RSS Hugger

I just signed up here, a site that is supposed to draw traffic to your site. I've heard some very good things about it, so I'm going to give it a try. Hopefully I'll get more than just my circle of friends and family to give it and me look ...

Real Men of Genius

God I love those Bud Light commercials. I did not realize there are now more than 160 of them. This one is fricking funny.

Go here to hear a few. You can also find some videos at YouTube.

Favre vs. Brady

To celebrate Sunday's AFC & NFC Championship Games, I hereby give you a possible Super Bowl preview between the Packers and the Patriots.

Well, not really. But both videos are pretty funny...

The Tom Brady mancrush song

Whew! That was close!

Ed will be happy to know that Zac Efron, he of High School Musical fame, will be OK after being rushed to a Los Angeles hospital Wednesday for an emergency appendectomy.

That means Efron, 20, will be able to continue filming High School Musical 3, which is slated for sometime later this year. Probably Halloween, since that's the reported theme of the unexplainable Disney hit. I know Ed is letting go one huge sigh of relief right about now.

Speaking of unexplainable hits, another Bring It On movie just went straight to DVD. Bring It On: In It To Win It, is the fourth of the cheerleader movie series. The first one, with Kirsten Dunst, is a hoot and a half -- the opening scene alone is worth the price of admission, I mean rental, I mean purchase price. The other two? Meh ... But you know I'll still watch it anyway.

Zac Efron photo courtesy Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Kirsten Dunst photo courtesy Universal

Finally, a winter wonderland ...

It hasn't been much of a winter so far here in Northern Virginia/D.C. In fact, it's been one of the warmest on record. But winter showed up today with some snow, sleet and freezing rain. Now it's actually changing to all rain. But it is pretty.

It still kills me that they cancelled most of the schools in this area today because of this little inconvenience. It hadn't even started yet and the panic had already begun.

Good thing I got to the store yesterday in time to pick up all the milk, bread and toilet paper I could find.

I hope you noted the sarcasm ...

Sister Sue update...

... Well, she got the results back from all her bone/CT/MRI exams last week, and the news ain't all that good. She has two lesions on her brain and one on her liver. She starts chemotherapy next week. Strangely enough, her lungs are now clear of any cancer.

The news could have been much worse, of course, but this is bad enough. At least she's gotten smart enough to realize that chemo could make a difference. And I think the fact she likes this doctor helps too. She really did not like the last guy. She thought he was just shuffling people in and out of his office with little care for his patients.

I keep reminding Sue about Lance Armstrong, who had cancer start in his testicles before going to his lungs and brain. He fought and survived -- well enough to win seven consecutive Tours de France. And he continues to help people with cancer today with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I'm sure you've seen people wearing the yellow bracelets that bear the Livestrong name on them. It was Armstrong's bracelets that started the wave of bracelets that adorn wrists around the country -- from other foundations and charities and health organizations to sports teams. I even have a blue Chicago Cubs bracelet that says "I Believe" on it. It hasn't worked yet.

I've given the Livestrong bracelets to all my family to wear, including Sue, who says she's given all of hers away, but doesn't wear one herself. Hmmm ...

Click here for more Livestrong information.

Now if only we could convince Sue to stop smoking ...

Family ties...

We're one day closer to our cruise. We leave Jan. 25 for Miami, where we'll spend one night before hopping aboard the Celebrity Century the next day on our way to Jamaica and the Caymans.

My nephew Josh is coming to watch the dogs again. He arrives on Jan. 23, and his stay is likely to be quite lengthy. Things aren't going well with him at home in Arkansas, so Ed and I have opened up our house to him with the hopes that he might be able to find a job here and get his feet firmly planted on the ground somewhere else. I think the best thing for him would be to get out of Arkansas and start over. We'll see if he agrees.

My sister Cheryl and her other half Val will be making a visit, too. They will be coming in late April to see the Cubs and Nationals play at the new Nationals Ballpark. Ed and I have season tickets (half-season plan) so we're assured of at least one game. So when single-game tickets go on sale, I'll need to be right there trying to get them tickets because it's probably going to be a bitch getting tickets for one of the biggest series of the year.

As for the rest of the family? Should hear from Sue tomorrow about her bone scans last week. Hopefully there'll be good news coming there.

Brenda? She's going to graduate from college next May. Couldn't be prouder of her. She still has some issues to work out at home, but overall her life is really heading in the right direction.

Brother Ron continues to live in Little Rock. Every time I talk to him he asks if he can "borrow" some money. We've all pretty much figured he has a box stored away in a closet somewhere overflowing with $20 bills.

Amazing Race 12

Finally, they are gone.

Nate and Jen were finally eliminated in last night's episode of The Amazing Race 12, one of the best of the season if not one of the best of the series.

The little blonde and her boyfriend --as we like to call them at work -- went out bickering. So what else is new? They may also be the dumbest competitors ever. Going to Taiwan, they were excited about getting to meet "Thai" friends and eating "Thai" food. Seriously -- people watching this must wonder what the U.S. education system is coming to.

And it was fun to watch them freak out when T.K. and Rachel -- who may be the most mellow, most laid back couple ever on the race -- caught up to them despite the speed bump, which involved running through a field of fireworks. No wins either, despite being in the final four. Oh well. Too bad so sad.

The final leg of this edition begins next week from Taipai, with Mr. Miagi and his daughter in the lead, followed by T.K. and Rachel and Gramps and the Kid ("We've been playing this game like bitches").

Mr. Miagi and his daughter continue to surprise, but my choice to win is T.K. and Rachel, and if not then Gramps and the Kid.

It's going to be a great fight to the finish...

Gramps and the Kid photo courtesy CBS

It's really, really HOT in Melbourne ...

Today's gratuitous shot of Andy Roddick AND Rafael Nadal.

Hot fun in the summertime ...

