New Pain, Greater Loss
The Mädchen: her face removed and unceremoniously tossed in the boot.
This morning Jenni called me with even more bad news. The cost of repairing the Mädchen reached a level where the insurance company totaled it. So I am down one porokeratosis and one automobile. Jenni has taken the loss of the car like the loss of any loved one. The phone rang again as I was preparing to dress my wound, it was the auto rental place, Liberty Mutual my insurer is extending up to 10 more days of rental fees, but the plate on the Spectra is expiring at midnight tonight. More bad news. I agree to drive out there and get the new plate and since it is the same place where the Mädchen has gone to die I decide to get the plates and any other personal effects from the carcass. I got a couple of parting shots for the record too. Jenni has already started looking for a replacement Bimmer to fill the void in the garage and in our hearts. I don't need any more bad news to pile on and make my March start like my Bonus extended February ended.
It is not just the bible that has an answer for any problem or issue that life can toss you, so do the lyrics of Mr. Elvis Costello.
Excerpt from "5ive Gears in Reverse", Get Happy, 1980
But if your patience is exhausted
and you still cannot decide,
you're sitting in the garage
contemplating suicide
and you have no motivation
you can't even catch your breath
All of this acceleration
is driving you to death
Chuck Pace © 2008 |
The Pain to End All Pain!
02/28/08 07:09 AM | Permalink
It's that every other Thursday thing. That one where I don't go in to my job. The one where about half the time I'm running my rear end off doing stuff that I can't on the weekends. Last one I did the front end of the Bimmer and took the truck in for carb work, and the dog in for a vision test and the busted Bimmer to two different service and repair centers to get estimates and and,and it was Valentines day. So what's on the docket for this Thursday's diversion from employments of the gainful variety? Pain to end all pain. For nearly 20 years I have been dealing with a foot ailment. Today I am seeing a podiatrist after getting a referral from our GP a few weeks ago.
Chuck Pace © 2008 | |
Chuck Pace © 2008 | |
Roads Unraveled, Times Traveled
02/25/08 09:40 PM | Projectile | Permalink
I was once published in AutoWeek magazine. I had a subscription to Motor Trend before I had a license. I have been in two car clubs. Painted a race car, and worked on a sprint car crew for a few races. I actually used a tree and hoist to replace rear leaf springs on an old car once (a true shade tree mechanic).
I have driven econo-boxes, and $70,000 sports cars, giant engined maxivans, and four cylinder VW's that only hit on three cylinders until they were over 1500 rpms. I have had a brake line break at 40 mph and driven on a sidewalk around a corner until the vehicle ran out of momentum. I have bought cars for under $125.00 that I drove for two more years. I got so good at de-gunking a '62 Falcon fuel filter that I could pull over and disconnect, flush and reinstall it in under three minutes. I've owned VW's, Fords, Dodges, Chevys, Chryslers, Plymouths, Toyotas, Nissans (Datsuns) and BMWs. I've driven a 1965 Ford Ranchero with a Hi-Po 289 engine that my father, brother and I dropped in from a real race car I bought for $125.00 over 130 miles per hour with just one left front and one right rear brake. I short block rebuilt a R22 Toyota truck engine in two weekends. I have pushed, pulled and towed more cars than some people have owned in the thirty years I have been driving. I had a car stolen and abandoned less than a mile away because the thieves didn't know enough to release the parking brakes. I had that same car catch on fire and successfully called the fire-department as I drove it into a parking lot where they arrived to finish it off with their dasher bars and axes.
I totaled a 65 Chevy C10 when I slid into a car-carrier semi after a newer vehicle stopped in the middle of an interstate and made a 90° right turn to get to an exit they passed. I bounced off the rear wheels into the concrete center barrier than careened all the way across the highway to end perfectly in the breakdown lane with fire coming through the floorboard from the broken engine exhaust manifold. When I got out I saw that the 3/8 inch thick steel bumper was curled around and poking through my left front tire like a shovel blade.
