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Matt C and Evan: Nathan and I were talking last night, and we need a road trip to Chicago in the spring. No wife and kids in tow, no marathons to run. Just hanging out for a long weekend in a different environment. Good friends, good conversation, good food, good beer. Sound like a plan to you two?
Jay
- Saturday, December 02, 2006 at 10:47:57 (PST)

You know me, Jay, I'm always down for a good time. Let me know when you'll be around and we can plan accordingly. Hopefully I'll have some gigs booked around then, too. Keep me posted.
Evan
- Sunday, December 03, 2006 at 21:27:55 (PST)

Forum has been archived
Nathan
- Sunday, December 03, 2006 at 22:15:32 (PST)

Thanks, Nathan!
Evan
- Monday, December 04, 2006 at 10:35:06 (PST)

Yeah, it'd be great to have you two up for a visit! Plenty of room here at my pad, as you know.
matt c.
- Monday, December 04, 2006 at 18:40:25 (PST)

wow! what a great plan! Jay and Nate, I want you to know that I am in! I've been wanting to get up there for ages!----- I mean, can I come too?
bob
- Tuesday, December 05, 2006 at 15:24:24 (PST)

BBB: While I can't volunteer anyone else's living quarters, I say HELL yeah! Now that Loserfest is gone, I think we need to schedule a protracted guy weekend as previously described. And what better locale than Chicago, where we can see Matt and Evan. Maybe even catch a Sox or Cubs game. Eat some good bratwurst washed down by good beer, and I know Matt can recommend good eats in his hometown. Catch a gig by Evan. Visit some of the city's world class museums. I'm begging Mariah to let Jeff come. Without her, of course. And I would have to sneak off to see Kristin Carlson. But the rest would be a true man's weekend.
Jay
- Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 07:04:08 (PST)

manlaw?
bob
- Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 17:12:27 (PST)

Today, I thoroughly enjoyed a bag of "Fiery Hot Cheetos" and wiped the lion's share of the firey, cheesey residue from my fingers. I then thought to my self man those are pretty spicy. About 20 minutes later I unthinkingly stepped into the restroom...

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to seem nonchalant in a public restroom as you are trying to get some wet paper towels to wash the burning chemical residue off of your business.

Those things should come with a warning label.

Nathan
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 15:03:14 (PST)

NEHW, I'll alert my tech writing colleagues immediately. In fact, I can post your story to a discussion list right now. What's your phone number? Someone will need to interview you--and report it back to the discussion list.

Thanks for the loserhumour.
Russ W
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 15:55:59 (PST)

Russ,

I think it really should be a public service marketing campaign with Chester Cheetah moaning in pain as he grabs his croch saying,"it really ain't easy being cheesy when your privates is burning..."

But Perhaps there is some potential for a white paper.

Nathan
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 16:11:15 (PST)

I think there was a story on NPR a while back about those hot cheetos.

They are the #1 junk food of choice at elementary schools as they make kids extra nuts or something. Some schools have banned those cheetos like drugs or weapons. I'm not making this up.
Baggett
- Thursday, December 07, 2006 at 19:54:01 (PST)

I heard that same story on NPR, Baggett. I can attest, you are NOT making it up!
Scott F
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 07:46:15 (PST)

Lord, save us from the fiery cheetos of hell. For lo the do make our children wild and inflame us in places we would rather not be inflamed.

Amen

Pope Loserno
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 10:43:47 (PST)

Friday, 12-8-06
I just clicked on this myself. Looks legit. My feelings won't be hurt if you pass on it.

Today, Bristol-Myers Squibb, the pharmaceutical
monolith that charges nearly $1,000 for a 30 day
supply of one of its HIV/AIDS medications, is donating
$1 to the National AIDS Fund for each person who
simply visits their website and "virtually lights a
candle." The tally is over 1 million now.

Please, please take a minute to "light a candle":
http://www.lighttounite.org
Russ W
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 14:22:52 (PST)

http://www.noradsanta.org/

For your holiday enjoyment.

Nathan
- Friday, December 08, 2006 at 18:05:02 (PST)

Nate, I have a simiilar chemical crotch-burn story to tell. One time, lo these many years ago, I was spending a winter Saturday with my girlfriend at the time, Tri. We were starting to get hungry, so I started a batch of my famous home-made-from-scratch blackeyed peas. I didn't have any serranos or jalapenos in the house, but someone had given me some fresh habaneros. I figured, what the hell? I cut them up, put 'em in, set the pot to a low simmer, washed my hands, and snuggled up next to my girl....

Lessons learned:
(1) In a large pot of peas, ONE hab. pepper and ONE only is MORE than adequate to achieve the right level of fire.
(2) Washing one's hands carefully with soap and water is NOT adequate to remove the residue.
(3) Engaging in sexual activities, especially foreplay involving one's hands, before ALL of the residue has worn off leads to the most painful blisters I have ever experienced anywhere on my body. And Tri's too, according to her report. One word: OWWWWWWWWW!!

Once we got out the Neosporin and the immediate pain was lessening, and we had some of the food and some beer, our senses of humor about the whole thing kicked in. She's Indian, so the spicy-ness of the peas just reminded her of her mother's cooking. All's well that ends well, but I have learned my lessons.
matt c.
- Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 11:56:25 (PST)

Well, Matt, at least you had someone to be miserable with. It amazing how fast you can go from inflamed with passion to just well inflamed.

Nathan
- Saturday, December 09, 2006 at 16:25:17 (PST)

If it will bring conversation back to the forum as a Christmas present to all we can declare a moratorium on capcacin(pepper) genital contact stories.

Nathan
- Monday, December 11, 2006 at 19:32:09 (PST)

Not before I get mine in. So I'm in my first year of college, living at home with my folks and attending Kilgore Jr. College aka Harvard on the Highway. Brian Blair, in his SECOND senior year of high school, had dropped by for a visit. We're were heading out that evening to do something. Can't recall what, but no doubt it included hair metal bands and excluded women.

So I hop in the shower, get out, and get dressed. About a minute later I feel this burning sensation down there. It goes from a tingle to a FLAME in about 10 seconds. Brian's kinda puzzled at first, then starts laughing his rear off.

I begin yelling at him, "You rubbed Icy Hot in my underwear while I was in the shower, didn't you?!", thinking he'd pulled that old locker room trick. He's laughing so hard he can barely speak, but emphatically declares his innocence.

I run back into the bathroom, strip down, douse my privates with cold water, and return to further chew out a laughing Brian. He continues swearing his innocence, and strangley I start to believe him.

Turns out when I was getting into the shower, I had thrown my underwear directly on top of one of those scented magic mushrooms my mom kept in the bathroom. It soaked up deodorizing chemical while I took my showerk, which were later transfered to my shame.

Self-inflicted wound, but a funny story for the Loserpage lo these many years later.
Jay
- Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 07:17:32 (PST)

On last night's Simpsons, Marge & Homer fight over why Marge is allowing a homeless man to remain a guest in their house.

Homer: "Marge, why is he still here?"
Marge: "Christian charity."
Homer: "Marge, I don't understand what a porn star has to do with this."

What can I say, the show's still got it.
Jay
- Monday, December 18, 2006 at 06:55:33 (PST)

Greetings from the North Pole...I mean, Denver.

The main roads are pretty travel-able now. The airport is starting limited flight operations. I was THIS close to getting called in for National Guard duty, but because I was at my parents' place on the opposite site of Denver from all my gear at home, my platoon sergeant put me at the back of the line for call-up, and I never got the call.

Officially, they're saying somewhere around 29 inches of snow fell between midnight Tues/Wed and about noon on Thursday, making it roughly the 4th worst blizzard to hit Denver since they've been keeping records.

I gotta get a Jeep.

Happy Chranzanakkuh, all! :D
Don
- Friday, December 22, 2006 at 17:37:52 (PST)

I want to wish everyone a happy Festivus on this Festivis Eve.

Now for the airing of greviences - I gotta a lot of problems with all you people...
Nathan
- Friday, December 22, 2006 at 20:27:20 (PST)

Merry Christ Mass to everyone.
Or happy/merry whatever you happen to do or hold dear.

Ok Nathan, I'll bite:
"I gotta a lot of problems with all you people"
Yo, what's you got with me? (said in my best Rocky voice)
Rob Eby
- Monday, December 25, 2006 at 10:13:02 (PST)

Well now that Festivus is over you really can't expect the airing of grievances.

So I'll just wish everyone an early happy St. Stephan's Day and hope you've got 2 turtledoves for your true loves.
Nathan
- Monday, December 25, 2006 at 11:36:32 (PST)

Merry Christmas from Abilene. Boy, they really spruced up the ACU campus in honor of the centennial.

Saw Steve and Wendy Gist at church yesterday. They had twins (Andrew & Anne Marie) about 4 months ago; everyone is well, but understandably tired.

Glad you're OK, Don. We flew through Denver last Tuesday, before the storm hit. We count ourselves fortunate.
Russ W
- Monday, December 25, 2006 at 19:44:53 (PST)

Farewell, Pres. Ford. Farewell also to the Godfather of Soul.
Russ W
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 09:02:25 (PST)

Happy Holidays from Arlington, TX. Hope everyone is well. Lucy, Ian, Riley and I are doing great. We're busy all the time, but with good things.

We'd love to see some folks some time. Any chance for a Loserfest this year?

Russell B
- Friday, December 29, 2006 at 21:13:28 (PST)

Russell B. - Good to hear from you.

Russell W. - Congrats to BSU! That's one huge win for BSU, Idaho, the non-BCS conferences, etc. Relish the victory.

To all - So I'm watching HBO in my hotel room the other night and on comes a 2 hour stand up comedy show. Filmed in front of 18,000 people who absolutely loved the comedian. Dane Cook. Can someone explain this to me? I found him long winded and entirely unfunny. Only amusing part involving him heckling a heckler (Michael Richards should take lessons from Dane). I guess I'm just out of touch, but honestly wasn't the least bit entertained by Mr. Cook.
Jay
- Tuesday, January 02, 2007 at 06:46:41 (PST)

Thanks, Jay. Oh yes, we relish this. The wheels will come off this thing at some point, but it's nice to be undefeated and champs of the Fiesta Bowl.

I've seen Dane Cook on SNL a couple of times, and his monologues have been pretty good. But 5 mins is a lot shorter than 2 hours.
Russ W
- Tuesday, January 02, 2007 at 13:50:40 (PST)

Jay--

Jen and I caught his special several months ago, and thought he was great for about the first half hour- 45 minutes. After that, he got pretty stale pretty quick. We unfortunatley told her sister and husband how funny he was, having just watched the begining, and they then caught it, and had the same impression we did. He evidently is "the hardest-working man in show business," having been the first person (if memory serves me correctly) since Steve Martin to have a number 1 album be a stand-up routine. Also has travelled everywhere playing any lounge that will have him, and finally parlayed it into the big-time. Never have watched his little show on HBO, though.
Bianco
- Wednesday, January 03, 2007 at 04:49:04 (PST)

Damn right, Russell, let's get a fest together. If we are going to do one we need to start planning now.

Nathan
- Wednesday, January 03, 2007 at 22:13:34 (PST)

All male loserdom. Guy weekend is on. Chicago, April 12-15. Several of us will be arriving at O'Hare around 8:30 p.m. that Thursday night and commuting to Matt C.'s together. Likewise, we're leaving O'Hare mid-afternoon on Sunday.

If you are coming and interested in a Cubs game, let me know quickly. I will begin the process of getting us Cubs tickets soon.
Jay
- Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 07:12:58 (PST)

i love chicago, especially the little neighborhood watering hole where our scholastic friend tends drunks. the cubs, well, suck, and therefore so should there fans. i should fit right in.
jlc
- Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 23:44:45 (PST)

Any thoughts about the State of the Union speech? I didn't catch it, but would be interested in commentary.

Al Gore was here on Monday. Gave his presentation on global warming to an arena full of people. He's marshalled a lot of evidence, to be sure. He ran long (almost 2 hours), but it's hard to hear any of it without thinking that we can and must to better, in big and small ways.
Russ W
- Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 22:38:34 (PST)

I'ven been absent from this page for quite some time. I'm not exactly sure why but I have. Guess I'll make an effort to catch up on some of these posts I've missed but I'm not sure how far back I'll actually make it.

