send. She had a knack for delivering her material so that everyone could get it, including me.

A note about me. I was a very quiet student in high school. I rarely raised my hand in class for fear of looking foolish or making a mistake. That fact becomes important right about...

Now. So there I was sitting in this teacher's classroom in the middle of December. The class was about to begin. This small blond-haired woman in her early to mid-40s stood in front of the class and explained to us that she was a Christmas fanatic. She loved everything about Christmas. The cartoon specials. The movies. The decorations. All of it. And each year, she explained, she asked random questions that, if answered correctly, would score the responder points on a quiz or test.

The questions began that day. The first question: Who was the bad guy in 'Santa Claus Is Comin to Town'? It was worth 5 points on the next quiz. I knew it, but I didn't. Not the name anyway. But I knew who she was talking about. I began squirming in my seat, and like any good teacher would, she noticed me and put me on the spot. My face caught on fire as I turned bright red. 'I know who it is, but I can't remember the name.' She looked away. 'I remember the song, though,' I blurted. The teacher turned and smiled an evil smile. She then said that she would give me 10 points if I sang one verse of the song in front of the class. My face went from red to scarlet. My mind raced, vying between the 10 points on the next quiz and the incessant teasing I'd sustain for the remaining 2.5 years of high school. As anyone who knows me understands, I decided to sing. And I got the 10 points.

The teacher then announced that there would be weekly questions - for which I was not eligible to receive quiz points - leading up to the Christmas quiz that would be good for 10 points towards any test for the rest of the year. Each week, the teacher asked a new question. And each week, I knew the answer, passing it along to a peer. When the day of the Christmas quiz came, the teacher said that she would be handling a tad bit differently than in years past. Instead of giving 10 points to the person / people who had the most correct answers, it would be a competition. The class against me. If they won, everyone in the class would receive 5 points towards any test. And if I won, I would get 15 points. I accepted the challenge.

There were 20 questions. Name the town in 'It's a Wonderful Life.' What did Frosty say when he came alive? What was the name of the miner in 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?' What was Mrs. Claus' first name in 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town?' In which state did the ski lodge reside in 'White Christmas'? How was it that Santa Claus was proven to be who he was in court in 'Miracle on 34th Street?' The class answered 17 correctly.

I answered 18.

I didn't need those points the rest of the year. I aced the class, in fact, because the teacher was so good. I did not have her for Pre-Calculus junior year. But I did have her for Calculus my senior year.

I did well in Calculus. I enjoyed it, in fact. I struggled, at times, but kept a high B to low A average. At the end of my senior year, the teacher calculated my grade. 89.3 a B+. Not bad.

What does this have to do with the Christmas Quiz I 'won' sophomore year? Well, there was a policy at Lyman Hall that allowed those students who received an A in a class in the second semester to forego the final in that subject. When the teacher showed me my grade, I was understandably disappointed. But she said, 'do you remember that Christmas Quiz from sophomore year? I think that's enough to give you an 89.5. And that rounds up to a 90. Enjoy the summer and get yourself ready for college.'

That was the best delayed Christmas gift I've ever received...

And the one I didn't get: the Winter Warlock

Sunday Scribblings: Late

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. No characters are based on real people, whether living or dead. Any resemblance to a real person is pure coincidence.

An only child, Melody stayed with her spinster aunt - Erin - during her childhood. It was out of necessity that Melody's mother, Rita, made the arrangement. An only child herself, Rita had few options after her ex-husband left with his secretary. Her parents lived 3000 miles away in Daytona, FL and she had no close friends whom she could trust with her child. That left the only other person who had ever taken an interest in Melody, namely Erin, her ex-husband's older sister. Although Rita did not particularly like Erin, Melody did and in the end that was all that mattered.

Erin did well in her role. She never competed with Rita for Melody's attention, and she never left any doubt that she was the aunt and that her mother, Rita, made it possible for Melody to have what she wanted by working two to three jobs at any one time.

Erin and Melody shared a love for musicals. Older musicals, in particular. Oliver. Oklahoma. And by far their favorite was The Sound of Music. They would spend Saturday nights watching one of the many musicals in Erin's collection while each enjoying a bowlful of frozen yogurt.

As usually happens in life, Melody grew up far too fast. At age 15 she came home to her aunt and reluctantly informed her that she was pregnant. Erin listened to the news, shocked that her niece would get into such a predicament. But she was not one to show her emotions. Instead, she remained calm and talked about what they needed to do. Melody didn't have many ideas, but she made one request, that Erin not tell her mother, Rita. Erin agreed. And so, they decided to leave the conversation to another night.

That evening, Rita called after Melody had fallen asleep. Erin and Rita may not have liked each other much, but they shared their love for Melody in common. And they had grown accustomed to talking about Melody and her future. Well, when Rita heard the hesitation in Erin's voice that evening, she asked if anything was wrong. Erin paused and thought about what she would say next. She decided to tell her the truth.

The next day, Melody came home from school and didn't say a word to her aunt. Instead, she walked up to her room and closed the door. When Erin knocked, Melody told her to go away. Erin attempted to force the issue, but Melody spoke no more to her. Erin composed an apology that night and slipped it under the door. But within the week, Melody left Erin's house to stay with her mother, claiming that she was now old enough to stay at home alone while her mother worked.

All communication ended between Erin and Melody after that. Rita didn't get involved. Except to call Erin from time to tell her about Melody. That she got an abortion. That she had gotten into Oregon State. That she had met the love of her life. That she had married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas and had decided to move to San Diego with her husband. That she had a kid and that another was on the way.

