Boski's Blogopoluza!

It has been awhile kids.


Well a lot has been going on since the last time I sat down and really blogged for you.

As you can see I have not been abducted by Finnish Secret Service, Time Warner Cable or became entangled in a pyramid scheme. However I would like to talk to you about Confederated Products. . . Maybe I will wait on that.


I have been struggling to figure out how to start this all over again and let you know what is going on. I have tried to sit down and do this at least 70 times, without turning this into a Steven King novel.


Let me just start off with 2007 sucked, from start to finish it sucked hard for the most part. 2008 has been better, but it has had some major suckage as well. So let me try to bullet point the highs and lows of the past year and half since I was writing to all of you good people (crickets):


My wife's mother passed away. Still tough to talk about.

Dealing with ADD and depression. I will talk about that at a later time as long as I don't make is sound pretentious.



I am on medication. All those years I used to joke about it and now it has happened. go figure. The medication has help but it does make me sweat more than I like. Let's say on some days I sweating like Dom Delouse


Gave up caffine, I don't know how I have made it this far.

Working on selling Better Half's Mom's home, which has been a huge undertaking. Nothing like selling a house when the market is tanking. Good times.


Did the Jimmy Carter Work Project in San Pedro CA, actually got to meet Mr. Carter briefly.


Been back to Vegas and it kicked ass. Nearly plowed into John Cleese at the Palazzo.


Let my hair go grey

From this:






To this:







Lost 25 pounds - Thanks to the meds I am on, getting my ass back to the gym and trying to eat better I have lost weight. I am not down to around 185. The scary thing is now I can bench press more now at 36, than I did when I was 18. The other sad thing is that # is 200 pounds. I "played" football and was an interior lineman and I could not bench more than 165 through out high school. My goal is to lift 225 so I finally declare myself eligible for the NFL Draft where I will be the first guy whose Wonderlick score and # of benching 225 combined will not be even half of my 40 time.




Finally have a BMW 3 Series, not happy how it came to us (it was the BH Mom car) also not happy that the car I really love and have been dreaming of owning runs on premium. Someone cue Alanis Morrissette.


Me and the Better Half are now the guardians of two desert tortoises, again you can guess from where. But we have taken them in, and enjoying it. Now just have to fix up the yard.

Sadly this guy may be moving away from us soon:




His family is looking for another home, since I think they maybe upside down on it, but I am no Chairman of the Fed. We do however hold out hope that they will leave him with us, but right now we are just trying to enjoy as much time as we can with him.



Well I became TimeWarner's prison bride. Our Tivo went teats up so we got a new one, an HD Tivo and we continued with out life time subscription. Doing that locks us in with Time Warner, but in standard TimeWarner Cable fashion they had to give us an extra box so we could run the On-Demand since the digital cable cards could not. Which ended up being a disaster and now they have raised the rates again and are charging us for both boxes. So it is good to see that in this world there are things you can depend on.


I have been moonlighting on the blogosphere, well actually have been hanging at another site pumping out witty sports and pop culture banter. FanIQ. I am there way more than I should, but I enjoy it. I can pick games and not lose money, I can talk about sports, play trivia. Hell I even do this with about 90% less of my poor writing.


Speaking of sports think in 2008 have gotten better. 2007 sucked for all my teams. But in 2008 I have seen my White Sox stumble out of the blocks and wobbling toward a repeat of '07 but then correct themselves and play some inspired baseball. Look I did not see this team playing this well this year and if they were I still thought they would be third behind the Pity Kitty's and the Casino Owners. Instead it the Sox trying to fight off the Twinkees. I know it only July so a lot can happen, but Ozzie again is showing why I love the crazy S.O.B. As for the Lakers well everything went so well right until they got clubbed like baby harp seals by the Celtics. I would have like to seen the Celtics play like that when in the day when they face Cromwell. As for football, well it may be a long year for the Broncos and Bruins, but then I not the greatest when it comes to prognostication.


Hey I spent a week on a horse - actually got back from that trip two weeks ago. I swear I will put the Snapfish link when my wife is done. But we spent a week in Bridgeport CA at a place called Hunewill Ranch. So now I can say I have punched some doggies.


