It's Favre-a-lot on Vikings.com!

Vikings.com has some excellent graphics on its site pertaining to Brett Favre's becoming a Minnesota Viking today. Check'em out on the site for the full effect.

Video from Favre's first day of practice as a Viking.

That's Steve Hutchinson. There's a reason Favre is embracing him - Steve's a guard on the offensive line. His job is first to protect Favre, then open up lanes for Adrian Peterson to pummel through. He's a 6-time All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler from 2003-08 and is widely considered the top LG in the NFL. Good man to have on your side.

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It's official!! Favre signs with Minnesota Vikings!

Brett practicing with the Vikings earlier today. More from the press conference that's occurring right about....now.

As a long-time Green Bay Packer fan (except for last year), it'll be....odd...cheering for the Vikings. They've been Packer rivals for eons. But, I'm a Favre man and I will follow him into hell if need be.

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The stupidest sportscaster on radio = Mychal Thompson.

I had to preface my headline by saying "on radio" as there a ton of sport commentators I detest (think FoxSports.com).

Mychal is currently on 710AM ESPN's LA Sports Live in Los Angeles, a weekday program he co-hosts with Andrew Siciliano. Today they were discussing the propensity of some sports (namely baseball) to pay outrageous salaries to rookie athletes before they've even proven themselves on the field.

Andrew repeated over and over again that he's not berating the athletes ("take it if you can get it") but that it's a problem with the system. But this dipshit Mychal Thompson kept coming back to his, "if you were an athlete wouldn't you take the money?" argument. WTF? Are you fucking deaf, Mychal? And he kept doing this with whatever subject they were talking about.

LISTEN UP, ASSHOLE.

It's no wonder that Mychal (and his co-host) was fired from the LA AM Radio program Loose Cannons (they show was cancelled).

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Brett is a VIKE!

Favre has just arrived in Minneapolis. Pending his physical, he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Haha...just when you thought this saga was over (I certainly wasn't sold on Brett's decision a couple weeks ago to not sign with the Vikes). I LOVE IT! GO FAVRE IN 2009!

NOTE: That's 291 consecutive starts with playoffs. Brett needs 2 more games to overtake former Viking Jim Marshall for the ALL-TIME consecutive start record (he already holds the QB consecutive start record).

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Couple Heidi Montag & Spencer Pratt ideal candidates for lobotamies

I just read an interview - Pratt interviewing Montag - in the September issue of Playboy. Yeh - I DO read the articles. I have no interest in these two idiots and the only reason I read the interview is because I blog and like to be "in-the-know" on things.

I was right. The interview qualifies as the dumbest interview I've ever read. I understand there are people who are self absorbed. All kinds of people. Artists are notorious for it. Actors, writers, bloggers, painters, singers. But these two jackasses have no talent. Both Pratt and Spencer need to RUN out and get lobotomies. For mankind's sake. I'd even pay for them.

My Bitch-of-the-Week post on Montag back in June 2009.

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Neptunic.

Get your's here.

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Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock".

Long Live the King of Rock & Roll!

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The King is Dead. Long Live the King.

Elvis Presley. January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977. I love Elvis.

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F. Scott Fitzgerald's epitaph. And other stuff.

This is a rubbing from author F. Scott Fitzgerald's tombstone. A former co-worker gave it to me a couple years ago. He was gonna toss it. I thought it would be a cool thing for a writer to have on his wall.

I emptied out my storage space today and loaded all my personal belongings - everything, aside from what I'm putting in my car - in readiness for my move back to Wisconsin. Brother Jas is coming in a week and a half, have some play time here then drive back to WI.

My stuff. I'm a pack rat. It looks like there's more than what was in my 5 x 10 space.

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TGIF! presents..."Butler's Jig"!

I'm researching a period piece play that I'm going to begin writing once I'm back in Wisconsin and "Tambo & Bones" , performers in a 19th century minstrel show, will be featured in the play. "Bones" refers to the bones that guy in the video is rattling (they later used spoons).

(Pause the jukebox above.)

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Wisconsin native & pioneer of electric guitar, Les Paul, dies.

Les Paul was an American jazz guitarist, inventor, writer and musician. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible." Paul was a member of the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

And he was from Waukesha, WI. Les was 93. Rock & Roll owes this man a debt of gratitude.

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My replica Legion of Merit!

The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements - combat or noncombat services.

