Oooops ...

No matter what any Cubs fan says, panic has already set in. Ryan Dempster had nothing last night except free passes to first base, and they eventually came back to bite him in the ass in a 7-2 loss to the Dodgers.

So now it's up to Carlos Zambrano, he of the no-hitter and he of the unpredictable personality, to get the Cubs even tonight in a must-win game. If the Cubs lose tonight, they are all but dead heading to Los Angeles.

That's really all I have to say about this. If you'd like to read a good analysis, go to bleedcubbieblue.com.

Am I worried? You bet your ass I am...

And so it begins ...

Just 11 more victories, and this will be one glorious season for the Chicago Cubs. Time to erase the bitter memories of 2003 and 100 years of futility.

The National League Division Series begins tonight at Wrigley Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Closer turned starter Ryan Dempster (left), he of the 17-6 record this year, goes up against Derek Lowe. Expect a low-scoring affair, even if the wind is blowing out.

The Cubs were 5-2 against the Dodgers this year, sweeping at home and splitting at Dodger Stadium. But that was before the Dodgers traded for Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake. That offense got a huge upgrade, with Manny putting up MVP-type numbers since he got there.

But the Cubs had the highest-scoring offense in the NL this year, and their pitching more than matches up with the Dodgers. If we get a good Carlos Zambrano, followed by Rich Harden and Ted Lilly if we need him, I see no reason why the Cubs won't be playing in the National League Championship Series late next week.

Against who you ask? Either the Philadelphia Phillies or the Milwaukee Brewers (thanks Mets, for choking so bad that even the Brewers, king of the chokers, were able to get in). It should be a good series, but I think the Phillies pitching is better than Milwaukee's, which is CC Sabathia and who?

Could you imagine, however, if the Brewers made it? That 90-mile stretch from Chicago to Milwaukee would be one crazy scene for a possible seven games.

But I just don't see that happening. My predictions:

Cubs over Dodgers in four.
Phillies over Brewers in four.
Tampa Bay Rays over White Sux in five (and thanks to the Minnesota Twins, too. See Mets above).
Los Angeles Angels over Boston Red Sox in five.

In the NLCS I like the Cubs over the Phillies in six and the Angels over the Red Sox in seven.

World Series: Cubs over Angels in seven.

Jayson Stark of ESPN has a great analysis of the playoffs and picks the Cubs to win the World Series over the Red Sox.

One caveat: Heaven help me if it's the Cubs and White Sox in the World Series. Possibly losing the ultimate grudge match would be too much to bear. It wouldn't be pretty. And it'd be almost as bad if the Brewers were to make the Series instead of the Cubs.

You know Fox is hoping for either a Cubs-Red Sox or Cubs-Angels World Series. Fox would probably throw up if it was something like Rays-Brewers or White Sox-Brewers. How boring.

Stay tuned ladies and gentleman. The wild ride is about to begin.

Top photo courtesy AP

The Amazing Survivor Race

And so they return, two of my favorite reality TV shows, Survivor and The Amazing Race.

First Survivor, which for the first time is being filmed in HD. Africa never looked so beautiful. Remember that on this show attitude, smarts and athleticism will get you everywhere. Which is why we said goodbye to Michelle (bad attitude) and Gillian (no athleticism at all) on opening night.

My favorites? Gay-boy Charlie of course, and his BFF Marcus. Physics teacher Bob seems to be quite a hoot, and though Randy is depressing, he knows how to to play the game. None of the chicks really float my boat, but you have to admit that anybody named Sugar has to be kind of fun. And I think she is and will be.

As for the best show on TV, The Amazing Race: Beekeepers/hippies Anita and Arthur we heardly knew ye. From Los Angeles to Brazil was as far as they made it, faltering at the Detour.

Their choices: Hard Way Up or Soft Way Down. Teams could either climb a stone staircase on their hands and knees (ouch) and be asked a mystery question at the top, or teams can choose to climb down a cargo net attached to a building that’s 240 feet down. Every team chooses the cargo net but the frats, Andrew and Dan. They preferred to wreck their knees by climbing the stairs, and they got the question at the top wrong: how many stairs were there? Back to the bottom, where they have to reclimb.

So back to the beehives with ye Anita and Arthur after taking a looooong time to climb the Soft Way Down.

My favorites here? The frat boys and the nerds, Mark and Bill. I can already tell I'm not going to like the Southern Belles (Marissa and Brooke -- why do we have to have dumb blondes on every TAR? But I digress). The Tina half of Ken and Tina is already annoying, too. And the brother/sister duo of Nick and Starr are just a little too touchy-feely for me.

So away we go. See you next week.

Anita and Arthur photo courtesy CBS

Paul Newman 1925-2008

One of the coolest dudes to ever walk the planet. A star of three of my favorite films of all time: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and Slap Shot.

USA TODAY did a series of wonderful pieces on his passing.

Man, will you be missed. RIP

Geez Astros, get over it already

Apparently the Houston Astros are still complaining about having to play the Cubs at Miller Park after Hurricane Ike, blaming everybody but themselves for the two losses they suffered in Milwaukee.

Check out Thunder Matt's Saloon for a summary of what really took place.

Ten Commandments for dog owners

Dexter thought you might want to read this. Borrowed from Ed's blog.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me. Do not break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly those things you want me to learn.

3. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you.

4. Speak to me often. Even if I don't understand all your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiastic excitement when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

5. Please take me inside when it's cold and wet. I'm a domestic animal and no longer am accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me.

6. Keep my bowl filled with clean water; I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty. Feed me good food so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to be by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to share with you my life, for that is what I live for. However you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Don't hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too.

10. When I am very old, when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it is time to say "goodbye". Never say, "I can't bear to watch." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. Remember -- I love you.