That was when Erin found out she had breast cancer. A stickler for going to the doctor, she only discovered the tumors after it was too late. Erin told no one. And after six months, she passed away.

Rita called Melody and gave her the news. Melody agreed to travel to the funeral.

It was a sad and sparsely attended affair. After it concluded, Erin's attorneys read the will. Erin gave most everything to Rita, including the house and what savings she had. As for Melody, there was a good sized box with her name on it. It contained all of the musicals she had owned. The Sound of Music was on top. In it there was a note.

'It is never too late to remember. I love you.'

TD's Official NFL Picks - Week 16

The season has already left 13 teams wondering how the 2009-10 season will treat them. There are 14 teams vying for 7 remaining playoff spots. And 5 are in like Flynn, although 3 of the 5 are looking to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That said, I have organized the picks into different categories this week: those games being played for pride alone, those games in which a spoiler can still have satisfaction, those games with teams still in the playoff hunt, and those being played for home field advantage. No Pick of the Week this week as there are multiple good games on the docket...

For Pride:
San Francisco @ St. Louis
San Fran's playing some good ball lately. Perhaps it wasn't too soon for Singletary. As for St. Louis, well, there's always next year? TD chooses: San Francisco 49ers

Cincinnati @ Cleveland
The battle of Ohio. And no one seems to care. Ken Dorsey will continue to play the part of human punching bag. While Cincinnati continues to attempt to achieve mediocrity. TD chooses: Cincinnati Bengals

Houston @ Oakland
I could envision an alternate universe in which Houston goes to the playoffs this year and Indy does not. But no. They play for pride this weekend, wondering when their time will come. Oakland? I won't even start. They're just playing because AD said so. TD chooses: Houston Texans

New Orleans @ Detroit
Need I say anything about this game? TD chooses: New Orleans Saints

The Spoilers
Miami @ Kansas City
Miami is still in the thick of the AFC East race. But I don't envy them playing in KC in late December. Not to mention the fact that the Chiefs have to be royally upset about their collapse against San Diego. Still, I think Sparano will get them ready. TD chooses: Miami Dolphins

New York Jets @ Seattle
The weather promises to be messy in Seattle for this one. But the Jets are no strangers to the cold in their eastern home. I think this one comes down to the running game. Jets? Have one. Seahawks? Not so much. TD chooses: New York Jets

Buffalo @ Denver
This game intrigues me. Two cold weather teams battling it out. Denver is on the verge of the AFC West Championship. If only they can win this one. Buffalo lacks Trent Edwards, but Losman is sufficient to get the job done. I'm going with an emotional pick on this one, because I want to see Denver and San Diego battle it out next weekend for the AFC West crown. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills

Green Bay @ Chicago
Norse division rivals. Late January. Soldier Field. Wintery weather. Awesome. Green Bay's officially out. But Chicago's still got an outside shot. I think this one is about the running game too. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

Playoff Spots at Stake
Baltimore @ Dallas
A heavyweight D against a dangerous O. My two least favorite teams in the league. I hope they beat the crap out of one another. And, in the end, TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens

Arizona @ New England
The Cards have little to play for. No chance of home field. They better just get Anquan healthy and ready for the first round. New England? They need this one. And they get it. TD chooses: New England Patriots

San Diego @ Tampa Bay
The Bucs have a stifling defense that can hammer on the Chargers. But based on last week's game against the Chiefs, I think the Chargers are hitting their stride. They believe. And again, I want to see the showdown next week for the AFC West crown. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers

Atlanta @ Minnesota
If Jackson plays the same way he did last week, Atlanta's in trouble. I don't think he will. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons

Philadelphia @ Washington
Though only an outside chance, both teams still have the capability of making the playoffs. The Redskins, however, are spinning out of control. Meanwhile, the Iggles are taking flight. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles

Home Field
Pittsburgh @ Tennessee
I love this battle. This is the test to see if Tennessee can keep up after a couple questionable outings recently. I don't think they pass. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina @ New York Football Giants
Technically, Carolina has not yet secured a playoff spot. But I think they will. I just don't think this will be the game in which they do it. Primarily because the Giants have to jump start their offense and get a move on into the playoffs. Or else they will meet a first or second round ouster. I can't back away from them now. TD chooses: New York Football Giants

Snow...

We awoke at 6 a.m. The snow was falling. The snow that the weathermen had been telling us would fall since Tuesday. No problem, we thought. We can make it into work. And so, at 7:15 we began our trek. Down the hill to I-5. We found the Boeing Access Road completely jammed, the result of a jackknifed bus. We turned left on Martin Luther King and proceeded north. Cars were spun out. People were walking across main thoroughfares. A mess. We came to a halt near the intersection with Rainier. More jacknifed buses. We listened on the radio to the traffic commentators pleading with people to stay home.

Joseph said, we should just go back. And so we did. We made it back at 9.

For the rest of this story, I will let the pictures of our Subaru Forester speak for themselves...

10 a.m.

Noon

5 p.m.

TD's Thursday Night Fourth Quarter Pick - Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

For the second week running, I have neglected my responsibilities as a chooser of Thursday night football matchups. So, before the game is over...