I have awarded myself this replica medal for being bestowed the honor of "Nino" or "godfather" to my goddaughter, Gwyneth McCann Glover in June 2009. If being the godfather to a child and assisting her parents in raising the child in the Catholic religion (until she's old enough to make decisions for herself) isn't "meritorious", I don't know what else is.

Specifically, my medal is the Legionnaire Degree of the Legion of Merit.

The reverse of the medal has the motto taken from the Great Seal of the United States "ANNUIT COEPTIS" (He (God) Has Favored Our Undertakings) and the date "MDCCLXXXII" (1782), which is the date of America's first decoration, the Badge of Military Merit, now known as the Purple Heart.

Other recipients of the Legion of Merit include: David Niven, Audie Murphy, director George Stevens, Senator John McCain, and American astronomer Edwin Hubble. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions. As this medal is not awarded to non-military personnel, I will wear it proudly until a suitable non-military personnel medal shall be found.

Disclaimer: By wearing this medal, I by no means mock military personnel, living or deceased. I will not wear this medal in public - only family gatherings and around goddaughter.

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Pamela Anderson just emailed me!

From: pamela anderson
Sent: Thu 8/06/09 9:48 AM
To: jeff ircink (irc_64@hotmail.com)
1 attachment

Not THAT Pamela Anderson. Pamela Anderson - the Milwaukee artist at Paintmysky.com. This piece of Pamela's is called "Many Faces". I'm seeking out other artistic folk in Wisconsin via FB and other resources in preparation for my move back home at the end of the month. I didn't start acting until I left Milwaukee in 1992 and moved to Cedar Rapids, IA; didn't start playwriting until I moved to Los Angeles in 1998.

So, the art scene in Milwaukee is untouched and untapped by me. Should be interesting - and exciting. And just to prove that reaching out to a total stranger can pay off, I have an invitation for a personal tour of Pamela's studio when I get back to Milwaukee. Sweet.

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jeffbridges.com

Bridges' site is very creative, very clever and hands down, one of the best personal blogs/websites I've ever seen. TIP: go under the STUFF link. that's where all the weird, whacky shit is. Spend some time and investigate. At least, bookmark it.

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Pablo Pelosi just called you "Un-American" again.

President Obama's health care bill is causing heating discussions across the country. Town hall meeting is an uproar. Democracy in action ! Or is it?

Fox News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi(D) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer(D), stated "Let the facts be heard," they wrote. "These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views - but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Drowning out the facts is how we failed at this task for decades."

Above: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) seen at Fiesta's equestrian parade Friday in Santa Barbara.

Now this isn't the first time Pablo Pelosi referred to American citizens as "Un-American". She called Immigrations and Custom Enforcement activities in March "Un-American". In the past she's called Republicans unpatriotic when they didn't show up for meetings on the Wall Street bailout package. On the other hand, she had no problem with anti-war hecklers back in 2006. "It's always exciting," she stated, according to a January 2006 account in the San Francisco Chronicle. "This is democracy in action. I'm energized by it, frankly."

I guess you're not "Un-American" if your opinions mirror Pelosi's. I wonder if Pablo Pelosi thinks SHE'S the only real American in this country?

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The Territory Ahead and my lost shorts.

I lost a pair of shorts I purchased in Santa Barbara a couple years ago. Maybe it was last year. I have no idea where they could've gone. I had them with me in Miami in May and when I arrived home they had disappeared. I called the hotel in Miami and I didn't leave them there. So where did they go? Truth be told, I've lost or misplaced more shit in the last three years since living in Culver City than I've lost or misplaced the entire 7 years I've lived in a two-story guest house in Bel Air. I'm not saying it's not me - maybe it is. I'm just saying it's odd that I've never lost or misplaced as much as I have since moving to Culver City.

The shorts pictured above are the exact shorts I'm referring to. I picked up a replacement pair at The Territory Ahead, whose corporate office is located in Santa Barbara. $14.95 at TTA outlet store. Sweet.

Check out their website. I'm gonna try and not lose my shorts this time.

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40 years ago today. Manson murders.

Above: Charles Manson

In the early hours of August 9, 1969, actress Sharon Tate - wife of director Roman Polanski - and 5 other people (including Hollywood hairdresser Jay Sebring, Sharon's unborn child and Abigail Anne Folger, heir to the Folger coffee fortune) were horrifically slaughtered (that's to put it mildly) high atop Benedict Canyon, overlooking Bel Air, Californina, by members of the Charles Manson gang. The next day two more people were slaughtered. For three months the city of Los Angeles was in a death grip. Which celebrity or prominent person would be next?