-- Author Unknown

The Lou Piniella song

Check out this song written from Sweet Lou's days with the Seattle Mariners. I think it's high time it was rewritten with Cubs references.

This is some funny sh*t.

Piniella photo courtesy AP

Go Cubs Go!

More pictures of the Cubs' NL Central clincher can be found here, and a complete recap can be found at the Cubs' website here.

And just for good measure, here's the song of the year (Eddie Vedder's tribute can be found in a blog below).

With thanks and appreciation to Steve Goodman, who wrote the original Go Cubs Go!

Enjoy.

Photo courtesy AP

This picture is worth a thousand words ...

... Need I say more??

The magic number is 2 ...

After today's stirring, improbable 7-6, 12-inning victory over the Brewers, I thought it was appropriate to post this tribute to the Cubs from none other than Pearl Jam's own Eddie Vedder, who is a huge Cubs fan.

I heart Geovany Soto, soon to be the NL Rookie of the Year.

For my nephew Josh ...

... Who's not a big fan of clowns. So imagine if a zombie took a bite out of a clown ...

I told you so ...

... So Dan, the 24-year-old Catholic school teacher, becomes the first winner in Big Brother history to win with a unanimous vote (Memphis never stood a chance, especially after the Q&A session). And he deserved it.

The jury members finally got off their high horses and realized they were beaten by the best player in the game. It took a while, but good for them.

And hey, how about the greeting 75-year-old Jerry got when he showed up at the Jury House? They may have been in California, but it sure looked like they were in northern Canada. In the middle of a winter blizzard.

So another season of Big Brother is over. If The Amazing Race and Survivor weren't starting next week, I'm sure I'd be going into reality TV withdrawal.

While it's well known how much I'd love to be on TAR, BB would be my second choice. I love Survivor, and all the contestants on that show deserve a pat on the back. I just couldn't handle the bugs.

Or the lack of a fan. I'd never sleep.

Magic number is 4

The Cubs continue to roll while panic mode has settled in in Milwaukee.

The Cubs beat CC Sabathia and the Brewers 5-4 last night, dropping the magic number to clinch to 4 games, and moving the Cubs 9 games ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central.

The game was the first for new Brewers manager Dale Sveum, who replaced Ned Yost. Seriously, how worried must the Brewers be if they fire their manager when the team is leading the wild-card playoff race? And now they don't even lead the wild card. Better them than us, that's for sure.

Closer-turned-starter Ryan Dempster won his career-high 16th game, following up another masterpiece by Ted Lilly, who one-hit the Astros on Monday after Carlos Zambrano no-hit the Astros on Sunday. I heart me some Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster.

The game ended with a nasty bender of a slider by closer Kerry Wood (photo courtesy AP) to strike out Prince Fielder, who had already homered twice in the game.

A sweep of the Brewers and the Cubs can start planning for the postseason. The sooner the better I say. But if not the Brewers, the Cubs should be able to clinch at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

That would be just as sweet.

Also, Ron Santo, Joe Torre and and Luis Tiant are among 10 players on the latest Hall of Fame ballot for Veterans Committee voters.

It's time to vote Santo, my all-time favorite Cub, into the Hall of Fame. It's ridiculous that he's not in already. His stats are much better and more deserving than about half the players already in the Hall. He also played with diabetes, which nobody knew at the time. And he has since paid the price, having lost both of his legs.

Vote him in guys, while he has a chance and the time to enjoy it. Check out this video below.

A magical season

Who would have thunk it?

A no-hitter from Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who hadn't pitched since Sept. 2 because of shoulder tendinitis. Against the red-hot Houston Astros, who are about to overtake the fading Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central and wild-card. At Milwaukee's Miller Park because the series was moved out of Houston because of Hurricane Ike.

Who would have thunk it?

Big Z was superb last night, allowing only a walk at a hit batter while striking out 10 in the Cubs' 5-0 victory. He was truly unhittable, throwing the first no-no by a Cub since Milt Pappas in 1972. The crowd, which was 99% Cubs fans (it is only a 90-mile drive from Chicago to Milwaukee), roared its approval on almost every pitch.

More importantly, it gave the Cubs a 7 1/2-game lead over the Brewers, who lost a doubleheader yesterday and were swept in four games at Philadelphia. The Cubs magic number to clinch either a playoff berth or the NL Central title is down to seven (any combination of seven Cubs victories or Brewers losses).

And as for the whining Astros, who complained about the series being moved to Milwaukee? Get over it. I'm sure other venues were scouted for this series, but I'm sure the dome over Miller Park had a lot to do with the series being moved where it was. I feel badly for the people of south Texas, but the Astros just need to shut up and play ball. They're getting paid millions to do what many of us can only dream about.

Onward and upward. This season is going places most of us never thought possible. Let's hope Ted Lilly can complete the "Wrigley North" sweep today.

Big Z no-hitter photo courtesy AP

Rumor central

Do you like rumors? Do you like baseball trade rumors? Then check out my widget on the right below the Cubs widget. The guy who runs this site has turned it into a full-time job. Lucky b*stard.

You can also check out the website here.

No lipstick on these pigs ...

My favorite college football team, the Arkansas Razorbacks (what did you think I was going to talk about?) is getting the weekend off because of Hurricane Ike, but it's just postponing the inevitable.

Arkansas was supposed to lose to Texas today. The game at Austin was moved to Sept. 27 because they didn't want anybody to get killed when Ike roared through. Very good move.

The Hogs are 2-0, but they had to pull both victories -- against Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe, no less -- out of their asses with late fourth-quarter comebacks.