Today's gratuitous photo of Andy Roddick ...

The Australian Open begins Monday in Melbourne. What better way to celebrate than with a shirtless Andy Roddick?

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Amazing Race 12 ...

... They are down to the final four, but T.K. and Rachel face an uphill climb. They were last into the pit stop at Osaka, Japan, but because it was the final non-elimination leg of the race, they are safe for now. Phil told them they were already three hours behind the others, and they'll have to deal with the Speed Bump in next week's episode.

Looking at the previews for next week, they catch up, but you never know what happens to them on the Speed Bump. They are still my choice to win, with Grandpa and the Kid my next choice.

I had to laugh, though, because Nate and Jen failed to finish first -- again. Let's just hope that continues, though it would pain me to see them finally come in first and win the $1 million. That's the LAST thing I'd like to see happen.

The fourth couple? Mr. Miagi and his daughter? They were first again, but as long as he keeps treating his daughter like crap it's hard to cheer for them.

Until next week ...

T.K. and Rachel photo courtesy CBS

Yes, Richard Simmons can be funny ...

Check out this video of Richard Simmons on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Fricking funny...

And if that's not enough check out his appearance about 20-25 years ago on General Hospital when he was a regular.

Now THAT'S funny.

Sorry Joe

The second coming of Joe Gibbs to the Washington Redskins is over. The coach resigned yesterday after four seasons and two playoff appearances, which is a little short of what everybody expected when he replaced Steve Spurrier.

Gibbs cited his family and, in particular, one of his grandsons being treated for leukemia, as his reason for stepping down. The murder of Sean Taylor midway through the season probably didn't help much either. And the fact that they made the playoffs after that is pretty impressive, even for those of us who aren't Redskins fans.

So, Gibbs will head back to North Carolina and his NASCAR operation.

See ya later Joe. Hello Bill Cowher?

Colon cleansing

Bowel detoxification program. An alternative to enemas and laxatives.

What?

I've been getting these spam emails telling me of the wonders of cleaning my colon. I'm sorry, I have enough issues with my colon that going through 2-3 days of unpleasantness (one site recommends starting on a Friday and taking Monday off from work -- really!) just doesn't sound like fun to me.

Here's one of the promotions:

Benefits of Colon Cleansing: Notice that you have so much more energy. This is because you are now able to absorb the full nutrition from the good food that you eat. Notice that you require less sleep and still wake refreshed. Notice that the little aches and pains that you used to have are gone. Notice that your eyes are so much brighter. Notice that your skin is softer, smoother and healthier-looking. Notice that you feel lighter and happier overall. Notice that you have lost weight. Notice that your digestive system works 1,000% better without needing laxatives, enemas, or any type of support, as you’ve gotten things working correctly again!

Harmful Side Effects:They tell you not to worry if taking the cleanser makes you feel sick because that's a sign that the product is working. According to one pamphlet, gas and other gastrointestinal discomfort along with flu-like symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose are "temporary, positive signs that your body is working to rid itself of the toxin build-up." Another product says, "Do not be alarmed if you pass strings of mucus ... for a couple of weeks as this is a good sign that you are detoxifying." Yet another tells patrons to "just relax and appreciate your body's cleansing process if you develop any of the following -- headaches, bad breath or body odor, dizziness, irritability, skin eruptions ... or low energy."

But do not relax. Dizziness could be a sign that you're becoming dehydrated. And strings of mucus—the intestine's response to stimulation—mean the body views the cleanser as a toxin and is trying to get rid of it. The idea of having to feel worse before you feel better is particularly dangerous in light of the fact that feeling bad is very possibly a sign that a cleanser is disagreeing with you in a serious way. Consider a U.S. Food and Drug Administration report that linked kidney problems and progressive muscle weakness to a cleansing formula that contained herbs and fiber. In another FDA report, a body cleanser that contained clay, cascara, and comfrey was associated with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting up blood. A woman even ended up in the emergency room with life-threatening heart problems after ingesting an herbal cleansing regimen with tainted ingredients. (Unlike drugs, cleansers do not have to meet standards for quality and purity.)

Not convincing enough? Then maybe this photo of what exits your body will be convincing enough. Which begs another question -- why are they holding it with their hands?? YUK!!!

Bon Appetite!

Opening Day

It's only January, but baseball is already in the air for me, especially with such a disappointing football season now in my rear-view mirror. And the fact it's been 70-75 degrees the past few days in the D.C. area.

According to bleedcubbieblue.com, Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs is a little more than 82 days away; the first spring game is only 50 days away.

And the Washington Nationals are getting ready to move into their new ballpark. An exhibition against the Baltimore Orioles kicks things off on March 29, followed by the nationally televised (ESPN) opener the following night against the hated Atlanta Braves.

I didn't think the new park would be done in time, but by golly it looks like the $611 million was spent wisely and correctly. Check out this cam shot of the new digs. Pretty cool...

Cruisin'...

Three weeks from today Ed and I will be on the Celebrity Century, cruising on our way to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. From there it's on to the Cayman Islands before the return trip to Miami.

Can't wait. I've been driving Ed crazy about hotel rooms before and after the trip, constantly going to the website to check prices (we really got a pretty good deal -- 5 nights, $309 each, not counting excursions, gratuties, etc.). Before the trip was listed as SOLD OUT this morning, Inside Staterooms were going for as high as $800 at one point! They did come back down before selling out.

Anyway, we're going to to a zipline tour excursion in Jamaica. It'll probably be as close as I ever get to actually doing The Amazing Race. In Grand Cayman, we're going to do a Jeep 4x4 adventure. We did one in Cozumel on our first cruise. If this one is anything like that one, it's going to be a blast.

This will probably be our only vacation/big trip this year. Money's going to be a bit tighter since we've had some work done on the house ... and with layoffs/buyouts at work, I think we're going to have to keep a closer eye on the bottom line.