The main reason I thought to come around is to announce that our family (me, Kobbi and little Journey) are expecting an addition in August. We're all excited and everything is going great. I keep telling Kobbi that she's going to have twin boys and we're going to name them George and Lucas but she ain't into that idea. I guess it's not a debate to have until someone medical actually says we're having twins. Then, I'll start working on her.

Anyway, there you go. Anyone else got anything to announce?
Brian Blair
- Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 22:46:55 (PST)

Jay,

I'm with you on this Dane Cook thing. As you well know, I'm a big fan of comedians and even did a little stand up myself for awhile. So, when I was discussing stand up with some friends, they started talking about how funny Dane Cook is and said they'd loan me a CD.

Sitting there listening to the disc, I wondered where the jokes were. I heard him getting laughs but I just didn't feel like I should be laughing, too. The way I see it, he's a personality comic. By that I mean that he sells his material on personality, rather than thought out punchlines. Other examples of this would be Andrew Dice Clay and Larry The Cable Guy. He sells his jokes more with his presentation than with any real wit he's included. Now, I fully agree that presentation is one of the key ingredients in stand up but I tend to prefer a comic that writes material that makes me wish I'd come up with it.

Honestly, about the funniest thing I've seen from Cook is his bit about You Tube. That I found to be clever and worthy of a bit but most of the rest of his material tends to be built around him being hip and throwing out catch phrases.

Give me Bill Hicks, Brian Regan, Eddie Izzard and a number of others, any day.
Brian Blair
- Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 22:59:12 (PST)

bill hicks rulz.
bush did all right. as well as could be expected. he even achieved (albeit rhetorically forced) a standing ovation when he asked the congress to support the troops "both those in combat and those on their way". what could they do? no one wanted to be seen sitting that ovation out. more interesting than anything was pelosi who looked quite silly. clinton looked horrible. way too much makeup. every prez candidate was shown sleeping or yawning. and one bush invite was giving flashin gang signs to a bemused prez.
jlc
- Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 15:43:24 (PST)

Congrats Brian & Kobbi.

Yeah...George and Lucas is pretty weak.

Maybe George and Jefferson.
Baggett
- Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 20:02:02 (PST)

Congrats, Blairs. I trust you will pick a suitably musical name for the child or children.
Russ W
- Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 14:35:33 (PST)

R.I.P., Molly Ivins--a real Texas original.
Russ W
- Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 22:15:35 (PST)

Well, to hell with that PA hog; here in texas I did not see my shadow.

BTW, happy b-day chicago boy.

texas groundhog
groundhog
- Friday, February 02, 2007 at 05:44:35 (PST)

H B-day as well to that Georgia boy in College Station.
other groundhog
- Friday, February 02, 2007 at 09:05:16 (PST)

Thanks, groundhog! This other groundhog was way too damned busy with bar-work and research to take a good look for his shadow (sorry, Cookie! I know I still have stuff of yours to read! I'll get there soon!). I can't wait to have this degree finished.
matt c.
- Monday, February 05, 2007 at 12:39:40 (PST)

Individual game tickets for the Cubs go on sale Friday, February 23. If you're going to Chicago in mid-April and want in for the planned game on April 13, let me know.
Jay
- Monday, February 05, 2007 at 14:56:01 (PST)

my participation in the men-only chicago trip will be a game-time decision. i would have preferred to announce sooner, and actually did privately, but i am now involved in a custody dispute which almost immediately requires a down payment.

exclude me from the cubs tickets. should i go, i dont mind sitting by myself. alone i am in good company.
jlc
- Tuesday, February 06, 2007 at 22:50:15 (PST)

I'm officially out. Too close to the due date for me to be further than a quick car ride away. I do love a guy's trip and hope to make the next one, wherever it may be located. Would be great if it included golf clubs next time...
Bianco
- Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 05:02:19 (PST)

I'm in for the game. I'll check with Sis and see if she wants to go as well.
Evan
- Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 14:58:12 (PST)

A good friend of mine is (believe it or not) on the production team of The Guiding Light at CBS. Yesterday they ran an episode that was not an episode, but a documentary of the cast's and crew's work rebuilding several homes in Mississippi that were destroyed by Katrina. I haven't been able to make my web browser play the video (frustrating!) but it is up on the website (cbs.come) if you want to take a look. My friend's name is Rich Murray.
matt c.
- Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 10:51:02 (PST)

Jay--

Good luck to you and your Pop this weekend. Sure wish I could be down there with you.

Bianco
- Friday, February 16, 2007 at 05:08:44 (PST)

Dad did great. Just over 2 hours, and would've been sub-2 if not for a potty break or two. He's going to try again next year with a goal of breaking 2:00:00.

This is the second half in a row I've run for fun and really enjoyed myself. You can take in the course, the site, and the crowd better when you're not sweating your time every single mile.

One word of caution for you, though, if you till want to BQ. Don't come to Austin. They've completely re-routed the course and it's hilly and hard. Not St. Louis hard, but not too far behind. It's going to lose its identity as a fast course, apparently by design.
Jay
- Monday, February 19, 2007 at 07:15:06 (PST)

ahh, runner's speak. my closest link to actually running a marathon or any fraction thereof has to come to me in such a completely symbolic way...but hope springs eternal! I post as a 160lb 36 y/o who has regained the eye of the tiger-- albeit not yet the legs.
and the chitown trip! although still apparently out of reach, I have this nagging optimism that I will in fact be present, there and then. it's that hope spring again!
and the next item up for bids: I wanted to announce it here first. I have written many good songs and a few great ones. but, as passionately as I may feel about my children, it would be wrong of me to say that I had composed the most beautiful song ever written... after all, there is this one Cole Porter tune that deserves that distinction. my own, "Just So You Know," will probably go down in history as only the second most beautiful song ever written. I wanted all of loserdom to learn this first, just so you know.
later,
bob
- Friday, February 23, 2007 at 21:32:48 (PST)

Okay, Cubs fans. We can now purchase single game tickets, albeit no more than 6 seats at a time. For Friday, April 13, cheapest seats are about $28 with fees. For Saturday, April 14, cheapest are about $20 with fees. Either game is fine with me.

Problem is, I still don't know for sure who's in. Correct me if I'm wrong, but only definites for Chicago trip are me, Art, Nate, and Matt C. Evan most likely.

Likely but uncommitted are Cook and BBB.

Matt Miller and Troy are considering it, as is Mike Miller.

Did I miss anything or anyone?

I suppose if I don't hear anything soon, I'll just purchase 6 tickets to either Friday or Saturday's game and we'll divy up as necessary.

Jay
- Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 07:33:08 (PST)

Hey Jay, are these day or night games? I'll still need to work much of the time that y'all are here, and I'm behind the bar at 9 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.... Friday is the easier shift to get covered, so can we aim for a Friday game?
matt c.
- Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 11:13:56 (PST)

Wow, sounds like this could be a fun weekend. I'm game for whatever day works best for Matt and the rest of you. Who are the Cubbies playing that weekend? What kind of seats are we talking about? I look forward to a romping good time as I finally get to visit the friendly confinds.......
Evan
- Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 22:14:41 (PST)

this might well have gone in the 'faith' section. saturday i received notification that a summary judgment was ordered against me for failure to appear at my divorce hearing. this is especially curious as id never received any notification of the hearing, and the document professed to have sent me certified mail to an address of which id never heard. more startingly because for the last two months ive been begging my x to send something to end the damn thing. well she sent them--purposefully to the wrong address--with the express intent of disenfranchising me as a citizen, limiting my access to the courts, and to bolster her claim that i have abandoned my child, the contrary to which is evinced that without court order ive sent around $9000 and traveled 6000 miles twice to see her. this is total fraud on her part, and now i have to petition the court to throw out the "verdict".

needless to say, even though i have the law (and right, and god) on my side, this has produced huge (needless) emotional stress; however, the more she is herself and the more i am myself, eventually her victim-status will even wear thin with her own family. ive done nothing but give, and she has done nothing but promise to be fair while abusing the court system. even as a long-term strategist, and even knowing i will win, and even knowing if she hoodwinks the court system temporarily still my daughter will have proof that her mother for no reason attempted to prevent her from having a relationship with her father; even knowing i will in the end have a beautiful relationship with my daughter, still, it is emotionally draining.

i ask for prayers.
jlc
- Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 23:07:06 (PST)

Hey, Chicago-goers (Chicagoers?),

I'm tentatively in for the trip...have to juggle some days off, but it should be doable. I might have to come in Friday instead of Thursday, but we shall see.

Don
- Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 16:27:53 (PST)

Wow, jlc. I don't know what to say. I hope God will be with you and give you what you need.

PS--Sophia, who had brain surgery last week, still needs prayers. The surgery went very well, but she is facing many serious challenges right now.
Russ W
- Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 19:06:45 (PST)

with you jeff
Baggett
- Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 21:00:18 (PST)

If you find this trivial, skip over it.

I stumbled across some old posts in the archives a while back.

Most of my writings are just damn embarrassing.

I guess I was some kind of right-wing evangelical asshole. Who knows.

I don't know what I am anymore. But I'm sure as hell not like those old posts.

These past 2+ years have been a real desert-type period in me and my family's life. It hasn't been all rosey or "success" story material, but a lot of things within me have changed for the better. Too much to explain here, I'm sure.

To all, and especially Matt, and maybe Jef and Nate, forgive me. I'm still a work in progress.

Thanks.

Baggett
- Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 21:21:21 (PST)

JLC, you're all in our prayers.

As for Chicago logistics: Matt C., both are day games. Friday works fine for me, and sounds like it would be easier for your schedule.

Evan, both games are against the Reds. At those prices, for either game, the seats are nose bleed seats along the foul poles. Less money on seats = more money for hot dogs and beer, at least in my book.

If I don't hear differently by tomorrow, I'll go ahead and get 6 seats for the Friday game at $28 each. Looks like that will be for me, Matt, Nate, Evan, Arthur, and a sixth person yet to be determined.
Jay
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 06:37:34 (PST)

Hey Baggett, I don't know what you're apologizing for, dude. Lively debate and verbal fencing are good for the brain, and a lot of fun too. I can't recall you ever posting anything that would rise to the need for an apology or even to embarrassment on your end (although I know the feeling: I looked back at some of the archives and cringed at some of the rhetorical absurdities that I indulged in). Just look at the old posts as documents of a period of your life that you've transitioned out of.

Naturally I'm in the dark about your "desert-type period," but I'm glad that whatever that was about is coming to a close, my friend.
matt c.
- Monday, February 26, 2007 at 10:42:57 (PST)

jlc, keep us posted...many prayers to you.

Baggett, I'm glad things are on the upswing.

On a lighter note, re: the Dane Cook "what's-the-big-deal?" posts of some weeks back, _The Onion_ nails it:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/dane_cook_parlays_new_burger_king

I'm more of a John Pinette/Mitch Hedberg (RIP)/Eddie Izzard guy myself, but to each his own.

Don
- Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 18:19:59 (PST)

An old friend from our ACU daze has tracked me down on the internet. And thanks to the good folks at Stick Enterprises, we've made contact.

Robert Neblett is alive and well in Dallas. He has a new theater group which is opening a production tonight:

http://inevitabletheatre.blogspot.com/
Baggett
- Friday, March 02, 2007 at 09:25:07 (PST)

Brian,

Thanks for the Neblett update. Glad to see he's doing well. Saw your kids' latest pics on Angela's blog; you must be a very proud dad.
Russ W
- Friday, March 02, 2007 at 11:50:21 (PST)

So, my big second interview today turned out to be nothing more than a fancily wrapped pyramid scheme. I spent the day wandering around downtown Joliet (home of Jake Blues and a good chicken parm sandwich) with a cheesy suit-wearing, bag-toting junior college flunky going business to business while he tried to sign up new clients for the Office Supply Company he represents. Not my bag at all. So, I'm back on the hunt. Let the razzing begin.
Evan
- Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 20:24:00 (PST)

I've started a blog. Please stop by for a read.

http://johnnyfmc.blogspot.com/
matt c.
- Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 11:41:25 (PST)

I'm in for Chicago. See y'all in a few weeks!
Don
- Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 20:00:27 (PST)

on the legal front: yesterday the summary judgment against me was overturned. a new date will be set and with both parties present a more equitable outcome is probable. as this sounds like good news, consider the following: that the day after i was awarded a fair day in court, i was approached for a settlement. all should believe this offer of settlement is in good faith. please pray that the papers get signed. further, thankfully darby has moved on from american cheese to cheerios. god bless cheerios.
jlc
- Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 21:56:53 (PST)

if they think bill clinton is the comeback kid, wait till they get a load of me.

