VERITAS

This is the End

2009-09-21T13:12:00.001-07:00

So, I've been blogging on here for over 4 years. Wow! Had some good posts and some I've already forgotten. Been wearing down with work and the house, that I haven't had much time to devote back to my blog.

I really enjoyed the freedom of writing my thoughts and feelings into this space. It's provided me an avenue to channel some of the things I've been going through. Especially after Hurricane Katrina. Just check any posts dated right after Sept. 1, 2005. That's when my life did a complete 180.

This has definitely been a learning experience. And I hope to come back some day to writing more on this platform. Just right now it seems that my time and attention is needed elsewhere. So for now, I bid farewell until we meet again my friend.

My Blog, My Blog, Where For Ought Thou??

2009-03-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Been here, been there. Still it seems as if I can't recall the last few months.

Work is not an excuse. My house could be a big reason. Mrs. Sainthero got the HGTV bug and decided that we are redoing parts of the house this upcoming year.

I swear I thought it would be easy to redo a bathroom, but one month later I'm still slaving away between re-texturing the walls and taking down light fixtures. It's all good, almost like therapy.

That's what I need right now anyways. Life has been throwing me some curveballs lately, and I'm strictly a fastball hitter. There are times that I wish I could hit the restart button, just like I used to on my Nintendo back in the day. That way I could change some of my decisions and do some things totally different. You and I both know that ain't happening. Instead my life is spinning around like the cast of Lost, I don't know where I'm at in my life I just want it to move forward to the part where things are easier.

That leaves me at my blog. I've been debating on keeping this thing up and running. It might be time for a reboot. Now with all the social networking sites begging for my attention I've got to figure out what's more important. Where am I gonna point my efforts. I've enjoyed the blog, but it keeps evading my line of sight.

I don't think I'm gonna given quickly. It might be a 12-step process. Don't worry the withdrawls have already begun. This is not the end, just the beginning of something new. Which I need, just like we all need something new every now and then to give us a chance at life. Time to learn how to hit that curveball.

Deuce is set Loose

2009-02-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Saints players of all time was released today by my beloved team, Deuce McAllister. A casualty of the salary cap and an coach infatuated with speed instead of old fashion football.

Hey, I understand the business of football. They're trying to win football games. Still it hurts to lose a true Saint. I mean that in every word. They guy gave back to the community without being asked. Most players are required or told by team officials to do community work in order to boost their image and fulfill requirements by NFL for community involvement. Deuce was always out there giving to kids and helping others without a camera in his face or a microphone nearby to publicize his charity work.

The guy was a beast on the field. He was the guy you wanted to have the ball on 4th and one. The last few years have been difficult to watch. Even watching him break the Saints all-time rushing TD record was tearful. I wish he could remain a Saint forever, and he will in most Saints fan's hearts. I can tell you this, there was no one and I mean no one, who could get the Superdome rockin' than Deuce busting loose for a big run. That sweet sound of DEEEEEUUUUUUCCCCEEEE!!!

Deuce has more important work to do in his life. So best of luck with your new team. I'm gonna miss you running out of the tunnel with that black and gold #26 on your back and me screaming Deuce. Keep on rumbling and falling head first for that extra yard. And I can't wait for the day to say "it's about time", when they retire his jersey among Manning's in the Dome.

Christmas, The Saints and Those Darn Yankees

2008-12-24T06:09:00.000-08:00

So, I'm getting ready for the holidays. I've got the family in town, mother-in-law and brother-in-law staying with us, plus mom and pops coming over for a big Christmas dinner. It's nice having family in town for the holidays, and I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with them and make some new holiday memories.

That being said, I'm ready for the new year. It's been a long and tough year. I'm not gonna go into detail about all of my troubles and woes, let's just say next to Katrina this year ranks a close second. So, when I think of all the cool presents and gifts that are under my tree this year, all I really want is some positive things to happen for me and my family in 2009.

So, bring on the New Year's Baby "Joba Chamberlain" down from that pole in New York, and let's kick off 2009 with some upbeat positive news and outlook.

I'm planning on bury all my harsh negativism for my beloved Saints. Yeah, they built me up and stomped on my heart like a high school girl on prom night. Still, I love them. They're my team through thick and thin. And the last 30-something years have been really thin. I feel like a Cubs fan on a slim-fast diet. I've been given the keys to a franchise that I want to win a championship more than anything else, only to be driven into mediocrity by bone-headed moves that a common fan (like myself and my brothers) could obviously fix. Sometimes, I sit around and play general manager like George Castanza, planning trades and draft picks as if I really have a say in the matter, but in reality what I say has little impact on the Saints although they have major impact on my life. There are numerous Mondays I can recall where it seems as my girlfriend broke up with me or my dog died, I call this letdown Mondays. No more, that all ends in 2009.

As for my second beloved team, the Boston Red Sox. I love the fact that Yanks have gone on a spending spree, like Donald Trump after a divorce settlement. This is just a phase. They will spend and spend some more to make headlines and fans come to their new ungodly stadium, but the product won't be much better. Too much pressure and no chemistry. The Yanks have to get rid of A-rod if they ever want to win, but that won't happen. My Red Sox are building up their rotation, their lineup still has some holes, but that's nothing we can't work out through our minor league system. Even our owner, John Henry, said it best when he said we've tried to close the spending gap between the Yankees, but with a new stadium generating tons of new revenue. They have widen the gap and now we must use our resources to make us a better team. Don't worry, we have Theo and I know he will make some moves that will bolster our lineup.

Have a Merry Christmas, everyone and a joyous and positive New Years.

Things Can't Get Much Worse?

2008-09-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

As if things couldn't get any worse for my Saints, reading their injury report is like reading the starting lineups for baseball all-star game. With each and ever passing week, I as many other fans do get tired of hearing excuses.

If ever there was a time for the team to unite and fight, this is it. We're banged up, we're down on our luck (Lord knows we got screwed out of a dozen calls against the Broncos) and we're heading for a tough stretch.

I've always been one to clamour on coaches and players for decisions they've made; good or bad. I'm holding off this week. We don't need any more negativity spreading around about the Saints. Many experts have already castigated my team to the lower echelons of the league. Not me. I still believe. Maybe not as fully as I did after beating Tampa, but I do have faith that we can turn this season around and it all starts with #26.

Duece is either healthy or hurt. No way should you embarrass a player of his stature by relegating him to the sidelines in full gear watching his beloved team struggle to gain 1 yard. That's right I said 1 yard. If Payton is holding him off for the better part of the season, well here's a news flash; there may not be a better part than the present. Let's see old number #26, even if it's only short yardage situations. Just appease us.

It's okay to have some doubt from time to time, but it's impossible for us to lose our faith in the team that is given us so much more. Let's go Saints!! Who Dat!

Let the Games Begin

2008-09-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

So, it all begins. The Saints officially kick off the 2008 season, Sunday vs. the Bucs and I will be sitting in a bar in Madison, Wisconsin eating fried cheese curds and swearing up and down that Jason David shouldn't be in the game.

Gustav threw a wrench into my football fix this past week. My brother and my grandmother evacuated and stayed with us, while the rest of New Orleans watched and waited from other areas. My other brother was stuck in the city as a first respondeer for the New Orleans Fire Department. We kept in touch through text most of the time, just because everyone was calling anyone to see what was going on.

It seems wierd to watch a hurricane from a far. I notice there is much less anxiety, except for worrying about family and friends still there. I no longer have to worry about losing my job, or my house or even my beloved Super Dome.

Well, I am amped up for the game. I hope the team doesn't come out flat like they did last year against the Bucs. The game was over by half and most of the fans I was with had that look that I've seen since I was about 7 years old. All Saints fans know that look; "It's-gonna-be-a-long-year" look.

Not this year. I've got a feeling this year will be different. We've got some guys who can shake things up on offense. As for our defense, I will make a beat that by the end of the season we will all be pleasantly surprised. So, Keep the Faith. Be a Saint. And Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Dem Saints! Who Dat!!

A Rock in the Backfield

2008-08-25T13:26:00.001-07:00

I have to say that I love the NFL network. I was able to catch the Saints/Bengals game on replay about an hour after the game was over and dissect it to pieces all before midnight.

After catching Anthony Munoz butcher the Bengals broadcast and mistake Aaron Stecker for Duece three times, I was so ready to hear Tim Brando call the game. Plus, I love the beloved Saintsation cutaways going to break.

So here's some quick observations from the game.

Positives:

1. Saints once again moved the ball on offense, even though it was mostly through the air. I think they may be holding back on running the ball until the season starts or they are just working on their timing with receivers. I think that Brees had only one bad pass and that was the missed touchdown to David Patten. He was wide open, but that will be 6 points in two weeks.

2. The defensive line looked much more aggressive. They stuffed the run and got after Palmer. He was so bloodied up and bruised that he must have thought this was a playoff game. Granted the Saints defense looked stout against a Bengals offense that is inept and disastrously banged up, they still held them down for a mighty goose egg. How bad is to not even score a point in a preseason game?

3. Pierre Thomas. What's there not to like about this young man? His name in French means "A Rock", and that's what he will be for the Saints. He runs so low to ground and always falls forward when tackled. Most importantly he reminds me of a previous running back that ran, spun and made defenders miss named Dalton Hillard. Here's what I'm going to predict. This kid will see plenty of playing time this year. Duece has been running very tentatively, and Reggie is banged up already. He'll be in the mix with Stecker in week 1.

4. Tracy Porter is our new starting cornerback. Sorry Jason David and Jason Craft. This kid hasn't been on the field to long, but shows promise. He's got some skills and has the speed to play man-to-man. McKenzie will work with him to show him how to bump and run, it's only a matter of time before we'll see him performing up to task. I also thought Kendrick Clancy was a beast. He was all over the field making plays. He needs more rotations and will get them with Ellis and Thomas on the bench.

5. Robert Meachem is the speed burner we need on the outside. This guy is faster than Devry with a bigger frame, plus he can catch the ball. No offense Devry, but I've seen enough of you dropping passes to keep me praying that Drew overlooks your coverage everytime.

Negatives (There aren't too many this week)

1. Defense, because there's always need to improve in this area. We did a real good job mixing up our coverages to rattle Palmer, but once again the tight-end was killing us down the field. For the second week in a row the offense exposed the fact that our linebackers have a difficult time covering the tight-end.

2. Duece doesn't look like himself. I'm sorry, but he wasn't hitting the holes hard or cutting back to find that crease. He looked a bit timid. May be we're rushing him to quick. Let's let him pace himself. We've got some good running backs. No need to push it and have him out the entire season.

3. Offensive line run blocking. I'm sorry this week we looked extremely week upfront running the ball. The only time we got some positive yards were on delayed hand-offs and screens. We need to be able to pound the ball sometimes and chew up the clock. The Saints offense has to eat up as much clock as possible because we can ill-afford to have our defense on the field for 30 minutes each half. I like it when we score, but I like it even more when it's 7-9 minute drives that keeps the opposing offense off the field.

All in all it was a good showing for our beloved Black and Gold. I must say that I'm so ready for Tampa. I want to kick the crap out of them so badly after they torched us last year twice. Most of all, I want Jeff Garcia to feel what Carson Palmer felt all Saturday. The Dome Patrol in his face every time he snapped the ball.

Toast of the Town!!!

2008-08-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Well, if you watched anything from Saturday's night preseason game between the Texans and the Saints, there was one glaring thing that stood out among the rest. Jason David is done as a Saint. There's no if's or maybe's. No up by 30 down by 30 points. He's just not good enough to start at cornerback, much less sub in on nickel and dime packages. The guys self-esteem has to be beyond low, like Alicia Sacramone-falling-off-the-balance-beam low.

What's worse is that every Saints fan has heard the excuses. "Poor 3rd down defense. Um, wrong coverage at the time. Um, I just slipped on the play."
I have to say that there has to be a cornerback on our team or somebody delivering Budweiser somewhere in the city that can cover better than Jason David. I thought I would never say this, but Fred Thomas was better. Toi Cook(ed) was better. Even Alex Molden.

I even made the point to my brother, that the Saints are better off rushing two lineman and putting an extra two or three defensive backs on Jason's side of the field. The guy has had little if any positive moments as a Saint, and has done nothing to shore up our secondary. It's time to say goodbye.

The lone bright spot from the night came from the offensive side of the ball. It looks as if Marques Colston is in mid-season form. That touchdown catch he made was ridiculous. And Reggie and Duece look like they could be back to 2006 season form. I liked the way we moved the ball in hurry-up, but we still had trouble establishing long, time eschewing drives. Like the ones that killed the Eagles in the playoffs. It has become more obvious to me that the Saints are becoming a team that relies to heavily upon their offense to win every game. Can't happen. That's what happened in 2007. We need a good defense if we want to be a real contender. I want the Saints to win more than anything else, but if they don't fix their secondary problems we could be in for another long season of nail biting games that hinge on whether our offense can score 30 or more.

Here's your stat of the day. -7 turnover margin for Saints in 2007. New England Patriots were +16 in turnover margin in 2007.

Dog Gone Tired

2008-05-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

You ever get that feeling when you just get home from work or whatever and you are exhausted? All you want to do is relax on the couch or lazyboy.

Well that's how I've been feeling lately. A bit rundown. Almost like I moving in slow motion. So, every now and then when I feel like this I lay on the floor with my dog, Hero. I don't know if it's dog therapy or just plain chillin', but it sure does feel good.

I always tell my wife that when I die I want to come back as Hero. There is no doubt that he has the life and he knows it. So, for everyone just checking on the blog, just know that I'm chillin' out with my dog right now. Be back in a few.

NHL's Got Nothing On Me

2008-05-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Went to D.C. back in February. Was doing some sight seeing when my wife asked me to go ice skating. Here's what happened.

The NFL is a bunch of WANKERS!!

2008-04-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

Taking a home game away from the ciy of New Orleans and it's fans is about as big of a punch in the gut as the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Protection Program. It's all nice and sounds great, but the payoff hurts those that need it most.

The NFL screwed with my boys two years ago when they decided to give my beleagured Saints team a home game after Katrina had wreck the city we love in New Jersey. That's approximately 1162 miles from the Dome. Way to keep close so our fans could go support our team. That's not to say the NFL hasn't done much more the city. Let's see they decided to pass on the Super Bowl here in 2009 and 2010. Instead they are going to Miami and Tampa Bay. Come on. Who needs the game more? Tampa or New Orleans? A New Orleans Street Car Operator could answer that one.

So, this year instead of having 8 beautiful home games in our city. We get 7, and a fistful of codswallop.

All the NFL had to do is take away the home game from the Chargers and award the Saints with 8 home games. Lord knows we need all the games we can get in the city. Not too mention the money it generates. I don't mind the Saints playing in London. By all means, go promote the game to a bunch of British nancy boys that don't fancy the game of football like us Americans.

Yeah, that makes sense. I guess at least I can watch the game here in the states, unless it's on the NFL Network...Bugger!!!

Celebrate good times, come on!!!

2007-10-30T08:16:00.001-07:00

2007 World Series Champs!!!!

Let the party begins, get your parade route destination and let the champagne flow like a Rocky Mountain stream. No pun. My boys pulled off another great run to capture their seventh overall World Series Title by sweeping the Colorado Rockies. It was awesome.

Although, I must admit the ALCS wore me out. The World Series was just an after thought because I knew the Rockies didn't have the pitching and the bats to withstand the Red Sox onslaught. After biting my nails and worrying myself to sleep every night during the Indian series, I was emotionally burnt out by the time Beckett threw his first pitch in Game One of the Series.

Now onto real business....The Sox need to resign Lowell immediately before the Yanks can put their filthy paws on him. Do it, Theo. Don't hesitate to think about that punk A-Rod. Let him rot on some mediocre baseball team for the next 10 years and end up like Barry Bonds (Homerun title = no World Series rings). Next make a run at Mariano Rivera. You may not be able to convince him to be a setup man/part time closer, but you can run up the price tag for the Yankees because they can ill afford to lose him. Next, make a move with Coco and maybe a minor leaguer to get a solid veteran starting pitcher. We don't need an ace, we have one in Beckett. What we need is a number 3 or 4 guy. My preference is for a sinkerball pitcher, especially since our infield is so nasty. Lastly, see if Curt wants another run, if so pay him the money to stick around another year. Why not, it's better than the alternative and trying to sign one of the many bad free-agent pitchers who are available. I know there are some rumors about Johann Santana, but let's be realistic. The Sox would have to give up core pieces of this World Series team to do that (Youkalis, Coco, Lester, Ellsbury, etc.) Don't think it's worth it.

So, know I will relish this championship watch the flurry of trade rumors spread like A-Rod's bank account and dream of another chance to see Papelbon's Victory Irish Jig.

Tonight, we dance the dance of victory!

2007-10-25T08:05:00.001-07:00

Papelbon is no Michael Flatley, but then again he throws 97 mph fastballs shutting down baseball's biggest hitters. So take that you crazy leg dance machine.
I was utterly amazed as I watched my Red Sox fight their way back from a 3-1 deficit against the Tribe last weekend. It was something that rivals 2004, although it's special in its own way.

Seeing Beckett squash the Indian batters one by one in game five was fantastic. More impressive was the attitude he threw at old man river Kenny Lofton after he threw his bat down on a pop up. In somewhat of a retaliation move he told Kenny to sit his old saggy ass down on the bench, and to stop messing with Dice K.
Beckett has been the one determined force on the team that really doesn't take anything from anybody. He's not backing down, he's going to throw inside and he'll challenge you with his fastball. Not since Pedro and minnie Pedro have we had a bad ass on the team. Yeah, Schill is a great post-season pitcher, but he doesn't have that fire like Papelbon or Beckett.

I have to say I was more worried about Dice K pitching game 7 than anything else during that series. And what made Game 7 so heartwrenching was watching the Sox load the bases up time and time again only to be put out on double plays. It was as if you were watching your favorite football team blow a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter because their defense was playing prevent. I kept thinking that the Indians were hanging around for that one inning, waiting to explode. Instead they imploded on a Lofton base running mistake, meanwhile the Red Sox exploded with a flurry of runs against the Indians mighty bullpen. I loved every minute of it so much that I did my own irish jig dance. The weird part was the game was kind of peaceful and unnerving which is so unlike a Red Sox game.

That's exactly how I felt as I watched Game one last night against the Rockies. I knew Beckett would be rock solid, it was only a matter of time before the Sox hitters would get to Jeffrey Francis Canuck.
I think I heard Frankie Vali singing "Oh what night" somewhere.
Little Papi - Dustin Pedroia started it off with a homer in the first followed by 2 more runs, then a 30 minute 6th inning that seemed like the Rockies would start auditioning guys in the crowd to pitch. It was a great way to start off the Fall Classic, for a Red Sox fan.
I'm not saying that the Rockies bubble has burst, but there is definitely something deflated about the team. Now I will presume my Sox will continue to ride the hot streak into Colorado, and hopefully close out another World Series Championship with Fat Tires and Paplebon doing the Irish jig on the way down Yawkey Way.
Let's go Red Sox!!!

Just win baby!!!

2007-10-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

First win of the season feels so good. Now if we just can keep the ball rolling.
Saints played a great game all around. The defense really bowed up when we needed them and surprise, surprise Usama Young looks like the next Gene Atkins.

My hat goes off to Coach Gary Gibbs for finally realizing what most Saints fans figured out after game 2. We need to blitz more because our front four can't get a good enough rush on the QB. Plus, our secondary isn't the best at covering man to man, much less zone. Our boys ending up with five sacks which created happy feet for Matt Hassleback.

What was most impressive was the fact that Payton started to work some magic on offense mixing the run and pass which keep the Seahawks guessing most of the first half. The second half he went a little too conservative, a la Jim Mora in every playoff game he's coached in. Playing not to win only buys you heartache and chewed up fingernails.

Reggie Bush ran with some authority between the tackles, not too mention he had the longest runs of his career. Which is a shame because this guy should be breaking 90 yarders instead of 20 yarders. Still, he ran well.

Lastly, we need to clear up some penalties and dropped passes. Got a feeling that Payton will have the jugs machine working overtime this week in practice as we gear up for divisional foe Atlanta. We definitely haven't turned the corner, but we are making strides in the right direction. Let's go Saints!!

Don't stop believin'!

2007-10-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

That's right, still believing. Even though a boat load of band wagoners jumped shipped two weeks ago after the Tampa Bay game. We don't need ya'. You're holding us back from what we want to accomplish.

I know what many of you think. Oh and 3 isn't much of an accomplishment considering we almost went to the Super Bowl last year. But as a fan of sports last year's magical carpet ride was something that will be spoken in glory day tales in bar rooms and bedtime stories. Remember these are our Saints. We stick with them through thick and thin. Remember Bum and Dick Nolan and Rick Venturi. I was still there and so were many of you. So let's not throw the towel in on our guys just yet.

As Herm Edwards puts it, "You play to win the game." That's what our Saints have been trying to do the last few weeks, but have come up short. It's almost like the team has a hangover from a bachelor party that went on all weekend and your still walking around in a daze weeks later, talking about how great the party was and when can we do that again. Actual last season can't be duplicated. It was too unbelievable. You can't rehash it. Plus it's last year. This is a new year and we need to start focusing in on the fact that our defense needs to play a lot better up front. Our corners are getting beat over the top like a bunch of Toi Cooks because the opposing QB has all day to throw the ball.

Not too mention we don't fill gaps when the other team runs the ball. Got to have gap control. And I hate to say this, but Holis Thomas hasn't been the same since take steroid inhalers last season.

As for the offense it's been there in pieces, but there hasn't been much rhythm between Brees and the receivers. Partly because the o-line hasn't been blocking well, but more importantly because we haven't run the ball with effectiveness. I can't tell you the last play action pass we ran. Last year we were running them all day. Need to get the ground game going.

Well, Sean Payton is learning the fickleness that comes with being a Saints fan. Hero one day, villain the next. Life of a head coach. What we need to do is understand that this team lacks an attitude right now and hopefully it will be instilled after we get our first win. So, keep your chin up and keep on believing. Because the chin is still in. Go Saints.

Concern???

2007-09-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Me worry? Come on I'm a Red Sox fan. You know how that goes, even with my team up 14 1/2 games in April I was concerned. Why? Because if you haven't read my blog I'm a sports maschist..

I root for the Red Sox, the New Orleans Saints (hometown) and I'm a known Notre Dame football supporter. So there you have it in a nutshell. A fan with little regard for their health or well-being because they cheer for teams that take you to the edge of insanity and nervous breaksdowns.

My buddy called me on Monday morning this past week to see if I was still alive after what I would call one of the worst sporting weekends of my life. Let's see, the Red Sox got beat 2 out 3 at home against the Evil Empire (Stankees), then my Domers got bushwacked in a rivalry game against Meechigan (team had more penalties yards than offensive yards), and finally in a divisional game against the lowly Yuckaneeers my beloved Saints fell flat on the face and rear to drop to oh-and-2 on the season.

