Have you seen this turkey?

The Bubbler Gobbler has been captured! My virgin turkey in my new home in Greendale ("the bubble"). Never used a knife to carve - meat pealed off. Thanks, Erica, for helping make the time pass faster.

Keith or Ricky?

I've had the pleasure of reading some enjoyable biographies - Thomas Jefferson, Bruce Dern, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mike Farrell (MASH), Daniel E. Sickles, Brett Favre, Ricci Martin (Dean's son) Vince Lombardi, Howard Stern, Frank McCourt, Dennis Wilson, The Beach Boys, Abbie Hoffman.

Think I'll pick a music genre. Which autobiography do you think I'll end up buying? Keith Richards or Ricky Martin? Hmmmmmm.....I'm an unpure purist, something like that.

SOL on the PCH.

Moved into my new house in Greendale recently. Noticed this toy car buried in a patch of sand in the backyard. Not sure why there's a patch of sand in the backyard. Or why the car is there. The previous tenant had no children. It reminded me of one of those rock/mud/landslides you see on the PCH in Malibu and are thankful you're not in THAT car.

The car is mine. I'm the new tenant.

Vikes scalp 'Skins, 17-14. And why every NFL player who does a TD celebratory dance is an idiot.

Vikes are now 4-7. BFD. However, it was a great victory for interim coach, Leslie Frazier. I hope it's not his last win - and I hope he's named head coach next year. Seems like a stand-up man.

Highlights here. Watch at the 1:58 mark. Redskin kick returner #16 Brandon Banks runs back a punt for a TD. Nice run. He does his stupid dance in the end zone but isn't aware a flag has been thrown - against Washington on the return. No TD - and Banks and his dance look as stupid as every other celebratory TD looks. Fuck you, Banks. Moron.

Favre and Toby Gerhart celebrate Toby's first TD in the NFL. Adrian Peterson has now rushed for 1000 yards in 4 consecutive seasons. And Favre became just the seventh player in NFL history to play in 300 games.

Favre, on a third-and-8, scrambled for the first down - sealing Washington's fate. Favre hadn't gained more than 4 yards on a run since 2008 (he gained about 10 yards on that first down run). And he was giddy about it.

SKOL FAVRE! SKOL VIKINGS!

Anvil Pub and Grille. Cedarburg.

One of the best Philly Cheesesteak's I've ever eaten.

What do Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Seymour Cassel & Fionnula Flannagan have in common?

(Top to bottom, left to right) Fionnula Flanagan - Emmy and Irish Film & Television Award winner (Waking Ned Devine, The Others, Some Mother's Son, Ulysses, Lost); Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Golden Globe and Irish Film & Television Award winner (Bend It Like Beckam, The Tutors, Elvis, Alexander, Velvet Goldmine); Radha Mitchell - Australian Film Institute and Screen Actors Guild nominee (The Crazies, Finding Neverland, Silent Hill, Phone Booth, High Art), and Seymour Cassel - Oscar nominee and NSFC Award winner (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Faces, The Royal Tenenbaums, Indecent Proposal, Minnie and Moskowitz, Tin Men).

Well, Myers and Flanagan are Dublin-born actors (which is cool 'cause I love the Irish and Ireland). I can't give you the entire answer but I will say this...I'll be working with all of them soon. SKOL FAVRE! SKOL VIKINGS! (Even though the team is sucking hind teat this season). WHOO!

What's the expiration date on sardines?

They gotta be two years old. Are they still edible? Seriously, 'cause I just polished off a can of these puppies.

I'm headed to Australia (well...at least "Billy Balfoor" is)!

I alluded to some "big news" on Facebook a couple weeks ago or so. This is it. After three years of having three of my short plays (THE BED, BILLY BALFOOR WANTS AN APOLOGY, PASS THE SALT, PLEASE) selected to various semi-finals of Short & Sweet, the largest short play festival in the world (with festivals in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Auckland, Brisbane, Delhi, Malaysia and Singapore), BILLY BALFOOR, which was a previous semi-finalist in Sydney and Brisbane, has been selected from over 720 entries around the world to be performed at the 10th anniversary festival in Sydney (the largest of the festivals) in January/February 2011.

I am beyond thrilled. Here's the synopsis for BILLY.

It's gotten to be a game with me...trying to write (or resubmit a play) in order to crack that nut and make it to an actual production. Of the 720+ scripts submitted for the Sydney festival, 168 made the semi's and only 26 of those were US playwrights. Then, 80 or 90 plays are chosen from the 168 and are performed 5 or 6 times in a week over a month and a half stretch. The best plays each week then move on to the Gala, which is held in February, where about 12 shorts are performed and voted on for cash prizes (best actor, actress, director, script, audience favorite, etc.).

BILLY BALFOOR WANTS AN APOLOGY will be directed by Grant Wilson. Grant and I have emailed back and forth - I feel BILLY is in good hands. You can't imagine what goes into writing a play and then sit there - hoping it bodes well in a competition. Unless you write.

