White

The other day Maryanne and I watched the finale of "The Singing Office" on TLC -- the show hosted by Joey Fatone and eye candy Mel B.

This video made me think of awkward white people, probably because it features them dancing awkwardly. (I know, I know... I would too.)

Anyhow, in the finale of "The Singing Office" one of the office staffs (staves?) was singing some R&B tune (I forget which one) and the audience was clapping along to the beat.

But, like the bunch of white people they were, they were all clapping on the downbeats instead of the off-beats.

Now I wish I could remember what song it was.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Van Halen: "Best of Both Worlds"

Photograph

Here's an interesting collection of pictures you may not believe aren't Photoshopped.

Mood: Amused
Music: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Fire"

Moving

Maryanne, Sarah, and I went up north this past weekend. The original motive was that an old friend of Caly's, Marcel, found us and wanted to see us and the family in Door County. Caly flew out just for the occasion, since she hadn't seen him in over a decade. He was amazed at the changes in the people and places he'd last seen almost 15 years ago, but glad to get away from the city and enjoy some quiet time in Door County. He was warmly welcomed, of course, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one glad to see that he remained the intelligent, sensible person we first met, even if a little older and a little wiser.

It turned out to be a worthwhile trip not only for that, but also because Adam is moving out of the state. He finally had enough at Cherry Hills, and decided a move was in order. He's going to go work for his cousin at a restaurant in Helena, Montana.

It was an enjoyable weekend. The weather was beautiful, Sarah was good, and it was nice to see Marcel again. It was a tad bittersweet, though, since Adam's moving and it will likely be a long time before we see him again.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: REO Speedwagon: "Roll with the Changes"

Oil

Got your hippy clothes in a bundle over the prospect off offshore drilling? Read this first.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Rush: "Working Man"

Blues

I don't know of may 8-year-old kids that have a legitimate reason to play the blues, but this kid might.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Cream: "Crossroads"

Resolution

The Brett Favre saga is over. The Brett Favre era in Green Bay is over (again).

I'm glad that the situation finally reached some form of resolution. I'm disappointed, though, that Favre couldn't be mature and put his hurt feelings aside and stay with Green Bay. I'll be disappointed if it turns out to be true that the Packers management forced him out.

It's unfortunate that someone's reputation and legacy will be tarnished by this. Favre's is most certainly tarnished by the immature and disrespectful way he's treated the Packers organization in his push to get what he wanted. Ted Thompson's reputation will be tarnished if it comes out that he's responsible, somehow, for Favre's departure.

The proof will be in the season, though. With Favre in a Jets uniform and competing against the Patriots, he'll be in the shadow of Tom Brady. In Green Bay, Thompson and Aaron Rodgers will be under the microscope. Only a winning season in Green Bay and a lackluster season from Favre will quiet some of the dissent among the Packers faithful. Anything else and Thompson will be forever questioned over his actions. Should the opposite actually happen, Thompson's career may be over.

I feel sympathetic toward Mike McCarthy. He's been caught in the middle, to some extent, trying to move the team forward with the players he has on the roster, while trying to figure out what to do with Favre, a legendary quarterback who can't make up his mind, can't commit, and apparently can't be mature and put past events behind him. I have a great deal of respect for McCarthy, especially now, after deciding that Favre's current state isn't good for the team, and since Favre won't change, move on without him.

Perhaps Favre's tenure in New York will be brief, a last hurrah to get professional football out of his system and show him that retirement is the best thing for him. I don't wish him any ill will, really, despite my disappointment in the way he's acted, though part of me selfishly hopes that something shows him it's time to call it quits and hang up the cleats. Hopefully he'll come to realize that it's time to put the bad feelings behind him and return to Green Bay for the honors that are sure to be heaped upon him.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Styx: "The Grand Illusion

Dreams

I had a dream the other night (maybe a nightmare?) that Brett Favre had been traded to another team, and became their starting quarterback. The Packers ended up playing that team, so it was Rodgers vs. Favre. The Packers won.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Rolling Stones: "Paint It Black"

Awkward

Last night while channel surfing I found the ESPY awards on ESPN, and caught just the tail end of Brett Favre's acceptance speech for whatever award it was he had received. It seemed nice enough, but at the end he made some kind of remark about waiting and seeing what happens.

As the show was about to go to commercial break, the cameras cut to the audience while Brett exited the stage, and who should appear on camera in the audience? None other than Aaron Rodgers himself.

Awkward!

I feel sorry for Rodgers being caught in the middle of it. Even though he understands the situation, having seen what happened when Joe Montana was replaced by Steve Young in San Francisco, it can't make it any easier for him.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Aerosmith: "Back in the Saddle"

Continuing saga...

The Brett Favre saga continues.

It's getting to the point now that no matter how fervently I hope for things to work out well, I'm afraid to read or hear any news about it in case it's something I won't like.

So far not much has changed, so that's a bit of relief, at least for the next few minutes.

Brett wants to play. It sounds like he'd even prefer to play in Green Bay, but if that's not an option, he'd be willing to play somewhere else.

The Packers want to protect Brett's legacy, i.e., they don't want to see him on another team. Many fans don't want to see him play anywhere else, either. Hell, if he's going to play somewhere I want it to be for the Packers, too.

So other than either 1) Aaron Rodgers or 2) the principle of the thing, why aren't the Packers saying they'll welcome Favre back as the starter? Then this whole thing goes away, Brett's happy, the fans are happy, the team (except maybe Rodgers) is happy.