Forget ND and the Saints for now because I will have all fall and winter to complain about them, let's move onto what is driving me crazy -- Red Sox baseball.

Not only is the talent in the bullpen got me worried with Gagne throwing all over the plate like Mitch "wild thing" Williams out there, but our most dominant closer - Papelbon-fire, has blown two games recently. What's worse is the fact that Manager Tito Francona is running the team into the ground like a freakin employee on their last day on the job. We've got pitchers with dead arm, no arm and loose arm. The only hope I have is that my team will back into the playoffs sort of similar to those Cardinals last year, then get hot and win it all.

Well I better wish in one hand and crap in the other since it doesn't look promising. Manny has once again gone MIA at the end of the season (either at a car show or on a Ziggy Marley concert), the rest of our lineup minus Papi and Lowell has also gone MIA. They just can't score. It's like there Josh Hartnett in 40 days and 40 nights, they want to score, but they're trying to test their will power.

I blame Dane Cook too. Ever since he sold out and did those actober baseball promos especially the one calling out the Red Sox 2004 team and comparing them to 2007 has the team gone in reverse. There's only one october, Dane and you just blew it for my Red Sox. Thanks a bunch, now GFY.

Alright, I'm done for now. The Skanks are breathing down our necks, let's home that Beckett can right the ship for us this weekend. Go Red Sox!!

Open letter to Coach Payton and Coach Gibbs

2007-09-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Watched my beloved Saints take a heart wrenching pounding on Sunday that was reminiscent of years gone past.
I've noticed a trend with the Saints which dates back to 2001 season.
Our defense or lack there of has progressively slid down a slippery slope of regression each year. Sort of like the Buffalo Bills.
Once I remember our linebackers being a fearsome group that ate running backs up and chased quarterbacks for thier lives.
Now all I see is play action passes down the middle of the field with linebackers in hot pursuit, and quarterbacks having all the time in the day to make their progressions and find the guy who's wide open.
I'm not saying it's free agency nor the draft. It's an attitude. An instictive feel that you get when you see the look on a players face before the snap.
Every team has issues, but to conceivably know that your defense is lacking and to not replace it with something that is better is unforgivable.
So I leave with this plea. Gary Gibbs, we need you more than ever to figure out a way to instill that aggressive, fly-to-the-ball, no fear, jaw-rattling attitude back into our defense.
Please do it soon, because I don't think I can withstand watching teams lick their chops each week saying here come the Saints, let's pad our stats.

That's was the old Saints, and we have a new team with a new attitude. (hopefully)

Looking good

2007-08-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

So the Saints scalped some Chiefs Thursday night, and in the process sured up some question marks.

Our D-line is going to be in your face from the minute yours QB snaps the ball. Will Smith and Charles Grants are teaming up to be a formidable combo.

Someone in our secondary can actually catch.
I saw it for the first time in, jeez, I can't remember how long.
Jason Craft jumped in front of a pass that looked like Steve Walsh throwing a 10 yard out.

David Patten and Lance Moore will replace "Crap I shouldn't have signed with these losers" Joe Horn, and the beer man.
Lance Moore has hands that catches everything in sight, like a 12 year old at Endymion.

Drew Brees looks like as if he's in mid season form at week 3 of preseason. Look out...This could be an MVP year for him.

Quick observations from last night's meaningless game. Still it's always fun to watch our team play dominant football even if it's against the lowly Chiefs.

The turk is coming soon for some guys. Think Freddie Tom Thom may have seen his last days in black and gold. Too bad, he had so much going for him sort of like Toi Cooked... I mean Cook. Were's Gene Atkins when you need him.

No Worries Part Deux

2007-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

So, my Saints looked a heck'uv a lot better against the Bills last Friday, but then who wouldn't look good compared to a team that has been circling the wagons since "Laces out" Scott Norwood push one right in the SuperBowl.

Brees spread it around, the defense looked like they were playing cohesively. All in all a performance that gave many distraught Saints fans something to look forward too.

Now, as we start to inch closer to the beginning of the season, I become more frustrated that a New Olreans City Council Member at an ethics seminar. Everyone and there mother is picking our boys to win the South, and right they should. Still, there's no need to shout it from the rooftops like some mayor screaming about a city that has returned to normalcy (it must be the humidity getting to him). From ESPN to Fox Sports, so called "experts" are proclaiming their allegiance to my hometown heroes. Just a year ago, no one wanted to touch them if they were David Vitter's (you know what)... Let's give the Saints respect they proclaim. Where was that respect last year until we beat Philly in the playoffs. The Saints have been for real, and I wish this pundits would just let us remain who we remain to be until we win a Super Bowl. An underdog!!!!

I was encouraged to see that Fujita has taken up the resident dare-devil status that Steve Gleason vacated when he got hurt this season, by torpedoing down a waterslide just to say the defense slide further than the offense. Great stuff. Now all we need is our pro bowl left tackle doing belly flops of a high dive to rival the defense's accomplishments.

Once again, I failed to mention the black sheep of the defense and move towards thinking positive thoughts for our upcoming season. And I was just thinking what if the Saints had invested in the Road Home Program to help them rebuild the dome, where would we be watching our beloved team play??? Tad Gormely? An empty Tiger Stadium? A parking lot on Poydras? Anywhere would be great to see the Saints because like I said they're my team through and through.

No Worries....

2007-08-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

I guess you could say I was happy to see my beloved Saints on television the previous week playing in the Hall of Fame Game.

But then again it's like jv game and then leaving before the big varsity game. It doesn't really matter, and you just can't wait for the games to start mattering.

There was alot of ballyhooing about the Saints porous defense, the inept offense, and more importantly the lack of physicality the team showed on the field. I don't put much into it. I'm not going to make excuses, but the Saints do play 5 count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 games that could count for diddlypoo (thanks Mora). But their lack of effort was a bit of concern too me, although I think Payton will have them ready for the beginning of the season.

It dawned on me the other day, the Payton may just rubbing his nose at the NFL for holding back and playing vanilla for the exhibition game. For it was the league that threw them an extra preseason game, when the Saints really don't need one. Four is two games too many to be honest.

So, the pluses I saw from the game.
I think there is going to be a fierce battle for the number 2 QB spot on the team. Jaime Martin's days are numbered I feel. Jason Fife showed some life. I just hope the Saints can find someone who can step in, just in case the inevitable happens, like Jeff (Give me another martini) Garcia. I remember the good ole days when I would sit and talk incessantly about the future Saints quarterbacks with my father and arguing that Mike Buck had such a strong arm from throwing potatoes around.

The only other bright spot looks to be that Reggie will be trying to run in between the tackles more. That's a good thing because averaging 3.6 yards per carry isn't going to scare many defenses. Well, circle the wagons because the Buffalo Bills are coming into town tonight.
Let's go Saints.

Yeah, I know... I made it through the entire post without mentioning Fred Thomas. Breathe... Deep breaths. Okay... I think I'm going to be alright.

New Changes

2007-07-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since I last posted. And a lot has happened.
Went on a family vacation the reminded me of The Great Outdoors. Big Bear, California was beautiful and it was awesome seeing the whole family together. Even though the families don't see much of each other, we do get along pretty good for Southerners and West Coasters.

The biggest thing has been the purchase of our new home. We literally moved about a mile from our old place in Austin. We continue to live in the southside, and love being here.
It's been raining around here like I lived on the island in Lost. The rain has been very unseasonal for these parts, but what I like most is that the temperatures haven't gotten about 95 here. That's extreme. The new digs is awesome. Had my father, my brother, and even my mother-in-law come and help us with some additional help from my wife's cousin.

It feels good to be in our own home, but we are constantly looking for ways to improve the house. Not that it needs to be fixed up much, just that we enjoy having something we can do.

Work has been work. Nothing out of the normal. Still working the overnight shift which has been taking it's toll on me. There are too many people I know that enjoy those hours. It's very hard to get accustomed to the weekend switches, but I get to spend every evening with my wife so I can't complain. Television news is a different beast for me and I am constantly learning new ways of doing things everyday. I spent most of my life surrounding and enveloped in the world of sports and continue that love, but for now the bread and butter comes from news. I am waiting for the road to open up a little more and show me some new paths. It won't take much to convince me now that there are other challenges out there for me. So I break for now, and promise I will be back. Football season is right around and my blog will turn into an all Saints, Notre Dame blogfest. Still for now, I'm enjoy my Red Sox seven game lead (praying) and welcoming back Jonnie Lestahhhhhhh!

Brotherly Love

2007-05-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Taking things as they come. Sometimes not knowing whether I'm coming or going can be a problem, but for my life right now it's about par.

Can't say too much about work other than it's becoming more like work everyday. You know how you can get into a groove, and before you know it, you're thinking I need a damn vacation. That's me, in month 2 of my job.

Spent the previous weekends mixing my free time between Red Sox/Yankee games, and the NFL draft. The weather is quickly changing here. I think for the worst as today temps hit 90. The summer has approached us here in Austin, and looks like it could be here to stay until November. I am going to relish in the moments of what little good weather we can get in the next few weeks by taking the dog to the park or kayakiing.

My brother came into town this past weekend, and I was stoked to see him. Being separated from family has been the hardest thing to do in my life. I feel like I've grown closer to my brothers as I have gotten older. They are more than brothers and more like my best friends. So it was nice having him around for a couple of days to shoot the breeze about life, movies, funny stories, and most important sports. There are times when it seems there are more important things to talk about like the war or New Orleans inability to capitalize on a post-Katrina situation that could have rebirthed a city we love, but it's also important to talk about the nuances of Lou Pinella's lineup or the Saints upcoming football schedule.

So, when my brother had to leave and go back home it was with great sorrow I said good-bye. In a few weeks my younger brother will be out, which will ease the pain for a short while until he leaves. Right now this is how I capture bits of my life. In small pieces where I can relax and have fun with my brothers while life slowly passes by. The wheels are always turning in my life and I'm just trying to stay the course. Things are coming and going just like the Old Miss, the Old Man. Deep River, my home is over Jordan. Sorry, had a Vacation flashback. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I'm letting things happen for the time being. Just like my brothers passing through, I'm just passing the time right now until I figure things out.

Working the night shift

2007-04-07T10:50:00.001-07:00

I've been working at a new job that requires me to be awake when most normal people would be knee deep in 8 hour REM sleep and it's beginning to feel strangely familiar. Once upon a time I was a night shift worker at another place of employment where I spent my evening hours toiling under the glow of television monitors, barking orders to random people at remote locations. It was a fun period of my life. It was also an awakening for me.

My days are now spent in the slumber of my bedroom until early evening when I awake to start my day. The days kind of have this blend to them as if they are the same, but in actuality they are different. Sometimes it feels like I'm in the Groundhog movie. Still this new schedule has permitted me the chance to do more with my professional career which has been stagnated the past several years due to mother nature and crappy timing. I remember reading a story about a very successful businessman who believed that our lives are what we do, and for most of us that work atleast 40 hours a week, what we do is work. According to this prophetic man we spend 75 percent of life working so we should be happy with what we do. I'm not saying that everyone is happy with what the do, but there is a kind of peace that we all find in our work. Something that helps us translate into doing something for the better.

I relate this to the "Good Will Hunting" scene where Matt Damon's character, Will, justifyies his work as a janitor to Robin William's character, Sean.

"There's honor in being a mechanic. He works his ass off everyday, so that someone can get to work on time. There's honor in being a brick layer, he builds a home so that you can live in," Will yells.

"Yeah. but I don't see why of all the places to work as a janitor you choose the most prestigeous college in the U.S., and then you sneak around at night to fix mathematic equaitions so no one else will see. There's not a lot of honor in that," Sean rebutes.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you can find honor in almost every job. The issue is finding a place within yourself to make sure that you are doing the most honorable thing by using your talents to create meaningful work. Whether it's working on a night shift on a road crew, or toiling the day hours at a desk job. Find out what you like to do, then do it. We spend way too much time working for money sake, it's about time we all started working for our happiness.

Working the night shift

2007-04-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Where's the A-Team when you need them?

2007-03-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

I just spent the weekend at a ballet performance with my wife which was interesting ( Lord of Flies meets Lion King musical), but now I need to get my man juices flowing talking about things like hotdogs and beer. So I watched from the balcony section this performance like I was Waldorf and Statler from the muppets waiting for either the second act of Muppets Take Manhattan or having the Great Santos Brothers steal my friar's club jacket. During intermissions I was texting my brother about the NFL Draft Combine in order to see if Jamarccus Russell would weigh in as a lineman or linebacker? I anticipated every intermission as if it were a game I was missing and someone was texting me the scores periodically. BTW I thoroughly enjoyed the dance performance. I feel more cultured.

These are things you do when you are married or in a relationship. I'm not saying that it's fair, but it's quite a compromise in exchange for the endless hours of sports I watch. We'll debate the importance of each later. For now, I want to exclaim some anger over recent television show's plots. First off, I tend to get caught up in t.v. shows when football draws to a close. There's like this window of opportunity for me to get hooked on a show like it did back in 1990 when a show called "Beverly Hills 90210" aired on Fox. Life was over. I had to learn to split my Thursdays between college basketball (ACC) and Dillon McKay eating leftovers at the Peach Pit.

The only problem is now that I have to share the t.v. with my wife which it always seems to land on shows that I can't stand. For example, what's the deal with Grey's Anatomy star character. I mean first she likes Loverboy Dempsey, then she can't take committment, and now she spends 3 episodes trying to die. All of this concludes at the end of February sweeps with her magically recovery from a 90 minute dead period (no brain activity-should be brain damage) only to sit up and start talk about her near death experience. I can't wait until next week when she performs open heart surgery on her self only to screw up the stitching at the end because it reminds her of the time her grandmother sewed her a sweater. If you could have peeked into my world during that show I began to openly root for her death as if it was George Mason pulling off another upset during March Madness. Don't get me wrong I like the actress, can't stand the plot. Let's see how many people we can kill off (almost) to draw ratings.

Next on the list of shows that has befuddled me with plot twists is Prison Break. I can't blame my wife for this one because I got hooked onto it like pizza by the slice just after a night out drinking on Monday night. The main issue with the show is that every week these two brothers running from the law as if they were Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz. The last time I saw convicts this smart the A-Team was running the ratings game. They had cool characters and plots that never killed anyone, but was loaded with action. As if the plot on the show could get any more far fetched they have the brother whose on death row for killing the PRESIDENT, escape from prison!!! Like that guy would ever see the light of day. Not in my lifetime. He would accidently get transferred to Afghanistan prison where there are no cameras. The show was so cool when they were trying to break out of prison, now that it has hit the open road it has stunk.

My wife's last show she has me watch is a show called Medium. It stars Patricia Arquette as a physic who see's the future in her dreams. I really feel for the husband on the show because he gets waken more throughout the night then a single dad raising an 2 month old. The guy gets no sleep, wakes up the next morning and is all la dida. No way. I would be popping Ambien like I was Britney Spears at the beginning of a weekend bender. Not too mention this woman continually seems to jump to conclusions about all her dreams being real. Lady they are dreams. Not always reality. If I were her husband I would be getting her a drink everynight before she goes to sleep because we all know that no one sleeps better than a mother of 3 kids with no alcohol.

Well, March Madness has come upon us and ruined my wife's television viewing. She was so upset last week when at the end of her shows they started saying in 3 weeks watch.... Once March is over, then baseball begins. Hope Directv and MLB figure out a deal so I can watch my Red Sox. No way I'm going to wait until Summer for Saturday Fox baseball. I need my NESN! More important I need Rollie Fingers look alike Dennis Eckersely breaking down my Sox bullpen.

2004 sounds a lot better than 1918!

2007-02-16T08:58:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again when we start to become enamored with the comings and goings of all baseball teams hopes and dreams. My Boston Red Sox have great reasons to be optimistic with one of the best rotations in the majors (Tigers rotation is pretty nasty) and some new stars out in the field (J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo), but their remains some serious questions.

Will Dustin Pedroia meet up to the hype or crumble like last season .191 batting average?

Who will close the door for the Sox this year? Joel Pinero? Not since Rheal Cormier did we have a guy in the bullpen with a girl's name. Just hope he doesn't throw like Johnny Traitor Damon. I think Hansen is the answer, but he has to prove himself.

How will the starting pitching hold up? They could be the best in the majors or they could be going for broke. Beckett had a whooping season where he gave up dingers like the ghost of John "Wayback" Wasdin had taken over his body. Wakefield is getting older by the second, and could qualify for social security checks by the end of the season. He's still got a nasty whiffle ball, but he needs to be held in check and not overused. Schill is Schill. He'll always give us his best, still I don't know what it will take for him to return to dominating stature.

Still we have to build on optimism. This is our year. Tito said it best yesterday.

"I think we have reason to be optimistic," said manager Terry Francona. "Everybody is optimistic this time of year. If you're not, [something's wrong]. We have a legitimate reason to be optimistic. We have some things that should go right. And if they do, it should be exciting."

So lets build upon that optimism and the fact that we have Japanese pitcher with a Gyro pitch, a pretty good defensive team, a DH that is more clutch than Jerry West in a game of HORSE, and a manager that can bind all the lunancy together to win it all. Remember 2004!

Where have you gone numero Ocho???

2007-02-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

As I finished watching the Super Bowl it began to hit me. The football season was over. What do I do now???

I must wash myself clean from the last season which will be hard to do right away. I think the next few weeks I will be going through heavy withdrawals. It's like I need something to supplimate that fix I got every weekend, and it's not coming until March. That's right. March Madness can't come soon enough. No one in their right mind is going to get me to watch hockey. Is it even on t.v. ? I mean you can watch people sell books on tv or catch endless hours of Canadian Parliament, but you can't get a hockey game unless you have the Outdoor Network.

As for the NBA, it's so useless to watch until they get into the playoffs. Almost every team makes it to the playoffs which provides me with countless ways to describe the meaninglessness of playing a freaking 82 game season. They should pull names out of a lottery machine much like we used to do when playing Super Techmo Bowl tournaments. Then the teams would start the playoffs after a two string of practices. I mean really do you want to watch the Celtics play the Raptors tomorrow or see if those two crazy brothers on Prison Break will escape for the 100th time from the Police, FBI, CIA, and every other law enforcement agency tracking them down? I've got to hand it to Fox, they really know how to kill a show by dragging it out beyond it's means (see My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, 24, X-Files, Joe Millionaire, American Idol). Somebody told me the other day that American Idol is still the number 1 rated show in the US. I'm pretty sure I'd rather watch back to back minor league hockey games on cable access with no graphics and no commentating, than watch American Idol. Did I ever mentioned they tried to kick me out of hotel in Memphis after Hurricane Katrina. Rotten Bastardos.

It's time for me to move on for the next month and fulfill all those things I promised my wife I would finish in August. You know those things that make you a useful husband. Payback for months of weekends without a mention of the word work, and me explaining to her how the game trumps anything I should be doing otherwise. I almost decided to start watching NFL Europe just extend the season in order to back out of the weekend work. I just can't watch games in half-empty stadiums (uhhmm Atlanta/Detroit) with players I thought were good 10 years ago.

Super Bowl Birthday

2007-02-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

If you know me by now or have atleast read a few of my entries you probably have heard of my distaste for Super Bowl parties. Mostly because the parties are filled with people only interested in commercials or talking with someone during the game that they work with 5 days out of the week. Did you see the one with the monkeys? Oh there so funny. What's worse I'll be sitting there watching the game and some guy will ask the most ridiculous question that no one wants to warrant an answer too. Like, "Hey, doesn't Dikta still coach the Bears?" or "Peyton Manning, is he related to Archie Manning at all?"

What I dislike most about the Super Bowl parties is the since the NFL went to the extra week off the Super Bowl used to be on or around the last weekend in January, now it's the first week in February. Recently either on my birthday or around my b-day. Once you get older, birthdays are celebrated like a tax return. Something that has to be done, but it's not always a pleasant experience.

This year I am celebrating my birthday with a fictional Saints Super Bowl party. I'm going to pretend that it's the Saints playing the Colts. Every time the Bears make a good play, I'll scream "Way to go Saints!" It's going to be so much fun. In between my Abita Ambers I'll cram a piece of Randazoo's king cake down, and maybe save room for my big birthday present... A mock Saints Super Bowl ring. It looks more like a ring pop, but it'll suffice for the day. To all those out there that love Super Bowl parties, have fun because I know that I will from the comfort of my home resting in the lazyboy.

That's the way we live

2007-01-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

It's not easy being a Saints fan. 40 years and still waiting. I'm not upset with anything that has happened this season. We went from worst to first in one year, but what hurts is getting so close to the big game (Super Bowl) and then get trounced. The great story still has not been finished. So we continue on to another chapter.

Thanks, Saints. For six months you prolonged the pain and memories of last year/Katrina amongst all of us in New Orleans. The days of the week went by so much faster. I couldn't wait for Sundays to appear on my calendar because for 3 hours I lost myself in the midst of the Saints dramatic turnaround. I think most of us know how hard it is to get to the NFC Championship game. If not just look at the Cardinals, Lions, Browns for any indication at the gaps in time. While most of us will move on and try to rebuild our homes and lives in the upcoming year we can hold out hope that our Saints can return back to the NFC Championship. It can be done.

I know I wanted to almost cry after that game. What has become evident is the fact that I have been riding the emotions of the Saints for six months and now I'm coming down hard. My eyes are finally adjusting to the reality of the Super Bowl, but my eyes will never waver on the view of myself in the mirror every morning looking at the die hard Saints fan smiling back. Thanks for a great season. Black and Gold to the Super Bowl, forever.

Aints No More

2007-01-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

The Windy City will be expecting a warm Brees on Sunday to blow through town. Got back from New Orleans only to recoup my voice and my heart from a crazy playoff weekend in NOLA. Sometimes it's hard to describe the feeling you get when you witnessed something so amazing that it shocks even the soundest mind people. That's what Saturday felt like. As I stood in the back of the Maple Leaf Bar listening to Bonneroo play "When the Saints go Marching In", I got the shivers all over. People were smiling and I suddenly thought that this was the best dream I've ever had.

That next morning I awoke to a sudden coolness under my feet as I knew that Saints have inched thier way one game closer to the Super Bowl and hell is about 15 degrees from freezing over. I'm not saying we don't deserve it. My father pointed out to me that the Pittsburgh Steelers used to be the laughing stock of the league. Up until 1970's the Steelers were an inept, always losing, never capable of getting over the hump. 40 years they had been in the league before they won their first Super Bowl stringing together a run that became known as Steeler Dynasty. The Saints are celebrating thier 40th anniversary this year. Maybe history is repeating itself.