I have become a watch addict during my sabbatical. I think this all started back in the summer of 2005 when I got upset over losing a Wenger watch that I really liked. I had always just wore a simple Swatch since forever, but after losing that watch I got a replacement that Christmas and began a trend. Right now I have not lost my head yet, but I do own a bitchin TAG Heuer Carreara watch. But I will build myself a watch army and rule the world.....



Lastly - something I did not want to have to confess to but I have an obligation to come out and tell you. I have become a bit of a . . . metro sexual. Look I am sorry but I finally got to a point in my life that I wanted to stop being the worst dress guy at the office. I realized that my days looking like a hobo are over. Now I have not gone all Ryan Seacreast and frosted my tips, but I know have a subscription to Esquire and GQ with the possibility of getting Details. I know, I know you may all be ashamed but it is who I am.



So that is all I have for you now. I am going to try to get back to blogging, well at least attempt to try.


Signed Management

I have been having a beeeaaattccchhh of a time composing the frist one. Also as it seems for all of us, as we try to start on work something we have been holding off or avoiding. Something or somethings comes along and keep you from it. Right now work and a family emergency are keeping me from terrorizing the blogging world.

Yes, I am going to give it another go. I have no clue what I am going to write or do here, but I am going to give it the old Community College half-assed effort.

But before I begin I would again like to extend a laurel wreath to English, syntax and grammar. I know I have hurt you all before and I don't butcher you for pleasure, I do it because I am not a bright man.

Signed,

Management

Just wanted to wish all three of you who have read this blog. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

It was just a e-mail that went astray.

The Blog O' Fun is going on hiatus, it may be short, or it may be forever. It is up to fates to decide.

There is a lot going on in my life and I have got to go and sort it out. I may not find the answers I want, but it will be progress from where I am at now.

So on the bright side I will be saving all of you who read this and the rest of the blogging world from the drivel that I can crank out. I think grammar and syntax and the respectable profession that is football wagering will be the better for it. You know it is tough blogging when you have a fatwa out on you from Strunk & White. It ain't easy folks.

So if this is it, I want to thank all of you that have stopped by and and inspired me by your wonderful works to keep going. I will also ask forgiveness to all the blogs that I have darkened with my comments. I have met some wonderful people during blogging journey, some that I have actually met in person. I have been at this blog longer than every job I have ever held but one. This is something I have enjoyed and really loved doing. Again I am not trying to sound maudlin here and I did say I may be back.

I do hope I have been able to provide a chuckle or two along the way, if so then it is so worth it.

Now I am not totally going "Into the Wild" on you, I may still be floating around here and there. Till then, I leave you with this A Not So Old Blogger who has Irish Roots' Blessing,

May former White Sox utility man Ross Gload always be there to greet you

May the blogging wind always be at the back of your hard drive

May you never be asked to deiced Dirk Benedict's best role; Starbuck or Face,

and may Tim Raines always play shallow in your outfields

And until we meet Conrad Bain again,

May Godzilla not smash you with the palm of his hand.

Well I have finally forced myself to sit down and type this out.

What has my extensive research has concluded is . . .

Some crazy ass crap is going to happen, but most of the usual suspects will be there at the end so let's take a look at the National Football Conference

East South

Dallas
Philadelphia
Washington
New York

South
New Orleans
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Atlanta

North

Chicago
Green Bay
Detroit
Minnesota

West
Seatlle
St. Louis
San Francisco
Arizona

AFC

East

New England
New York
Buffalo
Miami

South

Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Houston
Tennessee

North

Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Cleveland

West

San Diego
Denver
Oakland
Kansas City

NFC Wild Cards Philadelphia and Carolina
Conference Title Game: Dallas over Chicago

AFC Wild Cards Denver and Pittsburgh
Conference Title Game: New England over San Diego

Super Bowl XLII New England over Dallas

I plan to give more detailed explanation about these picks, but knowing me I will watch Week#1 and panic. So I reserve the right to make retractions and corrections.