There's a ton of information on the Internet about Manson and the killings. One of the better websites is Cielo Drive (the name of the street the house Tate was killed at). I've also blogged about Sharon before under "Women Celebs I Love" . Steve McQueen carried a gun to Jay Sebring's funeral. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme is set to be paroled for trying to shoot President Gerald Ford. Manson wrote a song with Dennis Wilson and The Beach Boys. Fascinating stuff. Oh - don't forget Susan Atkins' artwork. Atkins was one of the killers - she helped kill Tate, wrote the infamous "PIG" on the door of the Cielo Drive house and then bragged to cellmates about the murders, which eventually led to Manson and the other's convictions.

Above: 10050 Cielo Drive, 1969.

If interested, here's a retrospect on the Manson murders from Newsweek, including an interview with chief prosecutor on the case, VincentBugliosi. I lived in Bel Air for seven years. The couple I worked for - their youngest son - his house was right next door to the property on Cielo Drive (still is, unless he moved). The original home that Tate and the others were murdered in was razed a number of years after the tragedy and this huge monstrosity of a mansion was built in it's place. On spec. No one will touch it. Even realtors. I've been up there. Eerie. I had wanted to go up and visit the property early this morning - see if I could "hear" or "see" anything - but I'm in Santa Barbara. Maybe it was better that I didn't.

I don't mean to give credence to this nut job, but I found this interesting video on Manson from a few years ago.

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Sunflower. State Street. Santa Barbara.

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The proper etiquette when celebrating Fiesta! in Santa Barbara.

Step 1: Buy confetti egg. 4 for $1.00.

Step 2: Smash egg on unsuspecting person's head.

Step 3: Sprinkle confetti while rubbing into person's hair.

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TGIF! presents...Nik Kershaw's "Wouldn't It Be Good", from "Pretty in Pink"!

This is a favorite song of my ex's. For Mr. Hughes...thanks.

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Fiesta! Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara!

Just arrived in Santa Barbara (11:45 p.m. Thursday) for another Fiesta! 2 1/2 hrs instead of the normal 1 1/2 hrs. 'cause of fucked up traffic on both the 405 and Sepulveda. One thing I won't miss in LA = the traffic bullshit.

This Fiesta will be my last one for a while as I'm moving back to Wisconsin at the end of the month. Probably won't come back to Cali for this event - Solstice in June is much better. Tomorrow's one of the world's largest equestrian parades, EL DESFILE HISTÓRICO and Saturday is the 79th Annual Children's Parade, or ANNUAL EL DESFILE DE LOS NIÑOS.

Crashing at Tom's house (as in T. Nowak, my non-blood Uncle Bob's bro..."where'd ya go, Tom?) and will attend Chuck N.'s barbecue Saturday with his family, along with Greg N. and Laura N (with her family - hubby Mark, Melissa and Little Mark).

The Nowak's and Santa Barbara...always a most excellent tradition! VIVA LA FIESTA!

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Happy Birthday, Mom!

Oops....almost forgot to post this. Christmas 2007 in Mukwonago, WI. Mom and 4 of her 8 siblings. Top: Uncle Rocky and Uncle Jerry. Bottom: Uncle Bobby, Mom and Uncle Butch. Aunt Karen, Uncle Kenny and Uncle Ronnie are missing and the oldest Datka sibling, Uncle Ralph, has passed away.

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Eric Dillner resigns from Milwaukee's Skylight Theater. Good.

I haven't covered this story on my blog for one simple fact - my high school friend and fellow actor/playwright Tony Clements has been doing an exemplary job of keeping the world up-to-speed on the "Skylight Debacle" (as I referred to it as) on his blog, Tuesdays. He's performed at the Skylight on numerous occasions and is familiar with the theater, it's current and past artists and its behind-the-scenes players. Additional coverage, courtesy of Tom Strini at ThirdCoast Digest, who is the former music and dance critic at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Damien Jaques, former theater critic at the MJS and Jonathan West at the blog, Artsy Schmartsy kept me busy enough. I was relegated to making comments.

I was online most of the day today but it wasn't until the last hour that I read about Dilner's resignation as managing director of the Skylight Theater in Milwaukee via Strini's article at Third Coast Digest. I immediately went to Tuesdays to read Tony's coverage. Blogging...it's pretty cool.