The 12th man was huge on Saturday. Did anyone notice that the play went on because it was so loud no one had heard the whistle until Baskett caught that pass. Wow!! That was deafening. I loved seeing Duece get the ball. Looking forward to seeing Payton feed him some more this weekend. Drew Brees did a good job of managing the game, making plays when needed. What I'm looking for this upcoming weekend is the Saints defense to show the Bears what everyone else has overlooked, and we need some big plays from special teams. We have to stop that Devin Hester, guy. He's explosive. It'll be hard to keep my emotions in check all week. As I told someone earlier last week, having the Saints play into January is like having Christmas all over again each weekend. You get so excited that you can't sleep. I'll just keep on smiling. Go Saints.

I'm coming home

2007-01-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

Yeah!!! We all know what it's like to miss New Orleans. I've been away from home since the Christmas after Katrina, and since then I've bounced around different parts of the U.S. trying to find something to replace what I've lost. There is little you can do to replace home. You can always find places similar to home or better than home, but nothing reminds me or makes me feel like that special place.

So that brings me to this weekend when I will pack up the SUV and travel 1-10 East towards New Orleans for small vacation. It's going to be great being back in the city I love so much for what could be a fantastic weekend of fun and rivelry. My father, brothers, and I are looking forward to this weekend for the huge playoff game between the Saints and Eagles. It's one of those unspoken things that you miss about being home. The fact that the city has a buzz about it all week in preparation for the game. You can feel it standing in the checkout line at Winn Dixie, cashing a check at Hibernia/Capital One, or eating a muffaletta at Nor-Jo's.

Mrs. Veritas is looking forward to this trip too. She is an adopted daughter of New Orleans with a fondness for beignets at Morning Call and an some good old homecooking from my parents house. My biggest thing I'm looking forward too is that feeling as I drive across the Bonnet Carre' Spillway with torches lit up over Norco on one side and seeing a Pelican fly about a foot over the lake on my other side. Then it will hit me. That feeling. The one you get when you come home.

The Year of the Saints

2007-01-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

An ancient chinese proverb once propheted "Don't walk until you've crawled." Atleast that's what I think the fortune cookie stated.

10-6!!! Who would have thunked it? Buddy D? Jimmy the Greek? Nostradamus? Nope. Not a soul. I think every Saints fan invisions a winning season before it gets started, but realistically deep down inside we look forward to season better than the last. Well this season we just didn't double our wins we tripled them. The New Orleans Saints went from worst to first in a division many had picked us to finish last or second to last.

I can't live a lie. I thought that my beloved team would finish 8-8. It was such a big surprise to me that after the third game of the season I felt that we could win much more. I have witnessed many of downtrodden years, many of upsets, many of disappiontments, but nothing has eclipsed the emotions I have felt for the team this year. FAITH!! That's what it takes to be a fan of any team. I believe it takes a little more than just faith to be a Saints fan, it means that you and the team become one emotionally. A friend once asked me why I torture myself being a Saints fan. I looked him dead in the eye and said, "I've invested way too much of life to be anything other than a Saints fan. It's what I believe I was meant to be."

I want to thank Coach Payton for bring a new feeling to the city, to the fans, and to the team. 2006 was a great year for the Saints, but I think that 2007 has the makings of exciting times being a Saints fan. We've got Reggie. We've got Duece. We've got Brees. We've got a defense that is underrated. Look out NFL, these Saints are for real and here to stay. Bring on the tournament! Go Saints.

Good Tidings to you (Saints fans) wherever you are

2006-12-26T10:15:00.000-08:00

Who Dat!!! Saints controlled their own destiny this past weekend by assuring themselves a playoff bye. First time in team history. I told a bunch of my friends that this is the best season the Saints have ever had, even beats the '87 (12-3) season. We don't just beat teams, we crush them. The Giants were waving the white flag or Tiki's cry hanky by the end of the 3rd Quarter. When have you ever seen a Saints team beat so many good teams handly all season.

I love were this team has taken us, and I can't wait to share in the enjoy on Jan.13 or 14th the first playoff game in New Orleans since 2000. As the horrible teammate/coach killer T.O. once said, "I love me some New Orleans." Or something along those lines. Reggie had a coming out party for those trash talking his running skills. He hit the holes with a fierce meaness that made Tiki feel older by the second. The defense really came up huge after Fred "I won't bash you today" Thomas got burnt on the 4 play from scrimmage. They didn't allow the Giants into our territory all game. That's right, all game. Here's to a happy holidays to all. I know Payton will not rest his players next week, so let's put a cap on this season by closing out the Panthers at home. Who Dat! Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who Dat?

Yen and Yang

2006-12-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

Dice K Matsuzak officially started his Red Sox career the other day with his 6 year - 51 million dollar deal. That's a lot of yen. I'll give the Red Sox some credit. They set their goals for the off season to acquire a starting pitcher, and they did that some 100 million dollars later.

Is he the next Greg Maddux? Is he going to be another Hideo Nomo? No one knows for sure, but one thing is for sure, the "Donger" can throw 4 great pitches. That's more than I could say for the late Matt Clement. Clement is having trouble finding his shoulder much less finding his way into the rotation. He's trying to find his career much like Paris Hilton.

I like our rotation as we have it set up with Schill, Beckett, Donger, Pap, and Wake. The only thing I fear is that the starting pitchers will have to go nine innings every night to keep us from going to the bullpen. Bradon Donnelly is a nice addition, but he's not a closer. If the perm that Craig Hansen wears off soon than maybe he can become our closer? That's asking a lot considering that Hansen lost all confidence in himself last year having been sent down to AAA more times than Bull Durham. With the resurgence of a healthy Jon Lester we finally have a left hander that can come out of the bull pen with a chance to help out. I like Lester. He was definitely thrown into the mix to early last year, and should be eased into the lineup during the season. He could be our only left hander to put up against that formidable Yankee lineup that has 5 guys who bat from the wrong side of the plate.

Taking the good with the bad. The recent pick up of Dice K. plus if medical science will allow it we can dump J.D. Drew (he'll still become a Sox unfortunately), and add into the mixture the fact that we have Papelbon moving into a starting position we have plenty of upside. It's not saying we don't have holes up the middle at short-stop and second base. Can someone explain to me why we didn't unload Pedrioa a year ago when our scouts knew he would amount to nothing more than an shorter version of Damian Jackson? Everytime I see him out there playing it's like someone allowed the Little League player from Worchester to be on the field. Isn't there anyway Tito can put a measureing stick on the outside of the dugout much like those on roller coaster rides? Well, that's why you have to take the good with bad. The yen and the yang.

CHAMPS not CHUMPS!!!

2006-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! This has been one crazy season of football for Saints fans. Mixed with highs and lows. Most of the lows coming at home mind you, but still a lot more highs than lows. Nine to be exact.

There is a terminology or coach speak that you take it one game at a time. This is so true after a loss. Yet, after a win like we had last week the city of New Orleans and Saints nation world wide was dreaming of sugar plums and Super Bowls. Let's remember that this is the same team that won 3 games last year!!! That's the same amount of times I scream out every game that Fred Thomas is killing us. Then I remember that we are without our starting safety and our back-up Omar Stoutmire was out last week too. Not good.

I did see some things that were promising for the game on Sunday. Connor Payton looks like he could replace Fetch monster as our new tee retriever. I did like the fact that our defense didn't break under much pressure from the Skins. They pounded us and were in the redzone 4 times only to come away with 16 points. Can someone explain to me why Fred Thomas is still playing cornerback for our New Orleans Saints? The guy has a club hand, gets burnt more than Toi Cook on Flipper Anderson, and I see more of his backside every game which is not his best side. I think I may have also jinxed the Saints by wearing my 2001 NFC West Divisional Champs T-shirt while watching the game.

We still won the division which to me is the biggest shocker because if you asked me 3 months ago I would have laughed and called you an insurance adjuster. Although many us are hitting a bit of a low with the Saints after the loss we must remember where we came from and that we are in the playoffs. I'm definitely looking forward to this weekend we play the Giants at the Saints unofficial second home (Giants Stadium). After the Giants annihilated our decimated team last year on national television right after Katrina, I would love nothing more than to eliminate them from the playoffs at their home on the second to last week of the season. There's no turning back now. We're headed to the playoffs!!! What's more surprising than that is that the Saints have a waiting list for season ticket holders!!! Hold on. I need to read that again... Yup, that's right the Saints have a waiting list for season tickets. THE SAINTS ARE COMING!!!

Marathon Man

2006-12-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Well, the big show down in Dallas is over and I guess this picture sums up how Cowboy fans feel about dem' Cowgirls.

I was over-joyed on Sunday night as I watched my beloved New Orleans Saints thoroughly whoop up on "America's Team." Just a note to all you football fans out there, this isn't your daddy's New Orleans Saints team. All week long I kept hearing about how we haven't played anyone yet, how the Saints franchise has never won more than one playoff game, and how bad our defense plays. Ssshhhhhh!!!!

I guess the most surprising thing to me and maybe to all Saints fans is how resilient this team is. After the big play by Julius Jones, the Saints march back down the field and tie it up. Then they unleashed a barage of offense that Dallas has never seen before by scoring 21 unanswered points. It was beautiful. The didn't even let up until the end of the 3rd quarter when Payton feeling sorry for his old boss decided to run the ball every down until the end of the game. I remember saying earlier in the season that the Saints will only get better and we are definitely seeing some really good Saints football.

Speaking of which. The old addage "It's a marathon not a sprint" should be applied here within context. I distinctly remember fans getting worried in a skid against the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers that we were headed down the wrong path. Suddenly, the Saints have stopped turning the ball over, and have been dominating teams ever since.

This past Sunday I achieved something I thought I would never do in my life. I ran my first ever marathon in Dallas (White Rock). It was a great day. My running shorts were adorned with a gold fleur de leis and the word "Saints." I ran a great race until I hit the wall at about mile 21 which made it extremely difficult to finish the race, but I never quit and finished running at 4 hours. My last 5 miles were excruciating as ever step I took was in pain with cramps in my legs. It took me about 50 minutes to run the last 5 miles. The point I'm trying to make here is that we all experience some adversity in our daily lives, it's how we respond to that which makes us who we are. At the end of the race, I looked over at my wife with a brief look of disappointment because I missed my qualifying time for another race.

She spoke without hesitation, "You set out to finish this race and that's what you did. Be proud of what you've accomplished today because it doesn't matter how fast you ran as long as you finished what you set out to do." Never truer words have been spoken. At first I thought, is she talking about me or the Saints? What does it matter? We are the same. You and me, we are the New Orleans Saints. We are going to finish this marathon.

JFK and the Saints

2006-12-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

So living in Texas isn't all that bad when you have your home team coming to play "America's Team" on national television on Sunday night. I've been hearing all week from Dallas fans that the Saints are overrated, that our defense isn't good, and that we haven't beaten anyone worth while. Well that can change this weekend if the Saints pull off the upset in Irving.

Conspiracy theorist abound starting linking the JFK assination to the Hollis Thomas positive steriod test. The connections are vague and incoherent. The Saints play Dallas. JFK was shot in Dallas. Hollis Thomas suspension comes right before we play them for what could be home field advantage in the playoffs. Marques Colston has a mysterious nagging bruised ankle that hasn't healed in 3 weeks. Cowboys have no one listed on the injury report. They're all 100%??? Still I believe our boys in the black and gold will prevail because this is our season. This is our magical run to the playoffs and no one conspiracy is going to bring it down.

Now I've heard from others around that the Saints uniforms last week looked silly. So, I will say this one last time. I wish to see the Saints come out in an all gold uniform. New uniforms for the New Saints. This isn't the same old Saints. We should bring them out for the playoffs. This was an idea from my brother that I feel merits some thought.

Sunday's game against Dallas is big for many reason most importantly would be home field advantage in the playoffs. What would be better than playing a playoff game in the Dome right after New Years? You think the Dome was rocking for the re-opening against Atlanta? Just come and see us in the New Year, the place will be louded than a shuttle lift off. Bring it on. THE SAINTS ARE COMING!!!

Red Beans and Rice are so good with a win.

2006-12-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

As if I need to mention that the Saints defense, yes that was the New Orleans Saints, came up huge stopping "the incovenient truth" Frank Gore. So, this brings the question. This is a critical week for our beloved Saints as they prepare for the hottest team in the NFC, da' Cowgirls, on national television Sunday night. Who will be the next one to have thier name in the spotlight? Peyton?

This past weekend, I was astonished by the play of Charles Grant as he rose to the challenge by playing without Will Smith and still dominating the line of scrimmage. I know that many people have made comments on forums and websites that Grant isn't as special as Will Smith, but I beg to differ. He is a formidable defensive end that not only has 52 total tackles and 6 sacks but 4 forced fumbles. This ranks him 6th in the league amongst DE; ahead of Julius Peppers going into Monday Night's game. So what's going to happen at the end of this season with Grant. Will he be franchised tagged or resigned for more money or traded??? I think this is one player that the Saints need to keep for multiple reasons.

1. He's a contributor and plays every week.
2. He makes others around him better by taking double teams, i.e. Hollis Thomas, Will Smith, Willie Whitehead.
3. Always positive. Wants to win badly. Remember he's the one who called Aaron Brooks out on the plane as a quiter. He just said what we'll all had been thinking. You've got to like that about him.
4. He's part of New Orleans. Grant can be seen driving around town in a regular 4 door sedan, cashing checks at local bank, or shooting the breeze with fans at a Hornets game.

So let's do the right thing and resign him for atleast the next 3-4 years and make him a staple to our defense. BTW does anyone else get confused when Hollis Thomas tackles someone for a loss and think that it's the ghost of Jim Wilks out there playing in his body. Love that guy. It was great to see McKenzie get his due with those big interceptions. He's been the only one of the Saints cornerbacks for the past several years that can play man to man. I know he struggles some games, but he's no Fred "Whiplash" Thomas. Plus, for many years the Saints haven't had the pass rush they have had this year which makes a big difference.

Also, the black on black uniforms were slick. Mrs. Unaveritas thought they were silly and they looked like dancer tights. I on the other hand thought it made us look faster and bad ass. Don't need them every weekend though it would be nice for them to break them out for big games like Notre Dame with the green jerseys. As for uniforms I would love to see Peyton in a suit for Sunday night's game. Just a suggestion for da' coach of the year.

Dios Mio!!!

2006-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

Dios Maria! What better way to end our losing skid than with an immaculate catch on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the half. Yes, the Saints are 7-4. Which means that they are in first place in the NFC South which if you listen to the so-called pundits is the weakest division in the NFC. It doesn't matter to me whether you play in the AFC North or the NFC South as long as you win the games you are suppose to win and play tough against teams that are supposedly better than you.

As I prepare myself for another weekend of Saintsdom. I'm reminded of the glory days of the NFC West showdowns between the Saints and 49ers. Before the Falcons became my bitter rival, I was incessantly mortified everytime the 49ers walked into town. They were the epitome of the world class organization all the way up the top. Back in the 80's Eddie DeBartlo was running the 49ers and no expense was big enough for his team to compete. When the 49ers came into New Orleans for thier SuperBowl romp over the Bronco's in the late 80's. I distinctly remember hearing the rumor that DeBartlo rented our the New Orleans shopping plaza for his team. Anything they wanted within the confines of that building was there's for the taking. I don't know if that story is true, but I know one thing Saints players can't even get a deal on a Benson BMW without haggling the dealer for the MSRP.

One of my most vivid memories of the 49ers was back in 88 the 49ers came with thier usual swagger into town. I thought this would be the year for us to really take it to them. Jerry Rice catches a bomb from Montana and as he is about to cross the goal line he fumbles the ball. Obvious to the viewer at home that he fumbled before he made it into the endzone by the backfield judge had a poor angle and this was pre-instant replay. They (officials) awarded the 49ers a touchdown who went on to win by one point. This is just merely one of the games that has caused frustration to many a Saints fan. Although, this weekend the New Saints will excercise the demons of the past, and no expense will be paid for this victory will be sweet revenge.

Things I notice over the weekend:

1. Morten Anderson missed a field goal to the left. Must have had is wallet in the wrong pocket. I've seen him miss quite a few important FG's for us in the past. Good for him.

2. Reggie is starting to run more North/South. I heard the announcers say that Payton talked to him about having speed through the hole, not to the hole. Perfectly stated.

3. We blitzed the heck out of Vick. I like that aggressiveness even though it backfired a couple of times with huge plays against us. Still, I would like to see more of that against Alex Smith this weekend.

4. Drew Brees continues to show why he was the most important free agent signee during this past offseason. He's on record to throw for over 5,000 yards and break Dan Marino's single season passing yards record. That's DAN MARINO!!! Not Dan Magickowski. I never knew how important a quarterback position was to a team until we had Drew come to the Saints. We just never had this type of guy back in the pocket.

5. Still need to run the ball more especially when we have the lead. I know I've been saying it all season, but it's important to keeping the other team off the field. The second to last drive by the Saints to go up 24-13 is something I would love to see happen consistently. That's what makes us a playoff type team.

Consolation prizes are for suckers

2006-11-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

I've spent my last weekend doing some freelance work in Jackson, Mississippi only to have it seem like it was a year. I totally missed out on a great football weekend with my consolation prize being a Saints loss to the Bungles at home that rivaled something from the bizarro world.

My complaining about the Saints has dissipated after they won their 6th game of the season. I can atone for the fact that I realistically thought the Saints would win 7 games at most this season figuring that the new coach, new players, and lack of quality defensive playmakers would prohibit us from making the playoffs. That changed a little as the season progressed and my expectations started to change. I along with others began to believe that the Saints were well within contention to make it to 9 or 10 wins this season by week 6. Has this change? No. I still think the Saints have three more wins in them. The problem is that anything less than 3 more wins can be construed as a tank job by the Saints coaching staff.

Let's consider the facts. Saints are pretty thin in the secondary specifically at the safety position. Since Roman Harper's departure to the IR we have been exposed for the weakness that is getting us beat the last few weeks. Big plays. Fred Thomas has a strained neck to go along with the strained hamstring. There was a reason the Saints cut Jay Bellamy. He just can't cover over the top, and I love the passion Craft and McKenzie play with, but without pressure on the QB they look average at best. If you compare our corners and safeties with those on the Patriots, I'd say they are about equal. The only difference is that the Patriots LB's get more pressure on the quarterback than ours do. Plain and simple.

With that being said the Saints still have a chance to stop teams. The way they can do this is by controlling the clock. They have to sustain long drives and finish them off without creating turnovers. Sounds simple. Last few weeks it's been difficult. Payton said it best before the season started, "You haven't been tested! Once you've been tested then it's how you react to those situations that define you as a team." I like our chances in Atlanta this weekend. With our backs up against the wall, let's see if the Saints can define themselves as a legitimate playoff team.

Rickey, Rickey, Rickey!!!

2006-11-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

#57

Whenever I see that number only one thing comes to my mind. Rickey Jackson. Rickey Jackson was a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints for over 13 seasons during the 80's and 90's. I can remember him just thrashing through the line and wrecking havoc on the opposing quarterback. He was a menace. Unstoppable.

What made Rickey so unique and special was that he made everyone around him so much better. Just ask Pat Swilling. Just recently the Hall of Fame announced the semi-finalists for the 2006 HOF. Kevin Greene, Richard Dent, and Andre Tippipet made up some of the names for the defensive side of the ballot. Yet once again Rickey Jackson was left off.

Here's my case for Rickey stat wise. He played in 227 games over 15 seasons. 128 sacks!!! That's 10 on the all time sacks list. Only Dent, Greene, and L.T. are ahead of him that are classified as linebackers. He had 6 seasons with double digit sack totals. 6 times was selected to Pro Bowl. He recovered over 28 fumbles second only to Jim Marshall, and had 8 interceptions.

Now what doesn't get mentioned in those stats was that he was the initiator of the Dome Patrol. There would be no Dome Patrol without Rickey. Those 4 LB's were good, but Rickey made them great. He once had a streak of consecutive games played going when he got into a horrific car crash. I'm not talking about a fender bender. He wrapped his car around a telephone poll and walked away. He was definitely hurt, but played that next week with a grill that consisted of as many face bars a helmet could contain with a Dark Vader sheild to protect his eyes. The man was a machine. He played with such an intensity that teams had to game plan around him. Whenever we needed a big play he was always there to make one. If you think of other great LB's such as Derrick Thomas and Wilbur Marshall deserve to go to Hall then Rickey has to be right there above them. The problem with Rickey was that he played in a medium/small market team that rarely got national attention. Though if you ask any player from that decade about Rickey Jackson they will tell the same story of a man who dominated at his position. I would love to see Rickey inducted into the Hall of Fame, it would brighten up the small display that Saints have of Doug Atkins, Jim Finks, and Tom Dempsey's shoe. So for every year that Rickey is not on the ballot I laugh because in my mind he's already there.

I'm gonna knock you out!

2006-11-13T12:50:00.000-08:00

Mixed emotions. Jubilation one point, despair another. Ebb and flow. You know what I'm talking about if your a Saints fan. Things could be worse. I mean we could be 3-6 right now and talking about the draft. So why get caught up in the hysteria that follows one loss. It doesn't end our season. So relax.

Well I know that I've been preaching that the Saints haven't shown thier best game yet, but still I feel that they have much to prove on the defense side of the ball. Coaches call it the knock out punch. That's what we lack right now. We have the ability to score, mount pressure, win close. What we strive for is that attitude that comes when you take a lead and refuse to let up. I believe that the Saints are a young team with the capabilities of building themselves into a perennial force. The problem lies with the learning curve of the NFL. Things change so rapidly that within a two or three game stretch we could go from leading our division to fighting for a wild card spot. Patience.

Three observations from the game:
1. Reggie Bush needs to go to the Tiki Barber school of running with the football. Classes need to commence soon. He has a tendency that is being exposed. By the way, that TD run is #2 in the Reggie highlight reel.
2. Our cornerbacks need to become more aggressive. It's like the ghost's of Toi Cook and Alex Molden have infiltrated our team. We can't get an interception or fumble. All playoff teams are in the plus side of the turnover margin. This needs to change soon.
3. Our offense is explosive. It's almost like the old days of the Houston Oilers with the run and shoot. One problem I forsee is balance. You can't win games throwing for 400 yards and rushing for a 100 yards. Need more rushing plays. Especially when you take the lead in the game. I would love to see Duece running the ball with the lead. He's the guy who can deliver that knock out blow. If we can control the clock then we don't worry about the other team's offense as much.

Later on this week. I'll explain why Rickey Jackson belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame along side Doug Atkins and Jim Finks.

Playoffs? Playoffs? --Jim Mora Sr.

2006-11-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

If memory serves me correct when was the last time I saw a New Orleans Saints team look horrible one weekend only to rebound the next weekend and look so dominant? NEVER!!!