Now I'm all for new coach Bobby Petrino (we're not going to get into his nasty exit from the NFL's Atlanta Falcons) and am willing to give him some time installing his program. But the schedule after Alabama next week and then Texas is a killer: Florida, at Auburn, at Kentucky, home against Ole Miss and former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. Nutt did a fine job in Fayetteville, but it was time for a change. Should be an interesting homecoming.

Arkansas closes with its traditional day-after-Thanksgiving game against LSU.

Ideally, I think the best this team can do is 7-5 and a fringe bowl game; 9-3 could happen, 5-7 is more likely.

Boy would I love to be proved wrong.

I heart Nelson ...

I wish I could make the "HA HA!" sound just like Nelson Muntz of The Simpsons.

The only reason I'm posting this is because I was stumbling around and found this. Ed and Josh and I are always making the "HA HA!" noise. I chuckle and snort just about every time I hear it.

Here's a sample. It just never gets old ...

Dan and Memphis

So Big Brother is down to the final two, Dan and Memphis. Not that I told you so, but I told you so. Dan won the final Head of Household competition and voted out 75-year-old Jerry, who had quite the run.

I would vote Dan the winner because he's been playing the GAME since day 1. (Take note of my previous post.) But I think most of the jury will vote for Memphis because most of them aren't as bitter about Memphis as they are about Dan.

Memphis makes it to the final without ever winning HOH, while Dan won it three times. That would suck to make it that far with absolutely no news at all from home.

But hey, he could win $500,000. I'd take that any day.

The season finale is Tuesday, which would suck if Survivor and The Amazing Race weren't right around the corner.

Memphis photo courtesy CBS

Close, but I'll take it

So the Cubs are back on track after taking the final two games of the three-game series against the Cardinals, winning 4-3 Wednesday and 3-2 last night.

Rich Harden's return could not have come at a better time. CC Sabathia? Please. I'll take my man Rich Harden, who has pitched as well if not better than the Brewers rental who is going to skip town after the season anyway.

But could we not do it with so much drama? Kerry Wood had danced around danger in his past three or four appearances, but he came through again last night -- thanks to some bad baserunning by the Cardinals.

And kudos to Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome, who pretty much saved the game with two outstanding defensive plays in the eighth inning.

Now it's time to sit and wait. Hurricane Ike has its eye set on Houston, so the Cubs flew back to Chicago to wait out the storm. Eventually these games with the red-hot Astros will have to be played though. They've talked about alternate sights -- wouldn't it be great to fill up Nationals Park with 40,000 Cubs fans?

But the Astros say this series will be played in Houston. Smart for them -- if they play this series anyplace else, and Milwaukee, St. Louis and Atlanta have been mentioned, it won't matter that the Astros are the home team. Cubs fans will cheer them into submission.

In any case, the Cubs have a 5 1/2-game lead on the Brewers, who are desperately trying to hold on to at least the wild card. They need to start worrying about the Astros approaching in their rearview mirror.

Go Phillies.

Harden photo courtesy US Presswire

Should I be worried?

Maybe.

About what you ask? What else is there? The Chicago Cubs and whether or not they can hold on to win the National League Central or at least get the wild card.

They've lost eight of their last nine, including six in a row at one point. And all this after a seven-game winning streak. Thank God the equally inept Milwaukee Brewers have been losing, too, or the Cubs might be looking up at the Brew Crew instead of continuing to hold a 4 1/2-game lead.

I knew they'd have to have a bit of a funk at some point this season, but it's starting to get old now. On Sunday, the Cubs led Cincinnati 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth. Closer Kerry Wood then proceeded to give up three runs and the Reds won 4-3. On Tuesday, the Cubs led the also inept St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 before Albert Fricking Pujols tied it with a three-run homer. Carlos Marmol then lost it in the ninth.

It's even starting to get to manager Lou Piniella a bit. Apparently, he blew his top a bit after last night's loss.

Maybe that's what they need. When Lou had his famous meltdown last year, the then-last place Cubs responded by making a run all the way to the playoffs.

Hopefully, Lou's latest outburst -- and the return to the mound of Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, who were both out with tired arms -- will be just the tonic this team needs.

Seriously, I don't think I could take it if I had to endure another collapse. And I'm not going to get really worried until the lead is gone. The magic number to clinch is 14.

Oh. And beware the Houston Astros.

Click here for the latest Cubs news and what has turned out to be a calming voice of reason. And check out the new Cubs widget I've posted on the right side of this page.

Piniella meltdown photo from 2007 courtesy AP

The Amazing Race 13

Kind of like the kid in the Disney commercial: "I'm too excited to sleep."

That's how I feel about the season premiere of the 13th installment of The Amazing Race, set for Sept. 28.

To me, this is the best show on television. You get to see the raw emotions of people racing around the world trying to win $1 million. Ed and I entered four times, with no success. I also entered one time with my sister Cheryl, but again we were spurned. I would do just about anything to get on this show, so if you are reading/listening CBS, I'm your guy.

The cast looks like the usual assortment of crazies (you have to be a little crazy to do this show I think). But the couple that looks like it will provide the most entertainment are the 60-year-old hippies, Anita and Arthur.

I can't wait. For a preview of this season's contestants/cast, click here.

Anita and Arthur photo courtesy CBS

Big Brother 10

So we're down to the final three -- Dan, Memphis and Jerry. My pick to win since early on has been Dan, and I still think he'll walk away with the $500,000. But watch out for Memphis.

You have to give props to the old man, Jerry, though. He's survived a lot longer than anybody ever thought he would. Not bad for a 75-year-old man.

And now my bitch of the moment: Dan deserves to win. He's done everything you are supposed to do in this game, whether it be lying, cheating, stealing, being America's Player, etc. So for all the evicted house guests to moan and complain about friendships, trust and the like, I say "TOO FRICKING BAD!" It's a game people. It's kind of like Survivor: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast.