Here are my picks for Week#1

Buffalo (+3) over Denver - Buffalo 27 - 14 (That ones for you Eric)

Houston (-3) over K.C. - Houston 24 - 9

Minnesota (-3) over Atlanta - Brain Brohm Watch starts today -Minnesota 27 - 17

New York (+6) vs. New England. Pats win, but the Jets keep it close 27 - 24

Philadelphia (-3) over Green Bay. Pack has made strides and will be close, but Eagles put them away late 28 - 21

Pittsburgh (-4.5) over Cleveland. Another horrible year starts yet again for Cleveland. Pittsburgh 34 - 17

Washington (-3) over Miami. I have a feeling that Trent Green will play like he did in K.C. Sadly I am thinking of Week#1 of last year. He is not going to make through this season. Washington 23 - 10

St. Louis (+1) over Carolina - Even though the Panthers have been able to contain the Rams at the Dome, they won't be able to do this Sunday. St. Louis 26 - 14

Oakland (-1.5) over Detroit. The Lane Kiffin Era begins with a win. Raiders 21 - 10

Seattle (-5.5) over Tampa Bay. Not the way Gruden wants to start the season since his job is on the line. Seahawks 30 - 20

Game of Day

San Diego (-6) over Chicago. Bad Rex stops by and hilarity ensues. San Diego 35 - 17

Dallas (-6) over New York. Sunday night is family night and do we need to show this slaughter. Dallas 28 - 13

Monday Night

Baltimore (+2.5) over Cincinnati. The Bengals will show their true stripes. No not prison stripes, just it can't play D. Baltimore 31 - 19

San Francisco (-3) over Arizona. They are who we thought they are, the Cardinals. San Francisco 31 - 24

All right I have to get some sleep.

FOOOTTTTBBAALLLL SEASON IS HERE!!


Yes, the NFL is back and I can truly put the festering wound that was Chicago White Sox baseball away.

So it begins tonight. I am doing my last minute research and I will present to you the world my illustrious picks.

(Crickets)

Tonight we have the World Champions opening at home (1st time in 4 years) vs. the Free Good Hit of 2006.

New Orleans at Indianapolis (-6) (OU 52)

Well it looks like the a dream matchup of two team that can go up and down the field, with defenses that are not spectacular. I do not see the same amount of fireworks that everyone expects. There will be flashes, but it will be more start stop.

Saints will win if:

Remind the Colts front seven exactly who Deuce McAllister is. The Saints will still give some exotic looks and try to spring some quick strikes, but they will take from the "How To Play The Colts Manual" and run 50 Gut, Counter Trey, Iso plays and then cut them down and open up the back side running that zone.

Keep the Colts out of 3rd and manageables. For most teams that is 3 and less than 4, but the Colts you can stretch that 3rd and 7. The Colts can nickle and dime you to death, but better than leaving yourself exposed trying to get to Manning on a blitz and snap you done 14 points and you have to throw. Drew Brees please meet Dwight Freeney.

Make plays on special teams. This is the area the Colts have issues. Other than Vinatieri they don't have great coverage teams and no one really know if Hunter Smith is in the NFL since he is seen less than the Loch Ness Monster.

Colts win

If they can actually focus on the game. How many times do you see a team celebrate their championship only to get waxed. The Colts are 48-16 at home since 99.

Doing the three step. Everyone seems worried about the Colts taking a Ugoh out on the open road. It won't be a problem, even with the Saints have great DE's. The Colts will try to run quick hitters and slow up the rush. If the Colts can do that and not have to bring Clark into block, they will maintain a huge advantage. The 3 WR's will be enough, but having Clark up the the seam will be deadly.

The best defense is a kick ass offense. Colt D is at it's very best when on the sideline. The Colts have the ability to get quick scores and also grind up with the short stuff. Which make a sorry D work. Last vs. the run, and since they were so bad it made their passing #'s look good.


Survey Says

Colts win but won't cover the -6. Even though the Colts have been 48-16 at home since 99. They are also 30-32-2 against the line at the Victrola Dome. The Saints 37-28 in that same period. Last three years they were 16-9 ATS on the road (throw out 05 and its 13-3) 14-7 (11-2 if you again throw out 05) as a road dog. As for the Over/Under the two team will come close, but not over.

I am hoping for a thrilling start, but it will be interesting for 3 Quarters and then the Colts grind down the Saints, who will get a late score to make it close.

