Since I was out on Monday, and Tuesday was the Pacer's evening I passed on Wednesday Men's club activities last night, I think everyone did. I even got a call from John David and still I passed. I bet Travis was there with a thousand stories that I would have been compelled to post, and Kay was there with an 8 course Mediterranean dinner, and Mel showed up with Kara and there was surprise musical guest George Benson with the Dickinson Jazztet, nah, that's just crazy talk. Still, that would be my luck.
No last night Jenni and I opted to have a quiet evening at home. Just she and I, a bottle of Oliver Riesling, a movie, Charlie, Tweek and Bela, oh and the fire-trucks 5 houses down on our street. It was a lovely evening and after the movie I wanted to ask Jenni something, but never did, but she will see this post later today, so I'll go ahead now. to Jenni, the love of my life, the mother of my child, the yang to my yin. "So do you think Yanni and Jack's father had Marion killed? Did they get Bella fired (since the "cheater" was in on it too, and saw Jack leave with her in the mini?) what was with the phone call to the casino? Was it a set up job from the beginning, since Jack's father got him the job? There are no coincidences in the world of fiction, they don fit."
Well back to all of you. It has to be a short post since it is the long day, and I leave you with the lovely portraits of Jenni and I (the one of me was taken in the store by Robert Henderson one of my regular customers. The other at Ike's at lunch yesterday. Salute! Opah!

I'm a Chick'n Hawk! Your a Chick'n, so get in the bag! Chuck Pace © 2007
|

As DeAnne can already tell you Rich and I went with David A. to the Pacers Hawks contestestosteroné de orb last evening. The BMW was left in the store lot as to facilitate a warmer, quicker reintroduction to the giles and wiles of 435 Mass ave. after. Before the game I half expected Travis to show up an taxi us again, but there was no Little Buddy. When we arrived before the game I started to sit at the stage end of the bar, then noticed a water-glass restraining a solitary buck in front of the stool I chose, I asked if there was someone (still) sitting there to which David replied. "Brooks was, but he just left." 'Yes! Thank God," I said, for I really wanted to sit (and not because Brooks was gone and I missed him, if I'd missed him I might have wanted to see... never mind). Jack Green was alone at one of the round tables, so I allowed him the company of my coat on the facing chair. Kay popped in and took the position between Rich and I at the bar and we chattered for a bit. Since our CEO cabbie was not arriving we called a professional "hack and hanson" to arrive us to the gates of sporting conquest. After the Blue and Gold vanquished the Atlanteans by a margin of 19 we returned to the 'Box the manner previously described. Kay, Jody Frick, Maryanne and David Bueke had been replaced by Brad Griffith, Sue Hobbs, Peter Park and the likes of Mike Lamm (there would not be room for the dislikes of M.L.). Vanessa and Nick were able to substitute for DeAnne, and Frank and Claude were able to substitute for the juke box. After a brief intermission I again resumed my place behind the wheel of my little German Girl and she saw me safely and swiftly (though legally) home once again.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

And It Goes Something Like.. Chuck Pace © 2007
Tonight Rich and I join David Andrichik for our first Pacers game of 2007. With everything else going on I have kind of lost track of the team (I have not lost track of Coach Carlisle, tough he is a frequent visitor to the store) so it will be good to get back to the fieldhouse for something other than a cup of coffee.
Something other than a cup of coffee was what Florida State had over The Ohio State last night. I had o stop watching at half-time, it was like watching Norwegian furriers bash seal pups. So when do they make the ruling that Boise State is actually the BCS Champion? About the same time that they mandate that all flying pigs have to have on depends to keep our highways clean and accident free would be my guess.
Last night was a quiet night for the crew at the Chatterbox. Kay brought some 'feeding frenzy" cookies that were so good my eyes actually rolled back into my head for a half cookie or so. Mel, Rich, Jenni, Mike Wilson and I all took advantage of Kay's baking skills and enjoyed two pecan and white chocolate treats a piece. I talked to Tony Shaw at the store earlier in the day and half expected a visit from him at the box as well, but if he showed up it was after a mass Mass exodus from the crew. I stopped into Luna for a brief moment to say to Chris Overpeck and Maggie Hilt to tell them that a new 10 for 12 mini-bowling league is starting on Thursday the 18th. Then it was home, deal or no deal and the virtual trip to the arctic circle with the Norse.
Game over Dude, Game over! They mostly come out at night, mostly. (Wilson would probably say that there were no decent segue's in todays post, not like yesterdays which even featured the word segue.) Mox Nix.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