So, to all of you on the jury -- get over it. You live, you learn, you move on. Now's a good time to start.

Dan photo courtesy CBS

Sister Sue update

Well, my latest trip to Little Rock was a good one. Sue keeps plugging along, though she is a bit thinner and weaker than on my last trip. And she tends to doze off a lot, though her little cat naps don't last very long. If she could get 8 hours of straight sleep and put some weight on (hello, Ensure anybody?) I think she'd feel much stronger and not worry Sammy and the rest of the family so much.

My next trip is planned for Thanksgiving. I'll have to drive on that one I'm afraid. 17 hours straight through to Little Rock. Ugh. But it'll be well worth it...

Back to blogging ...

... I know it's been a while. Sorry about that. But there's just been too much going on ...

The youth of today ...

... Only in Arkansas ...

I shall return!

Because of the Olympics, my work schedule got all screwed up, so that's why I haven't been blogging.

And now I'm heading to Little Rock to visit my sister Sue, who is doing OK, considering everything. I was going to wait until Thanksgiving, but thought I should go now, especially since Cheryl and Val are going to be there, along with Sammy's brother Burt. I fly out tomorrow and return late Sunday night.

That also means I won't be going to the Gay World Series in Seattle. Bummed about that, but I can play softball anytime.

So when I return you can look forward to updates on the Cubs, Big Brother 10 (buh-bye Jessie, Libra and April), the new teams of The Amazing Race, and I guess I'll have to mention the Olympics (hello, Michael Phelps? Usain Bolt?)

In the meantime, have a good week and I'll see you all after Labor Day!

I love my iPhone

Granted, it's not the new 3G variety, but it's still a fabulous piece of work.

Since the 3G came out, Apple has provided an Apps Store where you can go and purchase downloads for the phone -- but there are plenty of free ones too. The ones I downloaded and like the best:

*The Star Wars phone saber. Yup. Shake your phone, point it at somebody and you get the sound of the saber from the movie. And it comes in different colors.

*Can you ever really have enough cowbell? Apparently not because I now have it on my phone, complete with my buddy Christopher Walken saying "I gotta have more cowbell!"

*SportsTap. From Major League Baseball to the NFL, NBA and NHL, from the NCAA to the PGA, sports updates are right at your fingertips.

*The Magic 8Ball. Just like the one you had as a kid. Ask a question, turn your phone over, and presto! The answer you've been waiting for. Or not.

*And, last but not least (I actually downloaded several more but these are my favorite), I can learn Spanish right on my phone. I ask the question and it gives it to me in Spanish, complete with a little woman inside the phone giving the correct pronunciation.

Don't have one yet? Then get out there and buy one. You'll be playing with it for hours.

Bye, bye Angie

Well, Jessie lives to see another day on Big Brother 10, but he's on the block again, so his stay could be short.

Angie and muscle boy Jessie were on the block last week, and by an 8-0 vote, Angie was evicted. But when April won HOH this week, she put Jessie back on the block along with Memphis. They are probably the strongest players in the game, but barring a Power of Veto victory, one of these two will be going home Thursday.

Speaking of Jessie: Dude, don't be such an ass. You might not be on the block again if you weren't so intimidating and arrogant. And, might you be hiding something?

A word of advice to Dan, who was selected America's Player: Subtlety works wonders. You were coasting along under the radar, but now that America wants you to do their dirty work, don't be so obvious. Libra and April have already figured out that something's wrong, with both of them wondering if Dan is indeed America's Player.

Should be an interesting week...

Weekend in New York

As I said in the previous post, Ed and I went to New York to visit his family. His grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday, and his grandfather, who has had both legs amputated because of circulation problems, was busted out of the rehab facility for the day on Saturday to celebrate the occasion.

I hope if and when I reach 90 that I'm still plugging along as well as those two are. Since I never really knew any of my grandparents, I consider Stanley and Jeannette my grandparents. They are definitely two peas in a pod, and it was good/fun to see them interact.

Ed's brother, sister-in-law and their two infant boys -- Jack and Sawyer -- came down for the weekend too. Jack is hell on wheels, but boy is he a cutie. He'll be a good big brother to Sawyer, who was just born in May.

We took Bailey along for the ride, leaving Dexter and Zoe behind with Josh to watch for the weekend. Having all three dogs would have been a nightmare, especially with the two youngsters (the dogs) being the crazies that they are. But I think Bailey had a great time, as the picture above shows. She loves to ride in the car and put her head out the window.

All in all, a great weekend.

On a roll

I was out of town visiting Ed's parents and grandparents in New York over the weekend, so I wasn't able to update my blog with the Cubs sweep of the Brew Crew last week in Milwaukee.

It was, in two words, total domination. Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden followed Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano in shutting down a potent Brewers offense. After the Cubs beat the Pirates yesterday 8-5 (thank God for Reed Johnson, who broke a 5-5 tie in the eighth with a two-run homer) and the Brewers' 5-0 loss to the Braves, the Cubs now own a 5-game lead on the Brewers and a 6-game lead on the Cardinals.

It's definitely a season to remember. If there ever was a year for the Cubs to win the National League pennant, this is it. The NL East is a crapshoot among the Mets, Phillies and Marlins, and the teams on top in the NL West are barely above .500. But watch out for the Dodgers. If Manny is Manny, he's going to bring a lot to that offense, which was definitely lacking. Ramirez had a huge opening weekend, hitting better than .600.

But we'll worry about that come late September and early October.

Keep up with all the Cubs news with the widget on the right.

