Always look on

So a lot of things will be decided tomorrow. I guess that's just the way things go. The way I have conducted this process (however involuntarily) is not something to recommend to anyone. In other news, one of my favorite songs (right now, and possibly all time): DBT

If you know a tiny bit about the band from before, you'll know the song right away.

I have no idea why this is here

A man walks in to a bar, sits down, orders a brew. I say what's up. He salutes me in common dude-ish fashion, and we banter. He asks me where I'm from. I say Norway. He says 'Me too!' Or he's half Irish or half Italian or half Turkish or half Jupiter. Whatever. Point is, talk to any white American male, and they will tell you where they are from. Anywhere but America itself.

White Americans (especially males) have a tendency, a need almost, to be from somewhere else than actually the US. Is this a pride thing? Perhaps. I have a different theory. It might be that they give away these hints at heritage, because they want to seem more diverse. As in that will help them forget the transgressions against the African-American and natives. As in that they are still proud to be American, but they long for something else to hold on to. It's not easy to explain, it's something that is best experienced. If you've lived with them, you would know.

Crazy

I don't blame you, I won't even pretend to. But part of me still wishes you would have kept it. That part comprises about 100% of me. But maybe you (and to some degree me) can move on now, go on to greener pastures. Regardless of how we parted, I wish you all the best, and even though I know you won't read this, if there is anything I can ever do for you, consider it done. And I mean that.

Pretty full week (behind)

Went to an ANSA event on Thursday; bowling, drinks and foot at Jillian's next to Fenway. Needless to say, I won the bowling with an average of 142 over two rounds. Not great, but not ghastly. After that, we had one drink at Landsdowne (which is conveniently located right around the corner from Jillian's) before we headed up to Hipster Heaven on Central Square (the place is called People's Republic, they have PBR and MHL bottles and they only accept cash. Yeah). I met some good interesting Norwegians, so I guess I'm not alone in this town. Having located an apartment earlier that day, I was pretty excited. I will try and post some pictures from the place, but needless to say, it is MUCH nicer than Walnut. And much bigger. It's pretty sweet.

Week 3 picks

Denver
@ Tennessee
Pick: Denver +7.0

Miami
@ Cleveland
Pick: Miami +1.5

Detroit
@ Minnesota
Pick: Detroit -3.5

San Francisco
@ Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati -2.5

Jacksonville
@ Carolina
Pick: Carolina -3.5 (riding the Cam Newton bandwagon until the wheels come off)

Houston
@ New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans -4.0

New York
@ Philadelphia
Pick: New York +9.0

New York
@ Oakland
Pick: Oakland +3.5

Baltimore
@ St. Louis
Pick: Baltimore -3.5

Kansas City
@ San Diego
Pick: San Diego -14.5

Arizona
@ Seattle
Pick: Arizona -3.0

Atlanta
@ Tampa Bay
Pick: Atlanta +1.0

Green Bay
@ Chicago
Pick: Green Bay -3.5

Pittsburgh
@ Indianapolis
Pick: Pittsburgh -10.5

Washington
@ Dallas
Pick: Washington +4.5

Last week: 7-7-1

Season: 8-19-3

Week 2 picks

It was quite exciting getting back to form, was it not? Some surprises, some non-surprises and some, well, things you won't forget this season. No point in tossing around, let's get to it!

Cleveland
@ Indianapolis
As much as I loathe the Colts, I really can't pick Cleveland here.
Pick: Indianapolis +2.0

Oakland
@ Buffalo
Pick: Buffalo -3.5

Baltimore
@ Tennessee
Pick: Baltimore -5.5

Tampa Bay
@ Minnesota
Pick: Tampa Bay +3.0

Chicago
@ New Orleans
Pick: Chicago +6.5

Jacksonville
@ New York
Pick: New York -9.5

Seattle
@ Pittsburgh
Pick: Pittsburgh -14.5

Green Bay
@ Carolina
Pick: Green Bay -9.5

Kansas City
@ Detroit
Pick: Detroit -9.0

Arizona
@ Washington
Pick: Washington -4.0

Dallas
@ San Francisco
Pick: Dallas -3.0

Cincinnati
@ Denver
Pick: Cincinnati +4.5

Houston
@ Miami
Pick: Houston -3.0

Philadelphia
@ Atlanta
Pick: Philadelphia -1.5

St. Louis
@ New York
Pick: New York -6.0

Last week: 1-12-2 (yes, you read that right. I'm not as awesome this year. It's most definitely an uphill battle from here)

Season: 1-12-2

Pieces of thought

A highly interesting comment made by Bob Woodward in the current issue of FP. In fifty years time, what will American history books say? "The ongoing war on terror?" "How the war on terror was won?" My personal favorite: "America overreacts to 9/11." Quite a bold statement to make, and definitely one that will make most conservatives choke on their Thursday night T-Bone steak.