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville
Yes, I saw the score. And yes, I've said that I will not pick Jacksonville again this season because they don't do right by me. So, having seen that they are ahead, I am verklempt. Earlier in the season, JB reported back to me in the midst of a game and took the loser at the time. But I hesitate to do that here. No, because I was lax, I must take the team that I have sworn not to take since they do me wrong. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars

Emerald Smiles

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. No characters are based on real people, whether living or dead. Any resemblance to a real person is pure coincidence.

I hurried towards the bus stop, fighting against the wind. Trying to see through the swirling snow. Work still lingered in my mind. Charts and due dates. My failures reflected in the frozen puddles of sewage and mud. Wishing Christmas would pass with its manufactured cheer and consumer cacophony.

Suddenly a poorly dressed man of no more than 50 years of age stepped into my path and smiled at me with emerald green eyes. 'God is a jealous God,' he spoke haltingly. 'He sees that you have lost your faith. He is coming.'

I immediately bowed my head and continued on the sidewalk, ignoring the crazy man. But he had successfully taken my mind from work and plunged it into dark thoughts about God and religion. 'Faith, a tool of the ignorant,' I thought to myself.

The bitter wind touched an old scar on my cheek, a wound suffered from a glancing hockey puck. A result of hesitation. 'He who hesitates is lost,' I heard my father say, his voice succumbing to the Doppler Effect as he skated back towards center ice. I shook my head, trying to distance myself from that voice.

A block away, I saw the faint yellow lights of the 156. Just pulling up. In my loafers, I broke into a light jog, slipping as I went. But I caught the bus driver's eye just in time. I sat two rows from the front. Hoping against all hope that I'd be left alone with my dark thoughts. That I could rail against God's neglect and faith and this ridiculous season of good will and road rage.

But a talkative young man sat next to me, interested in carrying on about some gift he was anticipating. A video game. Or another electronic waste of time in which I had little interest. The young man turned to me and smiled with his emerald green eyes. I wished to snarl at him but hesitated at the unmitigated happiness I saw. The same happiness I had once felt long ago at the sight of the toy train my grandparents had given me.

I exited the bus and walked - again through the swirling snow - to my apartment. I made myself a sandwich and sat in my recliner watching the tail end of the 6 p.m. half hour news cycle. The 6:30 cycle began with a breaking story. A young man had been shot and killed on the 156 just minutes before.

I turned off the television and sat in the recliner for a long time. My thoughts, jagged and melancholy. Faithless. Tempestuous. And then, a nostalgic break. I heard - whether somewhere outside my apartment or inside my head - my grandmother humming Silent Night. I rose from the recliner and began a minor excavation in my storage closet. I unpacked the box. And I connected the pieces. There on my dining room table, I watched as the small locomotive raced around the track.

Video of the Week: The Power of Shoes

Most of you have seen it by now. Our president ducking a pair of shoes thrown by an Iraqi journalist. Is he deserving of such treatment? I dare say not, but only because I don't believe anyone deserves anything. Perhaps, this is simply poetic justice. Or karma. A quite visible example that each person reaps what - in this case - he has sown.

History will not be kind to Bush II.

Darkness...

Fifteen days ago on an unusually warm afternoon, I climbed onto our roof with white icicle lights in tow. Four strands of twinkle lights, three strands of blinking lights, and two strands of plain old stay-on-all-the-time lights I did string along the eaves and gutters of the house.

Sound familiar? You can read all about it here.

For about ten days, the lights twinkled, blinked, and otherwise glittered beautifully for all to see. The outward show of our preparedness for the holidays.

On that tenth day - last Wednesday to be exact - Joseph and I decided that we wanted to spice it up a bit. We decided to purchase one of those ribbons of lights that we would hang along the water table. Blue would compliment the white and would match the few blue lights within the star at the roof's apex.

We ventured to Lowe's. No dice. Then on to Home Depot. Nothing of the sort. Target? Nope. Although we did decide to purchase one of those huge inflatable snowmen. It stands eight feet tall and scares me a little. Finally, we journeyed to Fred Meyer. Our last shot. And no. But, there were blue icicle lights. Good enough. We came home.

Next day, Joseph helped to build a house for Habitat for Humanity. I worked. Joseph got home and decided to surprise me by setting up the snowman and by stapling the blue lights to the water table. It really did look good.

Until... all the white lights went out. One of the voices in my head screamed in utter terror as I glimpsed the darkness spewed across the eaves and gutters. And there, mocking me across the length of the water table, were the damnable blue icicle lights. Not to mention the oddly waving monstrosity of an inflatable snowman hovering over me. I hurried into the house dejectedly.

My obsession with perfection began to rear its ugly head. Joseph soon tuned me out, leaving me muttering to myself about the inconceivability of all the lights ceasing to function. It just didn't make sense. It hadn't happened last year, I kept saying to myself. What was different?

I finally got tired of my own muttering and began to think. What in the name of all the tea in China could it be, I wondered. I knew we had a working strand of lights that we could use. And so, I decided that it was time to climb atop the roof again.

I didn't wait long. Fast forward to Saturday. I donned my rooftop clothing - which did NOT consist of anything red with white cotton borders - and climbed the ladder. I tried to unplug and then replug the green extension cord into the first strand of white icicle lights. And then I did it again.

They say the definition of stupidity is doing the exact same thing in the same way multiple times and expecting different outcomes. Well, there I was on the roof awash in stupidity.