This team is about attitude. No longer are they looking for excuses. They are not pointing fingers. They are not settling for 5 wins. It's as if they've been transformed into a winning ball club. If Payton doesn't win coach of the year they shouldn't give out the award ever again.

There are plenty of people out there judging Reggie Bush based upon numbers and saying he's not cut out for the NFL, yet. Jim Mora Sr. said it best, "Diddly-poo." What Reggie brings to the team is speed, versatility, and excitement. You can't buy that with Mario Williams or A.J. Hawk. I've stated this before on my blog, and I guess not enough people read it, but Reggie is not your typical running back. Just like Michael Vick isn't your typical quarterback. He's not going to rush for 25-30 a game because he brings more to the table more than just rushing the ball. Just like Vick can kill you with his legs, he'll try to beat you with his arm too. Reggie is learning how to beat teams by rushing and receiving. What Payton does with Bush is awesome. He moves him out of the backfield, lines him up in the slot, in the power eye, in motion, and let's him return punts. He poses a threat whether he takes it to the house or whether he's in the game. That's what Reggie brings to the game. Plus he's unselfish. You take a guy like Reggie, who breathes confidence and winning, put him on the Saints and you get offensive production. Reggie still has a long way to go before he's polished, but what we have now on our team is something we have never had, a bonafide superstar in the making. (Sorry Vaughn Dunbar, Mario Bates, Ricky Williams, and every other first round running back drafted by the Saints) Gotta have faith!!!

What else can go wrong?

2006-10-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

I remember once study for an exam all night. I had prepared for it for over a week. The notes, study groups, random recitations of important phrases were consuming my every being. It was the night before and I remember saying to a friend of mine that I was going to pull an all nighter to be ace this exam. I was in the study hall down the room from our dorm room watching people come in and out periodically throughout the night until it was early morning. Then I went down to the O.R. (cafeteria) to grab some last minute grub before the test. As I was sitting there eating I was still going through each chapter trying to remember the key points and important vocabulary. The room was quiet with anticipation of the exam, and I remember the teacher passing out what seemed like a thesis paper to each student for our exam. I was worried. Was my blue book going to hold all the right answers? Did I cover everything that was mentioned in class? Can I get through the next 2 hours without breaking my concentration?

What happened next? I laid an egg. I froze. I started spacing out on the random flyers on the bulletin board in the corner of the room. The pages of the exam seemed to never end, and I couldn't remember anything that I recited over the past 24 hours. I quickly folded up the exam then wrote on the top page, "No excuse. I bombed."

Needless to say I learned my lesson, no matter how much you prepare for something nothing outweights the fact that we have our bad days. Days when nothing goes right. You ever wake up late for work or school and feel like the rest of your day you're playing catch up? Ever have those moments when things start snowballing. You just wish the day would end. There's nothing you can do, but learn from your mistakes and move on.

Hence my point. The Saints had one of those days. When everything goes wrong. The type of day when your car gets a flat, you're late for an interview, you get fired from your job, and the phone gets disconnected at home because you're late on the bill. Then you spend the last part of your night telling the horror story to everyone you come in contact with to get sympathy or just another beer.

My Saints had this happen to them from the minute the opening kickoff. Penalty. Fumble. Penalty. Touchdown Ravens. Kickoff. Penalty. 3 and out. Touchdown Ravens. Interception Ravens. Touchdown Ravens. Even when the Saints seemed to be getting things going in the right direction, a penalty would negate the positive spin. I remember seeing Payton run out on the field screaming at the referee after a punt return. Our defender was hand slapped in the face then thrown to the ground. A surefire penalty right? Wrong. Just aggressive play by the Ravens. The whole game seemed like the complete opposite of what I had been watching all season. Still I watched. Grumbled something about needing more pressure on McNair then continued to cheer for our Boys. 5-2! It's not as bad as you would have thought. The game definitely didn't lend itself to any bright points other than the fact that we didn't give up. Chalk this one up as just a bad day. We've got the Bucs to think about. They're not going to be sympathetic to our woes, so let's see if Payton can "digest this loss" and come back with a win on the road.

Crab Cakes and Football.

2006-10-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

That's how they do it in Maryland. Land of purple Ravens and out of control Orioles. I am looking forward to the Saints improving there record to double last years output. There are some things we all have to address.

1. Crowd noise must be at an all-time high when Baltimore is on offense. I want McNair to think he's having a concussion everytime he walks to the line of scrimmage. Either that or I want him to hear the voices of Fujita and Grant in his head evertime he drops back to pass. The 12th man will come into play this weekend in the Dome lets keep the Boys pumped up all game.

2. Brees continues to spread the ball around. Not many mention the fact that he's a tactician with ball. He dishes it out like MRE's after Katrina. Everyone gets a touch. This also spreads the defense out and makes them continually guess whose going to get it. I like this strategy because if you keep it up for 4 quarters the defense gets tired and you get a big play.

3. Defense bends but doesn't break. I know we are 13th in the league for defense still I would love to see us stuff Jamal Lewis while pressuring the heck out of McNair. If we can keep that horrible offense sputtering than we have a chance to ring up some points. I was scared last game with the missed tackles in the secondary. Especially on the Reggie Brown long touchdown run at the beginning of the 3rd Quarter. Hopefully Payton has corrected that and got his team back to fundamentals. Being in the right spot to make a play. That's all it is.

4. Duece and Reggie doing there thing. My bye week was spent praying to the patron saint of injuries for Duece's hamstring. Boy do we need him in the lineup. Without him running the ball teams just know we are going to pass. Reggie is doing a great job of creating havoc for defenses, but it's the combo of Duece and Reggie that makes us the most potent team in the league.

5. Gotta keep the faith. No doubting that this team is just starting to gel together. It makes me wonder what type of team will I be seeing towards the end of the year. Here's to seeing us on Sunday night against the Bengals, and to going 6-1!!! Go Saints!!!

Crazy times

2006-10-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

It behoves me to note that it's been a while since I talked about something other than the New Orleans Saints, but that's been my life as of recent. With every passing week my eyes and heartbeat anticipate the upcoming game as if it were a celebration of life. There have been more important things happening in my life outside of my beloved Saints. I just find more time to concentrate on our secondary in 3rd and long situations over whether those people will ever get off that island in "Lost."

Today I spent the better part of my morning interviewing for a job. Yeah this is like the hundreth job interview for me. Going into these interviews has become quite comical as if I were Ben Afflect in "Good Will Hunting" pretending to be someone else in an interview. The phrases are the same just worded differently, but the reactions are what makes it so much fun.

"What made you decide on our company?"
"Well, you're the only ones to call me in for an interview. To be honest I've never heard of using a rubber ball to store a gallon of oil."
"What kind of supervisor are you?"
"A pretty unsuccessful one because I can't even supervise my dog's bathroom habits. No really I'm good, just not with others."
"Describe your multi-tashing skills?"
"Well I can manage to eat nachos while drinking a beer without ever missing a play during a Saints game. On the other hand I was the official beer person in my small group of friends and I was responsible for picking up multiple types of beer from different stores while managing a budget and kickoff time."

Sometimes when I see them struggling for words to ask a question I start smiling about what it must feel like to hold a position in which you have no idea of how to describe to others. What's your position? I'm in charge of the management structure development team assisting all regional supervisors. Oh, really. That sounds made up.

I feel like George Canstanza at times.
"It's not the looking for the jobs, but the listening. You see I'm looking, but more importantly I'm listening. The listening is very important."

I could be a general manager of a sports team, like the Zyphers or New Orleans Breakers? It really doesn't matter. I just love to hear those famous words at the end of an interview. "We'll be in touch." No you won't. If you do get in touch with me it's to offer me the job. If you don't call then it's pretty much implied that you're not hiring me. Just say that. Wow, crazy times. That's why the Saints are on the top of my mind.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2006-10-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

It's an inevitable thing that we all want. You can't buy it. You can't steal it. Or be handed some of it. It's got to be earned. RESPECT.

We fight for it everyday. You know in some parts of the world it becomes an infatuated dream of many of men. The thing that we all learn is that no matter what people think or excuses made it is something that has to be hard-earned.

Just the other day my Boston friend and I were talking about our beloved Red Sox and how beleagured they looked this season. The conversation suddenly went into football and we started talking about his Patriots and my Saints. That's when the conversation took a dramatic turn. Everything I said about his team was out of respect because they have won consecutive SuperBowls in addition to compiling several winning seasons in a row. When he started talking about my Saints he asked very skeptical questions about how our defense was holding up against the run? I on the other hand understood where he was coming from. My team hasn't won anything special since 2000. We've been a team known to be streaky from season to season, not too mention quarter to quarter.

That's were I found myself this past weekend. Watching the game from home on my couch with my "Be a Saint" shirt, and my dog wearing his Ricky Williams jersey. The game was so uplifting the first two quarters. It seemed as if the stars were aligning for a huge upset, but then the 3rd quarter came and the Eagles started scoring. I became trepid and nervous. I cursed out loud the Richard Todds and Jubilee Dunbar of the Saints world. I looked over at my wife, who was sitting behind me watching from the kitchen table as she read a book, and it hit me. Stop disrespecting the Saints. Start believing. I muttered something under my breath about putting together a drive to tie this game up. Just then the heavens broke free, the angels rejoiced, and Joe Horn made a double move to free himself for the game tying touchdown. I smiled. All we need is a stop of defense. Wouldn't you know it the Eagles would use one of their timeouts that would play pivotal part to us winning in their final drive that resulted in a punt. It's as if the team, the city, it's fans everywhere knew that the Saints were going to pull this out. As the final ticks of the game faded into the distance with Carney's game winning field goal. I looked down at my shirt once again. "BE A SAINT." Earning the respect of fans everywhere is going to take time. More importantly I believe it will come soon enough.

Trials and Tribulations

2006-10-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

It's another week in the NFL season and it so happens that my beloved New Orleans Saints are 4-1. While watching the game on Sunday it felt somewhat reminescent of previous years except for the fact that the defense got a stop, we had some calls go our way at the end, and Reggie won it for us. Still false starts, 3 and outs, plus you could tell the crowd was definitely not into that game until the Bush return.

Here are some of the things I noticed from the game and my experience watching the game.

1. Saints fans are to complacent with the fact that the Saints will revert to their old ways. During the game their were points when you could feel the frustration seeping through the screen into our hearts as the Saints struggle to muster first downs in the second half. Let's set the facts straight. These are not the same Saints you and I remember. They are talented on offense with a balanced attack and their defense has been steady enough to keep us in ball games. So if the Saints can change we should to. Stop the disbelieving and start believing that this team has a chance to win. Payton called out the fans after the game saying it was only loud on 3rd downs. He's right. The Dome needs to be rocking on every down the opponent has the ball. If teams like Cleveland, Jets, Green Bay, and even Houston can be loud why can't we be the loudest.

2. Defense gave up some yards rushing again and this is starting to be a trend. The power sweep play is the one that kills me. You know it's coming. Everyone knows it's coming and yet we have a difficult time stopping it. Galloway shredded through our secondary very comparable to Donald Driver in week 2. I know our defense is still gelling, and we've come a long way from last year, still I would like to see us start improving in the rush defense category. Roman Harper's injury will be a big hurt to our secondary especially with the way he plays up in the box. Omar Stoutmire will be replacing him which means you will be seeing more blitz packages in order to give the secondary some help.

3. Duece was loose. I think Sean Payton is starting to see the dividends that pays off from running Reggie and then subbing in Duece. It creates a dicatomy that is rival to what other teams strive for in their running game. A different speed and look. I love the fake reverse draw up the middle. That play has been huge for us. Love to see more Duece in the later stages of the game when we build a lead. Seemed to abandon Duece after halftime.

4. Mental mistakes. There were some false starts at the beginning of the game, during crucial goal line situations, and during drives that Payton will address. I know that some of the false starts were coming from guards pulling. I just don't want the ghost of Victor (Ignatius) Reilly haunting us all season. There were also some key drops from recievers that Brees will fix during the week with some extra practice.

5. Special Teams. Wow. Our special teams has been huge for us at home. Scoring on block punts and punt returns. This bodes well for the offense. Hopefully getting us some momentum to start drives. I think the Saints were really hurting when they let Bobby April go. They are starting to regain some of that special teams swager that can change a game. Now I get excited every time the punt team comes on the field.

Sean Payton said it best. "We are always trying to get better as a team. It's easier to do when you win. I don't think we've put it all together as a team yet." Which means the Saints are only going to get better. FAITH!!!!!

Field of Dreams

2006-10-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

I grew up deep in the heart of Kenner, Louisiana in an area called University City where the streets where divided by state names. The neighborhoods had tons of kids who rode bikes everywhere and played in the streets. As the fall of 1986 began my parents and I went to the nearby playground to sign up for Pee-Wee Football. It would be my first ever experience in the realm of tackle football playing for the Wentwood Indians. A profound memory exists today of my time playing Pee-Wee, and it occurred during the first week of practice when our coaches gave us our game jerseys. I sat there in anticipation waiting and wanting only one number.

The coach bustled around in those football coach shorts furiously tossing jerseys as if he had somewhere else he had to be. Since my last name is close to the end of the alphabet I sweated as the names and numbers went by before me. I kept my fingers crossed in the hopes that when my name was called that the number 44 would be accompanied with it. To my dismay 44 was called a McAdams and Norris just in front of my name. You see 44 was the number of my favorite Saint at that time, Dave Waymer. He hailed from Notre Dame which I was also a huge fan of because of my father's affilation/infatuation with the school. Plus he was a hard hitting cornerback that shut down some of the mightiest wide recievers in the league at that time. The number that was now affiliated with me as a Wentwood Indian would be-49. 49? Come on. I didn't want that number. Give me 21 for Dalton, 84 for Eric Martin, 57 for Rickey, or the best would be 3 for the Cajun Cannon.

So I pleaded with others on my team to trade numbers with me and even offered rookie cards of Brett Maxie or my Mel Gray rookie. Nothing doing. Everyone was locked into their numbers. Just then our parents were coming to pick us up. Most of us were excited about the jerseys while others just issued in a low voice, "Got number 19."

That's when my father came walking up with a smile on his face. He was so happy to see me with a jersey. I looked at him with the saddest of eyes pleading with him as if he could magically change the numbers.
"Pop, I got 49." He looked surprised at me and asked what's wrong with 49. He then explained that it happens to be the number of one of the greatest Saints players. I asked who.
"Frank Wattelet!" he affirmed. I suddenly started to take some interest.
"Who's Frank Wattelet?"
"Only one of the best safeties in the league. He pops guys coming over the middle and helps protect Dave Waymer when he gets beat." I started to smile. Then I started repeating the name to myself as if to reassure that this was the right choice. It didn't matter anymore, my pops liked Frank Wattelet and he liked me wearing that number. So from that point on Frank Wattelet became one of my favorite Saints player of all time. He may not have gone to a Pro-Bowl, been named defensive player of the week, or been named on any list other than the Saints starting roster, still everytime the game came on I looked for 49 and followed him with all my attention. Guys like Frank Wattelet fade from our memories from time to time, but for some they hold a special place in their heart because a father found a moment to make his son feel happy again.

Reality Bites

2006-10-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah. Yeah. Most of the prognosticators are jumping for joy as they see the Saints fall to 3-1. Me I'm happy too, but for another reason. The Saints are 3-1!! Most people get hung up in the negativity of a loss, but there is no reason to be down about one game. They came mighty close to being 4-0 with a missed field goal and a defensive stop on 3rd down which could have changed the outcome.

So where do we stand? It looks mighty promising as the Saints spend the next few weeks at home against: Tampa Bay, Philly, (Bye), and then the mighty Ravens. Many analyst are going to say the Saints don't have a chance with the second toughest schedule in the league, but I differ. I like our chances over the next few weeks, and especially like our chances against the Ravens if they're still undefeated when they come into town. I'll save that for a later posting, but for now we have some things to address:

1. Our run defense has to tighten up. It looks like whenever we play a team with a dominate wide reciever our safety has to stay out of the box which creates an issue for us stopping other teams running games. We played awesome against Atlanta, but gave up too many big runs against Carolina. This happened with some of their backup lineman in the game.
2. I thought for that for the most part we held Steve Smith in check. You have to play him aggressive and that's what we did.
3. Our offense line needs help shoring up our running game, whether it's an extra tight end or fullback we need to run the ball more. Payton abandoned the running game early on figuring that the passing game was too open to try anything else. I think he realized the importance of a running game in a closely, hard hitting divisional game like this one. You keep pounding it everytime you have a chance in the hopes to wear down the defense to get that big run; like Carolina did in the 4th quarter. Duece McAllister even admitted after the game that the offense wasn't balanced enough. For those that don't understand Duece language he meant to say, "Give me the ball more."
4. Don't sweat Reggie. People are already sweating Reggie Bush because he didn't score again this weekend. Get over it. The kid is being used so many different ways I feel that his biggest contribution to the team sometimes comes as a decoy. Being that said, I still would love to see him come out of the backfield more and catch a pass because their is no linebacker in the league that can catch him. Lastly on the Reggie-wagon. The Saints need to seriously address the way he handles the ball. He has a tendency to hold it out in the open and should have the ball tucked under his arm tightly. This has been something that I noticed in preseason that they kind of addressed, but needs to be brought up again. Doubters don't worry Reggie is going to do great things. Be patient. It's a marathon not a sprint. By the way, anyone trying to match Reggies numbers to Lawrence Malroney or Maruice Drew is just plain stupid. At this point in his career Reggie is not going to be a 25-30 carry back because we have Duece and it keeps him fresh. If you don't understand what I'm talking about think about this. the Saints never drafted Reggie to be the only back they drafted him because he is weapon at so many positions. That's why he will never have the rushing numbers of a running back, but will have the receptions of a receiver.

That's all for analysis. I guess it was good for me to listen to the game on the radio rather than go to a bar and watch. It kind of brings me back to the good old days of the blackout games at home when I used to listen to Henderson and Archie. By the way I will attempt to explain in my next posting why Frank Wattlet is my favortie Saint of all-time.

Where are they now?

2006-09-28T12:52:00.001-07:00

I know that for most Saints fans we were pre-occupied by the homecoming game we had last week, but did anyone else notice that Donta Stallworth sat out Sunday's game against the 49ers with a strained hamstring. Only a matter of time. Also, has anyone else noticed that Jim Haslett's Rams defense is ranked 18th and giving up about 130 rushing yards per game. Seems like he's still having trouble stopping the run. As for other Saints that we could do without this season, Aaron Brooks has been injured since the second week of the season with wait for it...shoulder issues. Much like he had his second season with the Saints. Maybe that's why he overthrows everyone and has a tendency to toss a couple backwards.

Panther vs. Saints

This week is a big test for the Saints. Coming off a shortened week of practice and facing another top notch divisional foe the Saints once again must prove they are for real. The main test will be to establish the running game because looking back at Carolina's two losses they were run all over the field. It'll be important for the Saints to utilize Duece and Reggie once again while trying to stretch the field with Colston and Horn. Plus with LB-Dan Morgan still out for Carolina (concussion #5 or 6 or 7) this could mean the Saints will have a good chance of attacking the middle of the field. I was unhappy to hear that Rob Ninkovich was seriously hurt on a kickoff coverage last Monday night. He is one of my favorite rookies for the Saints this year. Seems like he could be out for a while with torn ACL, but will have to wait for MRI results. He is was a valuable special teamer not to mention a good rotation guy for our d-line. I would like to see us cover kickoffs a lot better this week because we gave up too many big returns last Monday. McKenzie will be matched up with Steve Smith for most of the game, but I think the Saints will have Roman Harper back there to help with coverage. It's going to be a fierce, aggressive, hard hitting game. If the Saints can establish the run and keep their defensive intensity up for 60 minutes we have a chance to walk out of Charlotte with a win. No matter what it will be a field goal or less deciding this game.

Each week the Saints keep getting underestimated maybe this is the week we show everyone in the NFL that the Saints are not a pity team. I dislike that most of the media seem to be wary of judging the Saints because of what they saw during preseason. Now it looks like many of the writers and sportscasters are noticing that the Saints have some weapons on offense, and the defense is slowing coming together. John Fox said yesterday in a press conference that the Saints are the team to beat because they are hot and playing with an attitude. That's all due to Sean Payton's influence on the team. Let's go Saints!!! Who dat!!!

2006-09-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

We're 3-0!!! The Saints are in first place!!!

2006-09-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

Bless You Boys!!! What a game! If there was ever a time to be proud of our New Orleans Saints it's today. They came home, they showed up, and they kicked ass. I can't boast too much because the season just started and we have a long way to go. Still, I continue to believe that Sean Payton is putting together one of the more disciplined teams in the NFL. Only two big bone head penatlies really hurt us: Jamal Brown's holding call after a huge Duece run and Deloatch's late hit on the Falcons return guy. Both of those calls would have received an angry scowl from our former predecessor (Haz), but Payton jumps on your ass in front of everyone letting you know that you let the team down.

This is a good practice to coach this season because by next year everyone on the team will know whether you've got the balls to back up your tirade. Payton runs a tight ship, good focus, and more importantly preparation. You rarely see a player out of position. I know Saints fans everywhere complain about Mike McKenzie's play. Still you have to admit the guy tackles, matches up against the opponents best receiver all game, and never bitches or moans about the lack of safety help. Last night he got nailed on a long pass by Vick, but the ball was perfectly thrown to the outside shoulder of the receiver and the receiver gave him a push off with the left arm. Not too mention the Saints had Roman Harper (safety) playing up near the line of scrimmage all game guarding Algie Crumpler or spying Vick.

There was a lot of emotion going into last night's game in which the players rode sky high all game. It was the most dominating defense I have seen from the Saints since the Dome Patrol Days. Here are a few things I would like to see more of in the future.

1. Reggie Bush running straight ahead instead of towards the sidelines. He had one nice run up the middle, but two to three he tried to bounce out for little or a loss.
2. Stretch the field more. Use Brees arm to throw some deep balls and open up the field some more. When DeAngelo Hall went out the game I figured we would attack down the field instead we played it close to the vest.
3. Fujita's sack celebration. I loved it. It was so cool that I wish the whole defense would do the same thing anytime they make a big play. Almost like a Japanese thank you ( two hands coming together like you were praying).
4. Sean Payton showing the fist pump a la Gruden style. It was funny and yet symbolic after Deloatch recovered the punt block in the endzone. I've noticed that Payton is very animated guy even though he doesn't always appear to be going insane.
5. Defense to keep up the intensity each game. If the defense can swarm and ball hawk like they did last night, the Saints are going to be able to win those close games.