I've bought two cars new off the show room floor, and one that never made it to the floor, the 14th 1993 Dodge Intrepid ever sold in Indiana (it took two months before the DMV had excise info and I could plate it), it was on a ramp in front of Western Dodge in Marion Indiana September 3rd 1992, they got it in that afternoon.
I've driven Penske and U-Haul and rental cube vans, Pontiac, Chevy, Hyundai, Toyota and Chrysler rental cars. At 15, with just a learners permit drove a 30 foot 12 speed delivery truck when my Uncle slipped a disk in has back while I was with him.
But I've never had to pay a deductable or had an insurance claim, or repair.
This is a new experience for me. I upgraded my rental Chevy Aveo (speck) offering this morning at Enterprise, Jenni thought I'd get a Nissan Versa after looking on the Enterprise web-site, instead I got a bigger speck or should I say Spec-tra. A smallish Kia Spectra four door with a lot of pep, side curtain airbags, bright vacu-florescent displays and three inch thick, barely padded, cloth seats that are hard. Harder than Chuck Norris after bitch-slapping a Kodiak Bear for half an hour hard. It will take about a week for my Mädchen to get out of her re-hab, about a week to fix what I did in less than five second lapse. About a week to make me whole again too. 'Til then I will ride in quiet psuedo-comfort instead of walking, and long for my baby and her handling, poise and power. I will long for my cruising and cruise-control my on board computers and my leather seats, my sun-roof and a car I can drive all day and not feel tired, cramped or unsafe in.
I guess I am spoiled even after all those trials and tribulations behind the wheel because I can not imagine a single drive of more than twenty or thirty miles in this tiny but efficient econo car.
Bis dahin bin ich nicht fahren Ich bin Reiten.
(Until then I'm not driving I'm riding.)
Chuck Pace © 2008 | |
I have driven econo-boxes, and $70,000 sports cars, giant engined maxivans, and four cylinder VW's that only hit on three cylinders until they were over 1500 rpms. I have had a brake line break at 40 mph and driven on a sidewalk around a corner until the vehicle ran out of momentum. I have bought cars for under $125.00 that I drove for two more years. I got so good at de-gunking a '62 Falcon fuel filter that I could pull over and disconnect, flush and reinstall it in under three minutes. I've owned VW's, Fords, Dodges, Chevys, Chryslers, Plymouths, Toyotas, Nissans (Datsuns) and BMWs. I've driven a 1965 Ford Ranchero with a Hi-Po 289 engine that my father, brother and I dropped in from a real race car I bought for $125.00 over 130 miles per hour with just one left front and one right rear brake. I short block rebuilt a R22 Toyota truck engine in two weekends. I have pushed, pulled and towed more cars than some people have owned in the thirty years I have been driving. I had a car stolen and abandoned less than a mile away because the thieves didn't know enough to release the parking brakes. I had that same car catch on fire and successfully called the fire-department as I drove it into a parking lot where they arrived to finish it off with their dasher bars and axes.
I totaled a 65 Chevy C10 when I slid into a car-carrier semi after a newer vehicle stopped in the middle of an interstate and made a 90° right turn to get to an exit they passed. I bounced off the rear wheels into the concrete center barrier than careened all the way across the highway to end perfectly in the breakdown lane with fire coming through the floorboard from the broken engine exhaust manifold. When I got out I saw that the 3/8 inch thick steel bumper was curled around and poking through my left front tire like a shovel blade.
I've bought two cars new off the show room floor, and one that never made it to the floor, the 14th 1993 Dodge Intrepid ever sold in Indiana (it took two months before the DMV had excise info and I could plate it), it was on a ramp in front of Western Dodge in Marion Indiana September 3rd 1992, they got it in that afternoon.
I've driven Penske and U-Haul and rental cube vans, Pontiac, Chevy, Hyundai, Toyota and Chrysler rental cars. At 15, with just a learners permit drove a 30 foot 12 speed delivery truck when my Uncle slipped a disk in has back while I was with him.
But I've never had to pay a deductable or had an insurance claim, or repair.