I haven't even decided yet if I'm going to play softball this year. Oh I'm going to definitely play/coach on my work team, but I'm wavering on my Sunday Gay league team, NITRO. I really like the team and those guys will always be my best friends. But you just have to wonder how long the window's going to be open for us to ever win the NAGAAA Gay World Series. We thought we'd have done it by now. Oh well. We'll see.

But you know what? It's too soon to be thinking softball. Our cruise awaits -- and then hopefully about two feet of snow when we get back...then I'll worry about playing with balls.

The most handsome dog in the world ...

Dexter, in all his morning glory ...

I tried to warn them ...

... I told my neighbor across the street, I told my friends at work:

"You are letting yourselves in for a huge letdown."

And so here it is. Planning Super Bowl parties before the first playoff game is just plain stupid. Did the Washington Redskins have a chance to win yesterday? Of course. Did they? Of course not.

This whole thing about Sean Taylor and destiny was just a bit much, and in the end may have come back and bitten the Redskins and their fans right in the arse.

And so the hangover begins. But hey, at least you haven't been waiting 100 years for a World Series title like the Chicago Cubs have.

My prayers were answered ...

... Final score: Seahawks 35, Redskins 14.

I think that's all that needs to be said ...

Living and loathing in Washington, D.C.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the Washington Redskins? No, well, here goes:

I REALLY, REALLY HATE THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS.

Lord help us today if they beat the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC wild-card playoff game. After they barely made the playoffs last week, people I work with and a certain friend who lives across the street were already planning Super Bowl parties.

Give me a fricking break.

OK, so they might be the "feel-good" story of the postseason, what with the murder of safety Sean Taylor and all. But just because they've won four in a row with a backup quarterback who's on the run of his life, I wouldn't start making plans for the Arizona desert just yet. Todd Collins is going to come crashing down to earth one of these days, and hopefully, today's that day.

The local TV stations have had nothing but "Battle in Seattle" stories all week. Election news? What's that?

This hatred isn't just a passing fancy either. While I've lived in the Washington, D.C. area since 1991, I've hated the Redskins for as long as I can remember. And it's because of their fans (a fraternity buddy of mine and the neighbor across the street would be best friends). Totally without a sense of reality where the team is concerned. If you aren't a Redskins fan around here, you are scorned -- people act as if you just asked for their first born. And some would give away their first born if it meant a Redskins victory.

Joe Gibbs? Your time has come and gone my man. Your second coming has been no salvation. But if you guys win today, you are probably assured of another season or two by little owner Danny Snyder.

And, their name is racist. Having some Cherokee blood running through my veins, I can say that.

Many of you are probably saying that these are rants of a bitter Chicago Bears fan. Who watched as his team got spanked by the Redskins in early December. Well, sure, but I'm not bitter. I'm just a fan of any team who plays the Redskins.

But here's a final caveat -- if the Redskins do win today, I can think of no better scenario than to see them go down to Dallas and get whupped by the Cowboys. All these Redskins, especially my neighbor, going into a major depression/funk.

Now THAT would be fun to watch. ... Update after the game.

Another kid on the way!

Well, there's news today of another impending birth in the Munz family. Ed's brother Chris and his wife Julie found out today that they are expecting another boy, in 145 days according to his blog. Last August they celebrated the first birthday of Jack, who I'm sure can't wait for a little brother to beat up on. More as the big day approaches.

Close, but yet so far away

Christmas is over dammit. My favorite time of year -- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, packed malls the Saturday before the big day, but no snow -- again -- this year. One of these years I'd like to see a blizzard roll through here on Christmas Eve, dumping about 15 inches of snow. Now THAT would be a Christmas to remember.

Got some great gifts though -- an iPhone from Ed and a Cubs Derrek Lee jersey from my sister top the list.

And Christmas may be over, but that just means we're another day closer to our next cruise. Ed and I are going to Jamaica and the Grand Caymans on a five-night Celebrity cruise aboard Century. Can't wait. I don't know if we'll ever really vacation any other way than cruising.

After that? Pitchers and catchers report in mid-February, softball arrives in April and the Cubs win the World Series next October with new Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome being named MVP after Kerry Wood saves Game 7 at Wrigley Field against the Detroit Tigers.

I can dream, right?

Rudolph and Hermie courtesy CBS

Where have I been???

Umm, away? Hell I don't know. I just know I haven't blogged since Sept. 30, 2007. Good God, that was last year!

A lot has happened since then, and maybe that's why I just haven't had the desire. First and foremost, the Cubs were 3 and done in the playoffs. To the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bastards.

The Bears' season just ended, though on a good note, with a 33-25 win over the New Orleans Saints (take that JW or whatever the hell your name is now). But by winning their final two games they actually screwed themselves a little bit. Now instead of fifth or sixth pick in the draft they get No. 14. Please, if you are reading this, DRAFT A QUARTERBACK WHO CAN ACTUALLY WIN IN CHICAGO. PICK A RUNNING BACK WHO ISN'T CEDRIC BENSON. Sorry. Had to vent.

My sister Sue is OK I guess. She had her lung cancer surgery and then proceeded to start smoking again. She seems to think that since they cut part of her lung out that all the cancer is gone. Sure. And I'm going to win Powerball this week too.

She does like the doctor she's currently seeing, though, and he may be just the one to change her mind about chemotherapy. We'll see.

In reality TV land, Survivor: China has come and gone, with Todd, our little cutie mormon gay flight attendant walking away with the million bucks. He deserved it. Kid Nation is also over and probably won't be back. I liked it, but it raised a lot of concern over child labor laws and such. Pshaw.

And last but not least, we're down to the final four on The Amazing Race 12: Grandpa Don & Nick, Nate & Jen (please let them lose this week, please, please, please), Ron & Christina (Asian father and daughter -- he really treats her like crap), and the hippies, Rachel & TK.