Anyway, I won't rehash what's been going on at the Skylight in the last two months. You can click the links I've provided below to read about Dillner's resignation, as well as the back story over the last two months.

Cliffs Notes version? Dillner whacks five positions from the Skylight Theater, including artistic director, company director, musical director and two others, blaming the cuts on the economy and the theater's budget woes. Some board members are aware of Dillner's staff cuts - and some aren't. What followed was a coup d'etat of major proportions. More than 30 artists resign their contracts, benefactors drop out and the shit hits the fan. Meetings are held. The former artistic director flies in from the East Coast to beg Dillner to resign and more shit hits the fan.

Toss in coverage from the The New York Times, Playbill and the British magazine Opera and this story is now a full-blown, international...WTF???

Long story short? Dillner's out. Two former Skylight Theater staffers (now living on both coasts) will temporarily assume the artistic and managing director positions....well, just read the links below. West doesn't have Dillner's resignation news but he's got prior coverage. My blathering won't do any of their efforts justice.

Here are those story links: Tony Clements at Tuesdays. Tom Strini at ThirdCoast Digest. And Jonathan West at Artsy Schmartsy.

One thing I will say - the loyalty and tenacity exhibited by the various artists in Milwaukee toward the Skylight is pretty amazing. As I couldn't be there to picket and attend meetings, I was there in spirit (I have no prior affiliation with the Skylight). Funny - Tony and I don't always see eye-to-eye on political issues, but we were DEFIANTLY on the same side in this battle. I'm moving back to Milwaukee at the end of this month and as a token of esprit de corps, I had scratched the Skylight off my list of theaters to patronize or audition for. Broke my heart 'cause it's a world-renowned, wonderful venue.

I just put it back on my list. Hey Tony... "To forget some things, to remember others and to refresh the dry places in our spirit." My Spirit is no longer parched.

PASSION = TRUTH!

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It's time for thyme.

I've had this nasty chest cold for too long. Already blasted through one bottle of Mucinex and half-way through the 2nd. Hmmm. I believe it's good old-fashioned, granola eatin', tree huggin' homeopathic medicine time.

I did a little research on the Internet and talked to my friend Katie in Indiana whose family owns two health food stores (Katie's a plethora of information on this subject. You can ask her anything. Her sister too - but she's in France.).

Off to Whole Foods to pick up some thyme in the spice section. Wrong. Fresh thyme. Go back to Whole Foods. Now the recipe. What kind of recipe tells you to add anything to A CUP OF BOILING WATER? OK, so I add 1 1/2 cups of faucet water (anticipating evaporation) to a small kettle and boil. Bring to boil. Add two tablespoons of thyme. Continue to boil covered. Strain and let set for a minute. And drink.

VOILA! I'll be damned. It's working. I feel like a witch. Or is it warlock? Wiccan? None of the above? Whatever - I'm a believer.

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*"So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night. We love to see you go, you schmuck!"

* (To the tune, "So Long, Farewell" from The Sound of Music)

Louisana's first family of losers. Meet...the Jefferson's.

The Washington Post reported today that Former Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson (D) was convicted of corruption charges today in a case that featured $90,000 in bribe money stuffed into his freezer and a legal battle over the raid of his Washington office that reached the highest levels of the U.S. government.

Jefferson, who did not testify, is the third person convicted in the investigation. His former business associates Vernon L. Jackson and Brett Pfeffer - a former congressional aide - pleaded guilty in 2006 to bribery and are serving time in prison.

Jefferson, 62, could spend the rest of his life in prison. Judge T.S. Ellis III allowed Jefferson to remain free on bond until his sentencing. Jefferson's the first and only U.S. public official to be charged under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act since it was enacted in 1977.

Wait....shhhhh. I'm waiting for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to start whispering "racism". Checked both Jackson's and Sharpton's websites but found nary a word.

Not so fast. I ain't done with the Jefferson family.

Seems Jefferson's not the only corrupt one in the family. Brother and political adviser, Mose Jefferson and sister Betsy Jefferson, the Orleans Parish 4th District assessor, were indicted on charges they conspired to loot more than $600,000 in taxpayer money from three charities they established to help inner-city youths. And his younger sister, Brenda, also pled guilty in a charity scam.

What a close family.

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"Welcome to Iraq! My cousin, 1st Lt. Mark Weigel.

My first cousin (mom's sister's oldest) - 1st Lt. Mark Weigel - is stationed over in Iraq, half-way through his one-year tour of duty. He's a cavalry officer for a scout platoon in Troop A, 1-105 Cavalry, which is a reserve outfit located in Fort Atkinson, WI.

