Friday, September 30, 2011

Friday Reading

1 Peter 4-5.


Well now, I guess there was good reason not to declare the Cardinals dead a couple weeks back. I just couldn't do it and I'm glad I didn't.

I'm still in shock the Cardinals are still standing.

The late Jack Buck sums up my feelings just right:


Jack Buck don't believe what I just saw!

And I need to give credit to the GM, John Mozielak, who I torched last month. Two playoff appearances the past 3 years now gives him a pass.

Finally, I can't forget to give credit to LaRussa. He makes inexplicable moves which make all of us bang our heads. But he is tough-minded enough to hold a team together when things aren't going so well, and I give him credit for leading the team back.

Thursday Reading

1 Peter 1-3.


I could be wrong, but I doubt he'll be back. Dude needs some help.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wednesday Reading

James 4-5.


This has been the most exciting and incredible night of baseball I have ever witnessed. I cannot believe what I saw tonight, and I'm not even talking about the Cardinals.

Braves-Phillies and Rays-Yanks went deep into extra-innings. The most stunning happening was perhaps the Orioles coming from nowhere with 2 outs in the 9th against Papelbon to KO the Red Sox.

Of course, you could argue the Rays coming back from a 7-0 deficit in the 8th inning was more stunning.

Or maybe Dan Johnson's tying HR, or Longoria's walk off, was greater.

My clicker finger is sore.

I may not sleep tonight my adrenaline is pumping at such a high level. I'm speechless. Don't think I will ever see another night like this the rest of my life. WOW.

Tuesday Reading

James 1-3.


Lots of stuff to contemplate here. LSB has a lot to say here.

And why does baseball make you lose so much sleep?

Monday, September 26, 2011

Sunday And Monday Reading

Hebrews 6-13.


I really enjoy listening to Jon Gruden. His QB Camp shows in the offseason are brilliant, he's a good interviewer, and he is very interesting on Monday Night Football. I hope he never finds another coaching job he wants, although I doubt he'll pull a "Madden" and never return.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

NFL Picks Week 3

So far I am out-dueling the quarter, so my worth at least exceeds 25 cents.

Last week I was 11-5, overall 22-10 on the year. I am very surprised I am out of the gate this fast, as I really have not been sure what I am doing. If it weren't for the 49ers and Bengals, I'd be even better.

The quarter bombed out at 7-9, 15-16 for the season. I'm not ready for it to throw in the towel, but it's looking like it will fare no better than a coin flip.

ESPN Experts picks and records here.

This week we have the Bears matching up against the Packers yet again. I feel like going out on a limb and picking the Bears. Call me a contrarian, although I'm certainly not alone.

I want with every fiber of my being to pick the Bills today against the Pats, but my mind says no.

I can't wait to see how many yards Cam Newton gets today against the lowly Jaguars.

I can't believe what a mess the Chiefs are.

The way everyone's talking about them, let's go ahead and crown the Lions now.

And nobody likes the Seahawks. Except me this week.

My picks:
New Orleans.
Philadelphia.
Carolina.
New England.
Cleveland.
San Francisco.
Tennessee.
Detroit.
Baltimore.
Jets.
San Diego.
Seattle.
Tampa Bay.
Chicago.
Pittsburgh.
Dallas- Monday Night.

Quarter picks:
Houston.
Giants.
Jacksonville.
New England.
Miami.
Cincinnati.
Tennessee.
Detroit.
St. Louis.
Jets.
Kansas City.
Seattle.
Tampa Bay.
Green Bay.
Indianapolis.
Washington- Monday Night.


Saturday Reading

Hebrews 1-5.


Need the "Natinals" to come through again. Otherwise, tonight will probably be ol' Albert's Busch Stadium swan song.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Friday Reading

Titus and Philemon.


Watched the first Office episode of the season. It was pretty funny, but I was a little disappointed in James Spader's character, Robert California (love the name, though).

He had a great performance during the interview show at the end of last season, an intimidating almost-Svengali-type. But he seemed to have a much less overwhelming presence in his first regular appearance.

And Andy as the new regional manager? Maybe that's why the ratings weren't that great.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Wednesday And Thursday Reading

1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.



"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! DAGNABBIT! CRAZY FLEA-BITTEN BIRDS ARE A-KILLIN' ME DEAD!"

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday Reading

2 Thessalonians.


I'm trying very hard not to get sucked back into the baseball season, but I find myself still watching games and the scoreboard. I haven't been able to bury the Cardinals just yet.

The frustrating thing is the same as last year- this team plays to the level of their competition. Good against good teams, terrible against the bad. Which doesn't bode well from here on out.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Sunday And Monday Reading

Colossians and 1 Thessalonians.


Talked about this article a little in Bible class yesterday. America is what it is.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

NFL Picks Week 2

Due to a good showing in week 1, the great 2011 coin flip experiment will continue.

I thought I did pretty well last week for my lack of knowledge, finishing at 11-5. My trusty quarter also did well, finishing 8-7.

So we'll go another week, man vs. quarter.

Shockingly, I am in first place against the ESPN Experts, tied with Wickersham and Schefter.

My picks:
Detroit.
Buffalo.
Minnesota.
New Orleans.
Baltimore.
Indianapolis.
Jets.
Pittsburgh.
Washington.
Green Bay.
San Francisco.
New England.
Houston.
Cincinnati..
Atlanta.
Giants- Monday Night.