Here are my blog links for BILLY'S inclusion in the semi's for Sydney - and for Brisbane. BILLY is actually the third act of the full-length dark dramedy, HOW TO KILL A BOY.

A mother's lists.

As I mentioned on Facebook the other day, my mother has been invaluable to me during my move to Greendale. Hanging window treatments, pictures, painting, weeding, decorating, etc. While I'm working, she leaves notes as to what she's accomplished in the house.

Thanks, Mom. I love you.

post all hallows eve depression.

Or maybe not.

TGIF! presents...Lewis Back on Writing.

A favorite comedian of mine. Black discusses writing, blogging...and at the 1:40 mark, Black talks about his dabblings in playwriting - you'll wanna listen to that (or maybe I should heed Black's words).

Lava lamp turns into bad lab experiment.

I unpacked my old lava lamp from Los Angeles the other day (I'm moving to a house in Greendale - look for more moving-related posts like this) which hadn't been plugged in for a couple years. When the lava (wax) inside the lamp finally started to move, I saw this - reminded me of a specimen in lab. Sort of looks like my old boss - the witch in Bel Air.

Yikes, Vikes.

No pictures. No text. We suck - plain and simple. Which perplexes Viking fandom because we have undoubtedly one of the most talented rosters in the NFL (but then, so does Dallas) and we're sitting at 3-6. I'm out of answers - other than I'm quite certain the reason we're 3-6 is due to psychological reasons...head up ass and not in game. What else can it be? Parity?

This week: Green Bay Packers (6-3) at Minnesota Vikings. If we win one game the rest of the season, please Lord, make it this one. SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Tick, tock, tick....let's see Rangel wrangle out of this one.

You've been found wanton - and guilty on 11 of 13 criminal counts against you. Time is running out, Congressman Rangel.

CB ihateperfume. Novel Christmas gift tip.

A couple years ago I purchased three gifts from CB I hate perfume and they were a big hit (at least it was for me). In the Library, Gathering Apples, Burning Leaves, Old Leather or Winter 1972.

I purchased my mother Hay and I got my brother At the Beach 1966 (can't recall what my father got). I let each family member smell their perfume or accord without telling them what it was. (This Brooklyn, NY company is big on accords...“accord” refers to a single scent that captures a very specific smell. If they hate perfumes so much, then why do they sell them?). Anyway, I asked each person to guess the smell. My mom guessed "something from the farm". Jason guessed "suntan lotion" and whatever my dad's accord/perfume was, he was close as well.

Maybe I got a more of a kick out of it then they did. It's not cheap - but it was a great Christmas gift.

No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers eviscerate Indiana, 83-20.

83-20. I don't think there's anything else to add to that (except to say this was an NCAA football game). If we can get two more wins against Michigan and Northwestern, Wisconsin is Rose Bowl bound. GO BADGERS!!

TGIF! presents...Gordo's "Canadian Railroad Trilogy".

Can't say enough about Gordon Lightfoot - or "Gordo", as his fans call him. My brother, Uncle Fran, Cousin Gerry...all big fans. I've often thought Gordo the master storyteller - maybe the best of all. And "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" is a wonderful story about the Canadian Pacific Railway, commissioned by the CBC for a special broadcast on January 1, 1967, to start Canada's Centennial year. Got 7 minutes to spare? Listen to the "Walt Whitman" of song spin his tale.

Salute!...to all Veterans.

To all veterans - those who served in peace and war (including my father - Navy) - the debt owed to you is immeasurable. Thank you.

Sanguinity.

Purple pants? Wear them. Vikes shock Cards in OT, 27-24! Vikes, 3-5.

Minnesota Vikings' Kicker Ryan Longwell is congratulated by teammates after kicking an overtime field goal to beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-24. Helluva come-back win for Brett Favre & Co. and a must-win if the Vikes have any chance of remaining in the playoff hunt. With a 3-5 record and games coming up at Chicago and home against Green Bay, it's gonna be tough for the Vikes to hang in there - unless they play the way they did in the last 4 minutes of regular time against Arizona (and OT).

A few items of note:

1) Brett Favre started his 293 consecutive game, adding to his NFL QB record AND all-purpose player. At this point, I'm confused. I was under the impression that Favre surpassed Jim Marshall's 282 consecutive game streak last year, but it was reported in the paper that Favre just surpassed Bruce Matthews' 292 consecutive streak record. Anyone?

2) It marked only the second time Favre threw for over 400 yards, and his first since December 5, 1993 (402 at Chicago). That span of 16 years, 337 days between 400 yard passing games is the longest in NFL.

3) Favre tied his career record of 36 completions and Favre's 446 passing yards surpassed his career record of 402 passing.

4) The Vikings defense had 6 sacks coming into Sunday’s game and they recorded 6 against the Cardinals.

5) I believe this was Favre's 46th 4th quarter comeback win. With 4:39 left in the game, Favre led the drive with Adrian Peterson scoring a TD with 3:35 left, and then Favre hitting Viscante Shiancoe in for another TD with 27 seconds left in regulation.