Reed Johnson photo courtesy AP

Round 2: Big Z dominates

In the battle in Milwaukee, so far it's Cubs 2, Brewers 0.

Carlos Zambrano did indeed hold his emotions in check last night, save for the bat he broke in two after failing to get down a bunt; he did single in a run later though. Anyway, he was unhittable on the mound, throwing eight shutout innings as the Cubs increased their NL Central lead to three games.

Aramis Ramirez came out of his post-All-Star break funk too, with four hits, including three doubles.

Now it's up to Ryan Dempster tonight and Rich Harden tomorrow afternoon to complete the sweep. And don't think the Brewers aren't worried about just such a scenario. I'm sure they thought they'd be up 2-0 with CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets throwing the first two games. But the Cubs matched the pitch-for-pitch, actually going one better, setting it up for Dempster and Harden.

The trade deadline is tomorrow. Rumors have the Cubs possibly going after some relief pitching, but with the emergence of Jeff Samardzija and the eventual return of Kerry Wood from that nagging blister, they should be OK. There's also talk of going after the Mariners' Raul Ibanez, which would be a great pickup -- though it might mean the end of the Jim Edmonds-Reed Johnson platoon in center.

Anyway, onward and upward. The Cubs have won three in a row overall. Let's make it four, then five, and throw some distance between the Cubs and Brewers. And I guess the Cardinals too.

One other interesting note: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is now reportedly the favorite to end up as the owner of the Cubs when all is said and done. His bid for the team and Wrigley Field? A cool $1.3 billion.

God, please let this happen.

Cuban photo courtesy David Yellen

Sister Sue update

Well, things ain't all that good. Cheryl talks to her almost every day and says she talked to Sammy this morning. They were bringing a nurse's aide in to spend the day with her so Sammy could go to work. Somebody has to be with her when he's not home.

She's really having fits with the nausea, and is quite agitated at times. Cheryl says she may try to take a trip to Little Rock this weekend just to give Sammy a break. If I was just a little bit closer, I'd be there too. But it's a 17-hour drive, and airfare right now is pretty high.

But I'll do what I have to if it comes down to it.

More as I know it ...

Seattle, here I come

Well, it's official: I will be traveling to Seattle to play for Cobalt Big Blue in the 2008 Gay Softball World Series. Reservations are set.

I'll miss one day of round-robin play, but will get there on Tuesday night, Aug. 26 in time to at least play in Wednesday's round-robin games. If not, I wouldn't be eligible for double-elimination, which starts Thursday.

I'm hoping Ed might be able to come too. His brother has a free ticket on JetBlue that he has to use soon -- it would be nice to take a short vacation together, even if it does involve softball (deep down, I think he likes being with all the people, especially those that don't play).

Anyway, I hope I can help Cobalt. I think they asked me because they think I might be able to do just that. Or they just needed a warm body. In any case, I'm getting pumped.

Check out the Seattle World Series site here.

The photo above is from Saturday's CAPS All-Star Game. We -- the A/B Division All-Stars -- beat a spirited C Division 12-10 in eight innings. We actually trailed 5-1 in the fifth inning before getting our butts in gear. And the C team, which included several Cobalt players, didn't give up either, tying the game in the seventh. That's me on the bottom far right.

More to come as the big trip approaches ...

Round 1: Cubs

In one of the best games of the season, the Cubs finally beat the Brewers in a see-saw affair Monday night 6-4. Derrek Lee had three RBI, including the game-winner in the ninth that broke a 4-4 tie.

It was nice to see the Cubs' bats come alive, especially against a guy like CC Sabathia of the Brewers; kudos to making him throw 124 pitches in seven innings. The bats started showing some life in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Marlins, so to see them carry those bats to a rocking Wrigley Field North is a good sign.

Note to Alfonso Soriano: Make sure the ball clears the wall before you start your home run trot. You could have been really embarrassed in the first inning if you hadn't gotten to second base for at least a double. Nice comeback, though, with a homer later in the game.

Round 2 is tonight with possibly the best pitching matchup of the season so far: Carlos Zambrano vs. Ben Sheets. Keep your emotions in check, Carlos, and you'll be just fine.

Oh, and the picture of Lou blowing his top was from Sunday's game when he and first-base coach Matt Sinatro both got tossed for arguing a close call at first. Lou said he got tossed just for asking first base umpire Rob Drake "Why are you so antagonistic?" My question is, why aren't umpires held accountable for their actions (other than the Milton Bradley case from late last season)?

Get all your Cubs news in the widget on the right.

Piniella photo courtesy AP

'Suck it bitches!'

With that, Steven's time on Big Brother 10 was over. By a 9-0 vote last week, our favorite gay rodeo star was voted out. But boy did he go out with a bang, uttering those final words in his plea to stay. But he said he knew he was going home, so he just went for it.

Good for him.

Now what to do with this week's choice for eviction, Angie and Jessie. Keesha rocked the house with these two, though her nominating Angie was kind of a foregone conclusion.

Ah, Jessie. The muscle boy goes from HOH to on the block. A little full of yourself, I'd say. If you don't win POV, and the house is smart, you'll be going home on Wednesday night.

And why do I have a picture of Dan posted here? Because he continues to fly under the radar as the guy who doesn't pose a threat to anybody. He's cute and has a nice personality, but his CBS bio is a little out there.

Watch out housemates. Dan could fly under the radar all the way to the final.

Dan photo courtesy CBS

9 reasons not to date a Tyrannosaurus Rex

I snorted at Nos. 1-4 and 7.

Zombie classifieds

Softball season ends -- maybe

Well, this weekend was the official end of my softball season. Probably. Maybe. Possibly.