This is a new experience for me. I upgraded my rental Chevy Aveo (speck) offering this morning at Enterprise, Jenni thought I'd get a Nissan Versa after looking on the Enterprise web-site, instead I got a bigger speck or should I say Spec-tra. A smallish Kia Spectra four door with a lot of pep, side curtain airbags, bright vacu-florescent displays and three inch thick, barely padded, cloth seats that are hard. Harder than Chuck Norris after bitch-slapping a Kodiak Bear for half an hour hard. It will take about a week for my Mädchen to get out of her re-hab, about a week to fix what I did in less than five second lapse. About a week to make me whole again too. 'Til then I will ride in quiet psuedo-comfort instead of walking, and long for my baby and her handling, poise and power. I will long for my cruising and cruise-control my on board computers and my leather seats, my sun-roof and a car I can drive all day and not feel tired, cramped or unsafe in.
I guess I am spoiled even after all those trials and tribulations behind the wheel because I can not imagine a single drive of more than twenty or thirty miles in this tiny but efficient econo car.
Bis dahin bin ich nicht fahren Ich bin Reiten.
(Until then I'm not driving I'm riding.)
Chuck Pace © 2008 | |
Facial
02/25/08 07:41 AM | Projectile | Permalink
Today I have an appointment at the Performance Collision Center on 421 at the edge of Zionsville. I will be dropping the Mädchen off for her facial reconstruction from the bump and still run incident of a week and a half ago. She gets a face lift, I get a rental car and PCC gets my deductible. I have been reluctant to give her a bath in the last 10 days because it would most probably wash away pieces that I want to keep. She will be getting a new hood, bumper and grill. New side markers and headlight doors. I feel really bad for putting her through all of this, she didn't deserve it. Now a new phase of her life begins, and mine too.
Rental Car: The insurance company told me they would cover $20 per day for a driver while my Mädchen Machine was in metamorphosis. They also told me that Enterprise (which has an office and facility right inside of PCC) has a $16.99 offering. I opted to pay and additional $4.19 per day to not drive a Chevy (Speck) Aveo, and will soon be seeing what the additional $4.20 puts around me and on the road.
I will keep you posted my friends.
Chuck Pace © 2008
Rental Car: The insurance company told me they would cover $20 per day for a driver while my Mädchen Machine was in metamorphosis. They also told me that Enterprise (which has an office and facility right inside of PCC) has a $16.99 offering. I opted to pay and additional $4.19 per day to not drive a Chevy (Speck) Aveo, and will soon be seeing what the additional $4.20 puts around me and on the road.
I will keep you posted my friends.
Chuck Pace © 2008
Total Eclipse of the Lunar Variety
Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
Total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
You don't need to be Bonnie Tyler to know that a grand celestial show took place last evening, you just needed to turn around (and look up) bright eyes. It was damned cold while I was taking these and a few dozen other shots with my Nikon Coolpix P4, but for a point and shoot camera I am most pleased with the results.
Top Floor Art
Through these Portals Thou Art Judged
The Hallways of the Stutz building provide their own artistic ambiance even without embellishment. Two doors down the judges have conviened to weed out the less worthy.
For the second time in three years Jenni and I assisted Pam Walker in selecting 2D and 3D artworks for Project Excel. The Stutz building top floor is the place where the judgments take place, in a room big enough to have been housed an automobile assembly line several hundred pieces of art were stacked, and displayed. The task was less daunting than last time when there was thousands of pieces, and we had the help of Pam Walkers cousin Chad and his friend whom in my early stages of Alzheimer's I can't recall (I could re-name him but that would be a temporary fix eh?). Once again about 15% of the art was amazing, and the top 4 or 5% as good as about anything I've ever seen in professional shows and galleries. I took a few photos but don't know if I should display any of them here until they have gone to final judging and the awards process in mid April. After the Arts Jenni and I went with Pam to Bazbeaux Pizza on Mass ave. Chad and Jeremy (temp fix) went to other jobs, ones that pay in bartering chits, instead of soul enrichment and fine food. We three PJC, saw LeAnne Bailey, with Ericka and Max at the foodery and exchanged hugs and pleasantries, then we got to catch up with Pammy pam pam for a bitty bit. Then it was back to the life more ordinary and home.