Joseph then made a suggestion, i.e. try to plug the green extension cord into the next strand of lights. I did. And... it worked. So, I could just plug in the strand that worked and remove the strand that didn't. Easy. I felt some relief, not to mention a bit of joy. We would be prepared for the holidays after all. And none too soon, as we were expected to endure a significant cold front that promised some snow and frigid - teens and twenties - temperatures.

Ha!

That evening, we had a wedding to attend. Friends from softball. A straight couple that had met playing in the gay league. Ah, irony. Joseph plugged the lights into the side of the house at my request. He then continued getting ready. As he passed by me in the front hall, I looked outside and said, 'I thought you turned on the lights.' He replied that he had. I walked out through the front door and stepped out onto the driveway. There along the eaves and on the gutters, darkness lingered like mold on rotten chicken. The blue lights chuckled and Frosty bounced back and forth guffawing in the windy gusts.

I stormed into the house and sputtered with rage. Joseph looked at me with pity in his eyes. 'We don't have to go to the wedding,' he said. I said that the wedding was more important. I knew it in my heart, but my mind wanted to pore over the vexing darkness.

I enjoyed the wedding. And I even forgot about the lights. Well, almost. When we exited the building that housed the reception, Jack Frost nipped at our nose. We witnessed the first of the flakes falling from the night sky. The first snowfall we had witnessed this year.

And all I could think about... damn, when am I going to be able to fix the lights...

On Sunday, I worked. Later in the day, I shopped. We started by picking up yet another set of icicle lights at Home Depot. Joseph looked at two different brands of icicle lights. I said that we should stick with name brand; we purchased GE. I then asked if he had found twinkle lights to replace the strand of twinkle lights that died. He looked all over the box but couldn't find anything that indicated the type of lights. He did comment that there shouldn't be more than six strands strung together, according to the box, but nothing about twinkling or blinking or whatever.

And then we proceeded to a nearly empty mall. A nice change of pace, to be honest. But still, the lights. Beating in my mind like some tell tale heart.

I wanted to fix the lights that night. But by the time we arrived at home, I knew it wouldn't work. I was tired. And it was friggin cold. With a wind chill.

Defeated.

Because I knew that I needed Joseph to help. And I knew that he had class on Monday night. And I knew that the weather people were predicting another significant snow event on Tuesday night.

Today came. Sometime during the day, Joseph informed me that his teacher had canceled class. A small window, I thought. An opportunity. So, I began searching google for answers, my hope renewed. And what did I find.

What!? I didn't know the lights even had that secret compartment. But I had always wondered what the hell those little cylindrical looking doohickies were. You know, the ones that come in the bags with the replacement bulbs. Again, awash in stupidity...

Then I recalled a comment Joseph had made at Home Depot. No more than six strands strung together. And that's what was different. I wrote it in that November 30th blog entry:

Except Joseph wants to string some lights along the inner facade of the roof that covers the path leading to our front door. With the staple gun and a lot of balance, I climb the ladder and make it so.

A seventh strand of lights that we hadn't strung last year.

Ugh!

We loaded ourselves into the car at approximately 5:15 p.m. and came home.

I readied myself. T-shirt. Long sleeve shirt. Hoodie. Flannel pajamas under workout pants. Two pairs of socks. My 'climbing' shoes from L.L. Bean. I donned my puke green corduroy coat. Over that I struggled to pull my waterproof spring jacket. I pulled the hood up over my head and then slid my hands into leather gloves.

I would have been a shoe-in as some icicle light wielding mass murdering glow-in-the-dark white gangster.

We leaned the ladder against the gutter on the side of the house. I climbed onto the roof and crawled over the apex. I slid down the other side and extracted the flashlight.

Hands were numb by then.

I unplugged the seventh strand.

Then I made my way up and over the apex again to the first strand. Having no ability to be dextrous in any way shape or form, I just about had to unplug the first strand with my teeth. I lowered the plug end to Joseph in the driveway and waited for him to replace the fuse. I then pulled up the strand and plugged it into the green extension cord.

And the lights shone.

I was wet. I was cold. And I was on top of my roof sitting in the snow.

But the lights worked.

And, as of now, they're continuing to glitter in the darkness.

Sunday Scribblings: I Knew Instantly...

She told us we would. Know instantly, that is. We'd be able to see it in each other's eyes. And that would be that.

We didn't believe her.

She chuckled warm-heartedly and asked us where we wanted to begin. We gave her a number with which we thought we felt comfortable. And thus the search began.

'She' was our real estate agent, Vanessa. And 'we' were the happy couple who wanted to find our first home.

The search began one Sunday during the winter of 2005. We collectively packed ourselves into Vanessa's sizeable SUV and made for the northern reaches of Seattle. We visited a few houses - all rather well-kept and any a distinct possibility for our next home. Joseph fell in love with one in particular. Two stories. A beautiful kitchen. Hardwood floors. Aesthetically amazing...

Note: We had no idea for what we were looking. We didn't know the right questions to ask. We were simply wowed by aesthetics. Thank God for Vanessa.

When we left that house, we thought we had found the one. But both of us - Joseph and I - felt an odd reluctance to discuss it. Until we exited Vanessa's SUV and entered our Mitsubishi Galant. I began to do some rough estimation in my head and threw out a number. It silenced us. We didn't make nearly enough even to consider that house. Joseph sat dejectedly as I tried to figure out a way to make a round peg fit into a square hole.

Suffice it to say, we contacted Vanessa and told her it was a no go. We had to try for something significantly cheaper. In a kind, compassionate way, Vanessa told us that we should not, then, be searching up north. The south, she said, would have much better bargains. And so we went south.