My work team's season ended in early July. My gay softball team Nitro ended the season as the B Division champions of the Chesapeake and Potomac Softball league (CAPS), but we're not going to the World Series in Seattle at the end of August. There were too many people who couldn't go, so we just decided to let the Disturbance, which won the B Division at the World Series a couple of years ago, go in our stead.

The season-ending party was held at Nellies Sports Bar in Washington. Ed and I had never been there before, but we had a great time. It's just too bad we live so far away because we'd definitely go there more often if we could.

Anyway, another CAPS team, Cobalt, has asked me to go to Seattle to play with them. Ed and I have talked about it a bit, and while I think he'd rather I didn't go, I think he's OK with it. Who knows how many more World Series I'll be going to? I know next year's Series is in Milwaukee (OK, I like Milwaukee, but how in the world did Milwaukee outbid Chicago???) so there's a chance I could end up going there. So if I can swing the days off and finagle a plane ticket (we have a plan for that too), then I'm off for the Great Northwest.

Ed and I have talked a lot lately about my retirement, which is coming sooner than I'd like to admit. I'll definitely play next year for work and probably a last season with a gay team (Nitro? Capitol Punishment? Cobalt?) before I call it quits. Ed has put up with a lot of softball over the past almost 17 years, and it's time I started giving some of that back to him.

An interesting next few days and weeks are on the way.

Cubs vs. Brewers

Well, the Cubs survived the weekend invasion of the Fish, winning Sunday 9-6 to split the four-game series. Good thing -- the Milwaukee Brewers had actually moved into a tie for first with the Cubs on Saturday, but lost to the Astros on Sunday to give the Cubs a one-game lead in the NL Central.

Next up? A four-game series starting tonight in Milwaukee between the top two teams in the National League. CC Sabathia (how silly does he seem for dropping the periods?) faces Ted Lilly tonight in a battle of lefties. Tomorrow night's game features Carlos Zambrano against Ben Sheets. Now that should a game to watch.

The Cubs' offense seemed to be in a bit of a funk until yesterday, but Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez seem to be coming out of it at just the right time. And how about that catch Jim Edmonds made to the end the game yesterday, giving Jeff Samardzija his first major league save? Not to mention mighty-mite Mike Fontenot winning the game with a three-run double.

Speaking of Samardzija, what a debut for the Notre Dame guy who gave up a football career to play with the Cubs. And with Kerry Wood still fighting that blister, Samardzija has been nothing short of a Godsend.

So, it's on to Wrigley North. Miller Park in Milwaukee is going to be rocking for the next four nights. Man, I wish I was going to be there...

Sister Sue update

Had quite a lengthy conversation with Sue and Cheryl yesterday. While we were on the phone, Sue got on the scales and was happier than flies on sh*t.

I didn't know she had gotten down to 69 pounds, so when she said she was up to 75 and was "woo-hooing" we thought she was just happy because she hadn't lost anymore. Little did we know, right?

Anyway, a gain of six pounds for Sue is enormous. Keep up the good work...

Estelle Getty 1923-2008

This Golden Girl will definitely be missed.

She found her niche when she landed the role of the sarcastic Sophia, mother to Bea Arthur, Betty White and Rue McClanahan. Now that's a quartet.

I know it's cliche, but Thank You for Being a Friend.

Read more about this great woman's life here.

Photo clockwise from left: Getty, McClanahan, White, Arthur

Best movie of the year

The Dark Knight is easily the best movie I've seen this year. So good that I've already seen it twice, and it just started on Friday.

All the hype about Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker was right on. He is so good that you don't even realize it's him under all that makeup and purple suit. That, to me, is indicative of a great acting performance -- I hope Oscar is listening. Ledger definitely deserves a nomination with the best comic book villain to come along in a long time, if ever.

It's all good. Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Michael Caine as Alfred. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. I could go on and on. Is it for kids? No -- that PG13 rating was pretty generous I think. But if you are looking for 2 1/2 hours of escapism, with lots of action, then this movie is definitely for you.

It's just too bad Heath Ledger won't be around for a possible third Batman go-round. But then director Christopher Nolan and Bale didn't sign on for a third one either. Maybe they knew something.

One thing to watch out for in the previews: Bale as John Connor in the next wave of Terminator movies. He's signed on for three of them and vows to treat them much the way he treated his two turns as Batman.

Summer '09 can't come soon enough.

They're killing me ...

It's only a few games after the All-Star Break, but the Cubs bats are pretty much dead. I think they left them at Wrigley Field before the break. Or somebody switched them with the Washington Nationals bats.

Anyway, they still have a 2-game lead over the Cardinals and Brewers, and Alfonso Soriano is due back any day now from his broken hand. They really miss him, having to tread water at 17-17 since he went on the disabled list. Pitching definitely hasn't been a problem. New guy Rich Harden had himself a game last night -- and lost. He gave up one hit in seven innings, but it was a homer and the Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0.

Oh well. Today's another day, another chance to throw some distance between the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers. Remember, the Cubs and Brewers end the month of July with four games at Miller Park. That series could go a long way toward deciding the NL Central and wild-card races.

I just have to keep telling myself that there's no reason to panic -- yet.

Soriano photo courtesy Getty Images

Big Brother 10

So far, so good.

This season, they've gone back to their roots and it shows. I just think it's more fun when nobody knows anybody.

Muscle boy Jessie and Renny survived the first week's nominations, watching too-big-for-his britches Brian go walking out the door. Now Jessie is Head of Household, and he nominated Brian's BFF Dan and gay boy rodeo star Steven. Personally, I hope it's Dan that leaves this week. It's all going to come down to the Power of Veto competition tonight, followed by the eviction tomorrow.

All the boys this season are cute -- I just don't think the elevators go to the top floor.