Colts 28 Saints 24

P.S. Take the over on the number of not so sublet hints that John Madden wants to meet Brett Farve in bathroom stall at the Minneapolis Airport (Not that there is any wrong with that)

Today I sit here in my cube actually doing office labor. Well that was as of an hour ago. I have been prepping for another roto draft this weekend. I have already completed one. One, may I say, as the now defending champion. I have the Burger King Crown and Silent Bob Bobble head to prove it.

So what does "In Faud We Trust!" Have to look forward to in 2007

QB
Roethlisberger
Leftwich . . . . errrrrr Jason Campbell (Thanks Del Rio, I would not like to ask you do your best impression of the City of San Diego and go . . . .)

RB
Gore
J. Lewis
L. Betts
D. Rhodes (He will be very rested come Week 6)

WR
Harrison
T.J. Whoseyourdaddy
Evans
Stallworth
Hackett
K. Curtis
Hackett
Hard Hittin' Mark Witten

DEF

Oh Carolina, jump across

K

Mike "Not the Motor City Dumbass" Nugent


Let's see I have had to already release a QB. My top back is coming off a broken hand, one plays for the Browns, one may not be the starter depending on the health of Southside Jerome and one who suspended. I took way too many Wideout's. So I feel very confident about this season.

Right now I am trying to fine tune my NFL picks for 2007. I work hard on these things, so you will all have something to laugh and mock me about. Tomorrow more football that counts will be at hand. Let see what we have, in a sea of cupcakes will there be anything entertaining or shocking? Probably not too many, but let's see what we have:

Folks you heard it hear first.

Idaho will beat USC. Tell your friends and neighbors. I have done a great deal of studying on this game and the numbers I crunched and all I have read and heard lead me to the Vandals beating USC hands down.

They will beat USC off the field at half time and then beat USC to the buses, during halftime to avoid having to come out for a second half Marvis Frazier beating.

USC 35(-46) Idaho 0 Now if Idaho does sticks around for the 2nd half then it will be USC 73 Idaho 3

Wisconsin (-14) 23 Wash St 16 I think this one will be closer than expected

Arizona 28 BYU 26 - The Cats steal one at Provo

G.T. (+1) 23 Notre Dame 10 It is going to be a long year at South Bend. As long as Charlies Wies' litigation.

Mizzu (-4.5) 31 Illinois 20 - Tigers could be the surprise of the Big 12 North Division

Georgia 27 Oklahoma State 19 Cowboys get trimmed like the hedges at Athens

B.C.(-6) 31 Wake Forest 14 The Deacons come back to earth

Miami (-17) 48 Marshall, Marshall, Marshall 20

My Eric Upset Special

The Orange 20 Huskies 13

UCLA (-16.5) 23 Stanford 10 The Cardinal will cover because the Bruins O will still be a question mark, and Harabaugh finds out that this ain't D.III anymore

GAME OF THE WEEKEND

Cal (-6) 46 Tenn 23 Even as much as this pains me because this make the MIL in the Bay Area happy. The Bears are good and they will have the jug blowers on the ropes and exact some revenge. Making Fulmer feel like me and the Better Half did last year at this time while in the Bay Area.

Okay I am rolling out, I am off to go back to the sweat lodge that is my home. We live close to the ocean and we really don't need AC, expect for about a week or two. Well it happens to be in the middle of those two weeks.

But before a shove off.

Hey Time Blair Warner Is A Bitch Project Cable, you think by giving me ESPNU that this makes things square. HORSESHIT. You know what you have to do, so do it! Also we are not paying good money to have a crappy signal. You have already replaced the box and cable and our problem has returned. Time to time when we try to Tivo something there are points it craps out and is unwatchable. We checked the Tivo Box and it works, and how dare you speak ill of Tivo!

Look Time John Warner Retiring Cable you not only have me to worry about. The Better Half is as close as I am to storming your offices. You messed with her "So You Think You Can Dance" one too many times. But you probably don't care Stalin Warner Cable Gulag you just love counting your money, but I know you have issues. You think you can give me the song and dance that you cable service don't stink. But you A-holes can't keep up with demand because you are beyond capacity. And for your F'up that you are not going to really fix any time soone, we all pay. Why don't let me pick the channels I want and pay for that? No you can't do that because it may actually make the customers happy. Also it screw with your fleecing of your subscribers. I know you have to have your solid gold rocket cars and fund those trips to Bangok to do lord knows what.