Room with a View.
Looking out from the top floor of building C as the sun sets in the West. 10th St. and the Monorail track point to the IUPUI campus as the town goes to sleep, one wonders what sites these window have looked upon in the last century.
Laps Danced Laps Diminished
The Turkey Bone Yard Pot and the Carcass on a hook. Chuck Pace ©2008
At 3:34, just as we were settling in for a long green flag run my phone rang and I had to get upstairs try and hear the call. It dropped in the basement so I dialed back from the incoming call list, it was Sue Reilly at Sport Bowl alerting me that Will Andrichick was taken to the hospital from the Chatterbowling event that was taking place simultaneous to the Rich fowl food fandango. I called Will's son David later to inquire and he was still at the hospital with Will and Dorothy. He said there were heart enzymes in the blood and there was as a little concern and that they were holding Will for another test at around 11:00 PM. Note that there are always some heart enzymes in the blood, higher levels can be an indicator of stress or damage.
So It was an up, down, up, down kind of day. Late and start and stressful delay. Goodbye to Rose. Congratulations to Ryan Newman. Thanks to all the friends at Rich's party and good luck and speedy recovery to Will.
My head aches; I'm full, tired and I think I will attempt reposed and restoration. I shall slip into night-laces wing, I shall enter Morpheus' realm again, I shall trip the tryptophan-tastick!
Chuck Pace © 2008
Carnage and Mayhem
I started the night in the gumby tie because I had the lowest score by average in the final game last week, but after game one I handed it over to Rich who had only one game over average for the night. Rich wore the tie the next two and earned it for next weeks first outing as well. Ed Craig our anchor bowled two games over 200 and all three over his 165 average (206, 239,194) and won us the final game in the tenth with a X8/. Tom Pruitt our third bowler also put together three over his 168 average (188,203,189) and I did the same besting my 152 each outing (164,172,183) still it is a team effort and our effort was to try and win them all, and we did so. I had a 4 bagger or ham-bone as Ray Spratt of one of the other teams calls it, and Ed had six or seven in a row, and as a team we had several star frames.
Chuck Pace © 2008 |
Push Comes To Shove
02/15/08 07:20 AM | Projectile | Permalink
Well I told you about the early needs of my Valentines day. The later day needs changed after I bashed in the front end of Madchen following my wife to her auto repair guy. I had Charlie with me because our two appointments were 1 hour and 30 miles apart. One and a half blocks from the repair center Jenni stopped at the light at Jefferson on 10th. The problem with the truck (Li'l Darling) was that it needed a carburetor adjustment it would not idle when warm. So the technique to keep her running is to left foot brake and right foot nerf the gas while stopped.
Harm and Foul
Meanwhile in the Madchen 1 spot back. Charlie who was later diagnosed as 70% blind now and will be totally blind in 6 to 12 months was on his retractable leash in the passenger seat with just enough lead to move comfortably on the seat as we came to the stop behind Jenni. The light changed and the brake lights went off in front of me, at the same time Charlie tried to jump out of the seat into the foot well and got his backside into the floor well but had hid head and neck at the front of the cushion because of the short leash. As I looked down I heard the sound of peeling out as Jenni in the truck had over gassed as she released the brakes to drive and instead of moving the already accelerated accelerator activity caused her wheels to find no purchase on damp pavement. At less than 10 mph I smashed into her solid steel truck bumper with my hood, grill and bumper demolishing them in the process. I buckled the hood and caused between the two estimates I got later that same day off, $2900 to $4000 in damage to my baby.
More to come as the process goes on.
I've had better Valentines days. I hope yours was swell and less stressful.
Harm and Foul
More to come as the process goes on.
I've had better Valentines days. I hope yours was swell and less stressful.
Happy VD My Pets
Things are looking up.