And remember what I said about Renny. She's so annoying, and she, too, survived the opening week nominations. Mark my words, she's going to be there until the end. You have to have somebody you love to hate, right? Well, she's it.

Thank God for Showtime. I can get my Big Brother fix on Big Brother After Dark, which is on every night on Showtime2 from midnight-3 a.m. ET.

Steven photo courtesy CBS

Sister Sue update

Again, not much to report, which I consider a good thing. She's still fighting quite a bit of nausea, but she says she's eating and doing everything she's supposed to. Pretty much have to take her at her word about that.

If she can get past the nausea and just gain a little weight, I think she'd feel a lot better.

More as I know it ...

Now that's funny ...

'The Dark Knight'

Check out the latest poster for the next Batman movie, The Dark Knight, which opens Friday.

I love this poster. Has more of a Joker-like feel to it, doesn't it? I think this Batman is going to be the biggest and best yet. The late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is already being mentioned as a possible Oscar winner.

Man, I still can't believe he's gone. But what a great way to go out -- with the performance of a lifetime.

Even though it opens Friday, I'll have to wait until Saturday or Sunday to see it because Ed works Friday, and he'd kill me if I went without him.

I'll be like that little boy in the Disney commercial: "I'm too excited to sleep."

Big Brother 10

The Chen-bot is back. Thank God.

Julie Chen introduced this season's cast of Big Brother 10 last night, and it looks like it's going to be a fun season. It's supposed to be a season like the first two, with everybody who walked into the house total strangers.

I already have people I like and hate -- please vote Renny off this week and keep muscle-boy Jessie. Jessie might not be very smart -- giving up a chance to win a car, though to his credit, he had no idea there was a car involved, then getting into an argument with the aforementioned Renny, who has already annoyed pretty much everybody in the house. She's overbearing and not very friendly.

They already have an HOH, 75-year-old Jerry, who had to nominate two people within 24 hours of moving in. He was elected HOH before anybody walked in the house. People had to look at a board and just choose. Jerry's a nice guy who's pretty smart about the game. I hope his age doesn't get in the way.

I also like gay rodeo star Steven, who has not told anybody about how much he likes guys. That should be interesting when that little secret pops out of the closet, especially with the house leaning, I think, a bit toward the conservative side.

About three months of guilty pleasure, until The Amazing Race and Survivor return. Then it'll be time for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

And we start all over again ...

Julie Chen photo courtesy CBS

All-Star break

So the official first half of the season ended Sunday. The Cubs have a 57-38 record (.600) and a 4 1/2-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central; they are tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the best record in baseball.

If you'd have told me that at the beginning of the season the Cubs would be sitting this pretty -- and doing a lot of the damage without Alfonso Soriano -- I'd have thought you were nuts.

Now, when he returns, probably next weekend, it'll be like the Cubs just pulled off another big trade. Keep him and new pitcher Rich Harden healthy and the Cubs could run away with the division title.

My biggest fear? They get to the World Series and have to face the White Sux. Lord, please, any team but that one. I don't think I could take it if the Cubs actually lost the ultimate grudge match.

After 100 years, God wouldn't do that to us. Would he?

First things first -- win the All-Star game tomorrow night at Yankee Stadium so the National League gets home-field advantage in the World Series. That would be huge for the Cubs -- with eight total players named to the team -- who have the best home record in baseball.

Oh, and while I understand the historical significance and all, is anybody tired of hearing about Yankee Stadium? And if you think it's bad now, wait until the final weekend of the season ...

Sister Sue update

Nothing new to report -- which is good news -- except that I talked to her Thursday and she sounded like the Sue of old...

Chicago's top dog

A dalmatian, Frisco, has been named Chicago's top dog. Read all about him here in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Big whoop

So the Brewers trade for C.C. Sabathia, who since he's gotten so big for his britches now wants to be known as CC, sans the periods.

Who cares? The Cubs one-upped the Brewers the next day, trading for A's pitcher Rich Harden, arguably the best pitcher in the American League at the time, even better than Sabathia.

What's nice is that Harden is under the Cubs control through the '09 season while Sabathia has said he's going to test the free-agent market after this season. I hope Brewers fans don't get too caught up in "CC mania." Ah, what the heck -- go ahead. It won't do any good anyway.

The Cubs got rid of a couple of turds in the process -- Matt Murton and Eric Patterson (Corey's brother). They also traded pitcher Sean Gallagher, the key to the trade for the A's. Can't blame them. I think Gallagher's going to be something special within a couple of years.

But if Harden leads the Cubs to the promised land, Gallagher will just be an afterthought when all is said and done. And the Brewers will be lamenting the guy that got away, promising young slugger Matt LaPorta.

Wouldn't want it any other way.

Harden photo courtesy Getty Images

Sister Sue update

Sue had a stent put in her arm today and is expected to go home later in the day. They were going to put a port in her chest, but decided the arm would be a better place for her to get all her medicines.

Not really sure if the cancer has spread, but the last time I talked to her she thought it had. But she soldiers on, with hubby Sammy right there at her side.

Like I said before, if she would just eat and gain some weight, I think a lot of her problems would go away, at least for awhile. We've tried to get her to drink Ensure, but she says she just can't stand the smell.

I've had Ensure, and yes, it does get old after awhile, but boy it beats the alternative.

More later as I know it ...

Why men shouldn't own action figures

From Todd, a good friend of mine back in Arkansas. Toooo funny!

See? I told you ...

Reality TV returns ...

... I know. It never went away. But some of my favorites are about to be back, or will be shortly.

*Big Brother returns next Sunday, July 13.
*My all-time favorite, The Amazing Race, is back on Sept. 28 with its 13th edition.
*And Survivor kicks off the fall TV season on Sept. 22 with its latest edition in Gabon, Africa.