But if you look at the ten years past, and what has happened, how not only the international situation has changed, but also the domestic one, it is quite possible that some 12 year old kid will read that as a headline when he opens up his American History textbook to page 306.

Think about it. Bush reads My Pet Goat. "Our nation is under attack." Obviously, you go after Al-Qaeda. If that initial operation had been executed with a bit more precision and more reliance on the eyes and ears of counter terrorists on the ground, the brass of Taliban and Al-Qaeda could have been taken down within 6 months.

Instead, you put yourself in a deep shit hole for the next ten years, and, because of all the detainees, you start with enhanced interrogation. As witnessed and told by several key CIA members, some subjects would reveal exactly what the interrogators wanted to hear, just to stop the torture. This is evident in the lead-up to the Iraq war, when several prisoners actually claimed to know of WMDs, just to have the sadistic treatment stop.

So now you're stuck in another, deeper shit hole. But this time, it soon becomes clear, there is no real reason for you to be there. This is happening in Bush's first term as president, ohbytheway.

He handled 9/11 pretty well. He handled the aftermath horribly. And this is where the overreaction comes in. Every attempted attack on US soil after 9/11 has been thwarted. If done properly, the Americans could have been in and out of Afghanistan in less than five years (that is not an opinion, but based on an analysis done by several government officials, including high-knowledge and high-ranking CIA operatives). Instead, you go after Saddam, you do not impose war-tax at home and you get your country in to the biggest economic clusterfuck ever.

And I haven't even mentioned the cost of human lives and casualties - not just American. NATO allies, non-NATO allies and Iraqi/Afghan lives have been lost by the thousands. Very many thousands. How is all this justifiable?

I think you are right Bob. America did overreact to 9/11. And the person responsible was not paying any attention while he drove her off the highway.

Ten years on; true heroes gone

Clicky

Something worth reading on the ten year anniversary.

"Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming;
Can't you see their spearpoints gleaming?
See their warriors' pennants streaming
To this battlefield.

Men of Cornwall stand ye steady;
It cannot be ever said ye
for the battle were not ready;
Stand and never yield!"

Week 1 picks

As promised, delivered to you from the grand US and A, the first round of gambling tips this NFL season. Because it is week 1, I will give you a few extra pointers, but we start off with the games themselves. As always, no opinion on the Pats game.

New Orleans
@ Green Bay
Pick: New Orleans +4.0

Indianapolis
@ Houston
Pick: Indianapolis +9.0 (even if Peyton's not playing, it's not like Kerry Collins can't throw on the Houston pass defense)

Pittsburgh
@ Baltimore
Pick: Pittsburgh +1.0

Detroit
@ Tampa Bay
Pick: Tampa Bay -1.0

Tennessee
@ Jacksonville
Pick: Tennessee +2.0

Philadelphia
@ St. Louis
Pick: Philadelphia -4.5

Buffalo
@ Kansas City
Pick: Kansas City -5.5

Cincinnati
@ Cleveland
Pick: Cleveland -6.5

Atlanta
@ Chicago
Pick: Atlanta -2.5

New York
@ Washington
Pick: New York -3.0

Carolina
@ Arizona
Pick: Carolina +7.0

Minnesota
@ San Diego
Pick: San Diego -9.0

Seattle
@ San Francisco
Pick: Seattle +5.5

Dallas
@ New York
Pick: New York -4.5

Oakland
@ Denver
Pick: Denver -3.0


Pittsburgh will win the AFC North.
St. Louis will (SHOULD) win the NFC West.
New Orleans will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

I'm just glad football is back. Aren't you?

Time has come upon us

As most of you know, I am now residing in a different part of this country (although residing might not be entirely accurate since I have yet to procure a permanent address), even though I'm only 2 hours away from my previous location. The last week was spent paratrooping (not to the full extent of the term, relax) through older stomping grounds, but as of tomorrow, I have no idea where I will be spending my nights.

Regardless of this, we are about to start another season of exciting, hard-hitting and frustrating football. The college games are already underway, and the NFL kicks off on Thursday night. Be sure to check back before then as I will have picks and predictions ready for your shock, awe, laughter and mockery!