For I don't know how many months...

Each Sunday, we'd meet up with Vanessa and ride in her SUV to the southern reaches of Seattle. To Tukwila. To Burien. To White Center. To Renton. I remember houses in which I couldn't stand up straight. Houses that had decks on the verge of sliding down steep back hills. Town houses built in the midst of questionable neighborhoods. And houses into which we wouldn't allow Vanessa to step for fear of contamination of some kind.

Then came a house in an unincorporated area known as Skyway. A nice house. Secluded. A beautifully redone kitchen. An impressive master bedroom with bath. A breakfast nook. And a huge yard. In fact, the yard's size was somewhere in the range of 10,000 square feet, unheard of in the Seattle area. There was just one small issue. A large, awkward black furnace that looked as though it had been transported from a blacksmith's shop circa 1876 Dodge City. Around this 'thing' the previous owners had made a half-hearted attempt to erect wallboard that separated the basement into four very odd rooms.

But it was within the price range. We asked if we could think about it. And so we thought. Joseph and I mused that this house was not the 'one' but that it would be hard to bypass it after such an exhaustive search. We were convinced that we would have to widen the diameter in which we were searching if we didn't take that house.

We thought.

And thought.

And we were on the verge of taking it, when...

We continued our house search for what we were convinced would be the final Sunday. We rode up to the house adjacent to the substation. We entered. Joseph took a right and walked through the kitchen and living room. I turned left and viewed the bathrooms and bedrooms. We then swapped. And met each other back in the front hallway.

I knew instantly by the look on his face that we were home...

TD's Official NFL Picks - Week 15

We have come to it at last. The playoffs. A time when men and women are consumed in a flurry of activity. Smack talking, commonplace within offices and amongst friends. Otherwise effective employees are trolling websites for some golden nugget, for some silver bullet that will convice them of their chances or send them to add the likes of Bess and Thigpen.

No, I'm not crazy. I know it's only week 15. But for Fantasy Football, the time is now. I play in two leagues. In the one with a few college buddies back east, I began at 6-2 but finished at 8-6. Good enough for fifth place; the top 8 go to the playoffs. In the other league mostly composed of the players on the softball team I coached this past year, I started at 3-5 but managed an 8-6 finish. Good enough for fourth place; the top 4 go to the playoffs.

We'll see how it turns out. Now, for the picks...

New England @ Oakland
The Pats have little room for error, and I'm sure Belichick has relayed the message in no uncertain terms. Though Cassel may be grieving and the linebacker corp in shambles, the Pats won't allow this game to slip against a still inferior team. TD chooses: New England Patriots

San Diego @ Kansas City
Can you believe the Bolts still have a chance to get into the playoffs at 5-8? In fact, that chance would mean winning the division. The Bolts would have to win their final three while the Broncos lose their final three. The Bolts have KC, TB, and Denver. The Broncs have Carolina, Buffalo, and SD. Yes, the chances are slim, but slim at least means existent. As for KC, they can only play spoiler. And they have the venue in Arrowhead to do the damage. But I don't think they'll pull it off. And I'm rooting for a meaningful final game that decides the AFC Champion. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers

Seattle @ St. Louis
As most of you know, I am a Seattle resident and therefore - unless they're playing the Jints - root for the home team. If I weren't a Seattle resident, I would have to be paid to care about this game. As it stands, neither has much more to gain from this game than pride and the higher draft pick. That said, I was impressed with how well the Seaducks played last week against New England. Meanwhile, St. Louis hasn't impressed anyone doing anything of note recently. TD chooses: Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee @ Houston
The Titans still have something for which to play, i.e. home field advantage throughout the playoffs. They have just about everything else they need. It shouldn't matter. I will harp on this point whenever a team that has already made the playoffs plays from here on out. They should play as if they're not in the playoffs. Yes, injuries happen. And, worst case scenario is that someone gets hurt badly enough for that person to be lost for the rest of the year. I understand that argument. Here's the counterargument. If people are playing at full speed, without hesitation, they are less likely to get hurt. There's still the chance, no doubt. But that's football. And if you'd like a real life example from last season, see the Jints-Pats game. TD chooses: Tennessee Titans

Buffalo @ New York Jets
This game qualifies as the 'what the hell are both of you teams doing' matchup of the weekend. Honestly. I picked San Fran last week against the Jets, but it was just so I could find a game that allowed me to move ahead of JB. (Little good that did.) But I got that one. I didn't expect it. What it proves is that the Jets don't know how to put the nail in the proverbial coffin. Now, they're in a three-way tie atop the East again. Buffalo's not much better. They start with their best record since their Super Bowl run in the mid-90s and then fall off the face of the earth to become dead last in a competitive division. Inexcusable on both counts. At this point, I think the Bills are at a disadvantage with their QB situation as well as with their recent lack of ability to score. TD chooses: New York Jets

Detroit @ Indianapolis
It seems oddly appropriate that the NFL will have its first 0-16 team a season after its first 16-0 team. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts

Green Bay @ Jacksonville
A disappointing team v. a disappointing team. Bleh. The Pack all but eliminated from the playoffs. Jacksonville entirely eliminated. Remember, I said that I would not choose the Jags again this season. I stay true to this promise. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers

San Francisco @ Miami
Miami could win the AFC East. Does that boggle anyone else? Like AFC East Champions, win. They best not underestimate the 49ers. Singletary has 'em playing. But there's one major issue; teams with homes on the West Coast suck when they go East. For that reason and because I think Miami actually wants this, TD chooses: Miami Dolphins

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta
A week after a key showdown with Carolina, Tampa has to visit a much better than expected Atlanta to see if they can flog them again this year (they won they're first matchup 24-9). But don't underestimate these not-so-dirty birds. Especially at home. Not to mention the fact that there's some question as to who will be the QB for Tampa this weekend. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons

Washington @ Cincinnati
Yes, Washington has fallen from grace. Another late season tank-job. But they're playing the Bagels. My advice to Carson Plamer. Just come back next year. Nothing to be gained by returning during this one. TD chooses: Washington Redskins

Minnesota @ Arizona
An interesting game. The Vikings must continue to fight for the NFC North Championship. The Cardinals must improve their playoff seeding. Gus ain't feeling hot, which means a dose of Tarvaris. Yick. For that reason, TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals

Denver @ Carolina
Another intriguing matchup. The Broncos must win another game to ensure their division championship. Meanwhile, the Panthers must still fend off defeat in order to take home their division championship. If it were in Denver, I might think twice about Carolina. As it stands, TD chooses: Carolina Panthers

New York Football Giants @ Dallas
You might think that this should the the 'Pick of the Week' game. But, I think there's one better. What I would like to see in this game is a Jint blowout of this dysfunctional Dallas team. I don't think that will be the outcome, however, because Romo usually puts up good numbers against the Jints. In addition, Brandon Jacobs is out again. He needs to get healthy. And why isn't this the game of the week? The G-men already won the division. TD chooses: New York Football Giants

Cleveland @ Philadelphia
Blech. Okay, so last week's Monday Night game. A good one, for a change. This one? Not so much. Cleveland struggles to remain a team in the NFL. Philly has a resurgence, but is it too late in the game for the Iggles? Not yet. If the G-men defeat the Cowschmucks and the Iggles pull out the likely win, then the Iggles are in second and vying for the Wild Card. Though I root for Cleveland, TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles

Pick of the Week
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Defense v. Defense. Division rivals. Pittsburgh seeking another division championship. Baltimore attempting to catch them and secure a championship for themselves. Pittsburgh has the better record. But it's in Baltimore. I expect it to be a great game. Unless Pittsburgh severely rattles Flacco, which is possible. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

TD's Official Thursday Night NFL Pick - New Orleans @ Chicago

In fact I have two items to discuss this evening.

The first:
New Orleans @ Chicago
I swear by everything that I hold dear that I have not yet glimpsed the score, though it was understandably difficult. In fact, I can't even tell you their records off the top of my head, though I know both to be somewhere around .500. For me, it's not about the records. Or the teams. I think it's about the weather. And if it's anything like Chicago should be in December, Chicago's gonna run it down their throats. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

The second:
This is non-football related. I received a few comments about the story I composed yesterday. Whether it was real or fictional. It was fictional. It was followed by a question: then, how do I know all of what you've written is not fictional? I suggested that the commenter would have to guess. But, as I've considered the comment throughout the day, I've realized that it's disconcerting to switch the blog in midstream. I mean, I wonder how many of you actually think that I, who value human life, would actually be pleased if someone were to die. And horribly, at that. I have therefore decided to add a disclaimer to those stories that are, in fact, stories. So you'll know...

Now, I'm off to eat a wonderful dinner that Joseph has cooked. And to watch the tail end of the game, if it is, in fact, still on.

A Vanquished Enemy

Thus far, I have used this blog almost exclusively as an autobiographical outpouring. I intended for my other blog, Random Rejoinders, to provide me an outlet for my creative writing. Unfortunately, my schedule has not allowed me to keep up with the other blog, which means I have not devoted much time to writing creatively. I have therefore decided to use this blog to incorporate that creative writing. Although some future stories will be blatantly autobiographical in nature, there may be other stories that embellish, exaggerate, or work from just a tidbit of autobiographical truth. And so, without further ado...

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. No characters are based on real people, whether living or dead. Any resemblance to a real person is pure coincidence.

I was a chubby kid in middle school. A chubby kid who daily wished he could avoid everything associated with middle school. But my parents dutifully woke me up at the crack of dumb so that I could traipse to Midland Middle. I'd never get to high school if I didn't go, they told me each morning. I told them I was fine with that.

The bane of my existence at Midland was a kid by the name of Aaron Gray. Taller than most, though slim, and with a flat top haircut, Aaron was the official bully of the eighth grade. And not just of the eighth grade; his influence lingered throughout the cold blue-tiled hallways of the entire school. It was all I could do to avoid him and his clique.

Nice bod, they'd scream at me. Faggot's too good for us, they'd continue after I tried to head in the other direction. They'd follow up with any combination of grabbing my books, kicking me, or emptying the contents of my bag on the blue tile. An utterly demeaning existence.

Suffice it to say, I elected Aaron and his followers my sworn enemies.

I survived my final year at Midland. Barely.

After three months, high school beckoned. And I did something I cannot to this day believe that I did. I joined the football team. No one in my family ever played football. My parents were pacifists, for God's sake. But I had to prove myself. I had to show my peers - and more importantly me - that I could do it.