Chatterbowlers aftermath (no, after bowling, silly): Chuck Pace © 2007
So we did the Chatterbowl thing, there was a good crowd too. 20 people bowled, and a few more spectated. The biggest excitement was Travis' second game, where he started with four strikes before getting an ugly split. He didn't end with the highest score, but still there was the drama of only being 8 strikes away from a 300 game (for a brief moment). The bowling segued nicely to dining and fellowship at Kay's and of course the food was terrific. Then there was the 'grudge match with team "Mel and Them" taking on "H--l I don't know." On Friday two of the principles characters of the HIDK were egging me on that they were going to kick my rear end on Sunday night's contest, well I got to tell them that I was not bowling on Sunday. Since Mel came to the alley to spectate on Friday, Rich asked here if she would allow me to bowl in her place, to try to deflate these wind bags of overconfidence. She reluctantly said yes at first, then warmed to the idea. So it was just in the doing then.
Game 1: Rich struggled, but Will and David were both well over averages, I rolled a 222, and we won by 91 pins (plus I won the singles side-pot with my handicap yielding a 257 net).
Game 2: I rolled a 184, Rich a 185, but David and Will struggled, and HIDK won and were within 7 of taking series. (I was still in the Average Strike pot, but could miss no more).
Game 3: Rich rolled a 222, Will and David both got back up over their averages and I knocked down a 167 to end with a all bowlers high 573 Series. And we took 2 and series with a 104 margin for safety. (I dropped out of the strike pot on the second frame of the final game, but we accomplished our goal.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

An Oranging Sky. Chuck Pace © 2007 Todays header photo has absolutely no connection to the Content of this post. and is the beginning of a day not an ending.
41:26. That's how long the Colts-Chiefs game went before Kansas City got their first 1st Down. 3:34 seconds before the end of the 3rd Quarter. All star, superstar running back (over 1,700 Al purpose Yards, 2006) Larry Johnson? I, like many (most) thought that he would have a post-season record setting rushing day, I figured him for 200 rushing alone. The Colts rush defense allowed a record making 100 yards (or more) per game this year, not average; every opponent rushed for over 100 yards. So if the Colts are to make it to the AFC Championship they will most likely face the top three running backs in the AFC on the way. Well #2, Larry Johnson, has been faced and and humbled. As one Chiefs fan said on the local NBC news affiliate pre-game yesterday, "#26 Larry Johnson, duh, what else do I have to say!?" Well; Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, Antoine Bethea, Robert Mathis, or how about 126 total yards of Offense for the Chiefs. In other Colts Defense. While ecstatic about those words (rarely applied without and expletive preceding one or both words) I am still concerned about the next game, next Saturday at 4:30 against the Ravens of Baltimore. The Ravens Defense is one of the best in the league while ours was ranked 32nd out of how many teams? While our offense struggled (3 interceptions for Peyton, 2 more to Ty Law who has more Peyton Manning int's than any other player in the league) we were struggling due to our own mistakes facing an also weak KC defense. Even with the mistakes on offense the Colts put up 435 yards. The latter game Seattle vs. America's Team (my a**) Dallas was an exciting one coming down to the wire (more than once) with the Game winning FG attempt botched on the placement by Tony Romo, who scrambled to within a yard of the 1st down before failing, falling, flailing and fumbling to give the ball to Seattle for a clock crushing drive to the mid field before turning the ball back to Dallas with 2 seconds on the game clock: time for one hail mary pass, batted down to fall safely to the turf in Seattle and advance last year's superbowl runner's up to the Divisional NFC Game (opponent still to be determined). Ironically, through day one of the Wild Card weekend the Colts have the best offensive and defensive numbers. Seattle had 332 yards and Dallas 284.
What about Bowling you ask? (Even if you didn't, somebody else was going to) Well the Mahogoff Brothers are still the perennial underdogs, we are in last place even though we won 2 games on Friday, we lost the middle contest by 97 pins and series by 11. E-gads! Our lineup on friday was C.Scott leading off and averaging 132 per game (with a 115 running average), Will Andrichik filling in for Jeff Moore and averaging 169 per game (also above his 162 established mark) then me pulling down a 158 average and failing to hit my target of 162 in all but the final game. Rich did hist anchor duty well, and pulled off a 176 evenings average to top his 164 league mark. I had a heroic finish to a really awful game on the third attempt of the evening with four in a row to hit the 164 mark otherwise I would have really been the goat of the night. Annie Hood, C Scott's significant other and expectant mother was our designated beer wench for the evening even though Mel Shoffner who came to spectate ended up carrying more "rounds" to the orb slinger combatants. Other spectators for the Brothers Mahogoff Traveling Road show and Bowling extravaganza were Maddie Tucker (whose daughter is due about the same time as Annie), and Doris McQuian (who is expecting another Bud Select after 6:00 o'clock any given day). It looks like four to six weeks from now we are going to be up to our eyeballs on diapers and empty Bud select bottles!
Today, in about 45 minutes actually is Chatterbox Bowling event #1 of 2007. Chatterbowling is also held at Sport Bowl and is the reason Rich and I got into competitive drinking bowling in the first place about 5 years ago after a second Chatterbowling session that year we signed up for a two man summer league, and the rest, as they say is misery history.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