All of last night's images will forever stay with me sort of like the 2000 Wild Card game. If anything at all the game provides a lasting memory of something good in our Post-K world in which things are slow to change, easy to forget, and difficult to rebuild. The diversion will last for a couple of days then we need to start focusing in on the direction. If we want the Saints to stick around New Orleans we are going to need more business, better schools, and less crime. All of the things we strived for before Katrina. So if the Saints can make believers out of us, why can't we make believers out of the Saints. Bless You Boys!!! Gotta have FAITH!!!

First day as a waiter

2006-09-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Been living in Austin for over a couple of months now and hand't landed a job yet. So I went up to the local neighborhood bar and grill and put in an application. Little did I know that 3 weeks later I would get a call to come in for an interview. 2 days later I was starting my first day on the job of being a waiter at a local bar and grill.

I am not going to go into many details about the restaurant because it really has no baring on my stories. So my first day and I was what they classify in the waiter worl as "in the weeds." Not that I needed that pointed out time and time again. Still I was trying to pick up everything on the menu, learn the tables, and more important learn the POS system. I was there for only 4 hours and then got cut before happy hour started.

What I've noticed about the job is how people act when they get out of the work environment or home environment. It's like a free for all caluous behavior. The job I have is one that requires a lot of focus and attention to detail, but it all thrives around making people feel like kings and queens. I have a new found respect for people who wait tables and manage restaurants because you are not only dealing with hundreds of ballyhooing customers, but some of the oddest people in the world who work in the place. The moment I was introduced to the other waitstaff they were sizing me up like a piece of meat. I could see the questions swirling around there heads.
"Will he steal my tables? I betcha he's some freaking loafer? Why can't we get more competent people to work for us?"

That was my first day on the job. Get to go back for more today as I start off in the kitchen as an expo. Needless to say I have to take a quiz on the menu before I start. Looking forward to that like I cleaning the bathrooms after closing.

ACL, Fall, and the Homecoming

2006-09-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Went to Austin City Limits last Friday to enjoy some good music outside during our last weekend of the summer. Got to see Ray LaMontagne, John Mayer (wife's choice), and heard a little bit of Los Lonely Boys. I have to say that the ACL is just like Jazzfest with more out of town musicians. They still don't have the food and shuttle thing down yet, but give them a few years and they will figure it out. What I love is being out at night and listening to the music underneath the stars. How great it would be if Jazzfest stayed opened until 10pm. Granted Jazzfest is two weekends and ACL is only one, still you could bring in some larger names for the late night concerts. They also did a great job of providing huge screens to watch the concert if you couldn't get close enough which was definitely cool for larger bands. It's a great draw for the city of Austin which has a great music scene for those who love live music.

The weather is slowly changing around here. For the better that is. Today I woke up and it was 59 degrees. That's a great contrast to Sunday morning when I woke up and it was 81 at the same time. I love fall. There is something about it, leaves changing, cool breezes, and that crap. It's a great time of the year to be outside. Just wish it would stay like this for the next 4 months. I can't remember the last time I drove my car with the windows down and ac off. Can you still do that? I thought it was illegal to turn off the ac.

Went back to the Shoal Creek Saloon (Austin's unofficial headquarters for the New Orleans Saints games) this past Sunday to catch the Saint go to 2-0. It was amazing. They actually came from behind and won. Fans inside the bar were chanting Who Dat and Bring on the Dirty Birds. This has prompted a lot of optimism in our hometown which is much needed, but let's not get ahead of ourselves everybody. I love my Saints, but one thing I do notice is that we've got a long road ahead of us in so far that we can be a playoff team. Last week Favre didn't score a touchdown against the Bears, and this week he threw for 350 yards and three TDs. I am hoping the Saints can keep the biggest game of the season close on Monday night at the Superdome. Emotions will be running high and the city is anticipating a victory, lets root on our team no matter what the score is because it's a blessing just to have them back in the Dome. I think the Saints can score on the Falcons, my issue is whether we can stop Vick and Dunn. Dunn has made it a hobby of his to tear the Saints defense a new hole everytime they play. Although the Saints defense has made some strides against the run this year they still have not witnessed a ground attack like the Falcons. I think the Saints are only going to get better each week, and I think that the Falcons game will be a stepping stone to see what type of team we'll be this season. Bless you boys. Let's get a victory; not for all of us trying to recover, but for the team as we build for the future. It's great to be back on Monday Night. Looking forward to seeing Charles Grant announce the defense. The Dome will be a rocking so don't come a knocking.

A win is a win.

2006-09-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

Who would've thunk it? 1-0!!! We already have a third of the victories we totalled from last year. The wife and I went to a local saloon here in Austin that had an advertisment about being the official headquarters for the Saints. I was pleasantly surprised by how many fans there are living here in Austin. Much less that there are people who actually root for the Saints outside of New Orleans. The world has gone mad. It seemed like there were about 45 fans packed into this tiny bar with McAllister, Bush, Brees and even a Morten Anderson jerseys. It was like being at an Arabi crawfish boil. Wow what fanatics. There were loud screams and hollars everytime Reggie touched the ball.

I have to admit I was more thoroughly impressed by the aggressiveness of our defense. It seemed like we were swarm tackling, chasing French Frye all around, and stuffing the Browns on consecutive 3rd and 1's. I loved it. I even started the Who Dat chant after Colston caught our first touchdown of the season. He's a surprise to everyone, and don't tell me you knew he was going to be the real deal. This isn't Alex Molden or Vaughn Dunbar. Seventh round!!!

What was even better is that we sat with a group of guys from New Orleans, two of them recently moved here and were previously living in Lakeview. He kept saying to me. It's going to be a whole lot better living here in Austin. I looked at him and said, "Nothing will ever better New Orleans, but I can take living in Austin as a close second." We shared stories about the storm, the rebuilding, the Saints, Vince Marinello, and lastly LSU football.

Things I worry about going into Game Two:
1. Fullback position - No one knows who will be back there blocking for Duece and Reggie. Right now it'll look like Conwell will line up back there on certain packages. Not too promising, but I expect Payton to have a game plan ready.
2. Defense returns - Yeah it's great to shut down the Browns, but the Packers will be ready for us with Ahman Green and Donald Driver. Not too mention Favre will have a chip on his shoulder wanting to prove to everyone they can play. Let's just say we need the defense to show they same aggressivenes they showed the Browns.
3. Say it ain't so Joe - Where was Joe Horn? We need him to make those catches and be the mouth of our offense out there on the field. On the goal line we should have thrown it to him atleast once. I like Devery, but Horn is a prove All-Pro.
4. Red Zone - We need to punch the ball in the endzone a little bit more. I like to win, but it's more comforting when we get the ball in the endzone and cruise to victory. No offense to Payton but the play calling down on the goal line needs to get better.
5. Duece is loose - No ill affects from last year's game when Duece got hurt. I wanna see Duece smashing it up the gut and tearing apart there defense. It was great to see the exchange between Duece and Reggie, just want to see a little more of Duece this week to reaffirm that he's back.

More coming on Friday. Like our chances against the Packers. And like I told my brothers, we are only going to get better.

Take back the t.v. Men, men, manly men.

2006-09-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Wonder if Nick Saban is allowed to throw overhand, but maybe all that Miami mojo has questioning his ability to be assertive.

Steelers defense looked like what everyone else wished there defense looked like. A well oiled machine. Troy Pala-(I wanna lei ya) hair can be found in the bloodstream of Rickey Williams. That thing has to be an NFL violation of something. I mean if the NFL is worried about gold shoes and high socks, why the heck can't they mandate a hair net.

Looking forward to this weekend and college football and my Saints. Since I'm a diehard Domer it will be hard to pull me away from NBC on Saturday even with Pat Hayden butchering my game. It won't be the Snow Bowl of 1992, but it definitely will be a great game to watch. Look for the Irish offense to come alive at home under Touchdown Jesus.

Living in Austin has it's advantages. Like #1 vs. #2 on Saturday night. It's seems to me that it's the Superbowl for most of these fans. Tickets ranging from $2 grand to your left nut are being offered by scalpers. Not pretty. Still I wonder what will happen after this weekend if Texas loses. Will they hang Mack Brown or take it as an early season loss? Ohio State is ridiculous fast on offense. They remind me of Texas last year except their defense is unproven. Look for Ohio State to sneak into Austin and pull of a victory. They have an edge to them after losing out last year in Columbus, plus Troy Smith wasn't Troy Smith of today last time they met.

Saints and Browns. Too fan bases that love to love the losers. I love Cleveland fans. They have as much pride in their team as Saints fans do in theirs. Problem is neither one of them have won anything. I know this for sure. I can't stand the Browns. As a new franchised team in 1999 they collected their first win against a Ditka team that refused to win and on a freaking Hail Mary. Only Saints are allowed to execute that play. Saints should establish the run early in hopes to keep their defense off the field. The less you see of the defense the better. I like the Saints chances. Just trying to keep level headed about the season. One cool thing to watch for is Bush returning punts. I just hope we can force them to punt. If so, I will be chanting "Another Bush, please beerman."

Madlib-- The 2006 Saints will be (adj.)_______

2006-09-06T14:52:00.000-07:00

Expectations are running at an all-time medium for my beloved Saints. In what many believe to be a rebuilding year with a new coach, new system, and new players it could be a little bit more promising. Just remember when the Saints aren't expected to win they hold up pretty well. In all honesty they have some big questions.

1. Will they ever stop the run?
The have lead the league with the worst rush defense this side of the NFC for the last couple of years. Hopefully, new coordinator Gary Gibbs will be much better than the last one Rick Venturri, who was collecting social security and pension money from the Saints. Not only was Venturri a hold over from the Ditka-less era, but he was kept after the Saints defense progressively got worse every year after Ron Zook left. I can't heap too much blame on Haslett other than the fact that he couldn't pick a character guy out of crowd of Kramers. He was consistently picking up players who would either be over-weight, stealing money out of others lockers, or just getting arrested in strip clubs the night before games.

2. Will Sean Payton bring us a winner?
The one thing that I hope and pray happens to Sean Payton is that the Saints build a team instead of a flash in the pan. Haslett won right off the bat and expectations from that point were excessively high. If Payton can build a team like Bellichik did in New England than us Saints fans we will be happy for years to come.

3. Can the offensive line protect Brees?
Definitely. Still it will be a learning process as most of the guys on the line are new to the position or team. I think it will be decent year for the running game. That's the only way we are going to protect our QB.

4. Will St. Reggie be a prime time player?
This is a hard one. I think his adjustment to the NFL will not be immediate as so much as a process of learning how to get him the ball. The thing about playmakers is that they need the ball in their hands to do something special. I am sure Reggie will make some great highlight plays. Just don't expect them to happen everytime he touches the ball. This isn't the Pac-10 and the d-ends are much quicker to the ball. Plus Deuce is going to need to get touches to keep the defense honest on the run game.

5. How many games will the Saints win in 2006?
I project that the Saints are viable for a 7-9 type of season. Now if they get some breaks it could be 8-8. I like anything better than 3-13. Still they have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL with double games against NFC South and NFC East as their other schedule games. Why couldn't they have given us the NFC West? I look for the Saints to get better as the season goes along especially on defense. I'm not expecting playoffs, but I really want to see my team compete in every game this year especially against Dallas, Philly, Carolina and Tampa because that will reassure us that next year we can take them.

Here's to the 2006 New Orleans Saints. Love'em like they were your own kids. This is going to be a fun season. Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat?

Pre K or Post K ? Let's just move on.

2006-08-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

I realize that most people have heard this line before, "it's all over but the crying." You know it and I know it. Since last year around this team our world has changed dramatically for some of us while others have just gone on living as if nothing ever happened. History is what my hometown prides itself on, and now has to learn how to adjust from.

I along with a few thousand others were one of the many displaced members of Gulf Coast due to the hurricane. I don't have to mention what one, you know what one I'm talking about. Let's just say it threw our world into chaos. First, we thought we got sparred the brunt of the storm. Then, we find out the levees have broken. Next it seems that most of my hometowm was under water with thousands needing to be rescued as civil unrest took place. I remember watching this take place so vividly from the bedroom/living room/dining room of our Memphis hotel room. My wife and I starring incessantly as the video images burned our retinas and my cellphone would bring to life the many struggles that faced my city - no communication with the ones I loved. It was difficult. It was a mess. There's not much else to describe that feeling other than hopelessness. There was no telling what we were going to do.

Our hotel room was booked for two nights. I extended it for a couple more before finding out that they were kicking us all out due to a previous booking with American Idol contestants coming into town. Great. So while I try to figure out if my life back home is over, I've got to figure out whether I can stay in the hotel or another one (not going to happen) or pack up and drive somewhere else. Luckily my wife put enough pressure on the hotel and manager to get radio and t.v. crews to hear our story and cancel the American Idol bookings. We were sparred our rooms for another few nights, but at what expense. Do we stay here for another week racking up a huge bill we can't afford or do we try to go back home. Going back home wasn't an option. Our city was closed and under seige not too mention the roads back home were scattered with debris and gas stations were out of gas. So we did what most others would do in this circumstance; we moved on. We drove out to Phoenix after almost a week in the hotel to stay with relatives. In which my brothers, who were just outside of New Orleans, joined us along for the trip. I don't think I was ever so relieved to see my brothers in my entire life then the night they pulled into a hotel parking lot in Amarillo.

My wife and I spent the next two weeks trying to figure out our jobs, house, bills, and lives. It's not an easy task to consider when all you have is gone within a flash of a hurricane squall. After it was all said and done my family was safe, but our lives in New Orleans was over. We ended up being better off than some people who lost loved ones and everything they owned. I can only say that this year has been hard for all those who have managed to live elsewhere or return back home. There is no more blame to go around because there is nothing we can do about what happened? What's next is another chapter in our lives that provides us something better for tomorrow, hope. The one thing that hits me everytime I think of it is the moment when I was driving out of New Orleans with the rain pounding on my windshield and the wind rocking my car back and forth; the rain will come and go,and yet life goes on.

Dog Days of August just got worse

2006-08-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

My life would be better served right now if I was gainfully employed, but than again I can say that the Summer of Ryan has been specatular. Which brings me to my most recent state of fanatical behavior. The Red Sox.

Yup. That's my team. Loved me growing up and even more since I visited the ballpark several times a couple years back. This love of the team has grown intense. Almost to the point that it has superseeded my passion for the Saints. That's a tough one to take. But if you look at this way, the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 while the Saints have failed to make it to the playoffs since 2001. Of course my vested interest will always lie with my home team, but forgive as I rant about the team that I so desperately love second.

Now that the season is over like Clay Dirks' musical career combined with Brittney's innocent girl image I have had time to defuse myself after a total and utter collaspe against Satan himself; i.e. The Yankees. It seems to me that the Red Sox have filled their excuse department with overblown statements like: "we can't afford that guy," or "we're committed to the youth movement." It's almost like hearing the federal government blame the Army Corps of Monkeys for building faulty levees after they re-hired them to rebuild those same freakin' levees. Were does the money go? That's what I keep asking myself as I see a national franchise like the Red Sox, who have fans scattered throughout the U.S. like hurricane evacuees. Not too mention they have their own television station (NESN) which brings in millions of revenue, the most expensive tickets in baseball (85-100 bucks for Green Monster tickets), and a billionaire owner who is dedicated towards winning. Obviously not enough... We'll get to that later. So where is the money going not out on the field as the Red Sox have converted towards a youth movement in the middle of a damn pennant race.

This is a team that has 2 starting pitchers under 25 and a bullpen that is scattered with 3 more that are 24 and under. So why is that if the Sox's are so dedicated to these young kids that we have a 43 year old setup man with a rubbermaid arm, a 41 year old left handed fat man that has more downside than bellyside, and a 45 year old knuckle baller who spent the better part of the last five years throwing until his arm fell off. Contradicting? Quite the opposite, the Red Sox have been in the holding pattern for more than two years where they have wasted money and time on washed up pitchers instead of resigning guys who brought us to the promise land. I've given up on this season much to the chagrin of other Red Sox fans who are dillusional at best about making the post-season. My only hope lies in the fact that the Boy Wonder doesn't sit on his hands this off season and spends some of that hard earned money to get some players that can contribute now and not in 3 or 4 years. Let's not waste Manny, Papi, and Schilling on a youth movement when we could be adding another banner out there in right field.

Let's Go all the Way. Let's Go all the Way...I Believe.

2006-08-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Many of people have deeply rooted faith in some religious higher power. Some may even have it in an all knowing deity that represents all that is good on this Earth. Well as for me I won't be getting into my religious beliefs on this post, but I will share something that I do have faith in...New Orleans Saints.

Yup, like a confused puppy dog searching for a new owner at the pound I look around so hopelessly at the beginning of every season for something to good to happen for my team (Playoffs? SuperBowl?). With the causitory signing of Drew Brees in the off-season and the cataclasmic drafting of R-E-G-G-I-E Bush there has been a new allure to my team. One of that brings optimism, but can also bring futility within a moment's notice. You see I am lifer. No there is no other term for a guy like me. I'll spend my entire life rooting for this team. When I die they will place on my headstone: "Here lies sainthero...Beloved Father, Husband, Brother, Son, Friend, and Lifer. His life was one that always had the promise of brighter days if only he hadn't grown up a Saints fan."

I'm not trying to be harsh. It's just the facts. I can't stop loving this team, no matter how bad they play. That's what kills me more than anything else. The emotional prison that this team has over me has embedded itself into the nuances of my everyday life. Yeah, I love my Red Sox. I love Notre Dame football. I even love my New Orleans Hornets, from a distance. But nothing surplants my devotion to the Saints. This hold over me is inexplicable. The need to have my team win is similar to that of Cole Trickle and his need for rubbing. Sorry for that, just got finished watching Talladega Nights. The best possible explanation I have for my undetermined faith is what I tell my wife everytime I get upset after a lost.

"I have invested too much time, energy, and emotion into this team to cast them freely into the wind. It's like that woman on COPS who keeps going back to the bad guy and refuses to press charges because she loves him. O.K. bad analogy. It's like wanting the ultimate Christmas present every year only you end up with a pair of tube socks and paper weights."

Alright, I can't explain it. Like faith in some many ways, it's hard to flesh out to those who don't understand your devotion. I'm just a lifer.

The Weekend's Over? No Way.

2006-08-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today just seemed so bleak since the weekend is over. It's seem to go by in a flash like Reggie Bush high-stepping his way into the endzone. Notice the football reference. I can't wait any longer, please let's start the season now. Since it's summertime the wife usually has me all weekend due to the lack of sports invading our house this time of year. Soon enough that will change.

This past weekend we took the dog down to the Town lake for a walk around the park and to frolic in the Barton Creek Springs. It's Saturday morning and unlike most metropolitan cities the park is alive with the sounds of beating footprints into the ground by hundreds of runners/walkers. I've never lived in a city like this. Most Saturday mornings in other cities are like a nuclear holocaust happened the night before, with a few cars and people on the streets checking out who is still alive after last night. Not here. People go to the town lake as early as 6am. THIS IS SATURDAY MORNING, I must remind you. The wife and I have found it a great occasion to get down to the lake early to beat the heat and traffic. Early for us is 7am. It gets packed down their on the weekends with family picnics, softball games, soccer tournaments, and the occasional festival.

I would say that the thing I love most is running around the lake with nature comforting my every step with quietness and calamity. But not this weekend. There are ladies jogging four across taking up the entire jogging path. Dads pushing their suped-up strollers with 12" rims at break neck speed. Plus the occasional walkers with the wireless headphones talking to God only knows at this time in the morning. Maybe someone walking 10 feet ahead of them. Dogs chasing dogs. Dogs chasing their owners. Then there are the runners/joggers. It's quite comical sometimes to just watch people go by. Laugh at their running styles or their outfits.

Most of all we go to get some excercise, relax our minds away from everything else that goes on in our daily lives, and most of all let the dog play in the water. I really thought that our dog, Hero, would never swim because he has such a disaffection for baths. So the first time we went to the Barton Creek Springs, which stays 65 degrees year round (one of the highlights of Austin), I felt Hero wouldn't budge himself out into the creek. Maybe if he saw another dog he would take off. Nope. He stood at the very edge of the creek with an expression on his face like a kid who is afraid of the water. Being a man of intrigue I decided to take this to the next level by walking to the other side of the creek and call out Hero's name. When I did this he looked over at me in utter amazement as to think how the heck did you get over there. It took a few seconds before he bounded like a puppy into the creek and swam frerociously towards me. Upon reaching my side he looked as bewildered as me. How did I just do that? He must have thought to himself over and over again. Then without thinking he went swimming right back across to my wife. I've never felt more proud of Hero. All in all he taught me something new to. This is what makes your weekend so great having moments like this to carry them over throughout the rest week.

Oh the games we must play

2006-07-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I've recently discovered that the fountain of youth is just a pond in some random person's backyard (probably the house over on Briar, right?) that isn't filtered or cleaned frequently which leaves serious doubt to whether it'll withstand the test of time much less a chlorine tablet. I was reading through junk on the internet, you know; Hellzobah vs. Isreal, vice versus, whether Miami Vice will suck without pastel and flamingos, whether an 85 year old man can hit a minor league fastball, and most recently was the story about our modern day version of Fred McGriff...Harold Reynolds being fired from ESPN.

Under a bunch of pre-written publicist babble on different newspaper websites, the only thing that caught my attention was that Harold hugged some girl and she took it the wrong way. Now if my memory does serve me correct hugging is extremely inappropriate sexual behavior. Remember Clinton was seen hugging that intern, Roge was seen hugging ReRun on What's Happening Now and that ended the show, I've seen soccer players hugging each other after a goal, Big Papi hugs everyone after a homerun, politicians make a living off of hugging babies and kissing mamas' or is that the other way around. Anyway, I know that there is big misrepresentation about hugging that some feel it's offensive like Jerry Seinfeld hated the kiss hello, but I really don't know where it crosses the line. Maybe it's when you hug another co-worker of the opposite sex in public like say Outback in between the wheat rolls and the Victoria's Fillet. Maybe it's taken out of context by other co-workers say a jealous co-worker who sees this as an opportunity for advancement or revenge.

What makes it look very suspicious iswhen ESPN fires a longtime analyst right after they signed him to a seven year contract and right before he does the staple event for which he is best known for (Little League World Series). I worked with Harold Reynolds at the College World Series. It was one of the best things I've ever done while working for ESPN. He struck me as one of the nice guys in the business. He always talked about the game he loves so honestly, never once got ego-tripped, and he was one of the few people who remembered my name after the first time we met. I have nothing but good things to say about him which is why I'm shocked to see him no longer amongst the ESPN family. I just hope that they can solve this issue without it escalating and put it behind like an awkward hug hello.

Trade Deadline and the Girlfriend

2006-07-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

Baseball and relationships? They go hand in hand. I one time tried to relate a relationship to a badly turned 4-6-3 double play. It wasn't good. When we get near this time of the year in the baseball season (Trade Deadline) it gets me to thinking about relationships.