Coin flip picks:
Detroit.
Oakland.
Tampa Bay.
Chicago.
Baltimore.
Indianapolis.
Jacksonville.
Pittsburgh.
Arizona.
Green Bay.
Dallas.
San Diego.
Miami.
Cincinnati.
Atlanta.
Giants- Monday Night.

Saturday Reading

Philippians.


I keep wanting to pronounce the Cardinals season over, but for some reason I can't just yet. Which is frustrating. I want to know whether it's time to move on. Declare yourselves already!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Thursday/Friday Reading

Ephesians.


Gotta love this book. I think there are, pound for pound, more quotable verses in this book than any other book of the Bible. It's chock full of nuggets.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wednesday Reading

Galatians 4-6.


This year's Design Star was ultimately disappointing in its outcome. I cannot believe Meg was the winner.

It reminds me of Season 2 when Kim Myles won over Todd for no apparent reason. I don't want to imply the fix was in again, but I also cannot believe the judges couldn't see that Mark and Karl were light years better. I didn't like Meg's designs, didn't like her voice, and don't believe she has star quality at all.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tuesday Reading

Galatians 1-3.


After I regained consciousness from reading this, I had to laugh at the absurdity. Check out the urologist's name.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Monday Reading

2 Corinthians 9-13.


Bears looked great yesterday, but I'd much rather have them finish the season looking great than starting it. And what happened to Kansas City and Indy? Total ugliness.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

NFL Picks Week 1

Here's to an undefeated season!

At least I won't go winless after Thursday's Green Bay victory. But I fear not being able to do much better than flipping a coin this year.

Which isn't a bad idea. I think I'll experiment this year. I'm going to have two sets of picks this year, at least for awhile. One that is real, and one that is a coin flip.

Hope I can do better than the flip. Even if I'm picking the Bears.

ESPN Experts picks here.

My Picks:
Chicago.
Cleveland.
Kansas City.
Philadelphia.
Detroit.
Tennessee.
Baltimore.
Houston.
Arizona.
San Diego.
San Francisco.
Giants.
Jets.
New England- Monday Night.
Denver- Monday Night.

Coin Flip:
Atlanta.
Cincinnati.
Buffalo.
St. Louis.
Tampa Bay.
Tennessee.
Pittsburgh.
Houston.
Arizona.
Minnesota.
San Francisco.
Washington.
Jets.
New England- Monday Night.
Denver- Monday Night.

Should be interesting.

Sunday Reading

2 Corinthians 5-8.


I was flipping channels and ran across the NASA channel. I don't watch much NASA. But I did learn an interesting piece of information. You can actually view the international space station at various times. There is even a schedule of when it will be visible in your area.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Saturday Reading

2 Corinthians 1-4.


We have a new portable phone at our house. It has the standard caller ID, of course, but it also "speaks" the ID of the caller. How it does that I don't know, but it's one of those weird computer voices.

One of the few organizations that call the house from time to time is the NRA. Which is funny, because the phone announces for all to hear that the caller is not the initials N.R.A., but the word "nra". At first I didn't believe it, so I let it keep ringing, and heard it over and over..."nra...nra...nra...". In that weird computer voice, of course.

I give the phone 5 stars for effort in trying to pronounce a non-existent word.

Friday Reading

1 Corinthians 13-16.


Cardinals are still hanging by a thin thread after beating the Braves. They'd need an epic win streak to topple the teams ahead of them, however. I just don't see that happening.

Friday, September 09, 2011

Thursday Reading

1 Corinthians 9-12.


I know I haven't watched as much this month. Or this year, for that matter.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Thursday Night NFL Pick

Hard as it is to believe, the NFL season kicks off tonight! Seems like just a few weeks have passed since the Super Bowl, doesn't it?

I really feel more lost this year than any other recent year. I haven't kept up on many player transactions and haven't read any forecasts for the year.

Feel free to stop me from embarrassment this year. But I'm forging ahead anyway.

Anyone else in for picks this year? I'd welcome some company.

I'm anxious to see some new uniforms, also.

Anyway, without further fanfare, let's get it started.


Green Bay.

Wednesday Reading

1 Corinthians 5-8.


Hard to believe that in about a month we'll have finished the New Testament as well.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Tuesday Reading

1 Corinthians 1-4.


NFL starts playing games in 2 days, and I have suddenly realized I really don't know much about the upcoming season. Time for a crash course, or I'm not going to fare too well with my picks this year.

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Weekend Reading

Romans.


Hard to believe it's been 5 years since Steve Irwin died. I've recently watched a little bit of his shows again, they were pretty entertaining.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Friday Reading

Acts 25-28.


Great photo gallery of Cardinals history from 1960s to present day, featuring none other than Mike Shannon.

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Thursday Reading

Acts 21-24.


This year's campaign has begun. Go here to vote for Mike Shannon for the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford Frick award.

What I like best are the calls on that page, including the famous Glenn Brummer call. I like the vintage calls, with Ted Simmons, Ken Reitz and Lonnie Smith the best.

Wednesday Reading

Acts 17-20.


Two wins over the Brewers is not going to cut it, but two sweeps could. That's the only way to draw me back into this season.