Can't wait for The Amazing Race especially, but September is still a ways away. Big Brother will do just fine holding down the fort until then...

But seriously ...

All-Star Cubbies

It's been a great season so far for my first-place Cubs, who took two out of three over the weekend from the Cardinals (it would have been a sweep but for a rare Kerry Wood meltdown, but I digress).

Seven Cubs -- Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, Geovany Soto, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Wood -- were named to the All-Star team Sunday, the most in the NL and the most-ever for the Cubs. That doesn't include manager Lou Piniella, who was named one of the coaches for the final All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

And the All-Star Game has a lot of added meaning now since the winner of the game gets home-field advantage in the World Series. If ever there was a season when that was important it's this one, with the Cubs having the best home record in the NL. Time to break the AL's 10-game win streak (not counting the tie in Milwaukee in 2002.

The Cubs now lead the Cardinals by 3 1/2 games. But the team I think they should worry about even more is the Milwaukee Brewers, who today traded for C.C. Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. The Brewers are only 3 1/2 behind, too. The Cubs and Brewers end July with a four-game series in Milwaukee that could go a long way toward deciding the NL Central.

Catch up on all the Cubs news with the widget at right...

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Josh and I went to Baltimore to celebrate Independence Day (Ed had to work) and had a great time. Josh had never been to Baltimore, a city Ed and considered moving to at one time. But the commute to the D.C. area was just too much so we settled in Lorton.

Anyway, we went up early and walked around the Inner Harbor for a while before settling in at the ESPNZone for a couple of beers. We then headed down toward the ballpark and had a couple of beers outside Pickles Pub. The whole area around Oriole Park is perfect for just meandering and having a good time.

Then it was time to head into the ballpark. We entered through Eutaw Street. The way Eutaw Street -- and the entire park for that matter -- is laid out you don't even have sit in your seat to have a good time. You can walk around and not miss any action.

It was Josh's second visit to a major league ballpark, with Nationals Park his first. One of these days we'll have to get him to Chicago to see THE BEST park in the world, Wrigley Field.

I've been to many ballparks around the majors, but to me, after Wrigley Field, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the second-best place to watch a game in all of baseball. It had been a couple of years since I had been back. Gonna have to change that -- especially if the Nationals keep playing as badly as they have.

Fickle fans? Nah. The Cubs are still No. 1. But I could be swayed to change my No. 2 ...

Sister Sue update

I haven't posted about Sue in quite some time. But last night she went back into the hospital in Arkansas. She's really been having a problem with nausea, and when you are trying to add weight to a 70-75 pound frame, nausea's not a good thing.

Hopefully they can get this under control and her hospital stay will be short and sweet. Her husband Sammy is a mess right now, understandably so. Don't know how Sue would have gotten through any of this if he hadn't been by her side. "Soul mates" is what they always call each other.

In any case, this is probably not a good sign. More to come as I know it...

UPDATE: Sue got some sleep over night, but is in a very agitated state. Doctors are going to put a port in her chest so she won't have to take a bunch of pills, and they also inserted a catheter after she fell and injured a hip last night. Luckily she wasn't hurt badly in the fall. But at this point, the less movement the better.

And I'm glad they are putting a port in. All those pills on an empty stomach may have been one pretty good reason why she was fighting so much nausea. At least in theory.

Hopefully we'll have another update later today ...

You can never be too prepared ...

Wanted

Went and saw the Angelina Jolie/Morgan Freeman movie Wanted yesterday. And of the three movies I've seen this summer -- Ironman and Indiana Jones being the other two -- Wanted is by far the best of the bunch.

Looking for lots of action and great special effects? Like movies about assassins? Like lots of blood? Then this is the movie for you. Have a gander at the trailer below.

George Carlin 1937-2008, Tim Russert 1950-2008

It's a little late, but I have to say goodbye to comedian George Carlin, who died of heart failure last week. He'll always be remembered for his "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," but I'll remember him for his role as the mystical Rufus in the Bill & Ted movies.

He also was the very first host of Saturday Night Live. NBC replayed that show recently to honor Carlin.

I would also be remiss if I didn't say goodbye to Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert, who died in his NBC office of a massive heart attack shortly before Carlin. He had a way of making politics easier for the every man to understand. Coverage of this fall's Presidential election between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain just won't be the same.

RIP guys. Like all the others, you'll be missed.

I heart Mark DeRosa

Finally, a victory.

I was pretty depressed/pissed off after the Cubs looked so bad over the weekend in losing three in a row to the White Sux. At least now they can put that fiasco behind.

I guess all it took was a trip to San Francisco, where Mark DeRosa hit two homers, one a grand slam, and had six RBI in a 9-2 victory last night. Ted Lilly was superb too, pitching into the ninth inning (though he did strike out five times during the game). It broke a four-game losing streak, the team's longest in a year. Thank God. And they did it without Aramis Ramirez, who had to go home to the Dominican Republic to tend to family matters. He won't be back until Thursday.

By then, Reed Johnson will be back, and on Friday Carlos Zambrano is back to pitch against the somehow-we're-still-in-second-place Cardinals. And Alfonso Soriano will be back before the All-Star break.

But back to DeRosa. He's been a favorite of mine since the Cubs signed him before last season. He plays anywhere you ask him, bats anywhere you ask him, and never complains. I think he gets it, and knows just how lucky he is. If only every baseball player --every athlete (are you listening, guys like Chad Johnson and Barry Bonds?) -- played like DeRosa, sports would be much more enjoyable.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Let's hope Jason Marquis can keep the momemtum going tonight.

DeRosa photo courtesy AP