Oh, be still my beating Nebulae Happy Valentines Day to you all. May your hearts be filled with blood, and you minds filled with thoughts of hope, happiness and/or romance. May you be blind to the blemishes and imperfections of your loved ones. May your arms be filled with hugs and passionate embraces. Today I have the task, duty or mission to take my dog Charlie to the Ophthalmologist because I fear he is going blind. Two weeks ago I had him into Irvington Pet Center to see Drs. Zeener and Schnarr and they shared my concern and diagnosis, unfortunately Charlie was freaked by the eye exam process, and refused to cooperate, thus the visit to the specialists.
We (Jenni and I) also have to drop off Li'l Darlin' at the shop to get her carburetion adjusted since she does not like to warm idle in the cold cold winter. We do that first, then haul Charlie to the eye doctor. Then its a day together for sharing valentines. Who knows we may do something crazy like house cleaning, shopping, Scrabble or cooking. That is the kind of love-fest you can expect when you are less than 10 months away from your 25th anniversary. That, maybe a new episode of Smallville or more Buffy the Vampire Slayer box sets, it could get pretty steamy in here later. I'm not intentionally being nebulous, I really don't know what is in store for Jenni and I after the early morning tasks.
Well the valentines day festivities and the passion of ageless love are waiting. Have a great day. Sit! Stay!!!
Corrections Officer
Won't Get Fooled Again
White Death '08 pt.2, Lord Have Mercy on the Survivors (if there are any). Chuck Pace © 2008
I'm looking for a new job. One where I can be almost completely wrong 60% of the time and be looked at a one of the best in my field. One where I can sensationalize the most trivial of changes. I'm not athletic enough to be a major league baseball player pitcher or power hitter, so I'm looking into Meteorology! I want to put the pro back into prognostication, I want to be able to look at a weather module and say the world is about to end. That a hurricane is going to eat up Trinidad and the second ice age is going to be caused by cow farts and termite gas. I want to tell people that less than two inches of snow is really going to rival the blizzard of 1978. I want to be the guy who said two days ago that another 10 inches is expected Tuesday and Wednesday. The same guy who says now that Tuesday is less than 24 minutes away that maybe we will only get one or two inches, and another one to three on Wednesday.
I could hang out with the guys that said that The New England Pitty Pats could absolutely not be beaten, that they and NY would run up a 55 plus point total scoring effort in Glendale AZ, and that Tommy Boy would be anointed the greatest Male of all time, bar none.
The same crowd of prognosticators and pundits that looked the other way with Bela-cheat and the scameras at several opponents teams practice facilities. The people that think it is alright until you get caught. That being a jerk, louse, bully and a poor sportsman is o.k.
if you can run up a string of wins and points. That that kind of character is to be applauded because you can cheat and win, that the win justifies the means.
I might be hanging with the crowd that says good always triumphs over evil, or that cheaters never win. The bunch that doesn't know that Chad Knaus was suspended and penalized in the 2005 season for having an illegal (by Nascar rules) car at the Las Vegas Race, or again for three races after Daytona in 2006 for aerodynamically altering the 48 car, or yet another, a 6 week suspension in the 2007 season for altering the COT. Two consecutive seasons where his driver Jimmie Cry Baby Johnson won the championship.
I guess I'm hoping that we don't get 8 or 10 inches of snow in the next two days, but nobody really knows how it works or what we will get. I didn't get to measure the stripes on the woolly worms in the fall or to see how many silver maple leaves were upside down before the first frost, and I missed Punxsutawney Phil's Nascar, NBA and weather predictions, but I think he is dead on with his presidential pick Ron Paul.
Not the Old Adage, a New Maxim
The alarm goes off. The alarm goes off. Jenni's alarm. My alarm. The mind says there will be another. There is another. The mind says there should be another. There isn't anymore. Panic. Hurried. Harried. Rushed. Manic. Outside it is 6°.
Late we up stayed, yes. Tired we are now. Moving we must get. Work.