(that is, team cookie--you know who you are.)
jlc
- Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 21:59:20 (PST)

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY, LOSERS!

Perhaps this weekend's sacred import is too fine an occassion on which for me to make this announcement, but, while I still have it, I would like you all to know that I got a job.

A good job. A job that uses all of my specialized expertise and compensates me fairly. The ironic details only underscore the fact that it was in God's hands all along, and I am most grateful.

So, HAPPY EASTER too! Thanks for your prayers. Now, if you don't mind, just modify them to: "Please God, let Bob keep his job."

later,
bob
- Friday, April 06, 2007 at 13:26:47 (PDT)

Congrats, BBB. I know how much you needed that.

"Please God, let Bob keep his job." Amen.

Russ W
- Friday, April 06, 2007 at 19:36:01 (PDT)

I've already announced that the wife and I are expecting child number two. The next logical announcement is the gender and we're proud to say there's another man being added to the Loser roll call.

If you're interested, here's a video Kobbi shot of our daughter, Journey, discussing the ultrasound photos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZdwEuK2kK4.

Brian Blair
- Monday, April 09, 2007 at 09:34:17 (PDT)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=57842105

Apparently is the URL for Evan the Christian's Myspace (his space). The songs, "Get Back Home, Drama Queen, Late Night Blues, and Gasoline...."

[say that in meter and it rymes nicely]

They are all fantabulously supergreat, and that is coming from a guy who has never, ever, described anybody's music as fantabulously supergreat before-- but his IS.

It is also very cool of Evan the Christian to share these songs with the world, in full length form, without charge-- a sure sign of an unsigned Christian.
bob
- Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 15:00:10 (PDT)

please do not imagine that my penchant for poor puns portends anything less than genuine admiration and high expectations for Evan Christian's work
bob
- Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 15:11:51 (PDT)

Nice work, BBlair. Congrats on the next little one.

The video of Journey is very cute. Here's another: Journey sings Kiss. She gets a little help from Dad, but she clearly knows the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKD9eglmQ4Y

Russ W
- Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 19:41:13 (PDT)

Yes, there's a video of my daughter sining KISS' classic "Beth" on You Tube, as well. The story behind that is, when she was born, I tried singing lullabies to her but realized I didn't know too many of them all the way through. I decided that, since she didn't know what I was saying, she would be content with whatever song I sang. That led to me singing her "Beth." Over time, she learned it and started singing along.

For the coming son, I may work on some power ballads from Bon Jovi or Def Leppard.

Brian Blair
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 10:46:52 (PDT)

Obviously, you know, you're the parent, not me. But haven't you been preparing your daughet to sing some ....what was that band's name that was started when Neil Schon and Greg Rolie left Santana and formed it .... and eventually got that guy with a real high voice to sing... what was it called? Anyway, maybe your daughter should learn to sing some of (whatever their name was) songs for her brother!
bob
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 11:46:54 (PDT)

Still planning a Chicago losersummmit?
Russ W
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 22:27:07 (PDT)

Losersummit is on. Begins tonight, ends Sunday.
Jay
- Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 06:17:58 (PDT)

I'm sure all of us are sending thoughts and prayers for the Virginia Tech community. One of my good friends from grad school teaches there, as does one of my former professors. They are safe, thank God, but the whole VT community has been shaken profoundly, to say the least.

Life is fragile, and short.
Russ W
- Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 09:01:11 (PDT)

How was Chicago, oh men of loserdom?
Russ W
- Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 23:20:44 (PDT)

Russ, it was great fun. You were missed. And Shaun was a huge hit. Heck, we all want to go back just to hang out with Shaun again. One heckuva PhD.
Jay
- Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 04:24:53 (PDT)

I'm glad you guys got to hang out with Shaun. He's a great guy, indeed, a perfect addition to the Midwest Loserdom. I hated not being there, but being back in Abilene is good for me, as much as I hate to admit it.
Evan
- Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 12:51:58 (PDT)

dude, it's four twenty! waasuup? hadda job till yesterday. guy was paranoid tho. canned me without ever giving me a chance to learn what he wanted from me. total bummer! but, hey, I impressed somebody enough to hire me, so I oughta be able to persuade somebody else to... right?

I join those mourning for the innocents at Virginia Tech. Frankly, it seems to me that we should include all of the victims, their families, and even the mentally ill shooter in those same prayers. Many lessons will be drawn from these events. It seems to me that when you go to the trouble and concern to declare someone in a court of law to be an imminent danger to himself or others, outpatient treatment is an inappropriate option. That's a fucked up system to do otherwise, and I sure hope public scrutiny focusses primarily on that point-- instead of declaring martial law on college campuses.

Forgive my rant, but I think this whole society's ignorant reaction to 9-11 is an instructive analogy here. Federal Law enforcment didn't act on information it had pointing to the perpetrators in advance, and the pourous, legal immigration system was utterly inneffective at screening or monitoring for terrorist infiltrators. Focussing on the defective system that was already in place, and enforcing existing law in a practical way was THE way in which we could have made America safer. Instead.....(somebody else can fill in the blank here)

Thought about yall in Chi-town. Must've been great.i wish it wouldve worked out for me...but...another day, another dozen job applications.

Evan, you should someday, write song about canabalizing an Arab named "Ali." Then, someday, when you're ready, call it "Evan chew Ali."

Sorry, losers. but I claim the right of the unemployed to prattle on for the mere sake of attention.

Tonight, it will give me great pleasure to perform with an excellent young guitarist from Columbia named Jose Luis. The youngster is studying music composition at TCU and we crossed paths at a point before he has received the recognition that he deserves. Of course, they don't just give out full music scholarships to just anybody-- so maybe he already suspects somethin' is up. But he doesn't show it. Anyway, tonight I will have the luxury of shedding the 6 string and concentrating on vocals; because Jose Luis can fluently play anything I put in front of him. Someday I will even let him play "Evan chew Ali!" But tonight, it's standards, baby!

come to Panther City Coffee House in Ft. Worth (and tip me--- and Jose Luis!!!!!!!!!) Please!

Dude, it's four-twenty!
bob
- Friday, April 20, 2007 at 11:26:28 (PDT)

Matt's report on the Loserquorum in Chicago. I meant to do this earlier, but it's been a crazy week.

Travel happened.

Baseball was watched.

Pizza was eaten. (Good, cheap pizza too!)

German food was eaten (you'll have to get a report from the others on this one, as I was at work at the time, but it's an amusing story).

Beer was consumed. And shots of whiskey. And some Rusty Nails. I'm sure you get the picture.

Art drunk-dialed his wife. Hilariously. I mean, really, if you're going to drunk-dial or -text anyone, it's probably best that it's your wife and not any number of other people in your life. I tried to stop him, but it didn't work. He had a death-grip on his phone.

Everyone was introduced to my lovely place of employment, the Woodlawn Tap. I love that bar....

My apartment acquired that college-house-with-fifteen-people-living-in-it feel that we all recall from the Alamo and the Projects. My cats were not amused.

Many hours of visiting, exploring, walking (it's what we do here).

It was great. Let's do it again sometime when I'm not so poor, and I can take some time off work. Thanks for coming to see me, fellas.

Hey Nate, Don -- pictures?
matt c.
- Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 11:10:16 (PDT)

you know on the late show with letterman? i like "great moments in presidential speeches".
can't get enough.

this is a good one too from countdown with keith o.

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=939b00bd-a012-463e-a119-a7ae0259939b&f=00&fg=email

Evan
- Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 11:41:51 (PDT)

Here's a Slate column on Gonzales' recent Senate testimony. It raises the question, Was his testimony so bad that it was actually brilliant?

http://www.slate.com/id/2164751?nav=ais

Very interesting. It really gets to the heart of the power of the executive branch, and what it does or does not mean for Congress to provide oversight.
Russ W
- Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 19:04:35 (PDT)

Russ, that's a fascinating article. Thanks for posting it.
matt c.
- Monday, April 23, 2007 at 07:20:57 (PDT)

Wow! it was a slow forum news week... what with so much of the world falling apart and all.

That reminds me of a project I recently began, and I began soliciting help. Now I turn to you all, the vanguard, for help.

I am starting a new religion. I would like to employ all of the advantages of a person thoughtfully and intentionally starting a new religion (whereas, most reliegions seem to have begun accidentally).

But as enlightened and intelligent people, we ought to be able to come up with a set of symbols, rituals, and myths in order to maintain and propogate a dynamic and enduring belief system for the betterment of all humankind.

If you have a problem with this, or if you would like to argue the sufficiency of Christianity, then that's fine, but post it in the Religion section, goddamit! This belongs in the forum because it is not yet a religion, but more of an idea that maybe someday (in a generation or two) will blossom into the most crucially important binding supercultural institution ever conceived--- with your help!

For starters, I have come up with some possible rituals and beliefs, but I have not yet been able to sum up and articulate what would be the source of literature and authority to guide this new religion. Some of the rituals and beliefs include: sharing, song/dance, meditation, periodic feasts and fasts, happiness, humility, non-violence, moderation, equality of: rights--posessions--educational opportunities, peace, grace, harmony, unity, tolerance, cooperation, optimism, contentment, sufficiencey, intergenerationalism, the prohibition of unsolicited advice, and honesty. Again, as yet, I have been unable to articulate a source of Literature and Authority for this new system. But I think there ought to be some way for the modern person to refer to the natural authority of mathematics and biology and simple history that has a universal and irresistible appeal.

So, please, I am seeking constructive contributions here. I would be pleased to address underlying fundamental topics, incuding the necessity (or lack thereof) of a new religion, or of the propriety of trying to intionally form one-- but please let us do that in the Religion section and allow this stream to grow unencumbered by those arguments (which I look forward to...)

humbly submitted,
bob
- Monday, April 30, 2007 at 12:00:33 (PDT)

Ben,

Your entire proposal perplexes me.

If you start a new religion no matter what its ideals in four to five hundred years you will have a massive schism between orthodox Bobites and reformed Bobites. The discussion will involve whether the mantle of leadership was handed down to your designated successor or to the child who was conceived as a result of the sperm you donated to gain the funds you needed for the lavish Temple of Sufficiencey.

This will lead to these orthodox followers chanting, "The vial contained the spirit of the leader". And reformed chanting, "The mantle fell on the disciple." There will also be a discussion as whether or not a miracle occurred in the freezing and thawing of the sperm sample and no scientific explanation will do for about half the group. It will be a miracle and somehow justified by the priests in the Temple of Biology.

Within 1000 years you will either have a full fledged war on your hands or the original message will have been so diluted that you can really no longer recognize it.

Within 2000 years people will get together once a week and lambast the people who only join the group on the day you died and the day you were born. (If you are going to do this new religion thing it would be nice if you could schedule your death sometime close to your birthday - that way we get all the hubbub (the Bobmas season) over in one fell swoop.)

Seriously, of the tenants you are proposing I find them all to present to some extent in Christianity save the prohibition of unsolicited advice - it would seem to me that any sermon or exhortation to the faithful or less than faithful would have to fall under that category.

But I do think that I have a name for your new faith - Unitarianism.

Nathan
- Wednesday, May 02, 2007 at 11:10:14 (PDT)

Nathan, hmm, I'll think about what you said. But so far it seems to me that you bring up an important concern with regard to the human inclination to apply any successful institution to the acquisition and exercise of political power. Perhaps one important way in which this new "ism" could define itself might be the belief that every decision is according to the free will of the individual. Perhaps the name could be "Free Willism," and the adherents could be called the (yeup, you guessed it!) the Free Willies. This naturally leads to the inclusion of certain sacred music by Rush and Mr. Nelson, and certain liturgical dance rites... but I digress.

Anyway, Nathan, the need to articulate ideals that avoid the subsequent elevation of any human to superhuman status, and to also avoid any doctrinal argument that could ever possibly become a predicate or pretext to treat other humans without charity, those are excellent issues, my friend. I know we can solve them!

As for Unitarianism, it has little life force inasmuch as it apparently does not inspire its adherents to live in communcal poverty and provide for the physical, spiritual and educational needs of all creatures around them, especially the needy young.

Naturally, since we are not involved in the invention of new beliefs, but in the systematic articulation of natural morality, there will be great doctinal overlap with preexisting institutions.

At any rate, your comment raises two particular challenges. Let us not simply designate them to be insurmountable, but explore how to overcome them!
bob
- Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 11:52:12 (PDT)

Way to go, Dallas Mavericks. This could be the end of the Mark Cuban era, which would not be bad.