Nothing is that simple, of course. The situation is probably far more complicated than anybody realizes, even Brett and the Packers management. Both sides right now, though, aren't making the situation any easier on themselves.

If either side is looking for a way to save face, why not have the Packers say "We'll welcome Brett to training camp and the quarterback who gives us the greatest chance to win will be our starter," and then Brett can show up for training camp? Both quarterbacks practice, even if it's just as a formality, split time evenly in the preseason games, and then Brett's the starter for the regular season.

I suppose it will simply be more wishful thinking.

Mood: Wishful
Music: Golden Earring: "She Flies on Strange Wings"

Drama

So first I read this.

And then I read this.

I guess my hope for Favre to stay retired was unfulfilled.

That said, I don't think it would be wise for the Packers to simply release him, and judging by their statement, that doesn't appear to be their intent. If Favre decides to "unretire" and seeks reinstatement, it appears the Packers will put him back on the roster.

What does this mean for Brett or for Aaron Rodgers? The team seems committed to Rodgers at this point, so my guess is Brett would either be the veteran backup the team was seeking for Rodgers, or be traded.

My hopes for this to end well might be dashed. I'll be watching to see how this all turns out.

Mood: Worried
Music: The Beatles: "Nowhere Man"

Shadows

There's been a lot of rumors recently about Brett Favre having second thoughts about his retirement and wanting to play again. It's all over the media, producting all kinds of speculation and commentary from dozens of people inside and outside of the media. In what is perhaps a gross understatement, it's been suggested it could make the situation for the Packers "complicated."

I can understand Brett's desire to play; he's known little else most of his life, and the success of last season is now clearly outweighing the drudge of responsibility and even the sting of defeat. As he stated in his press conference though, he didn't feel he could apply himself 100% to the preparation aspect of the game. As great of a quarterback as he was, I'm not sure that bringing back a quarterback that's not 100% committed is a good idea.

I think the best thing for everyone is for Brett to decide he's retired and stay retired. That is my fervent hope. The rest of the team and the organization would then not have to deal with a public relations nightmare, fans wouldn't have to see Brett in any jersey besides the green and gold, and Aaron Rodgers would only have to deal with being the starting quarterback of a young but experienced team. Packers fans could then rest knowing that the man who was arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game retired from the most storied team in the NFL, to surely be inducted into the Hall of Fame five years from now as a member of the Green and Gold.

Mood: Hopeful
Music: The Beatles: "Getting Better"

Memories

Every LEGO fan's wet dream: the LEGO vault.

Mood: Envious
Music: The Steve Miller Band: "Jungle Love"

"It's a trap!"

Do you think there's enough, or even too much, licensed Star Wars merchandise? Well, there could have been more.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Lynyrd Skynyrd: "Call Me the Breeze"

Eruption

So, apparently lightning can form in the smoke that billows out of erupting volcanoes, and if photographed, might look like this.

Mood: Amazed
Music: Nazareth: "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman"

Bo

Bo Diddley, famous for working his own name into his own songs as well as what became known as the "Bo Diddley beat" died on Monday. His influence as a founding father of rock and roll cannot be denied.

Mood: Sad
Music: Bo Diddley: "Bo Diddley"

Multitool

Disease actually kills more soldiers than combat. One answer: the Battlespork.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Jethro Tull: "Aqualung"

Mai

Maryanne, Sarah, and I went up north for most of Memorial Day weekend, arriving there early Friday afternoon and departing Sunday afternoon. The weather was pleasant, if cool, and the only disappointment was that the orchards weren't in bloom yet. I suspect they'll be in bloom for Sevastopol's graduation, like they were for my own graduation.

We managed to make it to Jacksonport for the Maifest parade. Maryanne was able to enjoy a funnel cake which she shared with Sarah, and I was able to get a bratwurst fix. Sarah seemed to enjoy the parade. Sevastopol was the only school there this year, and I was pleasantly surprised to see them wearing the same uniforms I wore. They sounded good for as small as they were.

According to the ladies at the Jacksonport Historical Society tent, volume seven of the Jacksonport Through the Generations series should include the Anschutz family. I'm looking forward to it. I managed to snag some of the material from my great uncle Clayton Cardy, but as he confessed himself, there was still more material from the presentation held in August of 2005, material that he could not get copies of.

As early as the holiday weekend fell this year, it's still strange to think the May is almost over already. With June just around the corner I'm hoping to get more accomplished in the yard this year than I did last year, so long as the weather is cooperative.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: The Who: "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Pants!

So for whatever reason, over the past few days I got on the scale at home again. Not once did my weight register more than 200 pounds.

Considering first that the last time I had weighed myself I was around 212 pounds, and that the scale is in Sarah's room and I therefore thought the batteries were low or it could be malfunctioning, I didn't think much of it, even after three separate weighs averaging about 197 pounds.

So at the gym today I decided to get on the beam scale wearing nothing but my towel. Sure enough -- 197 pounds.

That explains why I need new pants.

Mood: Pleased
Music: The Eagles: "Take It Easy"

Brick by Brick

Think LEGO bricks are nothing more than colored plastic building blocks? Look at this and think again.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Jimi Hendrix Experience: "Foxey Lady"

Dammit!

It's April 28. It's almost May.

And it's snowing.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Dammit!

Mood: Pissed
Music: Van Halen: "Man on a Mission"