Last night Jenni was the bowling genius of the family. I was the stay at home and walk the dog guy. Last time Jenni bowled she had a personal high and her first turkey. Last time Jenni bowled was the first time she bowled with her new shoes and ball. Last time she had a 153 game. Then came Sunday. I stayed home with nothing better to do than surf the web and watch movies. Jenni went to Sport Bowl and with Mel 'N' Them bowled in the Nothin' Better to Do league. She started strong (127) bottomed out (88) then had a final game anybody would be proud of. Her first 4-bagger, and a walloping 173. Its not the shoes. Its the new ball. Jenni says I can do color.
Amongst Her Weaponry. Jenni the Pin Slayers arsenal.
Chuck Pace © 2008
Usually that would be the whole story. That is enough. That should be enough. But there is a little more to the story. Rich (the upstager) Culy. Need I say more? Rich won the 50/50 again. Rich Won a Keglers Cash, again. Rich who has to beat, beat. Rich had three games over 200. Rich had a 670 series. Rich won 1/2 the handicap strike pot. I know Mel and Will were there too, really. Mel had a pair of 151's that she hung on either side of a 147 for a beautiful 449 series. Will shot a 158, 164, 209 for a terrific score and evening too a 531 series.
I watched TV and Went to the BMW web site to check out the new 128i and 135i Coupes. I watched Peyton and the Colts in the Pro Bowl for a bit. I cleaned up my work area in the World HQ.
Late we up stayed, yes. Tired we are now. Moving we must get. Work.
Last night Jenni was the bowling genius of the family. I was the stay at home and walk the dog guy. Last time Jenni bowled she had a personal high and her first turkey. Last time Jenni bowled was the first time she bowled with her new shoes and ball. Last time she had a 153 game. Then came Sunday. I stayed home with nothing better to do than surf the web and watch movies. Jenni went to Sport Bowl and with Mel 'N' Them bowled in the Nothin' Better to Do league. She started strong (127) bottomed out (88) then had a final game anybody would be proud of. Her first 4-bagger, and a walloping 173. Its not the shoes. Its the new ball. Jenni says I can do color.
Amongst Her Weaponry. Jenni the Pin Slayers arsenal.
Chuck Pace © 2008
Usually that would be the whole story. That is enough. That should be enough. But there is a little more to the story. Rich (the upstager) Culy. Need I say more? Rich won the 50/50 again. Rich Won a Keglers Cash, again. Rich who has to beat, beat. Rich had three games over 200. Rich had a 670 series. Rich won 1/2 the handicap strike pot. I know Mel and Will were there too, really. Mel had a pair of 151's that she hung on either side of a 147 for a beautiful 449 series. Will shot a 158, 164, 209 for a terrific score and evening too a 531 series.
I watched TV and Went to the BMW web site to check out the new 128i and 135i Coupes. I watched Peyton and the Colts in the Pro Bowl for a bit. I cleaned up my work area in the World HQ.
Makeup. Breakup. Then Break down.
Last night Gentry and I along with the newest Jumper, jolly Jenni, joined C-Box 4 for a makeup series before another, the regularly scheduled series. We hurt ourselves. We bowled Six games. We all gave super-human effort. Three of the four of us had higher series in the final three games than in the first three. I hadn't bowled a 200 in any of the Fall/Winter leagues this season. I did in my first game of the night last night. And I didn't sneak up on it either I Rambo'd it. 245! Five games later, the final game of the night. I book-ended the great series' with another, with fatigue setting in I crushed another 215. Jenni had milestones too. We bought her a heavier ball which gives her more control, and she proved it all night (without the help of the E. Street band), she had her first ever league turkey (three strikes in a row) and a 153 high game, also a personal best. Today we both look like we were in the tail section of Oceanic Flight 815; all beaten and battered, gimping and limping, but unlike Tommy Boy Brady we are winners!
Super Sub Human out!
Archie's Jugheads
So Much.