I showed up the first day and saw him. Aaron Gray. Already dressed in his pads, he took one look at me and began to laugh. The look in his evil green eyes made me hate him even more. I wanted to lunge for him. Strangle him. Something. But he would have beat the utter crap out of me. So, I staggered into the lockerroom convinced that this would be my only practice. Out on the field, Aaron had placed a bullseye on me. He aimed for me any chance he got. And he clobbered me. I could barely stand after that first practice. I decided never to return after the first one.

I went home that evening and talked to my father. Remember, a pacifist at heart. Though a pacifist, he told me that if I had decided to play football, that I had to be true to myself and stick with it. I hated the advice. I wanted so badly to let my father's words fall on deaf ears. But I couldn't. The next day saw me in football pads. And the next. And the next. Each day, taking the mental - and now physical - abuse from Aaron.

Then one day in early November, I walked into the lockerroom and saw a number of my teammates sitting in a stupor. I could sense a vague sadness settled within that room. An assistant coach saw the confusion on my face and explained that Aaron had been in a serious car accident. He explained that Aaron's legs were shattered and that both lungs were punctured. It didn't look good.

In fact, Aaron passed away only three days later from his wounds.

All I could think was...

Thank you, God.

Video of the Week: Bing and Bowie

Christmas fast approaches.

Only 15 days until Christmas Eve.

As we come closer to my favorite holiday, I will, no doubt, devote more than a couple posts to this beautiful season. Tonight, I give you my favorite Christmas performance. Though I can't claim the song to be my favorite, I love the juxtaposition of the pairing.

Listen and let the Christmas spirit linger...

Another Brick...

Last evening, I witnessed The Wall for the first time in my life.

Yes, I've heard some of the songs. Strike that, I've heard most of the songs from Pink Floyd's rock opera. But I've never seen the movie. And I've certainly never seen it performed live.

A few months ago, my friend Drew told me he was going to see a group called The Australian Pink Floyd Show, and he asked me if I'd like to go. He told me that they sounded just like Pink Floyd. And then he forwarded me a review. I found out that The Australian Pink Floyd Show is the only band that has ever played for a Pink Floyd member - David Gilmour. Gilmour liked them so much that he invited them to play at his 50th birthday. I needed no more coaxing.

Though I can't claim to be a huge fan, I certainly like Pink Floyd. 'On the Turning Away' is my favorite Pink Floyd song, though I had no idea that this was in the post Roger Waters era.



So, we arrived at the Paramount at 7 p.m. and had ourselves a couple Heinekens before we entered. About 30 rows back in the center. Not close enough to be spit on, but close enough to be blinded by the spotlights. And attacked by the strange green flashes emanating from the stage.

One small issue. Or rather 5 large issues. We had Larry, Darryl, and his other three brothers, Darryl, Darryl, and Darryl behind us. Picture Larry the cable guy minus the sense of humor plus 30 pounds each and intolerably drunk. Times five. That's what we had behind us. Fun.

Beside me, there sat a couple in their early to mid 40s. Yeah, random, but they become important to this story.

There we were, enjoying the concert. 'In the Flesh'. 'The Thin Ice'. 'Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1)'.



And one of the brothers Darryl - completely blasted, mind you - decides that he's going to get up and go charge the stage. The other Darryls and Larry - the biggest, fattest, loudest one of em all - tells the overly intoxicated Darryl to shut the fudge up and sit the fudge down. (If you have a difficult time determining the real meaning of fudge, please see A Christmas Story when Ralphie helps to change the tire. That should clear things up nicely.)

The blitzed Darryl begins to force the issue right into the back of the people sitting in front of him, namely, Drew and me. Larry and the other Darryls finally relent and allow him through, at which point the blasted Darryl catches, i.e. punches, the 40 something guy - let's call him Moe - in the back of the head. Moe - obviously not one to back down from a fight - turns around and gives Larry a piece of his mind, which immediately alerts the ushers. Meanwhile, the tanked Darryl lopes down towards the stage.

The lights go dark as the song ends. And when they come back up, inebriated Darryl has disappeared into the ether.

The ushers manage to separate Moe and Larry so that we all can enjoy the show.

And everyone lives happily ever after.

Until...

The second act.

Drew and I notice that loaded Darryl has rejoined his plaid garbed kin. Somewhat relaxed though still mind-numbingly loud, Darryl of the three sheets to the wind remains calm through 'Hey You' and 'Is There Anybody Out There?' But then he decides that it's time to leave again. A few more types of fudge get flung between Larry and the Darryls before tanked Darryl gallops off somewhere new and exciting.

After besotted Darryl departs, Larry starts to get in on the fun. He decides to lean forward as far as his corpulence allows and belts out the lyrics in a voice that might remind you of a large maimed cat in heat. It was a little bit of stupidity and intoxication mixed into his overabundant frame. But he doesn't just scream like one might normally scream at a concert. No, he decides to scream louder than the music itself, a tough feat.

I watch as Moe turns to Larry and double pokes him in the eyes. Okay, so not really, but Moe gives Larry a talking to. Moe then turns around thinking that all is right with the world. At which point, Larry ups it a few decibels on his end. The proper response from someone acting like a three year old. But Moe is not to be outdone. He gets the bright idea of folding up his chair - one of those swivel sorts that you'd find in a baseball stadium, but much more comfortable - and sits on top of the seat effectively giving Larry a close up of the back of his (Moe's) head.

Larry throws a fit. He curses more time in 30 seconds than a distraught sailor. And Moe decides that he's had enough and retrieves the ushers. So, the ushers come to babysit. Well, not babysit exactly. They stand a couple yards away and observe.