If we could only manage our relationships like we would our own team. I'm no Billy Beane, but I would love to be Theo for a day. With the trade deadline looming and my Red Sox in need of another starter I felt compelled to see the similarities between the trade deadline and the girlfriend.

I once was in a relationship that had plenty of upside that's all I could see it at the beginning of the season. She had some offense and plenty of opportunities for her to get better as she moved up through the minors, but she couldn't hit a changeup and in the majors that's killer. It was at this precise moment I would have loved to make a trade. See what someone else is offering that may make my team so much better. In that case, we needed more offense because she really didn't bring it when it mattered most. Such as holidays, vacations, dinner, and most notably social situations. If I could have traded some of her personality traits in for something was better it could have made the season salvagable.

I could just see it now. I would be calling up a buddy of mine at 2am in the morning... I'll give you Jody and a girl to be named later for Priscilla and cash. This could make relationships better and give girls a better chance of finding the man of their dreams. Of course there would be girls with no trade clauses. You can't have Jennifer Anniston going to the Royals. She top caliber with the option to decline a lower eschleon team. So we would have to have a commissioner that could veto trades almost like a Chuck Woolery type to make things even. Plus after the trades everything could be nixed if one of the girls fails her physical. I'm not saying this would work, but I always thought about this as an opportunity for both the man and woman to better their options. Lucky for me I've locked up my girl for a life-time contract with a no-trade clause. Sometimes we break the curse and end up winning the World Series.

When the levee breaks. The Big Dig will fall.

2006-07-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Everytime I hear an argument or debate about whether they should rebuild the levees in New Orleans my mind gets restless with disappointment. As I read over the past week about how a woman was tragically killed while driving through the Big Dig or the Carwash I was suddenly reminded about how much money we all spent to build that damn conundrum. 4 1/2 billion federal taxpayers dollars. That's you and me, boss. Not the state of Massachusetts with it's finely elected Senator Kennedy who pushed for this massive project.

I remember when they started the project back in 1998 with the completion coming a year ago under much constraint about overspending. Now they are noticing that bolts are popping out of the walls to which tons of concrete are falling on cars. This means that have to go back and fix the problem. More of our money being wasted. Though when it comes to figuring out how to keep New Orleans safe from hurricanes senators and reps are bickering about the need to save a city. It's just a lousy city with a great port. That's all. Nobody will notice. Given the fact that New Orleans politicans haven't helped there cause with past indiscressions (i.e. Willy Jefferson and his cold hard cash) it still seems a mystery to me how everyone can buy into it. I will be the first to say I'm apprehensive about giving the money to the Army Corp of Engineers who run their outfit like the New York Knicks. Spending money they don't have for a substandard job. There latest idea is to build a levee as high as the Great Wall of China to stop the levees from breaking. So I say, let's bring the Dutch over and fix the job. I mean they have the most intricate system of canals and levees they can definitely do the job much better than the bumbling carnies/engineers of the Corps.

While we are on the subject of giving out props, I must appluade Auburn University for giving out free grades to football players during their 2004 football campaign. Most other universities value the diploma, but at Auburn which is a great school they frown on that stuff when it comes to athletes. I'm not saying there is a double standard...o.k. I am saying that. Go Tigers! More power to you and less to the NCAA because they can't do a thing about it. It's about time that most people see the fact that football players at major universities take the fall semester off because they are too busy making money for their university.

Manny is Manny. I love that saying. I wish people would say that stuff about me when I do something stupid or just don't care. It's unaveritas being unaveritas. That's just him. Gotta love him and his 40 dingers and 100 rbi's. Here's to seeing Papelbon throw his arm out his socket this season trying to save every game for my Red Sox's pathetic bullpen. Here's too Julian Tavarez looking like Willie McGee with some Spanish fly in his drink. Here's too Matt Clement getting traded for a Fenway frank and a box of Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts.

The older you get, the more rules they are going to try and get you to follow.

2006-07-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/07/mcconaugheys-lost-weekend/

So after reading this article about Matthew McConaughey late night diatribe in the Carribean it got me to wondering about my own late night debacles. We've all done it before. Gone on a vacation to have some fun only to come back with stories of lunancy induced by the strains of a cocktail or two. I distinctly recall a weekend in Boston that rivels the one Mr. McConaughey had over the 4th of July. We've all been that asshole.

Remember Swingers. Vince Vaughn's character. "My babies all growns up."

It seems that we all have a different look upon the guy who lives in Hollywood getting sloshed everynight at the Saturday Club over the guy who hangs out in Austin with Biff Lowman from high school at the Mother Eagans Pub and Grille.

To us McConaughey is one of the gang. The guy we grew up with that was a little out of control when you went out, but was always the life of the party. He would challenge you to a chugging contest, race you barefoot down the street, dare you to pick up a girl just so that she could get you free drinks on ladies night, or he would be the one buying the first round of drinks for the group. You just know it. He's cool like that. Not uptight about his status or his so called celebrity fame. He lives life like most of us, hanging out with friends, getting drunk on the weekends, celebrating the end of long steamy relationship. Most women would die to have an evening with this guy which makes it even more hilariously that even guys would love to hang out with him.

Living here in Austin I get to hear about Hollywood as an outsider through magazines, tabloids, Entertainment Tonight, and radio talk people with nothing else to do...How about play some music? We judge people by how they react in public situations like this, and to tell you the truth we've all been there and done that before. So I say to Matt, "L-I-V-I-N!" And if you are ever in the Southwest part of Austin, look me up. First round of Shiners are on me, my brother.

What's all the fuss about?

2006-07-05T13:29:00.002-07:00

I was going to get into a diatribe about why the Red Sox should switch to the junior circuit,a.k.a. National League, but I felt more pressing issues needed to be attended to.

I got IM'd by my 80 year old father-in-law yesterday. Instead of complete shock there was a moment of doubt. Is this my nephews on his computer. After a quick response he returned to acknowledge it was him and that he was trying this thingy out on his computer. Needless to say he has dial up which prohibits him from IM'ing me at a sub-standard rate. It's so hard once you get a taste of the T1 lines or the satellite connection to go back to DSL much less dial up.

Somebody told me yesterday that the World Cup was still going on and I laughed and laughed. I can't believe this. As if the levees didn't get breached the city of New Orleans just flooded itself because someone let their bathtub overflow.

I watched Ben Harper on Austin City Limits and there is something strange about watching a concert that is right down the street from you. It's almost like watching the football game in the parking lot of the stadium. Had some really good beer the other day from the makers of Shinerbock. It's called Zietgenbock. It's almost like a Kolsh but darker. Went for some barbque yesterday at our favorite back porch bbq joint. It amazes me how a place that would have provided an excellent backdrop for Smokey and the Banditt 3 can be thriving with such business. Foods so good and they have a hand jacuzzi. I'm not lying. It's a mini-whirpool for your hands. It felt so good I thought about putting my feet in it. Not sanitary though.

When I was growing up we had mosquito patrols throughout our neighborhood. It was like a blitzkreg of pickup trucks driving in tandem spraying mosquito DDT into the air like a thick fog. I think it killed everything in the air and made almost everyone within breathing distant sterile for atleast a year. We need that stuff here in Austin. Damn mosquitos are so bothersome around here I almost decided to buy one of those beekeeper outfits just to go outside.

There is no end in sight for the summer movies. I keep seeing another movie being pushed each and every weekend. I almost laugh when I think about what the theaters charge for you to get in. It's almost not worth the sample I had to give last week just to go see a double matinee. Keep the prices down, don't go to the movies. Read a book or got to a ballgame.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander

2006-06-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

Education at it's best. I went to a job fair for teachers a week ago only to crushed by the overwhelming majority of college seniors, most of which were pretty young girls, wanting to teach elementary school. My admiration of these young teachers is quite huge because I know what it's like to teach one subject much less five at one time. Still as I was bouncing around from table to table talking with principals dressed like Robin Williams from Pink Cadillac, I was amazed at what I kept hearing.

"Unless you have a Texas teaching certificate you are not going to get a job in the public school system. Per NCLB, we have to hire certified teachers."

My response, "Whether they can teach or not?"

Sure there are plenty of good teachers who are certified, but there are also plenty of teachers who aren't certified who can teach just as effectively. What bothers me most is that even though I have taught in a classroom before that waivers none on the teaching ability issue. So as long as have a certificate than you have a job. So no matter how low a schools needs are for a teacher they must have a certificate to teach.

NCBL is the biggest joke in the teaching world. Even in the great state of Texas where they push this crap like it's free gasoline everyone sees the flaws. It'll be gone as soon as Bush is gone. Accountability is the hot term in education in which every parent blames the school system or the teacher if the student fails. School systems will not be able to advance and become better if they can't diversify the talent that comes through the interdepartments. I don't have all the answers for this major problem, but I can tell you this getting all teachers certified isn't going to make it better. Teachers get paid well below their means, and if you were to balance out the weight a teacher has over that of any profession you can see they are not justified in terms of workload. Then again that's why school boards throw accountability around in the hopes of scaring teachers into passing all their students. And teachers can all throw back in thier face, well you made get certified so that means I must be able to teach.

Futbol is not football.

2006-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

So what? That's what I say about U.S. Soccer team losing in the opening round of the World Cup. You can't expect the other nations around the world who live and die on the sport to give up and just let us move on to the next round. I remember working the 2002 World Cup and being excited by the play of the U.S. team. Watching both of the forwards (Beasley and Donovan) sprint up the field and score at will. I was swayed into watching this World Cup and to say I am disappionted would be an understatement. The team looked like they were stuck in the Mississippi mud with the tires spinning.

What's more important to us as a nation isn't that we can't be a third world nation like Ghana to advance, more importantly that we even care. Really, how many people are going to wake up tomorrow with a soccer hangover? Most of us will turn our attention to baseball or the "REAL" football or the watch the head chef from Hell's Kitchen bitch slap somebody. It's just too bad the U.S. lost so quickly because no one and I really mean no one in the U.S. will watch the rest of the World Cup. So, I think it's about time to refocus ourselves as a nation to realize that the World Cup is unattainable for us. We won't win it for the sole fact that we care so little about the sport. It may be our kids favorite sport to play growing up, but as we mature it becomes what most of us really think of it...Mundane. The sport has drama, action and speed, but what it lacks is the natural progression of a sport. So many of the athletes in this nation are taken in by sports that you must use all of your body. Hands, feet, head, and upper body. Plus they are pushed by society to play the 3 majors (baseball, basketball, and football). I think if you took our best athletes i.e. Lebron James, Randy Moss, Reggie Bush, Dwayne Wade, Jim Edmonds, or anyone that is playing one of 3 major sports.

So, this is it. The last time I speak of futbol or the little known sport in our country. We are not a soccer nation, but we sure do love our football. Bring on training camps. Preseason scrubs playing all 3 quarters, college football hype that begins to boil over by the beginning of August, and the hope that this might be the year that we win it all.

Home Sweet Home

2006-06-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

I never thought it would feel like this. Sadness beyond the bayou. The road rolling beneath us as our weary eyes gazed into the distance. Rain pelted from up above as the tears rolled down her face. I grabbed her hand, but her face couldn't hold in the pain. It had been two years since we took the road traveling into the city that care forgot. I knew it wouldn't be an easy transition, but we made it our home. Everyday became a new beginning for the both of us in our new life together and the city became ours.

Tiny traces of Sunday mornings at our little home with the dog and the paper resting not far from my hand. Lazy weekends, festival weekends, family functions, and the late night poker nights. Sweet remembrances of what our first home. The tears and rain was away the last day we spent living on the bayou.

As luck would have it....

2006-06-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Red Sox's need pitching. I am changing my middle name to "Middle Relief" because that is what's been on my mind since watching the Red Sox slowly implode. There is just something about this year's Red Sox team that befuddles me. They haven't quite put it all together. The starting rotation is about as iffy as a Paris Hilton STD. Still they keep trying to make believers out of me and the rest of the blindful Nation. If only we could blame it on the damn curse instead I have to rely on the fact that it's all because so many people cash in their checks two years ago when we won it all. Every lucky penny, rabbits foot, indian feather, magic stone, wishing well, birthday candle wish, and any other faceless acts of luckitude that we used up that year has now come back to haunt us. It's like Dr. John would say, "Da Mojo lady put dem' gris gris on us."

As if it would be a bigger slap in the face to see Benedict Arnold himself playing for the Yankees in centerfield, than it would serve us right to trade away a decent pitcher for a Willy Mo that has the "potential" to become the next Manny. Give me break. Yinka Dare had potential, so did Brain Rose, and Jonathan Sullivan, and Marcus Dupree, and Troy O'leary. Just give me something that is proven, someone who will get the job done. It's only a matter of time and loses before the Sox starting pulling up there next group of potentials: Jon Lecester (who will pitch Saturday) and Craig Hansen to get some big league experience. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't trade anything for that 2004 World Series, but I would like to get rid of some more of my lucky underware for a chance to go back to the Series.

Why is 25 better than 5?

2006-05-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

It's all just numbers, right? No, not really. Too many it's more than just a number it's a way of life. I really hate it when people use that term so incessantly.

What's all the commotion if Reggie Bush, the future running back for my New Orleans Saints, wants to have number 5 over 25. I mean wide recievers as old and slow as Keyshawn Johnson changed their numbers to something other that the typical eighties numerial. To put it bluntly, I think that the number 25 is a great number for Reggie and let me tell you 25 reasons why.

25. He will get this many touches per game, which will definitely make our offense more dangerous.

24. He's the next Jack Sparrow or Burroughs. Whatever Kiether Sutherland's character name is on the show "24". Neither one of them can be caught, their so elusive. They keep going and going. It's amazing no one has ended that show yet.

23. That's M.J. status. Not their just yet, but he's on his way. I will be a "Witness" just like those in Cleveland.

22. Double duece. Almost like Road House meets the NFL. Reggie will be kicking ass all over the NFC South. Watch out for him in Atlanta, were the turf is faster than a refill of coffee at the Waffle House.

21. Number of points he will put up on the board for us by week 2, barring pat.

20. That's what he's gonna ask for in guarantee money. That's in the millions by the way.

19. No one wants to be this number...Just look what's down for Keyshawn's career.

18. No Saint ever wearing the number 18 did any good for us. Don't even go there with Dave Wilson.

17-10 Had to condense somewhat here. The number of ankles he will break during his rookie season.

9. This is the number of victories he will help the Saints win next year.

8. Not to bash Archie. But you don't want to be Archie Manning, he got beat down like a pinta at a blind man's party when he played for the Saints.

7. Different directions he can change while running with the ball.

6. That's all he sees when he touches the ball.

5. This will be his number next season.

4. Number of quarters it will be painstakingly hard to keep from watching him.

3. That number is reserved for coonass' from Boutte. Cajun Canon. Loved him and hated him. Loved him when he got us to the playoffs, then hated him as he lost everyone of those playoff games. How could he have thrown 3 int's against the Eagles in that playoff game?

2. The number he was picked at... The number he will replace and make everyone in New Orleans forget who was #2 for the Saints last year.

1. The number one reason the #25 will be better than #5 for Reggie Bush. Just think collector's item because after this season he will win his petition to get number 5, and then everyone will rush out to buy a #5 jersey. 20 years from now, people will be trying to buy Bush #25 jerseys to wear as a throwback.

Hickory Huskers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

2006-05-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

The remote just happened to stop on the channel. I couldn't make it go up or down. It's just one of those movies that once you stop on it you have to watch it all the way through. The movie I'm talking about is Hoosiers.

Soon after the movie was over, I turned on the Clippers/ Suns playoff - Game 5. That's when it all became clear to me. The Clippers are the Hickory Huskers.

First off, you have this team in rural Indiana that no one knows about and cares less about much like the Clippers in Los Angeles. A new coach comes into town, much older than the previous one with a new bound spirit to instill fundamentals to this team. Well Mike Dunleavy is no Norman Dale a.k.a. Gene Hackman, but he fits the bill for our comparison sake.

Hickory never made it to the finals and was a decent team without Jimmy Chitwood, but it wasn't until Jimmy told the whole town that if he plays coach stays. Sam Cassell is our Jimmy Chitwood. He bought into the coach's philosophy and has lead the team on a revival unmatched by Clipper teams before. They both have the desire to want the ball at the end of the game, remember when Cassell was with the Rockets. Plus, Jimmy's hair all slicked back during the game is as funny as Cassell's odd shaped melon bounding up and down the court like a booblehead.

Now here's were it gets really coincedental. Ollie, the manager/ player who shoots Grannie style freethrows, is a valuable asset to the team much like Vin Baker. He's there for "emotional support", not to play a second in any game. Barbara Hershey's character in the movie is this down home teacher that doesn't care for basketball because she has seen it ruin many of boys in the town. Her character is similar to Donald Sterling. He shows little interest until they start winning, then you can't get enough of him on the courtside cheering just like Barbara's character once the team starts winning. She wants all the publicity she can handle in that small town so she hooks up with Norman Dale. Sterling is hooking up with every celebrity he can get to come to Staples and watch the Clippers play.

Elgin Baylor is Shooter (Dennis Hooper)in real life. I'm not saying he has a drinking problem, but I'm saying that the two both has this great knowledge of the game that is clouded by some handicapp. For Hooper it's alcohol, and for Elgin it's a tight payroll that has seen some good players come and go.

I really like the fact that now when I watch the Clippers I see Sam Cassell bringing the ball up calling for the picket fence. Can anyone explain to me why Gene Hackman had a black bill folder during games that looked like it contained some Henry Wrinkler type of plays, but the only play he ever called was the picket fence. They need to run that one a little more in the NBA.

"Don't get caught watching the paint dry." - Shooter

A Saint in Texas

2006-05-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

It's definitely been a while since I blogged. Probably has to do with the big move from San Diego to Austin. Now that I have relocated and got my bearings I have to say it's been a big adjustment living under the Star.

Not only is everything big around here, but so is there understanding of what makes the world go around. Sports to me has a unique quality that meshes us all together.

This past week was a great one to be a Saint. That is a Saints fan. Throughout my tumultulous time being a Saints fan, there have been exactly three moments that made me proud to be a Saints fan.

Number 1. Az Hakim drops the ball during a 4th quarter punt in 2001 wild card playoff win against the defending NFL champs St. Louis Rams. Saints win first ever playoff victory.

Number 2. 1987 season, the first winning season in franchise history. I can't really recall any game that made an impact, but I do remember them finally beating the 49ers with Bill Walsh to win the NFC West division.

Number 3. 2006 NFL Draft. With the second pick in the NFL draft the New Orleans Saints select Reggie Bush. Not only does this dwarf the Ricky draft, but it brings so much hope to a beleagured franchise. I will no longer be upset when the Saints lose by 20 because it means I get to see Reggie on the field. I am not prophetic by any sense, but this is going to be good for the Saints.

Amongst all the Cowboy and Texan talk going around this town, I have to hold steady and fast to my once maligned franchise and be the Saint when it comes to football.

Moving on up. To the East Side. To that Deluxe Apartment in the Sky.

2006-03-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

"If dependent George walks through that door, it will kill independent George. A George united can't live amongst the whole."

Life just wouldn't be interesting enough if I didn't move every year or so. I guess I could be a poster child for my Generation Xers, but then again I don't think that would help explain my life any more clearer. I'm not blaming it on some freak of nature or lack of intelligence by The Army Corps of Engineers. Things happen. It's just a little crazy living in my world. Hopefully things will soon be changing.

I up and moving from my temporary residence out here in San Diego, and I am restarting over in Austin. People who know me, know I can't stand the state of Texas. It's like a 3rd world country with a stupid motto. "Don't mess with______fill in the blank. Last time I checked all that came from Texas was: steers and ..... You get the notion.

So why Austin. Well, the wife landed a great opportunity there. Also it's closer to home. Plus land is cheap. I must sound like a frontiersmen. I'm going to stake my claim on a plot of land somewhere in beyond the Colorado River. So wish me luck. I don't know if I will keep up with the blog for much longer as it seems everyone I knew that started blogging has since given it up. Something about work and life. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Oh, the times are a changing....

2006-02-23T20:08:00.000-08:00

"This is process could go so much faster if we formed an assembly line. Whoa!! This is a strictly kill the clock situation just like it is upstairs." - The Office

So, it's definitely been a while since my last post that could be attributed to my new lazy California attitude. It's starting to work it's way inside my cubicle at work.

I guess I am know the last of my brothers writing a blog. I was kinda sad to see my younger brother give up on the blog, but things change and we all move on. It was nice because his writing was a great kick in the ass to keep on writing on my blog even when my ass was up to here with work. That's a bunch of ass in one sentence. Sorry for the ugly visuals.

Speaking of changes just the other day my wife tells me about a job interview she had with some big corporation. During the interview the manager looks over and asks the most ridiculous question to ever be posed during the interview process.

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"

She laughed. Looked him straight in the eye then told him that the question is unfair.

"Six months ago you ask me that question I could have answered you somewhat better, but now I know that life changes to infrequently to infer where I will be 5 years from now." I was so proud of her. It's so true. There is no telling where we will be 5 years, 2 years, next month. I don't have a clue anymore. I know one thing is for sure. Life sure does throw you some curve balls sometimes. You just have to learn how to hit them better as you go along. I love sport analogies that relate to everyday life. That's my newest thing. Next to everyone at work throwing emails at me to proof over because I'm a former English teacher. Don't laugh, they really think that I'm good at it.

I am planning on going back to school to get my masters eventually. It is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time, and now I think I may have the chance. Things are going to always be changing for me, for you, for all of us. I just keep thinking it's going to change for the better.

As my younger brother would say, "Have a beer, don't cost nutin'."

If you lived here, you'd be home by now

2006-02-12T20:45:00.000-08:00

Started looking for a place to live this past week. I think we are going to have to move to Tijuana now. You'd think that just by living in San Diego anywhere is going to be nice. Not necessarily true. Even in Utopia there were some shaddy areas you just didn't want to live in.

Out here land is a very hot commodity that seems to be almost never ending, but ridiculously overpriced. I can somewhat equate to the Duece McAllister contract of 2005. Yeah a good runningback is a rarity, but paying one over 8 million dollars a year for 5 years is just outside of fair market value. I don't ever recall the Saints signing Dalton Hillard to that type of contract, and to this day he is a much better runningback than Duece. There is some time left to see if it materializes.

I know one thing is for sure. I don't think I could ever afford a home out here unless I was panhandling for gold on the weekends.

So that's why we are looking to rent. It's just crazy to think what people want for rent. Not to sound to old or anything, but don't you think it's a little outrageous to be charging over 2 grand for an apartment? I guess that's what the kids today have to look forward to. Good luck.