Mark lives in Irbil, which is the capital of Kurdistan. One of his regular driving routes is through Kirkuk - a city rich in oil reserves, RKG-3 grenades and car bombs. I won't divulge the task assigned to Mark and his platoon - let's just say they're doing their duty to God and their country. God's speed to you, Mark. You've got two boys at home who love you dearly and can't wait to see their daddy.

"Animo et fide" (Courageous And Faithful)," Lt. Mark! I salute you. Click on READ MORE! for more photos from Iraq.

Mark's platoon and the Wisconsin flag given them my Governor Doyle.

"Stop Chick Point". Nice.

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Pack Rat = Me.

Most of my belongings have been packed away in storage ever since I moved to Culver City from Bel Air three years ago. But before I move back to WI at the end of the month, I have to go through the belongings I have in Culver City.

Found this wooden handled shaver. Got it from my ex-girlfriend, Lisa, back in...oh - between 1989 and 1992. I tossed it in the bathroom garbage. Thought about it. And here it is. What the hell...why not?

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"Where'd ya go, Pop Culture Chick #8, Madolyn (Smith) Osborne.

You may recognize her from the Chevy Chase movie, Funny Farm, or Urban Cowboy with John Travolta. I watched part of Funny Farm tonight - always thought she was hot. Aside from television appearances she hasn't done much acting, disappearing from the map in 1994. She married former NHL hockey player Mark Osborne in 1988.

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Welcome...to the Skylight Theater's 50th Anniversary Party!

And in attendance - Managing Director Eric Dillner! Yeahhhh! Wait - where is everyone? Check coverage on Tuesday's blog to find out why Eric's all by his lonesome.

(This isn't really the Skylight's 50th anniversary party - just a shot of Dillner in the Skylight Theater. However, if you read about the turn of events at the Skylight, the 50th Anniversary celebration might possibly look like this. I state this caveat as I don't want to get sued for misrepresentation. It's parody, folks.)

Photo by Nathan Mills for the New York Times.

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Loved "Pineapple Express". Rosie Perez sucks.

Saw this flick for the first time. Loved it. But Rosie Perez sucks. Never liked her. Two words: annoying & grating. Her gutteral accent (based on her turn in White Men Can't Jump, the only movie I've seen of her's) makes me want to rip out my own larynx.

At first glance, one might blame her dialogue...which was for shit. However, as much as Apatow and Seth Rogan have relied successfully on the use of improv as part of their filmmaking process, one would think Perez had ample opportunities to flex her chops. She didn't. Lines like, "You sexy motherfucker" made me wanna throw a brick through my roommate's television - then choke on my own vomit. Thank God the movie, rest of the cast and script were worthy of my 112 minutes (I joined the movie in-progress, so....maybe 100 minutes)?

Incidentally, I know an actor who was in a movie with her (not an extra). The actor told me she's a bitch (but the actor used another word).

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Truck Farm. Eat this!

Gotta love this truck farm concept.

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Origami No. 22. "Reveille!" theme song?

"Reveille!" is my one-act play set in Virginia in 1863. Inspired by Ken Burns’ The Civil War and A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated, “Love Letters”, two women in 1862 Virginia strive to maintain a “normal” existence, one in which their perspective on each other is as different as their perspectives on the war itself.

This song is a work-in-progress. I considered it as "theme" music for the play, to be performed during scene changes or pivotal moments. I'm also planning on my musician buddy from Cedar Rapids, Nick Perkins, to write contemporary music I could use between scenes and before and after the show.

1:45 – 1:33

Landscapes of fields and trees
Simplicity in life for you and me

1:18 - :53

Glimpses of the past
Hopes meant to last
Sacrificed so we can be free

Thoughts put to words
Mean nothing left unheard
You and I must take head

Landscapes of fields and trees
Simplicity in life for you and me
Morning, noon and night pass with ease
The feelings in my head, don’t give me peace.

:27

Gather up the remnants of time
It’s meant for us to be,
Our Reveille.
If only you could see, our Reveille
Why won’t you be my Reveille?

(Origami is sort of my catchword for a featured blog post that highlights my original writings - could be an excerpt from one of my plays, a poem, a song, a rant, a rave, a cursing, etc. Origami is the art of folding paper (the word is of Japanese origin). Or, it could be the creative juices of someone else I know - or don't know. So, within the folds of this particular blog feature you may find something really beautiful, meaningful or poignant.)