I'm pulling for the hippies and grandpa & Nick. It's been a great year so far. Too bad the Goths are one. They were pretty funny.

Alfred E. Newman courtesy MAD Magazine

Go Cubs Go!

Ain't this a great T-shirt?? My sentiments exactly.

They did it. National League Central Division champions.

No more yelling at the TV. No more turning it off because I can't watch anymore. The motto this season was "It's Gonna Happen." I truly believe it now.

Today is the final day of the regular season, with the Cubs traveling most likely to Arizona for the Division Series opener Wednesday. Let's hope Carlos Zambrano pitches like he did Friday when the Cubs shut out the Reds 6-0 to clinch.

The Milwaukee Brewers put up quite a fight, but in the end the better team really did win out.

Thanks Cubs -- first to my three favorite players, Mark DeRosa, Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot. The other difference-makers? Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee and last but not least, Jacque Jones. And how can I not mention Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry and Daryle Ward?

Michael Barrett? Sorry buddy. Your fight with Z banished you to San Diego. But you will forever be one of my all-time favorites for sucker-punching A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox last season.

Bleedcubbieblue.com is an excellent Cubs blog and should be checked out. Also, the Go Cubs Go! song has been remixed. Check it out here.

Now if the Bears could just get their act together. Canning Rex Grossman was a good start.

World Series or bust baby. I can feel it.

Reality TV update

So now it's Survivor: China and Kid Nation.

The Chicken Man and the pro wrestling chick are gone from Survivor, which is probably best. Though the Chicken Man would have been pretty entertaining if he had remained. The other chick was just annoying.

This season's cutie is Todd, a 22-year-old Mormon gay flight attendant. His parents must be proud (note the sarcasm). He's smart and should go far.

As for KN, not sure what all the hub bub was about. Child labor, uncaring parents, blah, blah, blah.

This is probably the best thing that has and ever will happen to these kids. It's tough, but I think they are getting a lot more out of it than just a $20,000 gold star.

I guess we'll find out soon enough. When does Amazing Race 12 start???

Todd photo courtesy CBS

Sister Sue update

She's home after about a week in the hospital. She had a lobe in right lung removed, along with some lymph nodes. The lymph nodes had some cancer, but not in all of them, which the doctors said was a good thing. She's still in a lot of pain, but it can't be anything like what she went through immediately after the surgery.

So now the rehab begins. Chemo and radiation. But she's got to gain some weight -- she was down to 89 pounds when she left the hospital. She should weight about 110-120.

And even though she didn't quit smoking until the day of the surgery, she has quit. Let's hope she understands how she got in the mess she got in and doesn't return to that nasty habit.

Still a very long road ahead, but for now at least, the outlook is favorable ...

Perfect ...

An award should go to the United Airlines gate agent in Denver for being smart and funny, and making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

During the final days at Denver's old Stapleton airport, a crowded United flight was canceled.

A single agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS."

The agent replied, "I'm sorry sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these folks first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Without hesitating, the gate agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone.

"May I have your attention please?" she began, her voice bellowing throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to gate 17."

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the United agent, gritted his teeth and swore "(Expletive) you."

Without flinching, she smiled and said, "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to stand in line for that, too."

The man retreated as the people in the terminal applauded loudly. Although the flight was canceled and people were late, they were no longer angry at United.

End of an era -- sort of

So Ed and I are going to RFK Stadium tonight to see the Washington Nationals face the Philadelphia Phillies in what's supposed to be the next-to-last baseball game ever played at RFK Stadium. They say the new ballpark will open next April, but there's a lot of work yet to be done, so we'll see.

Lots of good times at RFK, even though the teams haven't been very good. The Nats did tease us in 2005 when they actually had a shot at the playoffs in September, but other than that, a lot of losses.

We're going to tailgate one last time -- not many parking spaces at the new ballpark, which is a shame. But it's going to be a nice park. I just hope they keep some of the ambiance of RFK -- like the moving seats along the third base line, Sweet Sixth, the Presidents races.

Can't wait.

The pictures above are an artist's rendering of the new stadium, and a picture of Ed when we were allowed down on the field last season. Click here for a look at the construction of the new park.

Verrrrrry scaarrrrryyyy!

It's almost Halloween. Need some pumpking carving ideas? These are a hoot ...

Reality TV

One ends, another begins.

Big Brother 8 ended while I was away, but I caught up with the finale last night. Evil Dick was a deserving champion, because he played the game the same way all the way through. Daughter Danielle would have been OK too. Like I had a choice.

Can't wait until Big Brother 9 next summer.

Survivor: China also debuted while I was gone. Looks to be a good season, though I didn't agree with the voting off of the Chicken man.

Some real cuties to tide me over until the return of The Amazing Race in early '08...

My sister Sue

Just got back from a drive to Arkansas, where I visited my sister Sue. She was diagnosed recently with adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer.

She's 50, and has smoked cigarettes since she was 15. In fact, she didn't quit until the day of the surgery.

She was supposed to have surgery last Monday, but the surgeon was in the hospital after having a bad reaction to a drug he was taking. Turns out that was probably for the better because we were able to spend some time with her before she had the surgery Wednesday.

She came through it OK, minus one of the lobes in her right lung and some lymph nodes. She'll also have to have chemo and radiation.

Felt pretty bad for her after I saw her when she had woken up because she was in A LOT of pain, which took several hours for the doctors to get under control.

But she's doing better, and is sitting up for an hour at a time. Still a long road ahead...

The tease continues

Well, there's about a week left in the regular season and the Chicago Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 today, and lead Milwaukee by 2 games, with the Brewers playing the Braves later today.

Come next Sunday I'm either going to be happier than a pig in sh*t or drowning my sorrows in beer. Lots of beer.