How'd you like to be Don 'Nellie' Nelson now? Not only did he spank Cuban's team, but he'll probably end up with most or all of that money Cuban owes him, too.
Russ W
- Thursday, May 03, 2007 at 21:28:52 (PDT)

Bill Maher has an interesting article in today's Salon:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/05/04/france/

It's a snark-fest about american prejudice against the French. Pretty funny.
matt c.
- Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 08:52:53 (PDT)

Russ, how exactly does the Mavs' freefall constitute the end of the Cuban era? Granted, I wasn't paying much attention, but unless he threatened to sell the team if they blew a best-of-7 to an 8-seed, I'm missing something here.

On the upside, it's so nice to see such solidarity in Dallas, with both the Stars and the Mavs doing what they can to make everyone forget Tony Romo's muffed snap.

But, as a columnist in the Austin American-Statesman pointed out, there is only so much angst one city can take; hence, the Rangers are helping out by not even trying to make the playoffs.
dave rigsby
- Monday, May 07, 2007 at 07:06:04 (PDT)

The Cuban-leaving idea was one I heard on ESPN, but since then Cuban has flatly denied he would sell. I suspect he's tired of not yet being champion of the league, but maybe he's got more patience than I give him credit for.
Russ W
- Monday, May 07, 2007 at 15:48:27 (PDT)

Cuban came out publicly a several months back and said he had thought about selling the team, but changed his mind. Essentially, he said he would've sold the team if he thought his presence was detrimental to the Mavs, i.e. his perpetual fighting with the league office, David Stern, the referees, etc. A few years ago there was a significant chance of the Mavs losing draft picks because of Cuban's mouth.
Jay
- Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 06:00:31 (PDT)

Michael Cooper Bianco finally made it into the world May 1o at 2:24 am. 6 lbs, 7.5 oz. 18.5 inches.

Long, long labor, culminating in a c-section at 2 to bring him out. Very stubborn -- we don't know where that came from....

Jen and Michael are doing great...I on the other hand...

advice!
Jen, Jeff and Michael Bianco
- Friday, May 11, 2007 at 10:49:11 (PDT)

the "Free the Cookie Monster" campaign again has achieved a successful step in the arduous process of divorce. the other side has not been cooperating at all, thwarting every attempt to settle and even argued against arbitration. we, however, successfully argued that arbitration is the best route. so a court date was set for mid june and arbitration has to happen in the next few weeks. this means another $1000 for my attorney, $250 for arbitration expenses, another trip to nashville, and two more months of $1200 child support. running out of room...
jlc
- Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:59:35 (PDT)

unfortunately, all the money from my family and all raised here on the loserpage has been exhausted. again roughly $2500 stands between me and my daughter. not laws, not sense, not rights, just access to the courts.

please, please contact nat if you can help. your support has meant the world to me.
jlc
- Friday, May 11, 2007 at 13:01:26 (PDT)

biancos: congrats.

jlc
- Friday, May 11, 2007 at 14:00:57 (PDT)

Congrats, Bianco. The next 6-12 weeks will be a huge blur, but it gets even better after that.
Russ W
- Friday, May 11, 2007 at 19:55:20 (PDT)

Nate's Work Chronicles:

Today as I'm walking down the hallway first thing in the morning I nonchalantly took a swig of my ever-present coffee mug and nearly choked on it.

There before my eyes was a woman wearing a covering yet still provocative gown and neglige. I then looked around saw numerous people wearing things better left at home.

Yes, today Customer Services 500 strong department celebrated some accomplishment by wearing their pajamas to work. This "reward" went right up through executive management.

Life has become a Dilbert cartoon. The question is am I a Wally or a Dilbert.
Nathan Williams
- Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 12:47:36 (PDT)

That depends, Nate. If you have produced any discernible work in the past month, you're a Dilbert. If not, you're a Wally. But it definitely sounds like you're stuck in Scott Adams' purgatory. (Might want to edit out your employers' name; never know when some cow-orker will go Catbert on you.)
Russ W
- Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 13:57:30 (PDT)

Russ, not a bad call.

Nathan
- Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 14:37:12 (PDT)

For all the never ending cries to run City Hall like a private business, with regard to this matter I think we'll pass. And Nate, since you know the staff here, please insert no personal funnies for all Catberts to read.
Jay
- Friday, May 18, 2007 at 05:26:47 (PDT)

A funny thing happened last week. I was talking to my new boss about a child support case that she has almost put to bed for a client of ours. The guy is a total deadbeat, but his new wife thinks he's great and she ponied up to get him current on his child support. Never mind that this makes her obviously codependant to her perennially unemployed prince, but I had to wonder aloud to my boss: Wow! what does a guy have to do to get himself a wife that is so.....helpful. And we marvelled at his nice arrangement. Then, just a day later, the kind woman (who had paid my boss's fees as well) called and wound up asking me if there was any risk that the government could garnish HER wages for her husband's child support. This gave me pause because, she was obviously under the misimpression that she shared in an obligation that arose: PRIOR TO her marriage and which was always SOMEBODY ELSE'S personal obligation. Yet, for me to disabuse her of this misunderstanding would be a conflict of interest because we represented the deadbeat, and it would be an unauthorized communication for me to tell her something HE wouldn't want me to tell her. I had to reccomend that she consult a lawyer of her own-- which I sort of wish I didn't have to do, but that was (ironically) my ethical obligation as the agent of the deadbeat.

This illustrates a shortcoming in a pure market-driven legal system, and reminds me that I am a socialist. Stuff that you absolutely need, like necessary medical care, and legal services ought to be equally available to everybody on a carefully-defined "relative need" basis. This should figure into the new religion somehow. Principal: access to education, medical care, communications and legal services should be determined by "relative need" alone. While I'm at it, Principal2: fiduciary services should be transparent, ministerial in nature and performed for the service of all (and not for the advocacy of one). Hence, I ought not to have been bound (by ethics!) to avoid telling that poor woman that she had been duped by her husband into paying that which she never EVER could have an obligation to pay.

As always, I welcome refinements, extrapolations, diagreements or otherwise.

bob
bob
- Monday, May 21, 2007 at 17:38:38 (PDT)

bob, congrats on having a new boss. As for socialism, well, there can be some benefits at least in terms of healthcare. Some say that socialism and communism encourage people to be lazy, and we all can point to examples of that. But the gap between the rich and the poor is so unbelievably huge in this country, and the cost of healthcare continues to go through the roof. Medical debt is a growing part of many bankruptcy cases, even among middle-class people with jobs. At least in terms of health care, maybe a more 'universal' approach wouldn't be the end of the world. Accomplishing that, however, will probably never happen. Mitt Romney got a plan with some elements of universal coverage off the ground in Massachusetts, but it's too "communist" to play in Peoria and I doubt he'll ever promote it as a presidential candidate.

It will be interesting to see how people react to Michael Moore's new movie on the issue. Then again, people will probably have whatever knee-jerk reaction they always have to Moore, and he will end up 'preaching to the choir' while the other side tunes him out and accuses him of hating the country.
Russ W
- Monday, May 21, 2007 at 21:58:37 (PDT)

Count me strongly amongst those tuning out anything and everything Michael Moore has to say.
Jay
- Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 06:10:11 (PDT)

Why, Jay?
matt c.
- Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 08:53:18 (PDT)

In my job, I'm a doer. A decision maker. Somebody who does the best job he can in making important decisions that affect peoples' lives. I have no respect for people like him. He's a stone throwing, Monday morning QB who does nothing but criticize. Same reason I don't care for Limbaugh.
Jay
- Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 13:26:01 (PDT)

Hey Jay and other beloved lf's, here's a link of Moore talking with Bill Maher about his new movie. Not strident or brash, and nothing like Rush. It's worth a look.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/05/26/michael-moore-talks-sicko-on-real-time/
matt c.
- Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 10:23:29 (PDT)

Tell you what, Matt. Out of my deep respect for you, I will go see Sicko. Seriously.
Jay
- Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 05:46:30 (PDT)

matt, dutcher (my husband) and i will be in chicago this sunday and monday - if you're working the woodlawn, or even just hanging out, we may end up dropping by, as that was one of his bars when he was attending u. Chicago. keep an eye out! i'm somewhat pregnant (oh, had i mentioned that?), so look for the vaguely familiar-looking medium-pregnant woman and her much taller husband. i assume you'll still look exactly the same as you did back at ACU?
julie
- Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 19:34:53 (PDT)

Julie, this is SO RAD! Excellent! I'll be at the Tap after 9pm on Friday, after 6 pm on Saturday (it's alumni weekend, so it may be a bit crazy), and it's my turn to open the bar on Sunday, so I'll be there until 6pm (although probably not very lucid -- the turnaround shifts suck). We can also meet up anytime I'm not at work, maybe for brunch on saturday. Please drop me an e-mail rmcalhou ATNOSPAM midway.uchicago.edu, and we can trade digits.

I look rather different -- but I'll be unmistakable as the bald surly guy behind the bar. Dutcher probably warned you already, but be advised that Jimmy's was rated as the smokiest bar in the city. If you're concerned about that, meeting up Saturday during the day or Sunday evening might be better.

Hey, and Jay, I'll go see Sicko too. When we've both had a chance, let's talk about it. You're the man.
Matt C.
- Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 02:36:57 (PDT)

Julie, make Matt take you to his great brunch place just north of his bar. That may be the best breakfast I've ever had. Congrats on pending baby.
Jay
- Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 05:16:23 (PDT)

Big congrats Julie.
Baggett
- Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 20:04:25 (PDT)

Congrats, Julie (and Dutcher)! Glad you are well.
Russ W
- Friday, June 01, 2007 at 08:20:01 (PDT)

BBB- will be at the White Elephant soon. Shoot me a text or something soon.
Evan
- Monday, June 04, 2007 at 23:30:06 (PDT)

Julie and Dutcher, Congrats on the impending babyhood. You are going to have one cool hipster kid.

Nathan
- Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 08:53:10 (PDT)

congrats mr and mrs julie. / i agree with jay: moore is a blowhard. / sorry for the awol status. bottomed out in the SA job market and needed to use my resources to continue to fight for darby. moved in with my dad in florida. everything i own was in my car and while on the phone with my sis i found myself continuing east on i10. might be back for 4th july. gainesville is still the best city ive ever lived in. prospects look good. j&l: will settle accounts asap. arbitration is monday...
jlc
- Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 13:34:07 (PDT)

(cant write below the box in firefox)...was told yesterday i need $1600 before saturday. plus money to travel there and back. i will win in arbitration--if i can afford it. for the first time ever (i think) i am in complete agreement with bbb. when the opposing strategy can be to delay and render justice prohibitively expensive our system sucks. luckily for me (heretofore) team cookie has been able surmount said obstacles. many cant. paris is out of jail early, naturally. i am 4 days and $1600 away from getting my life back.
jlc
- Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 13:42:14 (PDT)

in any case, please pray for me as this will be the biggest day of my life as well as one of the most important days in my daughter's life.
jlc
- Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 13:45:11 (PDT)

Can't believe that CofC preacher's wife got off so lightly for killing him. And what, now she expects the state to give custody of her kids back to her?

Mommy, where's Daddy?
Ummm, well... Come give Mommy a hug!

I mean, seriously. A shotgun blast in the back (and involvement in a Nigerian check-kiting scheme), and she gets less than a year in jail.

jlc, I hope the legal system smiles even more favorably upon you than it did on Mary Winkler.
Russ W
- Friday, June 08, 2007 at 12:31:47 (PDT)

it is the same state, btw. ok, t minus 2 hours. everyone pray, please.
jlc
- Monday, June 11, 2007 at 04:07:06 (PDT)

Dear Family,

I will not go into the details of today's mediation except to inform everyone that I am extremely pleased and forever indebted to so many here in loserdom for their unprecedented emotional and financial support during this extremely trying time. Generally I will say that my financial burden has been greatly reduced and I gained the right to unsupervised visits with my daughter.

I rather feel like President Ford, however. The long nightmare is over, but the rebuilding has just begun. There still remain stipulations which would be difficult for anyone to fulfill. I feel what generals must feel after the aftermath of some totally devestating and unnecessary war: sure, the word victory might be banted about, but the landscape of the future (with all of its wonderful possibilites) is still laden with landmines.

May God grant me the strength and grace to proceed as a father should.

I count each one of you as my family.