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Minnesota ain't sore at Favre, says Bob Viking of Portage. Neither was I.

My brother sent me this letter that appeared in the Wednesday, July 29 edition of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Reader views: Favre, the merits of Madison, dachshund-eating wolves

"Favre respectful of Minnesota's offer - Again the slams against Brett Favre from State Journal sports columnist Tom Oates. Put it to rest. Minnesota's not upset. Speaking as a former Minnesotan, we would have loved to have him, but he didn't sign. End of story, no drama hold out. It would have been great for Minnesota. I think your problem is rooted in the way Favre was mistreated by Packer general manager Ted Thompson. Since you don't want to blame Thompson, you've been on Favre's case since they booted him. Go back and see how he was mistreated by "your team." That's where the disgust is and will always be. Years from now all that will be remembered is him being kicked out of Wisconsin. Minnesotans wish him well. He didn't lead us on and he made a timely decision. The Vikings asked him to come, not the other way around, but he couldn't do it. End of story in Minnesota, but not in Wisconsin. Your team mistreated him and that's your state's legacy. Live with that forever. - Bob Viking, Portage

Well put, Bob Viking from Portage.

Personally, I took Favre not coming out of retirement and joining the Vikings as a selfless act. No? Won't give Favre that credit, eh? Brett's too much of a egotistical diva to be selfless? Funny - he wasn't selfish the 16 years he spent at Green Bay, helping to bring the Packers out of the doldrums of the 70's and 80's.

Favre stringing the Vikings along? Come on. Favre is friends with Minnesota Coach Brad Childress - Childress himself said Brett was honest the entire time they spoke about the possibility of Favre becoming a Viking. No hard feelings. And the Vikes pursued Favre.

I'm sure Brett thought about his legacy and the fact that if his body wouldn't hold up for an entire season he'd look foolish. But I'm not going to try and surmise what was going through Brett's head. You're the mind readers - I'll let you do that. But the Vikings were a perfect fit for him - maybe one of the best scenarios he could have EVER walked into. I believe Brett also considered the fact that if his body failed him, he'd also disappoint the team and Childress and Favre didn't want that either. Brett needed to start just two more games to surpass the all-time consecutive starts record (he holds the record for QB's). He could've added to the NFL records he already has. He could've made around $10 million. He could've played the game he loved and basked in the glory one more year. But he chose not to, that egotistical bastard.

Who's to say he doesn't change his mind halfway through training camp? Who's to say some QB goes down hurt and the Favre phone rings midway through the NFL season? I don't know. You don't know. Favre doesn't know. And so what if he does? Am I delusional? Is it possible that I can't be objective? Whatever. I feel good that I supported him through his departure from Green Bay, while he was playing with the New York Jets and while he is retired. Those of you who rip on Favre for being a diva, for being selfish, for being an egotist are the same people who are cheering that he didn't sign with Minnesota. Self-righteous bastards. Now who's selfish? If you disagree with me that's your problem, not mine. If your opinion of Favre has changed since he left Green Bay, that's your problem not mine.

Remember one thing - all Favre wanted to do was play the game he loved. He didn't kill dogs, shoot people, do illegal drugs, or cheap shot guys on the field. So hold it against him - that he wanted to just play ball. No one gave the game more. And he did it his way, no matter what the media or the fans or his critics said about him. Not sure how many times I heard, "Ircink, you were a Favre fan and not a Packer fan...don't ever cheer for the Pack again; you're a bandwagon fan". Fine. Then I don't wanna hear YOU ever praise Favre again. Matter of fact, I don't even want to hear the name "Brett Favre" come from your lips. 'Cause that would make you just as much of a fair weather fan of Favre's as you say I am of the Pack. While you languished since the Packer divorce, I relished in seeing Favre play one more season - and a pretty good season it was before he tore his bicep tendon. Talk of SB. You languished. Not me. Not once. You bitched and cried. I cheered.

Your problem - not mine. Or Brett's. So kiss my ass.

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Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. And a $65 million surplus.

Think what you may about West Virginia - backwards, hicks, inbred (well, people say that), third lowest in per capita income in the U.S., last in median household income, lowest proportion of adult population with a bachelor's degree, etc., etc. My aunt from Wisconsin moved there for a time because of her husband's job transfer. We visited them there...it's "Deliverance" country.

I suppose those hillbillies are having the last laugh now...with their 65 million dollar budget surplus and all.

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