I'm betting on the latter. There's no way they can yank my heart out of my chest again.

Can they?

NASA's 45th anniversary

NASA has put together a short film of its 45 top moments. If you like space stuff like I do, it's kind of a neat retrospective.

Click here

Things didn't quite work out this way ...

This cartoon was in a 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics.

My sister Sue

I just haven't felt like blogging, and the following is one reason why.

My sister Sue, who turns 51 this year, just found out recently she has cancer. She had lost a bunch of weight, and was down to about 93 pounds when she finally went to the doctor. Doctors think it started in her adrenal gland, and it has now spread to her right lung. She's seeing a surgeon today to talk about her options, so a trip to Little Rock will probably be in short order.

I won't be going to the Gay World Series in Phoenix. The only time off I had for the rest of the year was for that, and it's much more important I use that time to be with Sue and her man Sammy.

She's much too young to possibly be as sick as she is. And despite the fact she's smoked since she was 15, this cancer probably wasn't caused by smoking.

My dad died of lung cancer in 1992 at only 64 years old. My mom died of a heart attack in 1979 and she was only 47.

So there's lots of things for our family to worry about. We just hadn't planned on it so soon...

Cubs

It's September 5, and my Chicago Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central.

Barely. By 1/2 game over Milwaukee, 1 full game over St. Louis.

They are driving me crazy. Granted, I'm happy to be where we are. I don't get to cheer like this very often. But they've lost two straight to the Dodgers and can't seem to hit their way out of a wet paper bag. Five double plays on Tuesday.

Carlos Zambrano blasts the fans. The same Z who just signed a $91.5 million contract. The same Z who went 0-for-August. Steve Trachsel returns in a trade with the Orioles and looks like what Z should be, despite losing the game.

It's going to be a long rest of the month, with 5 games next week against the Cardinals. Those games -- 4 in St. Louis -- are likely to go a long way in saying who goes to the playoffs and who stays home, because the wild-card winner will come from someplace else.

My Reality TV

OK, so here are MY latest updates on Big Brother 8 and Pirate Master:

BB8 is coming down to the wire, and thankfully, we won't have to hear Amber cry about it all the way to the finish line.

Zach is this week's HOH, and he nominated Jessica (revenge) and Jameka (just doesn't like her and knows she would beat him in the final two). Danielle chose not to use the POV, so one of them is going home. BUT -- it's a double eviction week, so it will be interesting to see how that unfolds.

I do feel sorry for Eric -- he's definitely in an unenviable position having to juggle his own interests along with being America's Player. And then he falls for Jessica, which just complicated everything.

PM rode off quietly into the sunset -- on Internet video -- with cutie boy Ben going home with the $500,000 first prize. I was glad he came clean with Louie on throwing the competition that ultimately cost Louie his stay on the ship.

Still can't wait for what looks to be the final season of Amazing Race, with the 12th version of the chase around the world for $1 million starting in January or February.

By then, I'll also be into American Idol, Desperate Housewives, Lost and House.


Ben photo courtesy CBS

I know, I haven't blogged in a while ...

... So sue me.

Updates ...

The health department approved our deck permit, since the septic tank is nowhere near the deck. Turns out it's probably under the driveway, which is not good either. And the septic tank is another story in itself. Turns out it was put in in 1953, without a permit. Go figure. It will be pumped and evaluated on Friday ...

Back to working nights tonight. Been filling in for vacations, working days, the past 10 days. Sucks. Oh well, you live, you learn, you move on ...

Finished painting the shed over the weekend, and it now matches the "new" house. And now people won't be asking us if we own the garage next door, which is the color of the "old" house. We'd love to own that land, but that's probably not going to happen ...

Haven't been to the gym in quite a while. Been kind of leery since I caught a staph infection there during the spring. But with softball and general summer sweating, I'm now a svelte 165 pounds, down from 190. It also helped that I didn't drink beer for about a month while on antibiotics...

Big Brother 8

So Dick and Danielle are on the block. No big surprise there. Everything they did last week to get Eric evicted came back and bit them in the butt.

It'll be interesting to see how the Power of Veto competition goes tonight, because if one of them is taken off the block "America's Player" is bound by what America wants to get Dustin put up.

That would suck. Dustin, who is in complete control of the house (and nobody seems to know it) was the vote that kept Eric in last week.

And while I'm not a big fan of Jameka and the religion she wears on her sleeve, I have to give her props for standing up to Dick's truly evil ways.

Don't know what to think about Dick anymore. I like him, but he's a jerk, and isn't helping Danielle's cause at all. He says he'll do whatever it takes to keep Danielle in the house. We'll see.

But everybody should keep an eye on Zach. He's all alone out there, just floating under everybody's radar.

Dick photo courtesy CBS

Just a couple of updates ...

The siding is done and it looks fabulous! Ed and I still have some work to do around the house, a little painting here and there, but it's really looking good.

The Fairfax County Health Department is coming by today to give us an evaluation on our septic tank, which we found out was installed in 1953. Yikes! It's all a part of the permit process we're having to undergo because of the neighborhood idiot who reported us for rebuilding our deck without a permit.

We think we know who did it, and boy, the neighborhood is not happy about the can of worms that has been opened...

My thumb is doing GREAT. In fact, I think I'm ready to pick up a softball bat again, and it's not even been four weeks since my surgery. Timmy the tumor is gone, though he could come back. I'll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.

In the meantime, softball is back in my picture, with the upcoming MAGIC Tournament here in D.C. over Labor Day weekend, and then the Gay World Series in Phoenix in October. Can't wait ...

Back on track...

The Chicago Cubs are going to drive me into an early grave. But after losing four in a row and five of six, they got back on track last night in Colorado, beating the Rockies 10-2.

Despite their recent swoon, they are still only 1/2-game behind Milwaukee in the NL Central because the Brewers haven't been any better.