So much comes to mind. Puns and pundits. I told you so's and oh my godz. I actually saw a red state-blue state breakdown earlier in the day that showed New York, Indiana, Florida and Louisiana as the only states that thought that The Giants were bigger than Hype. Really, Indiana as a blue state? Colts Blue maybe, Giants Blues. Sure. I see it now. Capable of winning over the Patriots. The Team of Destiny, the house that Jack-ass built! The guru of the game plan. The captain of competition, the bastard Bela-Cheats. The odds on favorite to win it all stepped into a big pile of any given Sunday! A better game plan and a better execution beat all the odds. A 14 to 16 point spread in Vegas that has made a bunch of people very happy. A 55 points over/under that saw only 31 points total making even more people bet happy. Ohhh. I need to hurry out and buy my ugly sleeveless red sweatshirt. I believe I heard that this final drive was 5 seconds shorter that Joe Montana's 49er's come from behind SB win about a hundred years ago, to set another Manning family record and Super-Bowl record. What? You want Records? The Giants are first NFC Wild-Card team to win the Championship. The Giants are the only team in NFL history to go 11-0 as a visiting team. The Manning boys are the only brother combo to win back to back NFL Championship's and MVP's, and only the third NFL brother combo ever to both win a NFL Championship.
While pretty boy Tommy thought he was Running Down a Dream Eli and The Giants said I Won't Back Down. 5 sacks and several rushes and hurries later Tommy Boy was Free Falling and playing like Chris Farley, and would have been better off with a very impregnated supermodel in a Van down by the Arizona Canal! This was one of the best Championship Games I have ever seen and I have seen them all. 1 through 42.
So maybe next year the MVP brothers can go head to head in the Championship Game! Archie and Olivia, Oreo's and commercial dynasties! I can see it all.
I said I had puns?
So much comes to mind. Puns and pundits. I told you so's and oh my godz. I actually saw a red state-blue state breakdown earlier in the day that showed New York, Indiana, Florida and Louisiana as the only states that thought that The Giants were bigger than Hype. Really, Indiana as a blue state? Colts Blue maybe, Giants Blues. Sure. I see it now. Capable of winning over the Patriots. The Team of Destiny, the house that Jack-ass built! The guru of the game plan. The captain of competition, the bastard Bela-Cheats. The odds on favorite to win it all stepped into a big pile of any given Sunday! A better game plan and a better execution beat all the odds. A 14 to 16 point spread in Vegas that has made a bunch of people very happy. A 55 points over/under that saw only 31 points total making even more people bet happy. Ohhh. I need to hurry out and buy my ugly sleeveless red sweatshirt. I believe I heard that this final drive was 5 seconds shorter that Joe Montana's 49er's come from behind SB win about a hundred years ago, to set another Manning family record and Super-Bowl record. What? You want Records? The Giants are first NFC Wild-Card team to win the Championship. The Giants are the only team in NFL history to go 11-0 as a visiting team. The Manning boys are the only brother combo to win back to back NFL Championship's and MVP's, and only the third NFL brother combo ever to both win a NFL Championship.
While pretty boy Tommy thought he was Running Down a Dream Eli and The Giants said I Won't Back Down. 5 sacks and several rushes and hurries later Tommy Boy was Free Falling and playing like Chris Farley, and would have been better off with a very impregnated supermodel in a Van down by the Arizona Canal! This was one of the best Championship Games I have ever seen and I have seen them all. 1 through 42.
So maybe next year the MVP brothers can go head to head in the Championship Game! Archie and Olivia, Oreo's and commercial dynasties! I can see it all.
I said I had puns?
Manning the guns!
1 - 2 PUNCH!
Oh Brother Where Art Thou!
Eli's Not Coming, He has Arrived!
XLI,XLII... XLIII?
Big Brother is Watching!
and finally ... Eli made Tom look Petty!
So I close with this. The NFL history highest season scoring team could only manage 14 points when the near-perfect season was on the line, and superstars and pro-bowl starters played like there were covered by a blanket of Moss. The 2007 Championship team sends an NFL record low 1 player to the Pro-bowl this year, no Champ team has been less represented in Hawaii before. Go Giants. Maybe next Year, Manning Bowl!!!