Without the ability to express my deepest indebtedness,

Jef Cook
jlc
- Monday, June 11, 2007 at 15:07:48 (PDT)

I'm happy for you, jlc. God bless you and your daughter.
Russ W
- Monday, June 11, 2007 at 18:49:01 (PDT)

I send my heartfelt congradulations, blessings and best wishes to cookie upon this improvement in circumstances. Without meaning to detract in the least from my appreciation for the sincerity of your words, jef, this is just the most recent time that I have noticed you to be one of the most....perhaps THE MOST talented wordsmith that I know. I truly believe you could achieve something as important as a contemporary North American GGMarquez if you keep at it.

Also, speaking of great writing, let us not be the only website in the country not to talk about the final episode of the Sopranos! My question: was there a point? Was the point that there was no point? Was that sort of a direct writer-to-audience statement saying: screw you, I could go on if I wanted to, but I just won't. I don't even have to give you a resolution. My show. My terms. My end is not even what you would call an end.

Also, I have joined an ameature soccer team. It is in the "E" league (they start with "A"). It's amazing to me what apparently good athletes the other teams seem to have even in this league. Last week's game was....well.... tomorrow night's game is gonna be a restart of our winning streak. I've been practicing, and soon, I will be a regular Pele, or Bekham or R.W. out there on the field!

later,

bob
bob
- Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 13:48:09 (PDT)

BBB, I hope you have better luck in adult soccer than I did. One year I played with a team in Irving; in the 2nd or 3rd game, my ACL gave out. 2-3 years later I was playing with a team in the Euless area. Twice I injured my back to the point that I couldn't stand up straight. I hope you fare better.
Russ W
- Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 21:26:08 (PDT)

Nathan's recipe for an interesting day:

1) Go somewhere on Sunday night and spend the night away from home.
2) get up early and go to the gym to work out before going to the office.
3) take your favorite baggy jeans to change into because it is "casual rest of the quarter"
4) take your stylish yet not quite functional webbing belt
5) work out at gym, shower and change into clothes for work
6) realize you've forgotten your underwear
7) exist throughout the day in this odd experiential state of a mix of paranoia and personal freedom.
8) post thoughts on forum
9) await responses
Nathan
- Monday, June 25, 2007 at 10:45:57 (PDT)

10. Dinner & Movie with Stokes'.
Jay
- Monday, June 25, 2007 at 17:53:56 (PDT)

11. Find a reason to loan said pants to an unsuspecting moron.
Russ W
- Monday, June 25, 2007 at 19:46:46 (PDT)

12. Develop a new premium fragrance: "Commando," by Nathan.
matt c.
- Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 06:05:49 (PDT)

13. Buy emergency pack of draws to leave in the trunk and at the office
Bianco
- Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 19:22:43 (PDT)

14. Stuff aforementioned draws into glass container (i.e., empty tequila bottle), close, and display in office cube with sign, "In case of emergency break glass".
Lisa
- Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 12:30:29 (PDT)

15. Remember that draws filled with shards of broken glass are to be worn only in the direst of emergencies (I'm thinkin' "immediately post-vasectomy" is about the only POSSIBLE scenario).
Don
- Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 11:06:39 (PDT)

For those who don't know, I'm pleased to officially announce to all Loserdom that I'm getting married to Eva Michelle Pinell on August 18th in Wheeling, WV. Any Losers in the vicinity are invited; please RSVP to donhallock via Ya-who.
Don
- Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 11:10:36 (PDT)

Congrats to the happy couple!
Russ W
- Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 19:04:53 (PDT)

A friend passed this link onto me and, after watching the clip, I thought that I needed to send it on to Nathan. Then, I realized it was something that most of us here would find some humor in.

This is a clip from a comedy show in Norway and, due to that, it's subtitled in English. Still, it's worth the time and effort.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ
Brian Blair
- Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 12:34:26 (CDT)

As a sometime soccer afficianado, I suppose I should say something about the arrival of David Beckham to Major League Soccer.

My prognosis: a big splash in the short term, a ripple over the long haul. It's no accident that his new team is in Los Angeles. He's an international media star and icon, and LA offers the last bit of media opportunities that he and his Spice Girl wife haven't yet gobbled up. Over the next year, he and Victoria/Posh will make their way into every newspaper, magazine, and TV show, in one way or another.

But by the end of his 5-year contract, will MLS be any better, any more profitable, any more relevant? Probably not by much. Case in point: today on Colin Cowherd's syndicated radio show (The Herd on ESPN Radio), he discussed his efforts to find out more about MLS. So he went to MLS.com; logical choice. However, MLS.com is the home of the Multiple Listing Service; you have to dig around for MLSnet.com to find out about soccer. So he played a game where people called in, he gave them a name, and the caller had to guess whether the name was of an MLS soccer player or a Realtor. It didn't take long for him to make his point: the casual sports fan has never heard of MLS, has never heard of its players, and will get bored with Beckham quickly.

Beckham is a world-class player on the downside of his career, but he's not a goal-scoring machine. He's like a really good point guard--say, John Stockton. Stockton had fellow future-Hall-of-Famer Karl Malone to pass to, so we had reason to watch Stockton play. Beckham will have...Landon Donovan, who's still young, and good, but not great. Beckham is a distributor, a facilitator...although sometimes he sends a wicked free kick into the penalty area. The first time Beckham 'bends it' in to score a goal, the media will go crazy. But he doesn't do that every game.

Colin Cowherd made another excellent point. Becks has taken several steps down the ladder in terms of team travel. In Europe, he had shorter distances to travel, and no doubt they chartered planes for everything. In MLS, the distances are much greater, and they flatly can't afford to charter a flight for every game. So whenever you're in O'Hare, or LaGuardia, or LAX, look twice because yes, that might actually be David Beckham next to the Cinnabon.

Russ W
- Monday, July 16, 2007 at 22:08:32 (CDT)

If it really is him next to the Cinnabon, that might help to explain why he's on the downside of his career.
dave rigsby
- Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 13:39:12 (CDT)

Athlete on the downside of his career, hanging out a Cinnabons. Sounds like someone I know.
Jay
- Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 09:23:26 (CDT)

New loser arrival

Atticus Yuh-San Pak
10:23pm July 26th, 2007
7lbs 12oz
19.5"

All his fingers and toes are in the correct places.
Mommy and Daddy are doing well. More info as it comes.

Nathan
- Friday, July 27, 2007 at 12:06:52 (CDT)

Glad to hear there's another loser in the great Northwest. Congrats, Pete. Thanks for the update, Nate.
Russ W
- Friday, July 27, 2007 at 13:03:27 (CDT)

Is anyone else going to see the Simpsons Movie today? I figured this would be a national Loser Holiday of some sort.........
Evan
- Friday, July 27, 2007 at 13:04:21 (CDT)

While this post probably belongs under films, I'll answer Evan's question here. I am not the least bit excited. I don't really understand why they even made the film, to be truthful.

Continuing with film talk, Erin and I watched "Knocked Up" last night. I went into it expecting "40 Year Old Virgin", which probably set the bar too high, and left quite disappointed. Highly predictable, not too many laughs, and overeliance on foul language to get the few laughs it gave. Paul Rudd in a minor supporting role was great, and watching the Gray's Anatomy chick for 2 hours isn't a hard thing to do. But overall I wasn't impressed.
Jay
- Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 10:19:51 (CDT)

Big congrats Pete!
Baggett
- Saturday, July 28, 2007 at 17:26:06 (CDT)

Got to spend an evening w/ Nate here in the fair mother city (ABI).

We did our part to fight the religious jackasses in this town by picking up littered christian tracts outside a local nightclub and disposing of them properly.

Fight the power.
Baggett
- Monday, July 30, 2007 at 11:46:58 (CDT)

3 Things (at least):

1. Fix America by Mandatory Congressional Boxing;
2. 30 minutes of the Simpsons movie was very good;
3. Reposessions at all-time high, we should get organized as buyers.

Super big congrats to Pete. I miss all you guys very much.

My brother was the only person in the world who remembered my birthday, yesterday. I'm not laying a guilt trip on any of my other freinds and family members, because until he called me in the evening, I had forgotten all about it myself. I would have probably gone for the rest of the evening without realizing it. So, .... I really don't know quite how to feel about it. I suppose I have reached a point in years, the recognition of which I seek more to avoid than to celebrate.

I would like very much to expound on my bullet points 1 or 2 or 3, above, but I await any indication of interest from loserdom. Of course, probably nobady much cares what an old man has to say....

later,
bob
- Monday, July 30, 2007 at 16:48:02 (CDT)

BBB, I remembered your birthday, though I neglected to call. I remember it every year, in fact, since you share it with my oldest son. So happy belated birthday.

As per #3, I'm listening. You talking houses, cars, boats, or what?
Jay
- Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 09:56:54 (CDT)

Re: Jay's comment, I can think of hundreds of millions of reasons for them to make a Simpsons movie. It's got 'summer blockbuster' written all over it--the potential audience is huge.

I cannot, however, come up with hundreds of millions of reasons to go see it. It's OK, but not overly funny. It's kind of an 80-minute version of the 'Hank Scorpio' episode from years ago. It was fun to see The Simpsons on the big screen, but maybe someone with a big screen TV would get that effect all the time.

We stayed through the credits, and they stick a few funny clips in there. I loved listening to the music during the credits; Hans Zimmer tips his hat to Copland and others I can't name. But I do think that one could call oneself a fan of the Simpsons and still skip the movie.
Russ W
- Wednesday, August 01, 2007 at 07:25:09 (CDT)

did anyone see the FC Dallas and L.A. game? five to six goals! Get out of here! No Bekham. Still a lot of fireworks and fall-out. I'm never quite happy with the way soccer is televised because its hard to see a lot of the action in detail-- But what do you want to do? Slow mo the whole game? At least watch it on a big screen baby!
bob
- Thursday, August 02, 2007 at 17:23:19 (CDT)

I happened to catch Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame induction yesterday. I must say that I saw a lot in him and heard a lot of positive things about him that I had not heard or seen before. For him to confess to his well-documented failings (without mentioning specifics) was pretty impressive. Any thoughts, Cowboy fans?

Here's an article that sums it up: http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/halloffame07/columns/story?columnist=pearlman_jeff&id=2961736
Russ W
- Sunday, August 05, 2007 at 17:37:40 (CDT)

Wow--whoulda thunk it: humility from Michael Irvin.

Lifelong Cowboys fan that I am, still I'd never heard much of that positive stuff about Irvin--his work ethic, etc. Kinda helps explain why Emmitt was so bent out of shape for Irvin getting passed over last year. And, not that I would pick T.D. Jakes as a spiritual mentor for anybody, but Irvin's words about the Lord seemed a bit more deeply-felt than the American speech-giver's de rigeur "thanks to God" boilerplate.

Thanks for the link, Russ.
Don
- Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 10:38:48 (CDT)

I'm proud to announce another Loser has been added to the world.

Last night, at 12:45 AM, my wife gave birth to our second child. He was 7 lbs. 8 ozs. and 19.5 inches. His name is Dixon Roy Blair, which is meant to honor Kobbi's grandfather (whose last name was Dixon) and my grandfather (whose first name is Roy).

Mother and child are doing fantastic, and big sister Journey is excited.
Brian Blair
- Monday, August 13, 2007 at 14:22:55 (CDT)

Brian--We are so happy for you! We can't wait to meet little Dixon! Give the family a big hug from the Stokes. Love you much! Erin
Erin
- Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 06:47:19 (CDT)

Big congrats, Tony Blair. I mean Brian! Brian Blair.

Great poem, jlc.
Russ W
- Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 15:06:28 (CDT)

I was priveleged to witnessed Don and Eva get married today in beautiful Wheeling, WV. The ceremony was lovely.

Greg Baker (husband of Cathy Colvett) was best man I was a groomsman.

One moment from the rehearsal luncheon -

Maid of Honor Holly queries, "Nathan, how long have you known Don?"

I respond, "Well, I first met Don in college in 1991."

She responds, "Wow, I was eight then."

I just kinda look at her.

Nathan
- Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 21:16:43 (CDT)

Face it Nate: you're old.

But you are the baby of this little group of friends. So you're not that old.

Anyway, hope you got photos to share. Big congrats to Don and Eva.
Baggett
- Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 13:09:54 (CDT)

In this space I've lobbied for television shows unsucessfully before, so I figure why not try it again...

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" begins its third season on FX on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 9:00 p.m. CST. Watch it.

Best way to describe this show is Seinfeld meets South Park. Extremely irreverent, extremely funny. You will be offended, you will laugh.