What I'm looking for is a place that I can rent over the top of a Mexican cantina where I can sip Margharitas went I get home from work, and then chow down on some fish tacos for dinner. I wouldn't even mind refilling the salsa bowls every hour. That's just too much to ask for. Because this place is not available anytime soon in the next daydream of mind, I have to settle for a place that is preferrably located in a barrrio or tunnel that was dug out within the past week in Mexico. Or I can just move into the desert and live among the prairie dogs and dune buggies while the roadrunners chew up my cable box and I can't watch The Office anymore. I won't give up the search. Something's bound to come up.

Who brought the jackass who likes to watch football?

2006-02-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Birthday number 30 down the drain. I can't complain. I was feeling a little old the other day or maybe it was just my obessive sports mind going wild. I didn't want to go to a SuperBowl party, but it was my birthday. So instead of sitting at home like a lump of crap we decided to go to the party.

Let me state the fact that I hate SuperBowl parties. If there was ever a place in time where every nonsensical person, who says they are a fan when they really are not, got together to talk incessitantly throughout the game it was this day. On the first play from scrimmage the Steelers jumped offsides. I screamed out loud, "Offsides!" To which a two young females standing next to me looked disgusting over with a dejected look of horror.

"Oh no, it looks like Seth invited some football nut to the game. He'll be jumping and screaming all night."

So I looked back at the girls with a nice smile and said, "Are you ready for some football?" I really wanted to paint my face and chest with a big gold and black thumb, but it could be considered overkill. I don't want everyone hating me. It is my birthday.

The next point of reference that was so blatantly obvious was when I made the Jimmy the Greek observation that the Steelers needed to run in between the tackles. The Seahawks were too small up front with one cutback it would be touchdown city for Pittsburgh. Sure enough, a couple plays later Steeler running back Willie Parker bust one inside the right tackle for the longest run for scrimmage in SuperBowl history. "Yeah bitches!!! How you like that call?" As I screamed at Mike Holmgrens face full of disappointment and despair. I was quite the spectacle as the girls proceeded to leave the room and take their inner circle to the kitchen were it would be much quiter.

The final reason it would be considered a disaster is the football novices that perpetuate every SuperBowl party. They make assinine comments about when did the Seahawks change the NFC, or why isn't Bubby Brister still quarterbacking the Steelers, or my favorite yet these guys are so tough they don't even wear long sleeves in Detroit (game was indoors).

I have an idea to make the SuperBowl better and more entertaining. Invite all the previous players from the two teams in the game to suit up at anytime for a chance to play in the biggest game of their career. Anyone is eligible regardless of age. So the SuperBowl could have had Steve Largent and Brian Bosworth, and the Steelers could have had Mean Joe Green and Franco Harris out on the field. Almost like an old-timers game, but you throw them in there with the young bucks. Let them get smacked around a little. Lay a couple of them out. You would start hearing about injuries you never thought existed. Terry Bradshaw threw out his hip while tossing the ball on the sidelines. It would be fun to watch again. It would also take back from all the part-time sports fans who can't wait for the half-time show while eating all the good artichoke dip so that we never get seconds. I'm not bitter. It was a great birthday.

If you had a time machine what year would you go back to?

2006-02-02T22:15:00.000-08:00

"Oh the times are a changing?" Yeah, this weekend I will celebrate my 11 anniversity of my 19th birthday. I'm not over the hill yet, but you know it's bad when you would rather sleep in than anything else on your birthday. As time does move on for me and all those around me too, I constantly try to look forward to the great things that are coming in my thirties.

I guess I can now relate to the t.v. show "Thirty Somethings."

When talking to someone 10 years younger I can refer to the good old days of Atari and Nintendo (Not Xbox or Game Cube).

The Internet is no longer a new fangled invention. I use it for my primary source of communication to my love ones.

A cell phone is now something that I can't stand. It serves one purpose... To lose connection or die at the most opportune time.

I find humor in things that 5 years ago couldn't make me even smirk. i.e. Standing in the mall outside the women's dressing room talking to another male counterpart about the number of items that she brought into the room. It was a low number, hopefully she will find something good this time.

Started wearing sweaters more frequently to work.

Love to read the paper every morning, and more importantly love to read more.

Can't stand anybody that is on MTV. Used to watch it around the clock, now I can't name one show.

Found the news to be one of the most frequented t.v. shows that I watch, besides SportsCenter.

I get upset when I see someone wearing their pants low around the ass, but then again I was wearing stone-wash jeans about 15 years ago and people thought that was idiotic.

I found my music tastes struggling to keep up with modern music. I don't hardly listen to the radio other than sports talk radio and my Ipod.

I now have to get furniture that matches. Shucks their goes all my crap that I bought on sale at Target.

I don't have to worry about getting carded as much as I wish I get carded everytime I go to a bar.

No longer can I make fun of people in their Thirties, it's time for me to grow up and make fun of people in their Forties.

So, I guess with age comes all of these great nuiances. My pops always said getting old is inevitable, but growing up is optional. I just can't wait. If I had a time maching... I wish I could go back to 1984.

Dome foam and nachos hold the peppers please

2006-01-29T22:30:00.000-08:00

So the Red Sox signed Coco Crisp on Friday. I was greeted by with a phone call from my hoodlum friend up in Beantown.

"Yeah bitches... That's right we got the Coco on our team now. I'm kooko for Coco Crisp!!!"

I guess things can start settling down to normal in Boston. Not likely. Especially when you have an offseason filled with as much drama as an Lisa Lobe first date. There are many questions to answer still, "What to do with the fat man?" "Whose gonna play shortstop?" "Will Foulke ever break out of his psychoctic menstraul phase?' "I guess Matt Clement should get a guest appearance on Lost?"

Well as I ponder over those offseason moves, let me just say the best acquistion the Sox made was retaining the boy wonder. "Can you say retainer?" Theo knew somewhere in the back of his mind that Larry Luccino would bow down to John Henry and the baseball gods of Boston would beg for him to return with more authority. I can rest know at least until pitchers and catcher report.

As things continue to shape up or sink in New Orleans. My Saints seem to be the damn Penn and Teller of the league. Always looking to amaze a crowd of bystanders with their grotesque magical shows in order to drum up some publicy for their two man show. i.e. the old dog and pony show. Yeah the Saints hired a new coach. Yeah it's going to be a new season. Still, how many free agents are the Saints going to go after. Will they bargain hunt for draft picks or blow the whole wad on Todd Marijuanavich, err I mean Matt Leinart. In the 2006 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints select.... Rusty Bowles... Deepsnapper from Bowling Green University. Way to save on the cost of a few more Dome Dawgs.

Well that's it for the sports rant. I've had enough for this week. I can't wait for the start of the Winter Olympics so that I can go into hibernation as I await the grapefruit league scores.
Boston (SS) 21
Tampa Bay (SS) 3

Change of address is needed

2006-01-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

Many people ask me, "What's it like living in San Diego?" I guess the best way to describe it is to say that it's kind of like the feeling you get when your vacations almost over. You really don't want to think about going back to work, but you end up thinking about it once or twice and it just depresses the crap out of ya'. When I drive to and from work I really can't imagine me living my life out here in San Diego. It just doesn't seem right. Then again when you have a Cat 4 or 3 or whatever hurricane mess up your life nothing seems right anymore.

The best way I think about is that it's almost like a bonus sick day or extended vacation. I really don't deserve it because there are plenty others that do, but hell if I am gonna let this opportunity pass me by. I mean how many times in a person life can they make note of the fact they've lived in so many places. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to do so much traveling in my life. When school was nearing an end for me I figured that the world was my oyster the problem was I wasn't that good at shucking. So I bounced from here to there, then back to here again followed by another there. Easy Rider himself, Henry Fonda, can't hold a lick to the amount of road I've covered since high school.

Not to sound prophetic or to rationalize my stay in San Diego though life is all about the many obstacles with constant changes in the direction of the paths we choose. San Diego isn't home. It may never be home, still I can't complain about the change in scenery. It has provided me with a new outlook on life. The beach is awesome. Jamba Juice is the best thing since Smoothie came out with the Muscle Punch. Traffic isn't that bad, I hear horror stories about New Orleans. My commute is 18 miles in about 20 minutes. Not too mention the weather is quite pleasant by winter standards. I felt a drizzle the other day, but I think the neighbors may have left their sprinklers on a bit too long. In-n-Out are hands down the best burgers on the planet. Plus there are more microbreweries in San Diego than Louisiana had in the whole state. I am proud to tell people that I am a New Orleanian. I am also proud to tell people that I live in San Diego. Now if only I could figure out how to get the guy down the street to carpool with me to work. Then everything would be grand. Beunos notches.

You know it's my busy time of the year!!

2006-01-18T22:22:00.000-08:00

I am addicted. Yeah, you guessed it. It's not like I have Nitendo thumb, but it could be worse. I spend countless hours trying to figure out new and inventive ways to use it. When I first got it there was nothing that would stop me from opening it up to make sure it worked. So what's the big deal. I like to play with toys. Aren't all boys the same.

While intermixing my time between cool video downloads and what's the best podcast available on the web, I feel that it is not going to waste. A few months ago you could have mentioned a podcast to me, and probably the first thing that pops into my head is the place where they store all the portable storage containers you see in front of peoples' homes. Now I can recite to you my top five favorite podcast that are relevant to me as of the date and time. I can also speak at ease on the topic of video downloads that not only have improved my life, but made life that much better at work.

I know work amongst the cubicle people that talk amongst themselves as if you were asking them to pass the toilet paper in the bathroom stall next to them. I can hear every personal conversation, every dispute with their computer, and more importantly smell every morsel of food that travels through our delictable airwaves. As I know spend time counseling or advising students about their career I try to keep a profession demeanor about myself while making sure the IPod is not noticeable through my shirt sleeve. I love the interaction I have with the students. More importantly I love helping the students. I just hate having to do that within the confines of the Dilbert arena. Not only does my co-workers hear every conversation I have with a student, but my boss can overhear the conversation. Twice this past week, my boss came over to me and stated that I was doing a good job with students, but needed to be more quiet. Yeah, sure thing. "Can you come back in a few because I kind of busy right now. I have a meeting with the Bob's." As the school year starts for these new students, I am pushing hard to get back into the classroom. This week I get to go into 5 classes and give a little time management workshop. First lesson about time management workshop, don't show up late to a workshop when you're the presenter. Well, hopefully next I will be able to download the workshop onto ITunes so they could watch it on their new IPods on the Podcast section.

WWOZ is on the computer...

2006-01-14T21:52:00.000-08:00

"Take me back to New Orleans, and drop me at my door. Because I might love you yeah, but I love me more." - Cowboy Mouth

Yeah, I know it's been a while. And for the few people who check to see my post, thanks for coming back. What's new? Well, a new job I start about a month ago at a local art institute. While trying to see how I could build comparments below my cubicle in order to take naps during the day, and finding the coolest online radio websites to play music while I day dream at Tetris things couldn't be better.

I am still living with family members, when I come to think about it...sucks. But there are lots of advantages. Such as the rent check is very minimal. I think if I was stil back home I would be living with relatives because last I heard they are still trying to figure things out back home.

I miss home. I miss my po-boys from Radosta. My sausage link from Nor-Jo's. My crawfish burrito from Kokopelli's. My Wednesday night 2 dollar pint night at the Bulldog. My Drago's chargrilled ersters. My Abita with my brothers. My 3 beer Thursday with my Pops. My wasted time at Wal-Mart. My late night runs to Morning Call. My mid-day runs to City Park. My King cakes from Randazzo's. My Douberge cake from Gambino's. My pralines from Ms. Pam. (Two of those could put you in an epelectic seizure) My afternoon jogs along the lakefront. My Saturday night late night listen to WWOZ. The list goes on.

As if "normalcy" could mean enough to me now, all I really want is my way of life back. Now it has been upended into a spiralling confused world of ridiculous housing costs mixed with a dash of uncertainity of family closeness. When people ask me about my hometown I never talk in the past tense. It still my home, always will be. The problem I have relating to people is the mess that is New Orleans. Between the politically backlashing, finger pointing, lay offs, and housing boom on the northshore lies what most people around the see and hear on the news. Life goes on. Like it does in many places with little thought or repercussion as to what goes on in my hometown. That's what hurts most. As I look forward everyday my life is similar to that of New Orleans, a challenge unmistakenly filled with hope and perservance, but also a hint of uncertainity as to whether I will make this new town my home or travel elsewhere to start over. Life. It presents us with the challenges and decisions that some view as unfair and some righetous. I look forward to the day I can reclaim my hometown. I dream of it every second and everyday like I used to look forward to the next crawfish boil.

Making New Friends

2005-12-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

Started the new job this past week. Boy am I over my head. Just kidding. It's going to be like George Castanza running through Play Now. Started my work week off by going through the muntiae that is Human Resources. If there was a kid in any of your college classes that only showed up 50 percent of the time, and always asked to borrow peoples notes than they had Human Resources written all over their forehead.

HR is a wasteland of paperwork and stupid logistical standards that we all have to go through with pain. The other day I had to fill out a timesheet. It was like rewriting the Declaration of the Independence. They review you over and over as if by some magical chance it will be different from last week. Not too mention this is my first week. Jeez Bob, it looks like our new employee has worked 95 hours this week. Must be putting in some OT on that new big project.

The rest of my day was spent trying to find the quietest bathroom in the whole building. Memo to self. Next time I negotiate for a job, ask for a private bathroom. I think I may have to use the handicap bathroom for the next few weeks until I can find an alternative. I love the high seat in those bathrooms.

I was given a task to go through some online training courses that are about the same as listening to War and Peace on tape. The training module has a girl sitting a desk talking into a microphone as she describes how to use certain applications. You can hear her smacking on some gum, phone ringing in the background,and then someone using the copy machine breaks into a full on panic, "Does anybody know how to fix this damn thing!" Finally today, I was able to figure out how to put a cool signature on my emails so that everyone knows that I am a pathetic Saints fan. I love the minimize function on computers.

Overall not a bad first week. Next week we start training videos. Plus I start working one on one with a trainer/coach. Can't wait. Hopefully I will get somebody who just doesn't care anymore about their job so they spend the whole time telling about how Jane in Accounting is sleeping with Michael and Jimmy the mail clerks. Can't wait start the work gossip. Unaveritas is a hetro male Aquarius who likes to drink Abita and takes pictures and rearrange them in photoshop.

I dedicate this house to the Griswold Family Christmas

2005-12-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

Clark: Our holidays were always such a mess.
Clark Sr.: Oh, yeah.
Clark: How'd you get through it?
Clark Sr.: I had a lot of help from Jack Daniels.

- Christmas Vacation

As we draw closer to Christmas my memory starts to invoke past holiday traditions that are no longer. Around this time of the year, my brothers and I would moan and begrudging fall prey to our mother's well wishes to attend caroling in Jackson Square. It wasn't an age old tradition, just one that my mother started recently and decided to inflict guilt upon us for not attending. So with that being said, this year I won't be there and I don't even know if it's still being held.

What once was? How I do remember those crazy little things about the Christmas holidays. I once remember that my parents couldn't afford a flocked tree, so instead my mother would buy Dove detergent soap for us to coagulate into a white powdery substance and douse the tree with the stuff. We ended up getting more on us than on the tree, but the highlight of the night was putting the stuff in my brother's hair when mom wasn't looking. I distinctly remember my mom pulling out the Time Life Christmas Albums. What a beautiful thing to hear Bing Crosby sing Rudolph or to hear the soothing sensation of Nat King Cole gliding across the room as we hung ornaments.

One year my pops got the Clark Griswold notion of chopping our own tree down. So we hopped in the back of his red datsun truck with a cover, and drove an hour to chop down a Christmas tree. All I can remember was me and my younger brothers spreading joy to the world as we marked our territory among a patch of Christmas trees. I remember the year my uncle dressed up like Santa only to have my younger brother pull his beard off in front of everyone. How traumatizing. It was a blast. Always a story, a memory, a feeling that will never be forgotten as Louis Armstrong would sing...It's Christmas time in New Orleans...

Six bucks and my right nut says we're not landing in Chicago.

2005-11-26T14:04:00.000-08:00

Del: You play with your balls alot.
Neal: Oh really?
Del: Yeah, you do more ballhandling in one minute than Larry Bird does in an hour. Neal: You know what I'd really like?
Del: A couple of more hands and an extra set of balls?
- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

I remember when I first saw this movie. It was an instant classic, like Bad Santa during Christmas. It especailly comes to mind around this time of year right before we gorge ourselves into a eating frenzy for one day.

When I think of that fateful day when the pilgrims said let's eat turkey with our friends the Indians. Then after the wine and triptophan kicked in the Pilgrims made a deal to buy some land from the indians for three shiny rocks, a barrel of whiskey, and a place called the western frontier.

This Thanksgiving I spent with my in-laws in Phoenix. It's not the same whenever you spend the holidays at any other place than where you usually spend it. Still, I try to make the most of the Turkey day by frying a turkey for the family. I tried to go back to my traditional turkey day roots by running a race Thanksgiving morning. I know that many of you are saying, "What are you mad?" Still, it something that I did when I was younger in the city of New Orleans, and I wanted to continue it. It helps build the appetite for later, plus I like to relate myself to Lucius Jackson running around a prison yard with Dragline running next to him trying to stretch that belly out. As I ran the race, I kept thinking, "I gotta stretch that little old belly out."

One of my other traditions is the fateful respite of watching Planes,Tranes, and Automobiles while the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes assemble in my stomache for a pep rally. I started watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles in college with a buddy of mine. It was our Turkey day movie. Not this year. It was pushed off due to a late dinner, and plenty to clean up. Still it was a good Thanksgiving. I ran a good race, ate a lot of turkey, cleaned up, and finished the day with pumpkin pie. It's not always the same as back home, but then again nothing ever is. It's all what you make of the day to be thankful for everything you have.

Visions of Abita dancing through my head

2005-11-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

Gonna go watch the sun set on the Pacific tonight. Hope everyone could see this magnificent sight. Will be holding a cold one while I watch it set.

Life is funny sometimes. I remember the other day being happy that I found a gas station that was charging 2.67 a gallon for unleaded. I was so happy that I told everyone I saw that day, even the checkout clerk at Vons. He was shocked too. Then today in a quite random search on the internet, I find this beverage depot. They sell Abita Amber there. Not only Abita Amber, but Turbodog, and Purplehaze. It was like Christmas had arrived on Nov. 10th. Wow!! I turned and looked anxiously around to find someone to tell that would care. Where's my wife when I need her. On the other side of the library.

Psssstt, babe.
Nothing.
Loud cough.
Nothing.
Uhhhheemmmmm!!!
Nothing.
Finally I get out of my chair, risking the spot I cherished for 15 minutes waiting in line, and went searching for my wife. When I got hold of her I mentioned that I had great news. She was so excited. What was it? A job offer? Insurance settlement is more than we asked? Free tickets to a musical? No, none of the above. When I told her I found a place that sells Abita Amber in San Diego, this blank look appeared. That's it. Oh, great news hon. Then she went back to searching for a book.

It's the little things that keep me going right now. If only I could find a lady's jelly wrestling happy hour bar that serves Abita, and has plasma tv's big enough and positioned in the right spots so I never miss a word my wife says by looking directly through her to the screen I would be set. If I owned a bar, I would position every t.v. monitor at a specific height level so that you can look somewhat interested in the conversation while never missing a highlight of ESPN.

I am going to need two professional references for this position?

2005-11-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

Making money, making money, making money.

Everyone is obsessed with making money that they forget about living life. Tasting the stark bit of reality that can sometimes be bittersweet. Everyone needs to relax. Take it easy for a while. Do like Europeans and take a month off from work.

I went on a forgettful job interview the other day. It was so bad, I almost walked right out during the damn thing. The company which will I will not name for libel purposes was trying to work some form of the old pyramid scam. It seems that in our present day instead of having Amway we have these stupid ass marketing/sales companies popping up offering ridiculous salaries and visions of happy workplaces.

The first thing I have to say is that when you show up for an interview, and the office your interviewing is a small 2 cublice room without a window, that's a sign of things to come. As I sat waiting for the woman who was to interview me get off the phone, there was a receptionist talking on the phone to a friend. Behind the receptionist was a small portable stereo. Now I know being a receptionist is hard work so we need some music to relax ourselves. This girl was listening to Jayz. It was not at a normal level either, it was at ear screaching decibels. I struggled to even comprehend thoughts while the music was playing. Soon the woman got off the phone and introduced herself. We exchange the normal bullcrap pleasantries. Glad to meet ya... Yada...Yada...Yada. Then the rhetorical questions starting flying.... "How do you fit this position? What are your strengths? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?" I decided to make this worthwhile. So I politely answered the questions as best as I could and waited for those famous words to come rolling off her tongue. "Do you have any questions for me?" You bet your sweet fanny I do.

My Question: First off, what is the salary? Answer: It depends. Question: On what? Answer: On the job you do.
My Question: Whats the work schedule? Answer: Anything you want it to be, but I feel the more you put in the more you get out.
My Question: What are the benefits? Answer: You don't receive benefits until you make upper level management.
My Question: Why the heck should I work for a company that you can't explain, doesn't have any benefits, has a ridiculous work schedule, and for all I know could be a satanist cult that hires people in order to run this same scam on another person. Answer: This is a great company. I've worked here for 2 years.
My Question: How long did it take to brainwash your monkey ass? Answer: Not long just until the probation period ended.
My Question: Can you just pay me, and I not show up? Answer: Nah, that's not in our company handbook.
Jeez, it should be the damn mission statement.

Well that's all the questions I have for you. She then turns to me with a dedicated look on her face as if she was counting on me to not say no to the next question. "Would you be willing to come in for a day and work with us to see if you like the job and we like you?"

My first thought was "For free? " Then what eeked out was, "Nah, I can't miss out watching the Tyra Banks show. Although let me know when if you change your policy about not showing up for work and getting paid?" She smiles, shakes my hand, and says she will get in contact with me about the position.

It's been a week and she hasn't called back. Starting to wonder if she would ever call. Then again maybe I am working for them and I don't even know it. Crazy damn Amway people.

Beer, Brauts, and Falafels???

2005-11-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

Octoberfest in Southern California is like showing up to a movie a half hour early. There is no one around and you start to worry if this is the right movie or not.

In order to secure some fun in our lives. I decided to take the wife and go to an Octoberfest. It was great except for the fact that no one was there. On the website they marketed a great musical act on one of the main stages. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band would be playing a Hurricane Katrina benefit. This would be awesome, I thought.

Amongst all the umpa bands, sauerkraut, and veinerswitzle there stood an empty beer tent submerged in noise from an 80's cover band. I decided to partake in the local habits of Octoberfest and try a few of the German beers. Who knows, maybe by the time the Dirty Dozen takes the stage I will by cussin' and punching everyone in sight dressed in full leiderhozen. We walked around soaked up the dead atmosphere of falafels, burritos, and hot caramel apples outside the beer tent. On one side of the festival there was a reggae soul country band playing, at another tent there was a teenage battle of bands (nothing but guitars screeching and someone screaming into a microphone), on the third stage stood the Bavarian German Beer Band playing the "Chicken Dance" to a capacity crowd of 30 in a tent to hold a thousand, and last but not least in the main tent was the Miss Octoberfest contest.