And it's not going to get any easier for the Cubs, who lost Alfonso Soriano until at least Sept. 1 with a torn quad. And Aramis Ramirez is battling knee and wrist injuries.

Hopefully GM Jim Hendry can swing some kind of deal to get a big bat in the lineup. If they can just stay close until their two big bats return, the division is there for the taking because the Cubs have a fairly easy September schedule -- at least on paper.

And they better keep an eye on their rear-view mirror -- the St. Louis Cardinals, who somehow won the World Series last year, are lurking.

Pirate Master

I know, I'm one of the few people watching this show, which was cancelled by CBS before the final five episodes could be telecast.

But I'm hooked, and have been watching the final episodes on the CBS website. This week it was Kendra's turn to be set adrift, after four consecutive weeks of being in the final two. Thank God. She was definitely the weakest player on the Pirate ship.

With only five Pirates left, my vote to win is Ben, who thinks his alliance with Jay is tight. But he better watch his back beause Jay is a sleaze bag. But then aren't all Pirates supposed to be sleazy?

If not Ben, then Louie is my second choice. He just looks like a Pirate...

HA!

Big Brother 8 just gets better and better.

Just when everybody thought America's Player, Eric, would be voted out of the house, WHAM! It's Kail, leaving Dick and Danielle befuddled about another vote that went astray. Thanks Dustin!

Serves them right. They don't know the whole story about Eric, and shame on the person who flew over the house with the banner last week. And shame on Amber for going off on Eric. Sure, it was wrong of Eric to betray a confidence of hers to Dick, but for her to stand there and say she's never lied in the house, when it was her who planted the idea of back-dooring Nick (yum ... sorry) is just so hypocritical.

So now it's up to Jessica, the new Head of Household, to stir things up. Hopefully she'll put one of these people up for eviction, in order of preference: Zach, Jen, Dick, Danielle. It should be a good week.

Jessica photo courtesy CBS

Big Brother 8

Tonight's episode is going to be very interesting. America's Player, Eric, is screwed if somebody wins the Power of Veto, because pretty much everybody has him figured out now as the one who voted against the wishes of everybody else the past two weeks.

But it's not his fault. Blame the plane that flew over the house during the Head of Household competition last week with a sign that said "Amber and Eric are liars."

Hopefully, he'll stay, and Jen will finally get the boot. I know I said last week that I was starting to like her, but she's just a mean, spiteful person. I was really glad when Danielle won Head of Household and put her and Kail back on the block.

The guy I really feel sorry for is Nick, who was booted last week. He really got hosed because everybody believed he was the one who cast the votes. He tried to tell everybody he wasn't the one, but nobody would listen.

And one last thing -- if Amber doesn't turn off the faucet, I'm going to puke.

Siding, Day 2

Man, the work they've done has completely transformed our little abode. Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday, when they were here from about 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

We'll have a little work/painting to do when they are done, including the shed, but the biggest job is complete. We'll also have to repair some damage they've done to some of our plants, but I guess that was inevitable. And with the drought we're having, some of those plants were in trouble anyway.

It's amazing/funny to watch people's reactions when they pass by our house. Ed and I immediately upgraded the neighborhood just by moving in. I'm sure a lot of the reaction now is "Oh my, look what the gay guys have done now!"

The first siding photos ...

They are really moving along. Here's what they've done so far...

Big Brother 8

I just love this show. After The Amazing Race, I think it's my favorite reality TV show.

Gay boy Dustin won HOH this week and nominated Jen and Kail for eviction. Kail thinks she's a pawn, but the house really wants her out. So do I. I hate to say it, but I'm starting to like Jen, who is playing a good game. She's a blonde with black hair, but she knows how to play.

I have a couple -- well, maybe a few -- favorites who I hope stick around for a while. Evil Dick is hilarious. When he walked into the bathroom last week and farted I thought I was going to lose it. Eric -- America's Player -- is just cute as a button, and boy does he know how to take this America's Player thing and run with it. He voted to evict Kail last week when Mike left the house, leaving everybody to think Jen was the other vote in a 7-2 loss for Mike. And Dustin is definitely getting his revenge on Joe, who's long gone. But like I said last week -- he made his bed when the show started by throwing all those accusations his ex, and now he's sleeping in it.

And then there's Nick. When he smiles, I melt. He's a big boy with a great body. But he's much too big for me, being an ex-football player and all. But he, too, knows how to work it, and work it well he does.

I guess that means I'd make an exception. You bet.

More updates as the summer rolls along...

Dustin photo courtesy CBS

Butterfly/bumblebee bush

We have a bush in the front of the yard that neither Ed nor I know what it is. But boy do the butterflies and bumblebees just love it. They flock to it like crazy. I took these pictures yesterday.

And so it begins ...

Bright and early today, too. The siding is going up, and I can't wait for them to finish. And they just started.

The thing is is I work until 1 a.m. each night, and sometimes don't go to bed until 3. They were here today at 7:45 a.m. Ugh.

But it will be worth it when it's done. Now if we can just get the Deck-O-Vation/permit problem figured out, we'll be good as gold...

Tammy Faye

I'm not really sure why I was so moved by the death of Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, who died Friday of colon and lung cancer at age 65.

I remember in the 1980s actually laughing when I'd watch the PTL Club. But after the scandal that brought down the PTL Club, and after she divorced Jim Bakker, she seemed to find her calling, and was embraced by the gay community for standing up for gay rights and being one of the first people I can remember to actually show sympathy for those with HIV/AIDS, in a time when a certain president couldn't even bring himself to mouth the words.

Maybe she did become a parody of herself, but she was definitely happier, and comfortable with herself as time went on. It was sad to see her final interview with Larry King on CNN last week, but that was her idea. Even though cancer had ravaged her body and she was down to 65 pounds, she was still Tammy Faye.