Big Bowl Games
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight! The big game, the one we've been waiting for all season. Position night on the Sunday Bowling League. We start at 7:00 which means we miss most of the other big game taking place in Glendale Arizona starting at 6:15. Jenni will be here at the world HQ and Fan-empoirium while Rich, David, Will and I take on the evil empire, the team directly ahead of us in points. I don't know how close but it's probably close enough that if we win all 8 points we can beat them to the finish line in ten weeks. The Sunday league name is Nothin' Better To Do which is true most Sunday Nights, but certainly not on SB Sunday! The Night the Pro Football Champion is decided. I remember the last on like it was just last year, when my Colts finally took home the Lombardi Trophy to Indianapolis from a rainy Miami.
I have not been watching a lot of the football hyper-coverage yet, I have been busy. Crazy busy. I even cried a little in preparation for the other activities I have been tied up in. But I think it is a success. Last night Jenni and I went to Meijers to pick up my big day cooking necessities. At 11:00 I started the process, at 1:35 I finished. Finished what? Cutting, cooking, grating, simmering and baking. Onions, thyme, Beef and Chicken Stock , Gruyere cheese, French Bread and super secret ingredients as well.
Two and a half hours from first onion skin tears to removing the finished
product from the oven. Now it cools, now I drools. Jenni and I are waiting the requisite interval required to still retain the buds of taste instead of searing them like the caramelized onions that are making our eyes water again. I must stop typing and start the eating process. Two big bowls await, two 24 ounce crocks. The first Bowl Games start now.
I have not been watching a lot of the football hyper-coverage yet, I have been busy. Crazy busy. I even cried a little in preparation for the other activities I have been tied up in. But I think it is a success. Last night Jenni and I went to Meijers to pick up my big day cooking necessities. At 11:00 I started the process, at 1:35 I finished. Finished what? Cutting, cooking, grating, simmering and baking. Onions, thyme, Beef and Chicken Stock , Gruyere cheese, French Bread and super secret ingredients as well.
Two and a half hours from first onion skin tears to removing the finished
Digging Out
My apologies for not posting for the last three days. We have been digging out from the storm of the century, the "Day After Tomorrow" Mega-Ice age scenario realized. We were able to survive by building a smallish tent of comforters and blankets around the fireplace which we used for light and heat, and heating up coffee cans of snow from the front screen door for water. The last of our cans of Chunky soups were heated in the coal bed until they were all gone. I was afraid it would get down to eating the pets. After three days the power came back on for an hour or two at a time and mercifully the pipes did not burst. Dismantling the shelves in the den I was able to keep a fire in the fireplace, even though the back-draft winds had us coughing and choking a few times. The fireplace kept the temperature in the front room and kitchen at around 35°. I was able to tunnel out the front door after taking out the screen-door glass. Using pans we dug the tunnel and bucket brigade dumped the frozen white death into the bath tub to slowly melt away at about 35°.
Today I stated to be able to feel my toes again, and the power is on for good I think.
With three pairs of socks on and gloves and mittens over my hands I was beginning to feel like I was devolving to a flippered being. But the worst is over and we have been able to run the heat-pump for about 45 minutes every three or four hours to get some core heat back in our bodies and in the house. When I can tunnel past the cars and truck in the driveway and get around to uncover the heat pump itself I am sure we will be able to run it all day again like before the storm.
I was just happy to see some sky from the tunnel and I thanked the local weathermen for the little advanced warning before it hit.
Today I stated to be able to feel my toes again, and the power is on for good I think.
With three pairs of socks on and gloves and mittens over my hands I was beginning to feel like I was devolving to a flippered being. But the worst is over and we have been able to run the heat-pump for about 45 minutes every three or four hours to get some core heat back in our bodies and in the house. When I can tunnel past the cars and truck in the driveway and get around to uncover the heat pump itself I am sure we will be able to run it all day again like before the storm.
I was just happy to see some sky from the tunnel and I thanked the local weathermen for the little advanced warning before it hit.