6) Sunday was the biggest comeback victory in Minnesota team history. It was the first time the Vikings had won a game after trailing by 14 or more points with less than four minutes to play. And it's been seven years since anyone in the NFL has accomplished that feat.

7) And yes, the Vikings should continue to wear the purple pants and Bernard Berrian finally earned his multi-million dollar paycheck, connecting for 89 yards on 9 Favre passes.

Click on READ MORE! for more pics. KILL THE BEARS next week! I wanna see blood! SKOL FAVRE! SKOL VIKINGS! (And please play 4 quarters instead of 4 minutes in the 4th quarter.)

Shiancoe and Favre connect on a 25-yard TD pass to tie the game.

Percy Harvin.

Favre.

AP.

Coach Brad Childress is...well, not liked right now.

Bernard Berrian. Yes, BB...continue to wear those ugly, yellow shoes!

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has senior moment & praises Favre?

All you have to do is type in "Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel" in the upper left corner of this blog to see the depth of hatred and bitterness the MJS has toward Minnesota Viking QB Brett Favre (former Green Bay Packer QB for 16 years).

Unending. Merciless. Petty. Childish. I'm way behind in my updates on this one-sided feud (see stack of papers on stairs). But when I read the UP/DOWN section of the paper yesterday and saw a hint of an underhanded compliment leveled at Favre by the MJS, I was shocked - and it proves my point that the MJS recognizes a good thing when they see it but is blinded by it's bitterness toward Favre for leaving GB - and eventually settling down with rival Minnesota.

Monday, November 8, 2010

UP/DOWN

Up - The drama VI-kings: OK, that comeback ranks right up there with the one by the McRib. - Mike Hart.

I haven't posted anything on the game yet but in a nutshell, Favre led a 14-point comeback against the Arizona Cardinals with something like 3:46 left in the 4th quarter to send the game to OT - and win it in OT. Favre's 46th 4th quarter comeback. I'm not gonna get all maudlin and sentimental - as soon as Favre & Co. faulter, the MJS will pounce and prove how much of joke that sports department is. I'm simply celebrating this sliver of enlightenment.

Separated at Birth? Vikings Coach Brad Childress & Mr. Noodle.

Which one is Mr. Noodle?

Happy Birthday, Ava (and a dose of Yoshi & Kiko)!

My good buddy Nick - and wife, Angela - celebrated Ava's birthday this past Saturday by getting the child garbed in her Halloween duds. Above, Ava's trying on Kiko's (one of the two pugs) Yoda ears. Hmmmm....no likey.

Much better. She's a duck. See it? Click on READ MORE! To see how pugs Kiko and Yoshi's faired with their costumes. トリックあるいは楽しみ!

Kiko.

Yoshi.

One pub I missed in Ireland...

I visited many pubs in Ireland (click here). This one I missed.

TGIF! presents....Beck's "Loser". For NP.

Nancy Pelosi, that is. Gone. Adios, Ms. Speaker. Back to being a plain, ole simple congresswoman. Think you can hack it? Bitch.

Vikingland in chaos. Favre lacerated. Moss gone. MN falls to Patriots, 28-18. Vikes, Yikes! 2-5??

First it was Brett's operated on ankle from last season, then tendinitis in his throwing elbow, then two fractures in the aforementioned ankle and now 10 stitches for a laceration to his jaw.

And he's still ticking. SKOL FAVRE! Brett played fine as the Vikes fell to the Patriots, 28-18, and when he was knocked out of the came with that hit to the jaw with about 7:30 remaining in the 4th quarter, we were still in it. Same old same old, I guess. Moss is brought onto the team to help offset the loss of Sidney Rice for half the season - Moss continues with his "I'm a whack-job" routine and Coach Chilly kicks him off the team...without telling the GM or owner. We haven't had a QB sack in three games. Childress sucks as a coach (I mean, he challenged a Patriot reception that blind, dead people could see was an obvious catch.) I like Chilly personally but his coaching skills blow. We have all the talent in the world but can't get IT to CLICK.

We'll see. We play Arizona at home this Sunday. This is a must-win. But - wasn't the last one? Are the rest of the games from here on out? SKOL FAVRE! SKOL VIKINGS. FIRE CHILDRESS!


Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

Congratulations, Scott! You've just become Gov'na!

I mean...Wisconsin Governor-elect Walker.

I've known Scott since 1983, or thereabouts. We counseled together at Badger Boys State for a few years. It's been a while, but I'm quite confident that when we see each other next, it'll be like yesterday. It's like that with Boys State people, you know. It was no secret among our group back then that Scott would immerse himself in politics. Now, I've never been big on politicians...or career politicians. But I know Scott. How many politicians do you know? He's a good man. And I'd trust him with my life - even after all these years.

And don't even try and ask me for favor...

PS. I have several pics of Scott and I. They're in storage. Once I move (to Greendale), I'll find them, scan them and post them.

Randy Moss! That's cool..wait...but - no....really?

I'd like to renege on this post and replace it with this post. Thank you.