Short post? Not really, there is a thousand words worth of value in the above photo. It's sort of like the food exchange values that people use when they are on a diet. You choose the thousand words, I am only responsible for the caloric content not the flavor. It is up to you to decide where to go next. I have given you the signs.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

Clockwise from "12" Kay, Rich and Mel the 123 Mention crowd! Chuck Pace © 2007
I had the distinct pleasure of telling Miss Kay in person that she was the Winner of the 4th Quarter Mention Meter, She had not seen the blog all day, or heard my phone message that I needed to take her picture for the post as the reigning Champion. So it was a coincidence that she showed up at the Chatterbox and I got to fulfill both needs at the same time. She was there to talk to her friend Brad Griffith, who is threatening to blog me! Hmm. A Blog-off? I'd kick his apps!
My first visit 2007 to the Chatterbox was an overwhelming success. I got to hear more of Rich's cruise stories, I got to tell Kay that she is the beeg weeener, and I got to pay DeAnne more on my Flux Flex account. Life is grandiose. Mel, Jenni and Jody Frick rounded out our little circle, but others were in the area as well, Like Daryl Spurlock, and Jane, Lisa DeMumbrum and the ACT up crowd (Jerry, Jeff and Mary Lou), Brooks and David left shortly after I arrived (their choice? or duties called? I'm not paranoid, who said I was paranoid? Who? Who! I want names you all know I need names). Also in attendance last eve was Rudy Gonzales, and Peter park up to his old tricks too. Well work calls, or duty or nature or something (my internal caller ID is on the fritz), so I am off like a dirty shirt. Chao.
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

Last night I was in the World HQ with the flat screen TV in front of me while I was making magnet and cup designs for the 3rd (procrastination over) and 4th Qtr. Mention Meter winners and finalists. On the TV was the Fiesta Bowl game which didn't end until almost 1:00 AM, a barn burner where the 'Cinderella' Boise State Broncos led the entire game until inside the final minute when the ranked favorite Oklahoma Sooners took their first lead with a TD and successful two point conversion (after two penalty tries). The Broncos of Boise State then marched back down the field to re-tie and force overtime play. Boise then won the toss and gave the ball to OU (in College, each team gets a possession at the opponents 25 yard line, and if both score, the cycle continues until one team prevails). Oklahoma scored on the very first play of overtime. Boise State struggled, but got a first down after a couple of yardage losses, then punched in for a touchdown, going for a 2-point conversion they beat the favorite on a trick play (the "Statue of Liberty Play") when Quarterback Jared Zabransky faked a throw to the WR flooded right and tail-back, Ian Johnson took the ball from behind his back and ran in untouched to a score on the left. 43-42 Boise State. The Broncos finished their season 13-0, and I went to the shower(s) revitalized by an underdog victory that had me on the edge of my seat from the first 5 minutes of the game.
Yes it's true underdogs can win over all the odds and critics by playing with heart and never giving up...
Congratulations to Kay Niedenthal for winning the 4th Quarter Mention Meter over heavily favored Rich (I'm on a Cruise) Culy!
Chuck Pace © 2007 |

Thank goodness that's over, I know it's a paradox, the year went by so fast and yet I thought it would never end. There were some highlights; Travis and Liz's wedding, the Garden Arbor, the New German Girl, parts of the partsunknown vacation, the night race at Bristol, Irish Fest and a few Kay party's to be sure. There were also the low points; Not seeing Meredith for an entire calendar year, Ben Lawrence, Mpozi Tolbert and Ed Sanders funerals, the reason I had to get a new car, bowling humiliations, work strife, life strife, migraines, day to day dissapointments, missing a few of the parties and events of my friends. All in all it was another year, and I don't expect his one to be much different. There will be another wedding of two of my good friends, and a Florida vacation (barring chuksidence), more wins and losses at all of lifes endeavors, more of the same, but you gotta' be there.
My apologies to Travis and Liz for my failure to assist in the relocation of Liz's company the Best Chocolate in Town (it's still the best chocolate, it's just in a new town now, the right town). Jenni and Mel were my proxies and they had the truck for futon and incidental item transport. Jenni said that Glen Bucy was a machine and if we ever move we need to hire him to cooridinate it, then there was David, Kay, Theresa, Mike Wilson, THE Bill Brooks, Mike and Meredith Garber and James and Jennifer (and a few others Jenni could not name; I told her that was o.k. their parents should have done that, and it's just not her fault if they didn't), so the Move went off well I am told.
2007: Last night Jenni and I drank a cheap bottle of Spumante, and toasted each other at 0:00.03, 2007 and so far it's been one of the best years ever. I hope you are having as good a year as I am, without a hangover, a headache or a summons to appear in front of a judge. Here's to an even better year. More happiness, joy, friends and emotional and financial successes to you all. Here's to a Colts victory over the Chef's (great mooglie wooglie) on January 6th!
Chuck Pace © 2007 |
- 4