Not to go off on too much of a tangent speaking of fleecing I found this article about what is being done with out tax dollars in Iraq. Even though it will not come as surprised to anyone, I still ask you not read it near anything you value. (thanks Crooks and Liars for pointing me to Rolling Stone, who knew they were still doing something relevant)

Okay you have all suffered enough today. Have a great Labor Day.

Yes, oh dear god yes. I can not get here soon enough.

If College Football was not starting this weekend I would need Animal Control to put me down since I would be feral.

Ever since June I have been reading what ever I could get my grubby little hands on glorious football. You name it: pro, college, betting and fantasy.

Here is a list of what I have read. To show you why the NFL should have a restraining order out on me and how shallow my life is:

Pro Football Weekly - NFL Preview & the Summer issues of Pro Football Weekly

SportingNews - NFL, College & Fantasy Previews

2007 Pro Football Prospectus & paying for it Player Projection Program

Athlon's NFL & College Previews

The Goldsheet College and Pro Preview

The Marc Lawrence Playbook - Football Handicappers Yearbook

Lindy's NFL Preview

Phil Steele College Preview, all 6 of the regional preview Mags and Pro Football (which I got for free, I should have gotten it for the money I laid out)

Street & Smith Pro Football Preview (the only one that has a CFL preview, so go heavy on the Argos this season)


So all in all I have laid out probably about $200 bucks. Yes, I am a loser. I just can help myself. I love collecting these things I have been doing this for a while. I have some going back to '89. When I finally got a grown-up job in '96 it became an addiction.

Secondly, I have always wanted to see if I could be football handicapabler instead of just a dude who gets park really close to things. For all the gambling stuff I look at, I don't do a lot of betting. Other than $5 a week office pool and a couple of squares at the Super Bowl, the last bet I made on a football game was September of last year. I know I have droned on about it in the past, but this fascinates me to no end. I have never had a desire to bet other sports, well except for Snooker and Monster Trucks. Hey if I am in Vegas I'll throw something on whatever going, but betting the Hawks to beat the Nets by 4 on a Tuesday in February holds no allure.

Coming Up:

The E! True Hollywood Story: The Great Spacecoaster

Here's a preview:

"Just as things seem to be going great, Gary Gnu was tumbling into $10,000 a week, hooker and blow binge that he thought it would last forever, or till Thursday. Sadly Gary's love of the White Lady and Ladies of the Night came all crashing down when Gary was arrested in Guam after using his shrimp fork to eat soup while driving. The authorities found .02% blood in his cocaine, but the cops and the world was rocked when they opened the trunk of his Suzuki Sidekick. hookers midget jugglers, alpaca's, Rollo's and Dick Cavet in drag.....

it tasted more like Guantanamo Rice.

L.A. in 1,000-year Earthquake Lull.

(Thanks or no thanks to Livescience.com via Yahoo News)

I read this and I feel that this is like talking about a no-hitter around the 5th inning.

Livescence.com I will come for you, if I survive!

So long you torture approving, domestic spying, political firing, obstructionist, douche bottle.

Please let the door hit your dumb ass on the way out.

Glad to see it but it looks like our next AG will be Micheal "The Gut" Chertoff. And as we can see with his stellar work with Homeland Security, we can expect more great Bush B.S.

I know I have not been chatting about baseball of late.



As a White Sox fan this weekend may be a low point. A point I have not seen since the late 80's. Which were the Dark Ages. Just imagine the world of Theodoric of York. This weekend is being swept by the Cubs bad, but the Red Sox treated us baby harp seals. I think Mr. Tobin puts it best with his recap. (Bugs and Cranks)

But things with baseball have not been a total loss of late.

Tuesday, thanks to my wife, we enjoyed the Anaheim Angels of Los Feliz, by way of Long Beach beat the tar out of the Yankees. The Better Half was beat from work, so we took off before watching Garrett Anderson collect his 10th RBI. But we enjoyed chilling in a Suite, at the Big A of Burbank.

Now I have been fortunate to have watch a NBA game from a Suite. Sadly that was Donald Sterling's Suite at the old Sports Arena which was great, if it was still the 60's and if one liked being as far away from the floor as possible.