Please, someone watch it so I'll have someone to discuss it with.

Jay
- Monday, August 27, 2007 at 09:29:42 (CDT)

Jay's post about television got me to thinking about how my TV viewing has changed. Mainly, it's in terms of the way I get those shows.

For several years now, I've only had the most basic of cable. I pay around $11 and get network channels along with a few channels I don't really care about. So, I don't get to see a lot of the shows that have everyone talking. That started changing a year or so ago when we got Netflix. Since then, we've worked our way through the entire Sopranos collection (the final season comes out on DVD soon) and we've started Entourage. I picked up season one of Weeds in a used shop and we've been getting season two through Netflix. Then, there's The Riches. I ended up buying each episode through iTunes the day after it aired. I've even managed to watch an entire episode of South Park through You Tube.

It's just interesting to me how we're no longer confined to watching shows based on the network's schedule and there's an opportunity to get these shows, even if you don't pay for those channels.

Is anyone else getting into shows in these formats?
Brian Blair
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 01:21:35 (CDT)

We watch most of our television via Netflix as well. We don't have a DVR or anything so we can't keep up with when shows come on, etc. so we just watch everything a season late. We watched all of Six Feet Under via Netflix, most of 24 that way, the last 2 seasons of Alias via Netflix, and are now getting ready to watch last season of Lost. We like it!
Scott F
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 09:38:57 (CDT)

We get some of our shows in a kinda-sorta similar way, since we're also on the $11 cable plan, which in Austin gives us the networks, two PBSes, WGN, C-SPAN, and some really lousy local cable access programming. Not wanting to spring for Netflix (budgetary decision), we get the non-network shows we want usually through either the local library system or through the Interlibrary Loan program. This has allowed my wife to become quite a fan of Doctor Who and made my daughter a fan of Knight Rider, among other things.
dave rigsby
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 09:57:30 (CDT)

We have DishNetwork and a DVR. (A DVR and a TiVo do basically the same thing.) Love the DVR. It's so easy to just scroll through the list of what we've recorded and to play it whenever it's convenient. And the ability to pause live TV is a surprisingly handy feature. Not the cheapest way to watch TV, but it works for us.

Russ W
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 15:03:33 (CDT)

Heard this joke today.

'President Bush, we're sorry to tell you that three Brazilians were killed in fighting in Afghanistan.'

'Oh, that's terrible.... How many is a Brazilian?'

So, will Rick Perry find Gonzo a cushy job in his administration? While he's at it, can he find a job for an ambiguously gay, soon-to-be-ex-senator from a state in the great Northwest? That news is not going over very well out here.
Russ W
- Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 15:07:13 (CDT)

sorry for the delay.

life very busy.

working 2 jobs.

nat: saw you emailed. havent read it. will get with you soon.

jefnlisa: obviously, soon as i can, i swear.

all else: continue to pray for me.
jlc
- Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 01:41:31 (CDT)

Greetings from Austin! I'm in training to be a server at the Black Eyed Pea and working afternoons at the Oxford Learning Center as a tutor for school age kids. I'm still playing a little bit on the side, but not as much as I'd like to. If you're in the neighborhood of 183 and Burnet Rd., let me know and we'll hang out. Thanks for all prayers and good thoughts, keep 'em coming.
Evan
- Monday, September 10, 2007 at 15:11:35 (CDT)

dilemma: i need to find a character sketch of Nelly Gorman that is at least 6 years old. cant find it anywhere. i know i posted a small dose here, and that i emailed a million losers with it. help.
jlc
- Monday, September 10, 2007 at 16:21:46 (CDT)

Evan,

I'm still in the neighborhood of Slaughter & Manchaca, and I have two small children, but I'm here.
dave rigsby
- Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 13:27:21 (CDT)

Went to Black Eyed Pea yesterday and saw Evan. I didn't seem him spill anything on anybody and I heard no crashing of trays or dishes in the kitchen so I think he will be good to go!

It was good to see you, Evan.
Scott F
- Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 09:21:44 (CDT)

Good to see you, Scott. I'll be flying solo next time you come in, so ask for my section if the spirit leads you.

DR-Nice to know another South Austinite. I work off Wm. Cannon and Mopac some afternoons, so I might as well find an excuse to hang around and avoid traffic while enjoying Loser company. Any good watering holes around those parts?
Evan
- Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 15:28:18 (CDT)

Tonight's the night. 9:00 p.m. Season 3 of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." I can hardly wait, Losers!
Jay
- Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 11:42:56 (CDT)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregkendallball/sets/72157602101279922/

Peace Protests at ACU. I wasn't there, but I'm proud of these kids.

Nathan
- Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 09:48:23 (CDT)

Not sure I would hold up a sign like "Jesus Is a Dead Iraqi" during something like this, but it's nice to see concern from God's University.
Evan
- Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 16:07:24 (CDT)

Hmmmmm...

I'm glad it wasn't political--I only saw the one sign that even mentioned a particular war ("...a dead Iraqi child"). So, if the overall message was "War sucks," I'd have to give them 10 out of 10 for Fundamental Accuracy (if -1000 for Originality).

Anybody know if these folks are some organization, or just an ad hoc sorta thing? Seems to me I couldn't get ACU to sanction a pro-life group back in the early '90s because of fear of "bloody fetus" pictures (in fairness to them, there apparently HAD been some kind of incident along those lines before)...I wonder what official notice the U took, if any.
Don
- Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 21:00:32 (CDT)

While looking on the Optimist web site for info about the protest, I found this (with apologies to the Abilenean Losers who probably already know all about this):

ACU has an Ultimate team.

http://media.www.acuoptimist.com/media/storage/paper891/news/2007/10/03/News/Frisbee.Team.Builds.Favor.Fame-3008646.shtml

Color us ahead of our time.
Don
- Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 21:13:49 (CDT)

Holy shit, look at this!

http://media.www.acuoptimist.com/media/storage/paper891/news/2007/10/03/News/Students.Stoked.For.Salsa.Classes-3008713.shtml

Dancing at ACU!!! Good Lord!
matt c.
- Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 06:24:21 (CDT)

Also, on the "Jesus is a Dead Iraqi child" sign, remember: "whosoever does to the least of these...."
matt c.
- Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 06:26:56 (CDT)

Evan--what can I say, I occasionally take way too long to respond. Every design engineer in town is snowed under presently due to the continuing desire to pave all of Austin.

With that said, because of my two young kids, the closest thing to a watering hole that I experience in the Wm Cannon/Mopac area is either Red Robin or Chipotle, though the family is rather partial to Amy's Ice Cream.

As for the peace demonstration: if the ACU I remember is still around, there were probably more than a few un-Christian comments lobbed at the demonstrators, sadly.
dave rigsby
- Thursday, October 04, 2007 at 12:54:33 (CDT)

Matt, I agree. I'd like to think that every school built, every man or woman enfranchised, every sick child treated, and every life saved from Saddam's torture chambers or al-Qaeda's bombs, by the United States of America in Iraq, is done unto Him.

Also, not only is there salsa dancing at ACU, but some group called the "Swing Cats," too! The times, they are...ehh, you know the rest.
Don
- Friday, October 05, 2007 at 21:02:21 (CDT)

Torture chambers? Abu Ghraib. Civilian contractors shooting civilians from moving cars for kicks. And I remember an especially vivid story of a soldier conspiring with some others to rape a 16 year old girl and killing their family to cover their trail.

Sick child? Not enough electricity to keep hospitals open for more than a few hours every day.

Enfranchised? Regional sectarian violence, and the Prime Minister is tool of a Shiite thug with a huge death squad and a generous budget from Iran.

Al Qaeda? Wasn't there, until we were.

Saddam Hussein was an asshole, no question. But to assert that we've made life better for ordinary Iraqis over the last few years? Altruism toward the Iraqi people was never the reason that Bushco went in, that's just political pretense.

Another line from the Gospels comes to mind: by their fruit you will know them....
matt c.
- Saturday, October 06, 2007 at 11:21:03 (CDT)

It's really crappy that Marion Jones used performance-enhancing drugs, and that she denied using them. But she deserves some sort of credit for admitting her mistakes and returning her medals. Maybe she'll go coach basketball; she lead UNC to a women's title, I think.
Russ W
- Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 12:57:52 (CDT)

I remember when her ex-husband, C.J. Hunter, got caught using them after the 2000 olympics. He played the race card and hired Johnny Cochran (God rest his soul) to defend him. I do credit her with an honest admission of guilt. At great risk of offending Nathan, I wonder if we'll ever get the same out of a certain cyclist from Austin. And Hank Aaron's still the home run King, too.
Jay
- Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 15:23:06 (CDT)

An excellent clip of the daily show that I caught while working at the bar last night:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/09/the-daily-show-torturous-intentions/

On the doping, I heard the doctor who ran that firm in San Francisco where Barry Bonds is supposed to have obtained his steroids, etc., on the radio today. He claims that he never discussed such things with him, only nutrition....

matt c.
- Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 17:50:14 (CDT)

I've no doubt that the early allegations about the Austin cyclist are probably true, but if he was doping during his later years he did an incredible job hiding it. He was being hounded. Every stage win required him to submit a blood and urine test.
Nathan
- Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 00:25:15 (CDT)

Matt, I'll expound upon your statement not to be contrary but to continue the dialogue. While that may be true, it changes nothing. You can't tell me BB didn't know what was going on. If it was innocent, it would have been transparent. Like Bonds, Marion Jones claims she thought she was taking flakseed oil when she took "the clear" and "the rub". That excuses nothing. They're both cheats. They're all cheats. Palmeiro, Sosa, McGuire, Tim Montgomery, Floyd Landis. I think time will reveal Armstrong cheated.
Jay
- Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 08:35:25 (CDT)

Jay, just to be clear: it was the owner of the business, not BB, who was making the claims on the radio: in other words, the subject of performance enhancement beyond nutrition never came up.

For my own part, I suspect BB too. I think he cheated.
matt c.
- Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 19:57:48 (CDT)

I sure hope that is not true and never comes out about Armstrong. That would cause huge problems for his charity and thus, the people it helps.
Scott F
- Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:35:13 (CDT)

Anyone intersted in meeting in Las Vegas in late December? Cheap Trick is there on Thursday the 27th, then Van Halen has shows on the 28th and 30th.
Jay
- Friday, October 12, 2007 at 13:14:51 (CDT)

At first I thought maybe I was being maligned when I saw complaints about BB's doping.

Today I went out and played Ultimate. It was pretty cool to learn some rules, for a change. Also, there was a "first to the line" substitution scheme that seemed to work out very well. We played as teams of seven, and these folks had fairly well-refined terms and offensive/defensive strategies, for an inclusive and open game.

I continued on playing soccer through to the Fall season. Of course, I seem to have injured my shoulder playing soccer this summer, and it still isn't quite right. I haven't lifted weights ever since. But I wouldn't trade the experience, because I really enjoy soccer! I think dribbling is so challenging because I never developed good balance... but I'll get better.

And last night, I got a goal!
I mean a shot-on-goal, (not a score)of course. Although we were once again rewarded with fewer points than our counterparts, we were nevertheless rewarded with a good game.

Evan in Austin. More loseroffspring. And I'm actually a lawyer again-- alas, with no clients.

Much love!

bob
- Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 16:42:57 (CDT)

This is appropriate, due to recent discussion:

http://www.tshirthell.com/store/product.php?productid=678
Baggett
- Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 21:47:02 (CDT)

I do my best to ignore the whole Larry Craig thing, but Jay called me last night and told me to watch the Matt Lauer interview with him.

Ugh. Craig's side of the story was a little more believable to me, at times. But there is so much other circumstantial evidence against him that I still think he did what the cop said he did.

I am reminded of the sayings of the sports philosopher Jim Rome, who says (and I paraphrase), "If you accuse me of something, and I didn't do it, I will fight it like crazy. I will sue you, I will go on TV, I will do whatever it takes to clear my name." Craig didn't tell a soul about his arrest until the story broke; that's not what an innocent person (who is also a lawyer and a congressman/senator for almost 30 years) would do.
Russ W
- Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 12:50:35 (CDT)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2055227038
Nathan
- Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 16:09:02 (CDT)

Thanks, Nate. Love the "U-S Americans" and "the Iraq". And I think that she finished in the top 5 of the pageant in spite of this 'episode'.
Russ W
- Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 20:54:29 (CDT)

I love the fact that she just looks so darn proud of herself at the end. Mario Lopez is using all of his saved by the bell actor training not to be doubled over laughing.
Nathan
- Friday, October 19, 2007 at 09:07:53 (CDT)

baggett, more than anyone, surprise surprise, you have affected me. once you loaned me a book that i must, by now, have traded for a sandwich. but i want that damn book. it was written by a layman, in rather crude language. it better than anything explained how most of what we moderns think of church is nothing more than roman redux. please tell me the name of this book.
jlc
- Sunday, October 21, 2007 at 17:54:30 (CDT)

Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola.

