Influence

I found this list of the ten most influential and important rock bands of all time.

Let the arguments begin.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Eagles: "One of These Nights"

Heartbreaking

I haven't been able to bring myself to think about the Packers heartbreaking playoff loss this past Sunday, at least for any great length of time.

There were a lot of people that thought the only way for the Packers to win the NFC Championship was if the Giants beat the Cowboys, allowing the Packers to host the championship game.

With the way the Cowboys faded at the end of the season, eventually losing to the Giants in the playoffs, with the way the Giants played so well on the road, and with the way the Packers performed in the cold against the Bears, maybe the Packers would have been better off traveling to Dallas to face the Cowboys instead.

As dominant as the Packers had been against the Seahawks, they seemed a bit flat against the Giants. Despite their protestations to the contrary, I really think Green Bay was affected by the cold. The Giants controlled that game, and gave the Packers all they could handle. In retrospect, it almost seemed like the Packers were trying not to lose rather than trying to win.

I commented to Maryanne that it's harder to watch a football game when you're so emotionally invested in one of the teams. Watching any other game doesn't matter too much, regardless of the outcome, when you don't care that much about who wins. But in a close game, especially a close loss like the NFC Championship, it can end up being very stressful.

When the game went in to overtime, and the Packers won the coin toss, I commented that I hoped they didn't try to go for the whole thing at once. There was plenty of time on the clock, and I was hoping they might try to get the running game going again, since the long ball wasn't there in the passing game. Instead, Favre threw up a pick, and the Giants finally got the field goal they needed to come out on top.

I'm hoping that despite the heartbreaking loss that the season as a whole was encouraging enough that Favre comes back for another season.

I'm also hoping that the Giants' surge at the end of the season, and into the playoffs, means that they have what it takes to give the Patriots all they can handle, as well.

Mood: Sad
Music: The Doors: "Light My Fire"

Talent

Thanks to the power of Fark, I recently discovered a young musician by the name of Sarah Zimmerman. Here's hoping to her success.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Sarah Zimmerman: "Traveling Riverside Blues"

Jamming

Jamming cell phones has been a highly contentious topic. On one hand we have those who appreciate an end to the interruptions, dangers, and general lack of courtesy that people talking on cell phones sometimes display. On the other hand we have those who feel there are better ways of handling the situation, if it should be handled at all.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Muddy Waters: "Long Distance Call"

Experience

Now this is a list I can really agree with: Five dangerous things you should let your kids do.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Rolling Stones: "Monkey Man"

Episode III

Not only do the people behind this have too many Star Wars toys, but too much time on their hands.

Mood: Amused
Music: The Steve Miller Band: "The Joker"

Click

Among the skills needed by professional photographers, timing is perhaps one of the most important after composition, especially in the high-speed world of sports photography. Here's a gallery of 30 of the most brilliant (and often hilarious) photos, many of which are worthy of Photoshop.

Mood: Amused
Music: .38 Special: "Fantasy Girl"

Fight!

It's advice and instruction that parents (mostly fathers) hope their children (usually sons) will never have to use, but know they need anyway: how to fist fight. This article addresses the topic in the same way I would: a common sense, practical, no nonsense approach that faces the reality that you can't always walk away from or talk your way out of a fight.

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant: "Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)"

Frabjous!

The new issue of Cheshire Crossing is up.

If you haven't been reading Cheshire Crossing, shame on you. I think it's a brilliantly creative work, borrowing heavily and accurately from classic children's literature while creating wondefully original storylines.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: The Eagles: "Life in the Fast Lane"

Climate

Whatever your feelings about global warming and climate change, it's hard to argue that it's never happened, especially when looking at a chart like this. However, even after viewing the chart, a person could wonder just how much of an impact humans have in the grand scheme of climate changes.

Mood: Intrigued
Music: Aerosmith: "Dream On"