We made our way over to the main stage to get a view of the Dirty Dozen feeling that it could get packed. The building that harnessed the main stage was huge almost the size of a football field. The accoustics were horrendous. My wife feeling the urge after her second hefiezen decided to make her way to the facilities. I being the good gentleman that I am went to the bar to reload, and wait for her outside the facilities. As I stood there gazing into the empty abyss that was the main stage, I wondered where could everyone be. There was another poor sap boyfriend, husband, date for a night waiting for his lady to come out the john. Suddenly I was taken aback when 10 girls in g-string bikinis come walking out of the restroom with two beer steins each filled to the brim with water. The tried there best to walk up to the stage in high heels with these huge beer steins. The guy next to me stares at them, then glances over to me and says, "Lord almighty, I want to be Mr. Octoberfest!"

After a while my wife comes out of the john, and I proceed to tell her about what had just transpired. I tell her we have to get front row and center to see this contest. We position ourselves a row back from the front of the crowd right before the contest begins. Now the girls have to hold the steins out in front of them as long as they can. Every one of these girls are slim built, except for one. This girl had to be 6 foot 2 and about 125 pounds. She looked like a Norse woman. I screamed out right before the whistle blew, "My money is on Zena, don't let me down Warrior Princess." She didn't. Not only did she destroy the competition, but when the last girl's arms dropped from the heavy weight, she took the steins and poured the water over her body. Nice touch for the judges. After that everyone left. I think there was something like 20 of us standing there waiting for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to come out. When the took the stage it was surreal. I felt like I was at a Saints game in the 4th Quarter towards the end of a season. We stayed for the entire set. It was good to hear some good old New Orleans music for one night. As we drove home I looked back at my wife, and remarked to her that the Duetchouse would have been better. She smiled and agreed. Although nothing beats the memory of a good time.

Past the reality check, please?

2005-10-31T17:20:00.000-08:00

How's the job search? I don't know and I don't much care.

It's now the winter of Ryan (a.k.a. summer of George). Bizzaro world has kicked into full effect out here in San Diego. What's up is down. What's right is wrong. Instead of worrying I just chill.

I was super worried when I moved out to San Diego if this would be the right place for us to start over. Upon further review. It still is. Can't say much for life other than sometimes you get the stuck with the short staff, try to make the best of it. Instead of wallowing around the city complaining about how bad everything is, I've moved on to a bigger city that has more to offer.

Recently I have been pondering this whole work thing. It's not that I don't want to work, it's I just don't care.

I let my family worry about that. The constant barrage whenever I answer the phone or talk to a relative. How's the job search? It's not bad, I haven't found anything, yet. I think I will pull a Johnny Utah, and start to learn how to become one with nature by trying to catch the perfect wave. Why not? I try to spend my days on the beaches of sunny San Diego. Every week I go down to the beach just to remind myself why I came out here. Can't beat it. It's so soothing that it makes me forget about everything that is wrong with my life.

Now the next time someone asks how the job search is going. I just smile and say it's all over because now I'm a professional surfer. I will now indulge myself into the lifestyle by adopting the native California language. Later, dudes. Tides ripping and the waves are a crashing. Here's to some tasty buds and some killer waves.

"What the hell is going on out there?" - Vince Lombardi

2005-10-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was at the store shopping for more food to stock our refrigerator at my cousin's house when I passed the liquor aisle. It had been a long time since I passed the liquor aisle and not purchased some beer or wine.

Needless to say the past previous few weeks were wearing on my like a thin sheet of dabardine.
I think we need some beer. When I moved myself down towards where the beer is stocked to mammoth proportions I distinctly remembered my brothers warning me about the inflation of beer prices in California.

"Man it's almost as bad as filling the car up with gas," my younger brother once mentioned.
"I don't know whether to run out of gas or run out of beer? What's more important?" he questioned.

This initial shock of price gouging was worse than the time I went to the movies the first time and paid full price not student price. "You want how much for two tickets. Shit I might as well sell a kidney to go see Doom.

I looked fearlessly at the prices of beer. No shock what so ever. Just typical California sticker inflation of 40-50 cents. I remarked to my wife that if they made organic beer that people out here would finally drink beer. Since everyone out here is so health conscience and politically conscience I laugh at the organic food stores with lines backed up like Walmart checkout lines ten minutes before closing time.

That's when creative ingenuity hit me. My cousins are very big into the wine and cheese get togethers. They are constantly having these parties at each other's million dollar homes where they drink Chardonnay from Southern France and sip on Spanish Bordeaux. Last time I went to one of their parties I was the lone ranger drinking Corona's by the panic fold thinking there would be none left in a half-hour. Silly me. I was the only one drinking Corona's. At the end of the night I had to empty out a garbage bag filled with empty Corona bottles out in the recycle bin because no one else cared to share a beer. So when this lasting image of myself drinking Corona's entered my mind another image crossed it. One from back in my early adulthood years when I worked for my pop's electrical company. My uncle and I would always bust out of work early on Fridays to get some tallies and play 9 holes at the city muni golf course. That's when I decided the next time I am going to these wine parties I will be carrying my EdTV drink holder that I got at Mardi Gras and is a life saver during party functions. Never forget where you place your beer it's always around your neck. Not too mention I will be loaded down with two 32 ounces of Miller High Life tallies. That's right. The High Life. Champagne of beers. No more worrying about drinking their Corona's it'll be me and a couple of tallies sharing in the memories of yesterday. Not too mention 32 ounces of beer for 2.99 isn't a bad price. That's two beers for 4 dollars and compared in our financially crisis world we live in today, that's a down right bargain. Here's to me losing on Party Poker.com, to winning five bucks on a cherry bomb picker at the local 7 eleven, and to watching the San Antonio Mudbugs or Los Angeles Komonodragons (a.k.a N.O. Saints) next season go 0-16.

God save the King of New Orleans

2005-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot to mention that I ended up going to my best-friend's wedding a couple of weeks ago in Boston.

He didn't talk to me the whole ride from his place to the church. There was this look of contempt all over his face. If one looked very closely they could read his lips as they muttered ever so lightly. "I hate each and every one of you." It's not that he actualy hates us, but the circumstance that we put him in was pretty predictable. First off, my buddy is the last of all his friends to get married. He was the last swinging bachelor from amongst us all. He stood in all our weddings, glaring about like Vince Vaughn did in wedding crashers. He even could recite the gospel readings from heart, and he isn't even Catholic. Still, the good-hearted man felt the pressure mounting when his last friend got engaged almost 3 years ago.

That's when the call came out. It was like a distress signal sent to headquarters letting them know there was a ship lost out in sea. My buddy told me he was engaged to be married. When? No one had the slightest clue. That is why I threw the biggest fit when he told me last year that he was getting married in the first week of October.

"Are you crazy? What have you been drinking? "
"She wants a fall wedding. That's the only time we can get the hotel."
"The Red Sox could be in the playoffs. What are we going to do?"

That was the scenario that played out for us that weekend as the Red Sox were playing the White Sox at home down 2 games. Needing a win to spark another miracle comeback we all sat around the church the night of Game 3 getting our assignments for the Batan Death March...I mean wedding ceremony that would take place the next day at the same time a possible Game 4 would start.

Another one of the groomsmen walks into the chapel. "What's the score?"
"Ah, 4-2 dah badhh guys," in a thick wicked Boston accent.
"What da' f***?" remarked another groomsmen.
"Whatda expect when it's just Manny and Papi hitting da' ball."
"Let's get this thing over with so I can see the game," another groomsmen laments.

After the rehearsal we sped violent to the dinner reception. Luck for us it was at a bar/restaurant. The last two innings 3 groomsmen and the groom stood there watching our hopes for a dramatic comeback splash by the torrent freakin White Sox.

"Atleast it's over. We don't have to worry about it tomorrow at the wedding," a groomsmen belted.
"It's just too much," the groom cried out after the last out.
"I've invested way too much time into this team to just quit. I just can't take it. Let's start drinking."

Some people say we invest too much time and energy into meaningless games. Get outta here with that crap. I love the Red Sox and I love the Saints. I will never give up on them even when they suck. That's why when someone tells me the Saints are moving to San Antonio. I just scream back, "I've invested way too much time and energy into that damn team to give up on them now." There my team forever. Unless they change there name to the San Antonio Gaylords and wear Rainbow colored outfits. Then that's it. Still they are my team. So if I win that 340 million powerball, I am buying the Saints and keeping them in New Orleans. Shit, we'll play games at Muss Bertolino playground it we have too. Nobody is going to stop me either.

Otherwise it was a great wedding, typical east coast fall wedding. Rained the entire time. My best friend got married, and became the last of the remaining soldiers to be captured alive. And as for me I have reestablish my love of for the teams with little to no hope.

Thanks for nothing!!!

2005-10-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not talking about it anymore. It's over. Her and I don't even notice each other anymore. When someone mentions her name, I change the subject. It's not like we were ever a big item. She just came into my life and blew it to pieces. That's right. It's all over between her and I. No more worrying, no more complaining, no more anything. I sort of want the Jim Carrey total erasure from your mind like in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But not without the Alexander Pope explanation of why it shouldn't be there anymore.

So who am I talking about. You know her as Katrina. This past weekend, I had an epiphany. I am no longer going to mention how sick I am hearing about whether my home town should be rebuilt, how bad the NOPD is treating people with a little "southern hospitality", and how bad the insurance companies are stingy mo fo's. That's it, no more. I heard myself explaining the situation to another person who could give a rats ass, or do anything to help but say atleast you got your health. I'm over that part. I'm in the pissed off part now. It's like the seventh stage of recovery.

People hear your story then shake their heads and mumble something like it's so sad. You know what's sad, is that you don't know what it's like to not have a home anymore, a job anymore, a place to see family, a place to remember the good times of your youth, a place where people reveled in the typical maddness of white linen night. I can't replace it, it's all irreplacable.
So, don't tell you know or that it's too bad or that I'm lucky to have insurance. Right now, I'd rather not have insurance.

Ranting is the only way to release this frustration. I am not telling a sob story anymore. Katrina got my life for one month, but she is not taking anymore. I'm moving on to big and better things. There is new life for me and my family. It may not be the easy way, but I know that it's going to get better with time. Dwelling on what happened is going to help me now get a job. I can tell you this though, when I get to be about 75 or 80 someone is going to have shut my ass up because I will be rambling like the old lady from the Titanic. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. From now on, if I even have to mention her name, it will be with the letter "K". Goodbye for now "K", hope I never see or hear from you again.

We had a pact, Jerry!!! A pact? We just shook hands. -Seinfeld

2005-10-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

"If one day Relationship George walks through that day then Independent George, the one you know and love to hang out with, will cease to exist." - George Castanza

What to do? I spent the last month of my life scrambling around in the wake of Katrina trying to prioritize my life when in my life was fine to begin with. Still, the new unforeseen events has created ultimate turmoil in everyone's life as we know. Whether they are a distant friend/relative or a close family member in need of a place to stay. Amongst all of this craziness life went on in other places in the world. People arose to their morning slumber, read their weekly fish hacks sports guy, and drank their Pumpkin spike latte's as they proceeded to work.

This brings me to my next point. One of my best buddies from college is getting married this upcoming weekend in Boston. I had originally planned to be in the wedding with my wife and I making a vacation out of a beautiful Boston fall weekend. Well, once September rolled around all things that had to deal with things I wanted to do was put on hold. My buddy pleaded with me for weeks to abandon the trip in order to save money that we had lost due to the hurricane. I on the other hand had refused to give up on the wedding. If I was going to do anything that resembled somewhat normalcy it would be to attend a friend's wedding.

With this in mind. I booked another flight leaving from my new location heading out to Boston. With the help of my friend I am now able to save some money by crashing at his place. Once again I we feel like an old college roommate coming into town to crash on the couch, and party all weekend while disrupting the neighbors sleep patterns with my loud New Orleans accent. Now that will feel normal. Upon talking to my friend he is going through the most difficult of wedding preparations and when are they never difficult. After spending an hour coaxing him down off a ledge of chaoticness that revolved seat arrangements, party favors, place settings, and moving out of his old bachelor pad, he and I seemed resolute that our new professions would be anything that has to do with weddings. I could just see me running around planning flower arrangements for some southern debutante's wedding day. "What you want is a catcus lilly, with a slight hint of Kentucky bluegrass. Once your wedding is over you can roll it up and smoke the wibbie jibbies out of it."

It's funny when your friends get married because you suddenly realize how old you really are. It's like an age definer. I laughed and laughed as he complained about every little detail of the wedding. Smirking with a look of been there done that. The most disappionting thing about this whole wedding is that my wife and I can't make a vacation out of it. I am going to miss that. Then again I am just happy to be lucky enough to go to the wedding while others are figuring out how they are going to make it through the day. Once again, miss ya'll back home. Take care and watch out for the brown pike.

It's Sunday and I gotta watch dem Saints!!!

2005-10-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know how pathetic I am. Sitting here wondering were can I watch the damn Saints blow another game. It's all I got right now that keeps my spirits up high even when the beer is free.

I spent most of the past two days unloading a 26' foot truck into a 10 by 20 storage unit out here in San Diego. It was a good thing my younger brother was around to help. People have a misconception about San Diego always being 70 degrees and cool. Let me state that it was warmer than that as we crammed everything we own into that unit.

"Take it off here, boss?" - Dragline
"Awright Dragline, take it off." - boss man

Saturday I returned the yellow monster of Gonzales back to Penske, and I started back to cousin Carol's place. A new residence for the O'Keefe's. As I try to remember what I used to do on Saturdays it became painstaking reminder of what seems like an eternity away from home/reality. My wife and I ended up on a walk around the neighborhood here only to be stopped by an elderly man who stood with mouth agape at the fact there were two evacuaees living on his block. I thought for a second he would scream for his wife to get the camera so he could take a picture with us to show everyone he knew that he saw a couple from New Orleans.

Saturday night we accompanied my cousin to a friend of her's birthday bash. It was there that I realized how bad it is now to be a native New Orleanian. Questions started flying at me about my hometown, like Mike Brown at a congressional hearing.

"You should never build anything below sea-level. It's just doesn't make sense. They don't insure the people of Missouri valley after they got flooded 10 years ago. Your mayor and governor really screwed up."

Everyone with an opinion on the situation seemed to explurge their life lessons upon me with an unavailed eye to the fact that I really didn't care. All that matters to me right now is getting my life back together. The city of New Orleans will survive. What I don't know is whether it will ever be the same place I remember in my heart. It's time for me to find a place to go watch the Saints game. Yeah, it's 9:30am and I am looking for a bar. What's your point?

What I wouldn't give to be sitting in my sofa chair as my brothers come crashing through the back door with a 12 pack under their arm's screaming about how that Saints defense better show up today. A pile of nachos sits in front of us as we sulk our heads at every disappionting play. The t.v. commentator's blundering every player's name on the Saints roster. My brother sreaming about how we should be listening to the radio, but the delay is too much for us to bear. As the clock ticks down to another big loss it's all good because were together. That's makes everything seem so right in the world for a Sunday.

Two twelve packs of Abita, a case of red beans, and truck full of memories

2005-09-28T23:00:00.000-07:00

"Luke, why didn't you just say 20 or 25 eggs?" Dragline
"Uh, I don't know. 50 sounded like a good round number."Lucas Jackson

Sometimes I don't know which end is up or down. I'm spinning around like a top. Can someone please slow my world down. The last month has been hectic to say the least. I can't elaborate on this more because if I did the rights to my book may get seized.

Put it this way. I have driven through Texas twice and flew over the biggest waste of a state all in a span of two weeks. Trying to move on with my life, but still don't know what to do. As I was home for a short 7 days I would stare off into the breezy night air and ask family members that same question. Whatcha gonna do? Dunno know. This would be accompanied by a tug of a cold brew.

If there was one world to describe what this hurricane has done to my life it would be: devastated. Life seems to moving on in other parts of the world, and there is little people fell sorry for anymore. That's the sad reality. As I try to move into my new home in San Diego, I look around. Nothing's the same. And yet we all remain the same inside. Post more later. For those of you in New Orleans reading this, I miss ya'll.

Ya'll Come Back Now, Ya' Hear?

2005-09-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

I'm packed to hilt and strapped like Gary Busey. That's right I'm heading back to New Orleans to reclaim what's left of ours. Just when all is safe the great mayor of New Orleans opens the city back up to everyone that has left. The people that want to come back will. Don't need to tell them when because if memory serves me correct you can tell people from New Orleans that can't come home still they will find a way.

It's like watching Rocky try to catch the chicken for the first time falling flat on his face and cursing the chicken. "You've gotta crap lighting and shit thunder!" Burgess Meredith exclaimed. You can't try to keep people from going back home, it's what they know and feel most at ease with themselves. I heard someone talking about how New Orleans and Jefferson Parish should combine so that they could have one big smart government making decisions for New Orleans and surrounding metropolitan area. Not going to happen. It would be even more corrupt. What people don't understand is the history or legacy of Louisiana politics that forseeds itself. It's been embedded into the psyche of every local or state official. If you aren't doing something to benefit yourself your just not doing your job right. It's a sad state of affairs for those looking from the outside in, but it's all we know. I can't imagine what life will be like in this city 1, 5, or 10 years from now. I can pray that it gets better, but the heat and humidity make people do crazy things. I, for one am doing something crazy. I am gathering all my stuff and leaving the one place I've called home for so long. It's better that I remember it the way that I want, and not the way someone else will try to change it.

So, here's to meeting up with my mom and dad this week. Swapping storm stories and reliving what was once our home. I can't wait to have a 3 beer Thursday with my brother and pops. As my pops exhuberantly proclaimed from a barstool one hot ass summer day, "Here's too cold beer on hot days." Thank you St. Joseph!

Going back to Cali

2005-09-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know I was the one who once said California was the devil incarnate, but who knows this time the devil may not bother us in San Diego. My wife and I have decided to move on down to San Diego. No more Naturally Nawlins. I guess home just quite won't be the same anymore. Since the government and all these Michael Douglas Wall Street wannabe's want to buy up all the property to resell to us poor bastards at a ridiculous price will ruin what was so great about the city. It's diversity of cultures and homes. You had million dollar homes sitting right next to shanty dilapated homes. It made New Orleans unique.

I was thinking about how my life was last filled with a sense of normalcy. It was a Friday night almost three weeks ago that my brothers and a couple of friends gathered at my house for another monthly poker night. What a poker night? I don't know if I will be able to play poker with my brothers again since we are all spread out. My youngest brother may be the closest too me as he will reside in L.A. for the next several months. My middle brother is moving to the east coast. I will miss him dearly. It seems like every time I get close enough to hug my brothers we are split due to some unforseen circumstance. That poker night we all had little cares or worries about work, home, or clothes. Wow, how 48 hours can change everything. I guess I will never be able to take money from my bros in poker, and that night was the closest I've ever been to winning. Had all the chips. Had the cards coming to me. Things didn't fall into place, but I will never forget swigging beer, making fun of each other, and talking about nothing. That feeling of having them around was so worth every dollar I lost. I would cash in all my chips to have that chance to play poker once a month again with them. Just too have that little sense of what life used to be like. To feel comfortable. To not worry about were I am going to call home. To say, "The man's got aces get your tail out!"

Rescue Me

2005-09-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

"It's feels like someone just dropped a Napalm on our ass." - Robin Williams (Good Morning Vietnam)

Hot diggy damn!!! Phoenix is a the best place for a devil's convention. I think of all the hot places I've been to in my life, and nothing quantifiably comes close to Phoenix. The other night I took my dog, Hero, for a walk. It was 10 o'clock and it was 93 degrees outside with a warm breeze hitting me in my face as the cactus' fanned themselves. I was thinking about all the displaced placed people from New Orleans arriving in Phoenix looking for work. There was a story of one guy, who used to work in construction down in New Orleans, and got a job working construction out here in Phoenix. Somebody out to tell that guy that they work 5 days a week here. On Fridays, you can't knock off at lunch time to loiter around the local Brothers Food Mart drinking tallies and swapping stories about your glory days in high school. Needless to say, it's great to hear people getting back up on their feet.

My younger brothers seemed to be adjusting to So. Cal experience. It all seems relative sometimes because you kind of wish this was a vacation. There are times I wish I could go back home. Just to feel the comfort of my homely confines. Still, life is getting better. Working on a plan to start over. I was thinking that Bolivia sounded nice. I hear they have a lot of nice banks in Bolivia. There are so many options. Long Beach, San Diego, Austin, Richmond, and were ever else the car and others will put us up for a while.

Despite all the well wishes people have been sending me I am looking forward to a new beginning. New beginnings are scary, but it's all for the betterment of our lives. As a friend once told me don't stand still to long or the water gonna rise up and drown ya'. Stay dry and keep on moving.

You can take me away from New Orleans, but can't take New Orleans out of me!

2005-09-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially started. The ridiculous effort it will take to restore and bring New Orleans back to it's original funkified state. I was reading today that Sean Penn was volunteering to go house to house in order to help with evacuations in the city. Great, Spicolli is looking for tastie buds and humongous waves as he searches door to door. Needless to say, he does this all while a personal photographer takes pictures of him assisting others. A reporter hangs in the wayside taking notes of Sean Penn's tedious work efforts as he tries to convince Bubba the Magic Carpet Rider from Arabi that the Saints are not leaving New Orleans.

I on the other hand, have to commend all those giving of themselves without recognition for their hard work and determination to save lives. I know it's hard enough to try and find the people still trapped in their homes, and then they have to convince the people they have to get out. We are now in Phoenix which has picked up over 1,000 residents in exile. I feel like one of the thousands of Jews who were lead out of exile by Charlton Heston, a.k.a Moses, in the Ten Commandments. It's weird not being home, not thinking about what I have to do for work tomorrow, and most importantly living out our normal lives. Instead, we are forced to call credit card companies to beg for forebearance and hear the constant, "I'm so sorry for you and your family. Is there anything else we can do?" Yeah, erase all my previous debt so I can start my life over on a clean slate.

I know await word that Keanu Reeves is flying in on helicopter rescue missions, screaming to the people below, "I am an FBI agent." What I really look forward to are the Red Beans and Rice Mondays, the eternal happiness when Fridays roll around, and Sunday afternoons cursing as the Saints give up a 14 point lead as my brothers and I watch in despair. Here's too all those helping out. And here's too all those starting over. Somewhere God is watching down on us and smiling as we make the best out of a tragic horrendous situation.