The author is nothing more than a nut hell-bent on the whole house church movement. But, a very thorough, well documented read none the less.
Baggett
- Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 12:35:10 (CDT)

So sometimes my job can actually be fun, and today is one of those days. I get to be pseudo-baliff in Municipal Court. Do the "All Rise...The Honorable Judge So & So Presiding..." type of thing. I'm telling the staff to call me Rusty the rest of the day.
Jay
- Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 14:05:51 (CDT)

Any word on anyone with loser connections in Southern California? Jenni Walker Cliff and her fam live down there near San Diego. Prayers for all of them.
Russ W
- Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 12:34:09 (CDT)

So this will be my last pitch for "It's Always Sunny in Philadephia." (Brian, Nate, Bjank -- I'm talking to you). Especially since season 3 is nearly complete. Admittedly, this season started slowly -- not up to season 2 standards. But it has been getting progressively funnier and funnier.

Last night's episode, "Dennis Looks Like A Registered Sex Offender" was the funniest one I've seen yet. I think it's fair to say you could easily judge whether or not this show is for you by viewing that one episode alone.

They tend to rerun FX shows quite a bit, so no doubt you'll be able to find it again this week.
Jay
- Friday, October 26, 2007 at 08:28:48 (CDT)

The Rockies are even giving up hits to the BoSox pitchers now. Unbelievable. Dice-K rules, as does Josh Beckett. That guy is unflappable. Throw an ex-girlfriend at him singing before the game at Cleveland--no problem. Pitch against the hottest team in the majors in game 1--no problem. I don't know much about baseball, but I have to be impressed with this year's Sawx.
Russ W
- Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 21:52:39 (CDT)

PS--Jenni & co. are safe. Their evacuation was only voluntary, thank the Lord.
Russ W
- Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 21:53:41 (CDT)

For those of you who are RSS enabled, I've added an RSS feed for forum posts. Direct subscription at:

http://www.loserfriends.org/forumrss.php

Or use the link at the top of the page :)

Enjoy.
Jef
- Friday, November 02, 2007 at 11:33:58 (CDT)

one or two weeks away from turning the corner. i believe this with all my heart. as usual, it's not conventional, or long-term. but i should be able to begin making payments. this is most notably important to those to whom i owe. be in touch soon.
jlc
- Sunday, November 04, 2007 at 21:44:46 (CST)

For those of you who are game and/or trivia-minded, check out PlayCafe.com at 9pm CST weeknights to play live. Numerous prize opportunities (I've won several times) and generally an okay way to waste an hour.
dave rigsby
- Wednesday, November 07, 2007 at 22:21:54 (CST)

Dave, didn't Adrienne win one of those online trivia contests, with a pretty big prize? Seems like I read that in an ACU alumni e-mail some year ago.
Russ W
- Thursday, November 08, 2007 at 15:30:31 (CST)

She did indeed win $500,000 back in 2000 on a website called GoldPocket.com, which, sadly, no longer has weekly live big-payout games, as they once did.

PlayCafe is not anywhere near that scale of prizes at the moment, but it's still fun.
dave rigsby
- Thursday, November 08, 2007 at 22:13:59 (CST)

Luther--

Been sucked in once again. Jay had to pull the wheelchair line on me, but it worked, and I will be running the Dallas Marathon Dec 9. Coming in with a good buddy of mine, who may indeed challenge Mr Stokes for the title of nicest guy alive. Pasta dinner the night before with us and the Stokes clan, and a tasty beverage or 2 afterwards to accompany the biggest, greasiest cheesburger Dallas has to offer. Hope to see you??
Bianco
- Friday, November 09, 2007 at 20:48:15 (CST)

I've never watched an entire episode of "24," but this is pretty funny, technology-wise: the 'unaired 1994 pilot' at
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1788161
Don
- Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 09:02:57 (CST)

Bianco:

I'm planning on being in Big "D" for the weekend you athletic types have chosen strut your stuff. Looking forward to catching up with you.
Luther
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 00:13:55 (CST)

Luther, my fam will arrive Friday evening. Saturday afternoon we'll pickup Bjank and co. Pasta dinner Saturday night, race Sunday morning, and massive cheeseburgers post-race Sunday.
Jay
- Monday, November 19, 2007 at 08:47:37 (CST)

Austin area Losers, Evan and I are meeting up in downtown Austin this Thursday night to enjoy a beverage and the Cowboys v. Packers game. Post back if you want to come and I'll get you more info. Ferg? Rigsby?
Jay
- Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 09:33:57 (CST)

I am so there! I was just lamenting last night to Sandy about not having the NFL Network and missing the game where my 2 absolute favorite teams are playing each other. And to watch it with a drink and friends -- even better! Please send me the details at scottdotfergusonatcancerdotorg. Thanks!
Ferg
- Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 11:42:13 (CST)

Scott, that's awesome! Just sent you an email giving all details.
Jay
- Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 13:45:45 (CST)

I'm gonna have to decline reluctantly, sorry. :(
dave rigsby
- Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 09:18:04 (CST)

Our impromptu meeting of losers was a great time. We shared memories over pints of Firehouse Ale and some fine chicken wings. Next session planned for January.
Evan
- Friday, November 30, 2007 at 00:44:05 (CST)

Evan, Scott, Nate... That was about as much fun as I've ever had watching a football game. Thanks so much.
Jay
- Friday, November 30, 2007 at 16:59:45 (CST)

There once was a man named Nate W
Whose luck with the ladies was rather new
But his luck turned around
When a jacket he found
Made him seem like a stud in a leather sui....... t
bob
- Friday, November 30, 2007 at 17:19:11 (CST)

For the record, I've rarely been in the presence of a fan such as Jay when the cowboys are playing and it was quite an enjoyable experience to watch you high five random bar patrons with your authentic jersey and elfin-stocking cap.....:)

Nate, love the new look.
Evan
- Sunday, December 02, 2007 at 21:35:30 (CST)

Jay --

Weather forcast for Sunday is 61/38 and mostly sunny. I'll email you my travel details today.

Art -- If you are coming in on Saturday, know that you can stay with Paul and I in our room.

Can't wait to see you guys.

Bianco
- Monday, December 03, 2007 at 08:20:22 (CST)

Now I have to see pics of Nate's new look.

BCS! Where's your favorite team headed? BSU will be in Hawai'i playing in front of nobody, but at least they'll be in Hawai'i. Mizzou got a raw deal after beating Kansas, losing to OU (again), and then having KU jump them into a BCS bowl. Hawai'i-Georgia should be interesting.

ACU lost a couple of weeks ago in the D-II playoffs at Chadron State, 76-73 in 3OT. How come my old Abilene schools got good in football after I left? I guess I was the problem.
Russ W
- Monday, December 03, 2007 at 14:53:13 (CST)

Actually heard the end of the Chadron State game over the net. ACU blew a 29-point lead in the 4th quarter.
dave rigsby
- Monday, December 03, 2007 at 15:34:41 (CST)

I purchased a leather jacket and started wearing it.

This jacket has rapidly become my favorite jacket.

1)Trying jacket on at the store - random beautiful woman walks by and comments on said jacket and me.
2) Wearing Jacket next day - sassy african-american lady at starbucks says I look good and comps my coffee.
3) Next day wearing same jacket at a different starbucks , a different barista winks at me and comps my coffee.
4) 2 days later while wearing the jacket I get pulled over by a highway patrolman for doing 76 in a 65 and he gives me a warning and tells me to have a nice night. (no, the patrolman did not wink or tell me I look good)

Something is helping my mojo out I'm willing to credit an inanimate accessory.
Nathan
- Monday, December 03, 2007 at 17:40:15 (CST)

Greetings from West Africa,

There aren't words to describe the loss I have in missing out on that loser cowboy packer get together. Hopefully they'll still be decent next year when I'm in the states for another furlough.

Anyway, I wanted to just throw this question out there for discussion and since I know many of you are more in the know than I am.

Which of the possible presidential hopefuls would make you most likely to jump from a bridge if they actually became president? Right now, I think Rudy brings about the most suicidal tendancies in me, although Clinton II is a really close second . . .

What's your vote for the most depressing presidential hopeful of 2008?

Aaron
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 08:46:47 (CST)

I'm squarely in the "Anybody But Hillary" camp. In fact, I'm planning to vote in Texas' Democratic primary just to vote against her twice. I truly understand Alec Baldwin's infamus statement that he'd move to Canada if Bush was elected. That's about how I feel toward her. Everytime I try to find some redeeming quality in her just to resign myself to the possibility that she may be Commander in Chief whether I like it or not, I can't. I just don't believe there is anything real about her. Not one genuine bone in her body. Not one sincere, uncalculated, uncontrived emotion. And Bill as first husband...
Jay
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 13:21:58 (CST)

I did a recent survey which had me answer questions in order to determine which candidate most matched my views.

1) Ron Paul 67% correlation
2) John McCain
3) Bill Richardson
4) Barack Obama

At the bottom of my list were Rudy, Hillary and Edwards.

If the race is Hillary vs. Rudy, it's the same as Kang vs. Kodos for me.
Nathan
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 16:10:50 (CST)

you must post pictures.

matt m
nate in leather
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 17:31:18 (CST)

Hey Matt,

I've been wondering...

Could you maybe help me along, because I cain't decide if Paul is arguing for or against the efficacy of natural revelation in Rom. 1:18ff. Nature's witness to God's character and attributes appears from this passage to be universally rejected. Because of this, I wonder if Paul would disagree with Kant's talk about the starry skies above, and the moral law within. What do you think?

Do you think this might affect discussions about the current status of the image and likeness of God in man?
bob
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 17:43:32 (CST)

Is Ron Paul gaining any traction where you guys live? He seems to have an ardent group of guerilla sign posters out here in Idaho.

Re: Aaron's question, I figure it can't get any worse than Bush II, so I'm not thinking about the bridge yet.
Russ W
- Wednesday, December 05, 2007 at 20:25:28 (CST)

Forgive the digression, but this picture strikes me as worthy to be amused by the Losers.

http://spotted.tylerpaper.com/pages/photo_page.php?mm=1001902&gallery=303237
Jay
- Thursday, December 06, 2007 at 08:59:35 (CST)

I would respectfully suggest that the "genuineness" or perceived sincerity of a political personality is subordinate to their given alignment with a political philosophy and their freinds and connections. They have two jobs: one is to project an image, to be a spokesperson, to get up there and speak for many others. That part of the job is indistiguishable from the job of Actor. The less talented the actor, the more their performance seems calculating and contrived. But the other part of the job is to assemble a team of people to develop policy and actually DO important things. That part of the job is so much more important. The President today is a fairly talented actor. But his team is a disgusting array of idealogues and corporate henchmen who care about concentrating the wealth and power of a very few number of people. I agree with Jay in the sense that Hillary would be a less talented actor. Nevertheless, I feel certain her cabinet and broader assembly of trusted advisors would tend to represent the interest of the majority of this country. Ask not which new president would bring you closest to the bridge. Ask which president would build a bridge from our government back to you!--- even if she fails to convey a sense of passion and conviction, and has the unladylike qualities of nerve, persistence, self-control, resilience and doing the best she can after being battered by the wake of insanity that followed history's dummest hummer. John McCain would be the most frightening next president, because he's got the best shot against Hillary.

So, Matt C! Whatsamatta? Got nuthin'?
bob
- Thursday, December 06, 2007 at 16:37:22 (CST)

Bob: Hillary's not up for an Oscar, she's seeking my endorsement to be our leader. Her lack of sincerity has little to do with poor acting and everything to do with the fact I don't believe a word that passes that tattooed smile on her lips. This is especially true with policy issues. That said, I sure do miss you Bob. I'll score you two points for "being battered to the wake of insanity...", with a 1/2 point deduction for implying self-control is unladylike. When are you coming to East Texas to say hello?

Jay
- Thursday, December 06, 2007 at 17:06:22 (CST)

I do own a leather jacket or two, but I'm not sure that qualifies me to be "nate in leather".

But in a related item -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071207/ap_on_re_us/suburban_sex_club_1;_ylt=Av7qWO6786ahGl.7nAKtWMwE1vAI

http://www.cherrypit.org/

That's Duncanville - the square little suburb my parents lived in. The "pit" is about 1.5 miles from their old house.

Nathan
- Friday, December 07, 2007 at 17:53:58 (CST)

Jay, I'm seeing evidence in those photos of Al Quaeda in Al Tyler.

Nathan
- Friday, December 07, 2007 at 17:55:10 (CST)

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm almost there with Nathan on, "It doesn't matter anymore, if it's between Rudy and Hillary." Although I might be slightly more emotionally stable with Hillary than Rudy.

The whole idea of politicians that tell what they really believe without calculating what they will get for their statements vote-wise is an interesting concept. I can say probably the only people who ever do stuff like that are the people that lose (Ross Perot, Kinky Freedman, Ron Paul*, etc. - insert any third party candidate here). These also tend to be the kind of people that are very arrogant and won't listen to anybody else's ideas - I'm kind of tired of having that for the past 8 years.

* - I know Ron Paul hasn't technically lost yet, but he's going to lose. Incidentally, could you see a vh1 special on romance between Ron Paul and Ru Paul . . . ?

Aaron
- Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 07:50:32 (CST)

having supported both I can honestly tell you that Ron Paul is a lot different from Kinky.

Kinky was a humorist running to show that the other candidates were really the joke.

Paul is a serious candidate who admittedly has a hard row to hoe, but he is one of the few who actually brings up fundamental ideas and questions whether some things are within the purview of government. He is one of the few classicly liberal (and thus conservative) people in American government.

It won't be Hillery v Rudy it will be Hillery v Rommney or Hillery v Huckabee.

Romney will be able to say my hair is prettier than hers (he uses Joseph Smith's Golden Hair Tonic) and Huckabee will say wouldn't you rather have a former governor of Arkansas from Hope who plays guitar as president than the wife of a former governor of Arkansas from Hope that plays the sax.
nathan
- Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 10:36:53 (CST)

bob, I put a post in faith regarding your question....
matt c.
- Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 14:46:05 (CST)

Nice jab at the poor Mormon.

Anyway, Ron Paul I will concede is more of a serious candidate than Kinky. However, though I think Kinky started his campaign as a joke, by ballot time, he really believed he could do it.

I will look into Ron Paul. I know he's a libertarian in republican's clothing. I wonder what his attitudes towards Africa would mean. I think there are obvious differnces between intervention as a thug and intervention as a helping friend. According to Council for Foreign Relations website, he is for abolishing all aid to Africa, because of the imperfection of the process (i.e., it could end up going into the pockets of corrupt leaders instead of to the people for whom it was intended). Which brings up an important point about libertarians. Ron Paul comes off as highly critical of current policies, but what sort of alternative solution does he pose other than, "that's not OUR problem."

Aaron
- Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 15:46:05 (CST)

Jay, yeah its been way too long. Thanks for being gracious in the wake of my insecure feelings that maybe the candidate who would have the best chance at running the executive branch effectively, might be too damn annoying to pull it off. Frankly, I quite agree with your criticisms. She has always struck me the same way. I dislike her style in more ways than I can articulate, but she does certainly strike me as disingenuous. I would like to go on to make an apology for politicians whose practice of the "art of the possible" demands that they fashion tortured rhetoric and bastardized policy as a necessary part of democracy, but my heart isn't in it. I will just conceed her to be less talented, but insist that she is generally likely to be guided and assisted by a better class of people. Naturally, the only ideal candidate would be Aaron, with Cooke as press secretary, Don as Defense Secretary, Nathan as VP, Calhoun as AG, you as Secretary of Commmerce, Pete as Chief of Homeland Security, and Waltman as Fed Chief. Other position (and trading places) are available.
bob
- Sunday, December 09, 2007 at 17:13:38 (CST)

Is Aaron old enough? Cook?
Jay
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 09:12:16 (CST)

I believe I am old enough, and perhaps so is cookie. However, while I am honored I will not be even able to think about forming an exploratory committee until 2012 - since I'm committed to the mission in Burkina until then.

Nathan,

What's the link to the website that tells you what you really think about the candidates after you answer their quiz?

Aaron
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 09:56:25 (CST)

Wasn't Russell Bartholomee going to run in 2008 as a project for his government class? Does anyone remember Russell Bartholomee? Does anyone remember Peter Pak?
Jay
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 11:48:40 (CST)

Does anyone remember Dave Stults? I think I do.

Anyway - the family and I are off to Saskatchewan for a good while.

So, in case you don't hear from me over the holidays - Happy Life Day, suckers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asnVcbWQ2cg
Baggett
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 13:07:22 (CST)

http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/jewish_texans_commemorate?utm_source=onion_rss_daily

Jewish Texans Commemorate the Holocaust - Texas Style!

Nathan
- Monday, December 10, 2007 at 16:40:41 (CST)

The question is, do Dave Stults and Peter Pak remember any of us? I guess Pete will remember us if the men of loserdon descend on Seattle. But as for Dave, who knows.

Safet travels, Brian Baggett and family.
Russ W
- Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 10:53:14 (CST)

Okay, gentlemen, let's talk guy weekend 08 in Seattle. Mariners have released their schedule and here are some options, ranging from late March to early June.

There are three opportunities to see the Rangers in Seattle.

Option #1: Opening day is Monday, March 31, with the Rangers v. Mariners at 3:40 p.m.

Options #2 & 3: Rangers are back in Seattle from Monday, May 5 to Thursday, May 8. We could make it the tail end of a May 2-5 weekend, or the beginning of a May 8-11 weekend.

Option #4: Mariners stay at home the full weekend of May 9-11 and play the White Sox, so we could do that weekend without pressing to get to Seattle by Thursday for the Rangers.

Option #5: Home again weekend of May 16-18.

Option #6: Home again weekend of May 30-June 1.

I could do any of the above, with the possible exception of #2. #5 is not the best for me either, but is doable.
Jay
- Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 09:04:54 (CST)

Thanks, Jay. #1 is definitely out for me. I will look into the rest. My last day to teach in May will be the 7th.
Russ W
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 00:51:06 (CST)

#4 looks good
bob
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 12:55:07 (CST)

#4 is my first choice, as well. Of course, someone needs to get in touch with Peter to see what he thinks. If we go #4, I may even try to get up there in time for Thursday night's game, too.
Jay
- Friday, December 14, 2007 at 15:09:50 (CST)

#1 wouldn't be bad. #2 and #3 are out for me. #4 is possible but could present problems. The last two would be fine.

Brian Blair
- Monday, December 17, 2007 at 02:07:27 (CST)

I'm flexible, provided I can make enough spending money. Anyone have some airline miles they want to cash in and get me a cheap flight? ;)
Evan
- Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 22:08:50 (CST)

3, 4, and 5 look best for me.
Nathan
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:05:45 (CST)

8 AMAZING HOME REMEDIES

1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.

2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF
LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.

8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.

9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

anonymous
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:09:56 (CST)

dear anonymous:

so which of the remedies wasn't amazing?
dave rigsby
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 13:53:22 (CST)

Everybody seems to be good with #4 (and/or #3), which is Thursday, May 8 to Sunday May 11.

Next most favored option is #5 (May 16-18). I've emailed Peter and asked him to look this over and give his input, since it's in his home town.

That sound good to you guys?
Jay
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 17:04:35 (CST)

FYI: Found a Residence Inn in downtown Seattle, near the ball park, adjacent to a street car stop and with a free shuttle to the ball park. Nice restaurants located .1 miles away. It has a 2 bedroom place with a king bed, two double beds, a kitchen, complimentary breakfast, and a pull out couch for $250/night + taxes.

I'm not suggesting we book this right now -- just providing an idea of what's out there and at what price.
Jay
- Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 20:53:45 (CST)

I am logging out for a while. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy Kwanzaa!
Scott F
- Friday, December 21, 2007 at 16:29:14 (CST)

It's safe to say that our own BBB doesn't regularly pop up in my dreams. That's not a comment on him, it's just the natural result of the fact I haven't seen him in quite some time and we've lost contact to some degree.

For that reason, it was very odd that last night I had a dream featuring Mr. Booth. To be honest, I don't remember the full details and I want to say that another member or two of Loserdom was there but it's all sketchy. The one thing I do remember is that Triple B ended up shooting some evil doer. I specifically remember that he had a concealed handgun permit and the shooting was justified but I also remember it starting the citizens packing heat debate up, once again.

Not sure that this is leading anywhere but it's stuck in my head and I thought I'd throw it out there.
Brian Blair
- Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:11:04 (CST)

My lovely bride and I were blessed to ring in the New Year with none other than Nathan Williams and a passel of Scouts.

Nathan brought about a dozen Scouts and adult leaders up to Del Norte, CO, for some skiing, and as that's only about 4 1/2 hours from our current home of Denver, we took the opportunity to link up for some alpine-ish fun. Eva and I drove down New Year's Eve afternoon and stayed at the Best Western Movie Manor in Monte Vista, a motel with a drive-in right next door; during the spring and summer, you can watch the movies from the comfort of your room (sound piped in and everything). We spent the Eve with Nathan and his young charges, playing Monopoly and watching "The Office" on DVD.
The next day, we linked up again and drove to Zapata Falls, a beautiful frozen waterfall. After that, we visited Great Sand Dunes National Park and hiked up some frozen dunes. Beautiful country, there.
Eva and I had a wonderful time, Nay-nay. Thanks for the hospitality!

Don
- Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 23:36:57 (CST)

Jay --

Thanks for the love last night. The spirit from deep in the heart of Texas must have pulled them through and brought pigskin pride to the midwest. Perhaps the Chiefs were taking note....
Bianco
- Friday, January 04, 2008 at 08:38:42 (CST)

Thoughts on Iowa? I do not think that Huckabee is the person the GOP wants on the ballot in November. I think Hillary or Obama would beat him.

I know it's not over 'til it's over, but I think Hillary still has the edge for the Dems.

Some bloggers have suggested that Hillary could nominate Bill for the Supreme Court. That would be quite a middle finger in the face of the GOP.
Russ W
- Friday, January 04, 2008 at 12:36:57 (CST)

Bjank, glad to do it. But let this be the final time you open a post with "Jay -- Thanks for the love last night." And on the heels of Brian's BBB dream...ewww.

RW, I'm thrilled Hillary is 3rd! Still on the anybody but Hillary bandwagon.
Jay
- Friday, January 04, 2008 at 15:30:35 (CST)

Austin area losers, I'm back in your fair city for a one night engagement only. This Wednesday, January 9, staying at 183 and Mopac. Anyone want to get together for dinner, nightlife, etc.?
Jay
- Monday, January 07, 2008 at 10:06:23 (CST)

Jay, there's a song about you on Evan's webpage (myspace.com/evanchristian)...Two for One Coupon Man. (Ev's got the story behind the song on his myspace page.) OK, so it's not really about Jay, but the title fits.
Russ W
- Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 01:00:37 (CST)

Don, It was great seeing you guys. You guys are welcome to hang around me and a bunch of teens anytime.

Nathan
- Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 17:15:49 (CST)

"Two for One Coupon Man" could be renamed "The Ballad of Jay Stokes."

Great Song.
Nathan
- Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 17:26:46 (CST)

I'm honored, what can I say. Though it may be more accurate to describe me as "Three for one coupon man."
Jay
- Friday, January 11, 2008 at 08:48:51 (CST)

UFOs in Stephenville?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22656172/

Dropped passes in Dallas? What's next? (Not the NFC championship)
Russ W
- Monday, January 14, 2008 at 22:47:54 (CST)

Requiescat in Pace
Meatball
2005 - 2008
Jef
- Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 09:13:28 (CST)

I am glad to have known Meatball, a great entertainer of my children.
Jay
- Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 16:31:20 (CST)

I finally got my National Guard drill schedule for the year, so here's my input on possible Guys' Weekend dates: all the options Jay listed would pretty much be okay except May 2-5. I could probably make that weekend, but would be a bit of a stretch. Sometime in April will be my two weeks' Annual Training, and that will be non-negotiable.
Don
- Friday, January 18, 2008 at 20:48:37 (CST)

As to Don's comments above, we need to just set a date and go with it. It looks like the best remaining options are:

1. Weekend of May 8 - 11

2. Weekend of May 30 - June 1

Last I heard, almost everyone who truly wants to come is available on May 30 - June 1. I still haven't hea