Larry, thinking the ushers have departed, begins his antics again. This time, he adds a pair of drumming mitts on the back of Moe's chair. Moe retaliates by sitting atop the chair again, and Larry erupts. But the ushers witness the ridiculousness this time around. They surround Larry and tell him he'd better shape up or he'll be shipped out. All while we hear the likes of 'Vera' and 'Bring the Boys Back Home'.

The ushers then decide that it would be best to part Moe and Larry for good. Moe and his wife leave for other seats giving Larry an open seat and the freedom to do whatever the hell he wants, i.e. yelling the lyrics and beating the seats senseless (subsequently causing what felt like a small earthquake in our row).

But I didn't care. I was Comfortably Numbed to their stupidity by the remarkable music.

I leave you with it.

Christmas Tradition: The Village

My brother does it. The old man does it. My grandfather did it. My great grandfather did it.

And I do it.

Whether it goes back further, I'm not certain. I just know that I remember villages underneath my grandfather's and the old man's tree every Christmas I've ever known.

The village can be elaborate or simple. It can contain old style houses crafted from papier mache and newly crafted ceramic houses from the Dickens Village collection. There are figurines aplenty as well as tiny evergreens dotting the snowy countryside. The old man and I keep the village to the era of the 1890's in New England. No cars. But that isn't a strict rule. My grandfather, for instance, made his more a Christmas village replete with elves and other magical creatures.

Oh, and there's the train. My grandfather never incorporated a train. But the old man certainly did. Not only a train - when we lived in our first house - but a trolley as well. With the tracks criss-crossing. My brother and I have carried on with the train. I can't say it's as elaborate as my father's, but it works well enough.

The old man, of course, has taken the village to new heights. Not only does he have a train and countless little moving parts and pieces, he also has a water scene. With boats, beach sand, and a lighthouse that sits atop a rock he retrieved from the Savin Rock area in West Haven.

The final finishing touch? A white picket fence that lines the perimeter of the village. It prevents the gifts from falling into the village. It also acts as a deterrent to pets who like to play with and eat the pieces therein. I don't yet have a fence to surround mine. I'm working on it.

The village is certainly a crowd pleaser. I couldn't imagine Christmas without it.

The Old Man's Village (2005)

From Blogger Pictures

TD's Village (2007)

From Family Pictures

TD's Official NFL Picks - Week 14

I've decided to approach these picks a bit more differently this week. First, there will be no pick of the week. Why? Because when I started looking at the matchups, I realized that there's certainly not just one this week. Bucs / Panthers. Cowboys / Steelers. Eagles / Giants. Nope, couldn't pick one. So, I said to myself, self you should separate out the good and the bad. This isn't to say that games in the bad category don't have some kind of importance for one of the teams playing in them. They're just not games that I can imagine many - other than fans and fantasy football locos - would want to watch.

Second, I am going to try to keep the comment to one sentence. A challenge, to be certain, since I want to try to keep you entertained while at the same time saying something remotely interesting about each game. Here goes...

The Bad
Cleveland @ Tennessee
The final nail has been hammered into Romeo's coffin; this will just be a bunch of Titans dancing on his grave. TD chooses: Tennessee Titans

Houston @ Green Bay
Lambeau field is an impressive ally in December, and I think the Packers are just plain better. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville @ Chicago
I specifically stated that I would not vote for Jacksonville again this year - it's a good thing they've already played the Lions - and I will keep that promise. TD chooses: Chicago Bears

Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
I am concerned for Indy in this one, but I think Peyton and crew know they have too much riding on these last three games against the Bagels, Lie Downs, and Jaguettes. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts

Minnesota @ Detroit
If I hadn't seen the Lie Downs play on Turkey Day, I might choose them to upset the Vikes; the problem is that I did. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings

New England @ Seattle
I wanted so badly to choose the Seachickens as an upset, but then I found out that Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones are doubtful. TD chooses: New England Patriots

New York Jets @ San Francisco
Of all the 'bad' games I chose, I think this could be one of the most competitive given San Fran's new life and the Jets' need to keep winning to stay atop the AFC East. TD chooses: San Francisico 49ers

Kansas City @ Denver
The Chiefs won their game against Denver earlier in the year; the Broncos aren't going to let that happen again. TD chooses: Denver Broncos

St. Louis @ Arizona
I think the Rams can upset them, but I think the Cardinals want to know what a conference championship feels like - if you can call winning the NFC West a championship. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals

The Good
Atlanta @ New Orleans
New Orleans must win to stay alive and Brees will throw at Atlanta as much as they can handle; but will it be more than that even? TD chooses: New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia @ New York Football Giants
A friend asked me if I will ever choose the team that is better than the Giants, and I said to him 'Yes, if I thought there were any.' TD chooses: New York Football Giants

Miami @ Buffalo
Remember what I said about Lambeau; multiply that by ten and you have Buffalo. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills

Dallas @ Pittsburgh
If I were to choose a pick of the week, I think this would have been it; these two are just gonna hammer one another, and I'm hoping the Steel Curtain closes on the Cowbirds. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington @ Baltimore
The most intriguing matchup, I think this one will require good QB play; who's QB will play better? TD chooses: Washington Redskins

Tampa Bay @ Carolina
Garcia seems to own the Panthers as a QB for Tampa; I think this streak will continue on a very good Monday Night Footbal game - finally. TD chooses: Tampa Bay Buccaneers