There's a nice capsule of her life on Towleroad that I think everybody who reads this should view.

RIP Tammy Faye. You deserve it.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

Big Brother 8

With no Amazing Race until early 2008, thank God we have Big Brother 8 to fill my summer nights.

This season has to be one of the best ever. Evil Dick is a riot, and I hope he and his daughter Danielle are able to patch things up and get close again.

As Head of Household this week, Evil Dick has set his sights on Kail (she lied to him) and the very weird Jen (a maniupulator who has to be blonde under all that black hair). Jen has to go. If I see one more of her shirts -- Jensa Member, Jenius, you get the idea -- I'm going to puke.

Thank God gay Joe is gone. That queen was a disaster in the making. He made his bed, and now he's sleeping in it, hopefully alone. To attack his former boyfriend, the HOT Dustin, and accuse him of giving him VD -- now that was just stupid.

The other really hot ones -- and my personal favorites -- are Eric (America's Player) and Nick (pictured), who has shown a bit of his gayness at times.

Let's hope whoever wins the Power of Veto this week does the right thing and doesn't eliminate either of the two currently on the block.

More updates to come...

Umm, about that gnome-napping...

Turns out our little friend wasn't swiped, and apparently didn't run away from home either. Ed found him on his back underneath the growth in the corner of the garden, near the pussywillow bush (he, he, I said pussywillow bush!).

The poor guy. All those days and nights and weeks perched on his back. I know some friends who wouldn't mind that, but I digress.

Anyway, he's back where he rightfully belongs, standing upright below the Rose of Sharon bush in the front yard.

We knew we lived in a redneck neighborhood (trust me -- after two cars and a car porch were firebombed over the weekend by the girlfriend of a guy LIVING WITH HIS WIFE -- I'm not kidding, they live a block away, and it's the same guy who owns the black lab that attacked Bailey last spring), we thought nobody would resort to gnome-napping.

A scandal has been averted. There's no place like gnome...

Deck-O-Vation update

Check out Ed's blog for the latest on his warped little mind and the latest in our home renovations, including the new French doors he installed by himself.

He really is quite the handyman. And just in time too. The new siding will be delivered this Friday with installation starting next Monday.

I really can't wait.

Canyon comes for a visit

Our friends Matt and Greg are off to Las Vegas this week and needed somebody to watch their yellow lab, Canyon. Ed and I love the load that is Canyon, having watched her last summer when Matt and Greg went to Hawaii.

She's a very good dog, but full of energy. She'll keep Bailey, Dexter and Zoe quite busy this week I think.

Not to mention Ed, who will have to deal with that energy when he's home at night and I'm off at work. He'll probably be just as tired as everybody else by the time Canyon goes home on Saturday morning.

Very sad, chilling news ...

As a softball player, and somebody who likes to coach the bases when I'm either not up to bat, on the bases or in the game, this story hits home.

Mike Coolbaugh, coaching first base for the Class AA Tulsa Drillers against my former home team Arkansas Travelers, died Sunday night in Little Rock when he was hit in the head by a line drive. He was only 35.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Timmy the tumor

Well, it's been almost a week and the thumb is feeling pretty good, as you can see by the picture. Had the giant cell tumor removed last week. I head back to the doctor on Wednesday and hope to have the stitches removed then.

I was awake during the whole procedure, which took about a half-hour. Didn't feel a thing, which is good. And while I wanted to watch, or at least catch a peek, they wouldn't let me. Oh well.

They said it would be up to me as far as how soon I wanted to get back to playing softball. Fall ball begins soon, with the Gay World Series in Phoenix just around the corner in early October.

The thumb is stronger than I thought it would be, so I don't think it'll be long before I'll be swinging a bat again.

Not soon enough, I'll tell you that...

Catching up ...

Two things -- check out Ed's blog for an update on the Deck-O-Vation (and other assorted weird things he finds on the internet). He's done a whale of a job on the deck, and I'm so proud of him. This place is going to look so much different and so much nicer when all the construction is done and the siding gets put on.

And my Cubs are still the hottest team in the National League, and now are only 3 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, and only 3 games out of first place in the wild-card race. It's going to be a great finish to the baseball season...

We are the champions -- again!

Well, my USA TODAY softball team won the championship of the Metropolitan Media Softball League for the second consecutive year this weekend.

We entered as the No. 8 seed and rolled through our competition, beating CNN 11-7 in the championship game. We went 5-0 in the tournament, avenging all of our regular-season losses in the process (AP, Team Video, Comcast SportsNet, AOL -- twice -- and CNN). It was a great weekend, winning the title after a 10-6 regular-season, and when I think many of the other teams thought we were vulnerable, especially after we won last year as the No. 1 seed.

I did get hurt -- what else is new? In the fifth inning while running the bases, as I headed into third base I pulled my right hamstring. I was so upset, especially because I had already had 2 hits and 2 RBI. But I knew whoever I put in there would do just fine, and I was right.

CNN made it close, scoring twice in the seventh inning, and had the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate. But a bounce-back to the pitcher ended it, and we took back-to-back titles, only the third team in MMSL history to do that.

So my softball season is officially over, as I go into surgery for the tumor on my thumb tomorrow (Ed and I named him Timmy). Timmy, it was nice knowing you for the past two years. Parting is such sweet sorrow -- NOT!

I'll be raring to go for the Gay World Series in Phoenix in October. Can't wait.

President who? Oh, that guy ...

Just what the doctor ordered.

Three out of four Cubs wins against the Nationals, another Brewers loss to the Pirates, and the NL Central is up for grabs, with the Cubs moving within 4 1/2 games of the lead.

The Cubs beat the Nats 4-2 Thursday night, with a makeshift lineup that included Daryle Ward and Jacque Jones, who both came up with some big hits. Carlos Marmol made it a little hairy in the eighth inning, but the Cubs held on and now it's on to Pittsburgh before the All-Star break.