I have been in one for a football game, which was alright, but since it was in San Diego I could not enjoy it. One being it was the Chargers, and two was spending most of the 2nd half worrying about when we need to go, so we would not be stuck in the parking lot at the Murph for days. I am sure there are worse parking situation at other stadiums, but San Diego has to be in the top 10. I mean I had trouble getting out of there for Padres game during the Fire Sale years.

Until this past week I had not done it at baseball game. Well that is not entirely true. I have eaten Prime Rib at the Dodgers Stadium Club for a game, which was surreal. And then there was the suites at the Big A. A friend of mine's dad company had a suite for one season, but they never returned the keys. And as we would find out they did not change the locks. So one Sunday afternoon during a Blue Jays/Angels tilt, we ventured to see if it would work. So we snuck to the club level (Oh the days of ticket upgrading, when it use to be a subtle art) Then a couple of us snuck into the section to see if there was anyone in the suite. After our recon, we tried the lock and we were in. Alright this is great we in a suite this is awesome and we are going to live large. Then it hit us. As we rummaged through the suite we realized that it was nearly bare. We did find something. We found condiments. No food, no drink, just condiments. And since we were all broke it began to take a shine off the suite. But we pooled our cash and got popcorn, which was to use on the condiments. A barbaric practice, I know and one I could not be a part of. I am still a little queasy thinking about relish on popcorn. The other item that made the suite more Sweet & Low was the level of paranoia we had that we were going to be rousted. So anytime there was a sound at the door we were all looking for cover like a Bush Appointee when asked a direct question. Thankfully we did not get caught.

We did try it one more time and it was pretty much the same as the first, well expect for the popcorn. We grew tired of it and realized that we should be with the people. Also they finally changed the lock. Even though it was not as cool as we hoped it was still fun since it was like the forbidden doughnut.

All of this leads me to Saturday Night where my wonderful wife obtained tickets for another suite and we were able to find friends and it was a great experience. Even thought the Suite was in the left field corner, it was still a great view of the field. We had decent food and plenty of drink. I got to catch up with some friend and repay others who have scored me tickets in the past. It was nice sitting in AC comfort, eating taquitos, watching the NFL Network, and talking sports with friends. You could not ask for more, you could but they are very strict about shooting fireworks from the suites.

I now have to get back to work and try to forget about the mess that is Chicago White Sox Baseball.

Drop the Lucky Lager!

Moose belching causing Global Warming! Great, so now I have to worry if Marty Moose from the Getalong Gang starts doing keg stands.

Mad!

The world has gone mad I tell you.

What's next? Juvenile delinquents are pelting the elderly with pork products.

Wait a second, sadly I do live in that world.

Thanks to Crooks and Liars

someone brought in Ginger Ale for our office lunch.

I know, I know, how am I even able to dress myself and even function? I ask that about myself many a day.

You see Ginger Ale is one of things you have on special occasion, or if your traveling. Sure it around and I could pick up at the store, but I always forget about it until someone brings it up. I think 4 of the last 5 times I have had Ginger Ale, it was on a plane. The fifth was at a wedding.

So to me it is the soft drink equivalent to an assembly day at school.

Finally went and saw the Simpson's Movie this last weekend. I have the heat to blame for it.

I enjoyed it, no surprise. What surprised me was how adult they went on some of the humor. Not that I did not find it funny, but just surprising. I was also surprised on the lack of cameos. Never the less it was worth it even though I think Hans Moleman did not get enough screen time, but I was happy to see Hollis Hurlbut get over a serious case of Jebeditis. I won't ruin it for you but Homer is Charles Kane's sled. True.

So if you have not seen it and you enjoy the Simpson's, then go see it. If you don't enjoy the Simpson's then you are on my list . . . just kidding then you should go see anything, except the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. Seriously Jason Lee, you are making money now. You do not have to take everything they offer. Now if you want to see the movie, but you have been forbidden to see it by your father. Then I advise you to avoid trying to read the Mortimer Adler's novel the movie is based on. You will just have to wait 40 years and become a Supreme Court Justice, mmmmm Warren Burger mmmmmmm aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr!