December 31, 2005

Dude, we're in the future!

Have a wonderful New Years, everybody!

December 30, 2005

Clint Sampson

Sad news from Broncoland...

Clint Sampson, one of John Elway's favorite targets early in his career, died in a car crash this week. Sampson, who made #84 cool way before Shannon Sharpe ever did, was only 44.

December 23, 2005

Christmas spirits

One of my favorite beers is Austria's own Trumer Pils. I discovered Trumer Pils at Trocadero awhile back. It was served in these really cool beer glasses. I tried to get the Trocadero staff to sell me a couple, but to no avail.

Yesterday, my friend Chuck gave me a Christmas present - two shiny new Trumer Pils glasses. You're the best, Chuck. Thanks a million. I look forward to enjoying some fine imported Trumer Pils this holiday weekend.

December 21, 2005

Emperor Claus

"Now, young children...you will die. Merry Christmas."

December 16, 2005

John Spencer 1946-2005

Sad news from Hollywood...

John Spencer, who played White House Chief of Staff and grizzled Vietnam veteran Leo McGarry on NBC's The West Wing, died from a heart attack today. He was four days away from his 59th birthday.

I'm gonna miss him on The West Wing. Leo was a remarkably human character, tremendously flawed but with his heart in the right place. Ironically, Leo had a near-fatal heart attack a season or two ago on the show.

I'll be curious to see how The West Wing handles his loss. The Matt Santos/Leo McGarry ticket seemed to be picking up some steam in recent episodes. I wonder if this will have any effect on the fate of Alan Alda's character, Republican presidential candidate Arnold Vinick.

One for the geezers

A week or two ago, I could almost be convinced to root for the Colts in their quest to complete the perfect season. It'd be a great story, an incredible achievement, blah blah blah...

Then I saw this week's Inside the NFL on HBO.

Nick Buoniconti stopped by the studio to talk to the fellas about the Colts, and what he thought their chances of setting the record were. Buoniconti was honest - he said he thinks they're gonna do it. Fair enough.

Then, as the show's closing credits started rolling, Buoniconti starts the "Let me tell you guys about my '72 Dolphins" routine. One by one, Costas and company leave the table and let the old guy ramble on and on about the glory days. Although most likely scripted, it was hilarious. Screw the Colts. The '72 Dolphins rock.

December 15, 2005

MTV + drug dealers + Ferraris = Pure magic

Happy 56th birthday to the coolest cat of the 80's - Don Johnson! Johnson made pastels and no socks the coolest thing around during Miami Vice's heyday.

Last week, one of the channels was running a 24-hour Miami Vice marathon. I had to give it a couple minutes of my time. I wasn't disappointed. How can you top the following dialogue?

Tubbs: "You ever get a standing ovation?"
Crockett: "Not since I got rid of my water bed!"

Totally rad.

December 13, 2005

"Because we live here! Aaaaagh!"

I stumbled on something fantastic over at Team Swap today...

To all you American bad-asses out there - you've talked the talk, but can you walk the walk? It's time to test your mettle. Are you a yellow-bellied Soviet sympathizer, or are you a stone-cold Wolverine patriot? Find out here.

USA! USA! USA!

December 12, 2005

Happy Birthday!

The following people were born on December 12:

1915 - Frank Sinatra
1923 - Bob Barker
1943 - Dickey Betts
1946 - Richard Hermann

Happy birthday, Dad.

December 06, 2005

Wearing out one's welcome

Thought I'd comment on something I found a bit ridiculous.

In Berlin, plans are underway to construct a "Center of Remembrance" for WWII victims. Not the WWII victims you might be thinking of, either - I'm talking about Germans who were expelled from places like Poland following the war.

I don't know if you guys have heard or not, but there were these really nasty guys called "Nazis" that ran roughshod over almost all of Europe around 65 years ago. Although I loves me the Germany, it seems a bit insensitive for the Germans to somehow feel like they were victimized following World War II. World War I, maybe - but not World War II. The above picture was taken in Warsaw after the Germans, realizing the eastern front was lost, razed over 80% of the city to the ground and killed roughly 200,000 Poles before surrendering the city to the Soviets. Gee, I wonder why the Germans got the boot?

Angela Merkel visited new Polish President Lech Kaczynski over the weekend, as tensions over the proposed monument simmered. Merkel supports the controversial project, while Kaczynski feels it's not exactly appropriate for obvious reasons. As the new face of Germany, Merkel hopes to breathe new life into intra-EU relations, and she'd be well-advised to distance herself from something this absurd in the formative stages of her Chancellorship.

December 03, 2005

These colors run

Everything you've heard is true. I surrendered. It's my darkest hour.

December 02, 2005

"Revenge is a dish best served with cold beer."

I'm a little vexed.

As your malevolent Imperator RISK, my heart breaks with the knowledge that, once again, the plebs are restless. How can this be? What is there not to love about Pax Milwaukus? Yes, I rule with an iron fist. Yes, I demand a 25% tithe from your earnings. Yes, I steal your daughters and kill your sons. But do I harm you, per se? You're still breathing, aren't you? Life is tough, folks. Deal with it.

But, if peace must, indeed, once again be abandoned in the hope of a better tomorrow, I shall not back down. My legions are loyal, having been paid handsomely for their services, and are poised to strike should the need arise. Malevolent in name only, I beg you - don't do this! I have no desire to scatter the ashes of my enemies over the Mediterranean yet again. Have I not seen enough blood for one lifetime? How many times must I create a desert and call it peace? How many times must I plunge the dagger into the hearts of our best and brightest minds? Please take a moment to observe the following documented proof of what happens when order succumbs to madness:

As you can clearly see, Lord Buchsunderfoot (right) can only raise his hands to the sky in prayer as his best-laid plans fall harmlessly by the wayside, paving the way for yours truly (left) to once again reclaim my rightful place as Princeps RISKus. Please, good citizens - don't make me do it again. I can promise you - I won't be gentle like before.

Yeah, right. Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!

RISK, anyone?