And the Cubs won despite the presence of one President Bush. Didn't even know he was there. I remember Opening Day in 2005 and what a zoo RFK Stadium was when he arrived. This time I don't think anybody knew he was even in the park.

And considering everything going on in the world, that's probably a good thing.

Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez photo by Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP

Ouch!

Well, I guess you can't win them all.

Not only did the Nationals beat the Cubs 6-0 on Independence Day, I didn't get my George Washington bobble-head either. Turns out just about all of the 40,000 people in attendance wanted one too, and they were only giving out 20,000 of them.

I'd have probably gotten mine if I hadn't tailgated and drank beer with my softball friend Travis and his brother. But we waited until just about gametime to enter RFK Stadium, and by that time it was too late.

Oh well. You live, you learn, you move on. There are three more bobble-head giveaways this season, so I'll try and get one of those.

As for the game itself -- not much to cheer about. Rich Hill stunk on the mound, giving up a solo homer to Ryan Zimmerman and a grand slam to All-Star Dmitri Young. So now, the Cubs, who haven't scored in 15 consecutive innings, go for 3-for-4 tonight before heading to Pittsburgh to close out the first half before the All-Star break.

The only positive thing to take out of the loss: the Brewers lost too.

Cubs 2, Nats 0

Two more wins and the four-game sweep will be complete.

Carlos Zambrano threw a lot of pitches, but got the win as my Cubbies beat the Nationals 3-1 Tuesday night. And with the Brewers losing to the Pirates, the Cubs are only 5 1/2 games behind in the NL Central.

They are HOT. Three in a row, 10-of-11. The only thing that would make it better would be to just go ahead and sweep. And today's game at 12:05 p.m. ET is as good a place to start as any.

Was great to see so many Cubs fans among the 30,000 at RFK Stadium last night. And sitting next to me in his Nats red shirt and cap was Ed, who actually had a better time showing off his iPhone to the Cubs cutie behind us than he did during the game. Hell, I would have too. Yum. But I digress.

Today is the first of the President bobble-head giveaways. George is the lucky Prez. Ed's going just long enough to get one, then he's off to work before heading home to work on the deck-o-vation.

I think he'll be happy when the Cubs leave town and I get back to work. It's likely to be a bit quieter around the house. Not sure about that, but hey, as long as we don't have to deal with the crazy neighbors, right?

One down, three to go ...

... So the Cubs got off to a good start last night, scoring early and often in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals.

It was a bit strange at first, cheering against the Nats. But they were so inept until about the sixth inning that it really wasn't that hard.

There were about 25,000 fans in attendance last night, and I'd bet that 3/4 of them were Cubs fans. What a great sight. And the sound wasn't bad either, especially every time Alfonso Soriano came to bat (a few boos, but lots of cheers). It was Soriano's first trip back to D.C. since he signed that $136 million deal with the Cubs.

And the Nats got a clue of how much they miss him. Soriano had two hits, an RBI, a run and a stolen base against his former team.

I sat in section 471 last night, near the right field foul pole, which is almost catty corner to our usual seats in section 443. It gave me an idea of what our seats might be like at the new stadium next year -- the three requests we made were all in right field: above the Nats bullpen, below the scoreboard, and the upper deck, somewhat similar to the seats last night and tonight.

Game 2 is tonight, with Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano facing callup Tim Redding, who is pitching in place of Micah Bowie, the latest Nats pitcher to join the disabled list. I like our chances -- Redding hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005, and his ERA in the minors was above 5.00.

It'll definitely be interesting tonight -- Ed is a true-blue Nats fan, regardless of my life-long passion for the Cubs. He'll be wearing his Nats red shirt and cap, and I'll be in my Cubbie blues.

Thank God we'll be in separate vehicles going home -- one of us won't be happy.

Soriano photo by Susan Walsh, AP

Cubs vs. Nats

Well, the day has finally arrived. Tonight is the first of a four-game series at RFK Stadium between my beloved Cubs and second-favorite team, the Nationals.

I had a friend ask who I'd be rooting for. DUH. No contest. I'll be pulling out Cubs shirts this week I haven't worn since they were here last year.

And both teams are heading in opposite directions. The Cubs have won 8-of-9 and just took 2-of-3 from the NL Central-leading Brewers. Ugh again. But a big week by the Cubs here and another next weekend in Pittsburgh and the Cubs will be rolling into the All-Star break. They really are playing their best ball of the season. The Nats won yesterday, but are in last place in the NL East with the same record they had at this point last year. I'm confident 2008 and especially 2009 will be big years for the Nats.

But that's then, this is now. Time for the Cubs to put a whupping on the Nats and beat the teams they are supposed to be beating.

I'll report on each day/game at RFK. I didn't take this week off of work for nothing.

And like the sign says, nothing better than the Cubs and a cold Old Style beer. No Old Style at RFK -- I'll have to pay the $7 for a warm beer there and dream.

If it's not one thing it's another ...

... My softball nickname isn't Dora -- as in Dumb -- for nothing. Something always seems to be going on or wrong when it involves softball or picking up a hammer. And those two things have nothing in common except that I got hurt doing both this weekend.

My work softball team finished the regular-season 10-6, and is the No. 8 seed in the MMSL tournament July 14-15. I think it's a great finish and not a bad seed. But I was hurt in the second game Saturday, pulling my left calf muscle when I hit a divot in left field chasing a foul fly. Two days later and it feels like a bad charley horse. I have no doubt I'll be ready for our four games this weekend in my gay league.

Then, yesterday I was helping Ed with the Deck-O-Vation and hammered my left-flip off finger. It's swollen and blue today.

Now if I can just find somebody to flip off... Maybe Ed, since he went out and bought a new iPhone...