Penguin Talk

Since I really don't feel like writing about the Steelers today (What else is there to say? They were never really in the game against Indy and now they have a must-win game against Cincy.), I thought I would do something different and mention the Penguins. You may remember them as Pittsburgh's hockey team with high expectations and going into tonight's game are the 13th best team out of 15 teams. That would not be very good. Therefore, the team has apparently made goalie Jocelyn Thibault their Lee Flowers (or scapegoat) by waiving him. While Thibault has been below average (that's a nice way of putting it), even if the team had Patrick Roy, Billy Smith or Tom Barrasso in their prime, the Penguins would still not make the playoffs.

Then again, maybe waiving Thibault will be the best thing to happen to him and the team. At least I hope.

NFL Rules

Why is it that I learn a new NFL rule every time the Steelers are on Monday Night Football? According to Al Michaels (would it have hurt him to try and jinx Vanderjagt too?), on a change of possession, a player can't go through another player to make a tackle. I have no idea what I'm writing because I have no idea what this rule is. However, it cost the Steelers 15 yards and helped Indy get a field goal to end the half.

During the Steelers-Chargers game earlier this season, we learned that a punt returner has the right to catch a punt after bobbling it when calling a fair catch. As long as the ball doesn't hit the ground, only the returner can play the ball; no one can touch him. Do I have this right?

Damn You Al Michaels

You had to say that Jeff Reed went from Heinz Field to fantasyland (i.e. an indoor dome). As soon as he said that, I knew Reed would miss the field goal.

Considering the terrible start, the Steelers are actually in this game down only 10-7 with 9+ minutes left in the 2nd quarter. I may be writing more throughout the night since I'll be up for a while.

80's Music Quiz

If you have a free 10-15 minutes, check out this 80's music lyrics quiz.

I got an 80.5 or Pop Junkie, but after seeing the answers, thought I should have done better. Good luck (and feel free to share how you did)!

Happy Thanksgiving

As Adam Sandler once said, "Turkey with gravy and cranberry. Can't believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry."

Here are a few things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:

- Ben Roethlisberger will be starting on Monday night. (I'd be even more thankful if Marvel Smith was also playing.)

- I am still using the same can of shaving cream since June.

- Not only are there two NFL games today, the Backyard Brawl will also be on national TV at 8:00.

- I am thankful that Tom Cruise bought Katie Holmes sonogram machine. How romantic! I am hopeful this means that they won't ever have to leave their house.

- Carl Krauser is still at Pitt and that Kevin Pittsnogle is still at WVU.

- I have a four day weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Apology

I've thought about what I wrote yesterday and realize I was totally unfair to Christina Aguilera and her husband Jordan Bratman. Although I can't claim to know any of these people, the Agulera-Bratman relationship seems much more, I don't know the word, maybe normal, than Spears-Federline one. I can't see Christina having a terrible TV show like the Spears-Federline one from earlier this year. I also don't expect to hear any stories about Bratman being the father of two kids and then leaving his girlfriend/wife for Christina or hear about him borrowing money from Christina to buy the engagement ring.

With all of this said, I really do want to congratulate Jordan & Christina on their wedding and apologize for even trying to compare them to Britney and K-Fed.

Quick Links

There are less than 9 days left to vote in the Campbell's Chunky Soup Click for Cans. The Green Bay Packers have a big lead but I'm hoping the Steelers can make a big comeback. You can vote once a day until November 30th.

Congrats to Christina Aguilera who got married over the weekend. Her website has a message saying, "Congratulations Christina & Jordan! They were married on Saturday, November 19th in Napa Valley, CA." I think I speak for everyone in saying that I hope Jordan Bratman doesn't try a rap album like Kevin Federline. Christina will always be a genie in a bottle.

Nevermore

Thank goodness I don't have to watch another Ravens/Steelers game this year. Both games, especially today's game, were tough to watch. The only consolation in the Steelers' loss today was that Tommy Maddox was the QB. In fact, listening to the Ravens post game show on the radio was very interesting. The Ravens broadcasters said that the Ravens would not have won if Big Ben was playing. In addition, they were criticizing Kyle Boller saying that he will never be a good quarterback. The one announcer said that high school quarterbacks don't make as dumb a play as the one Boller made when he tried to pitch the ball from his knees (the Ravens got very lucky on that play), and that he wouldn't feel comfortable driving behind Boller. Ouch.

My main concern with today's game was the offensive line. The Ravens seemed to get sacks or at least pressure on every big play. The Steelers really missed the injured Marvel Smith today.

Prediction

I wanted to have this on record before the game, but was unable to because I was refereeing soccer games all day (more on that later). However, it's still early enough in the game to make a prediction: Penn State will lose to Michigan State. (Currently Penn State is winning 3-0 with about 4 minutes left in the 1st quarter.)

Please note that if I am wrong I have the right to delete this message. :)

UPDATE: There was a typo in my earlier prediction. I meant to say that OHIO State would beat Michigan.

Harry Potter Movie

Did anyone know this movie was coming out? I haven't seen any advertisements, articles, stories or heard about people who went to the first showing Thursday at midnight.

The Washingtonienne

Should I feel dirty by checking out The Washingtonienne from the library? The book is by Jessica Cutler, who was a big story last year when she got fired as a Senate staffer after posting information about "relationships" she had with important Washington people on a blog or online journal. I also took out a book by Walter Cronkite to balance things out.

Stupid Redskins

Typing that title sounds really offensive. I am referring to the Washington Redskins football team, but I already on a tangent from what I was planning to write. The Redskins really should change their name. It's not going to happen anytime soon, but it probably should. (And I'm sure I just upset a million people in the DC metropolitan area by writing this.)

What I was going to talk about was my thoughts for this upcoming weekend. Yes, I know it's only Tuesday night. I was thinking that since the Steelers are playing Baltimore and Ravens games (no matter how bad the team is) are always on local TV, I would invite some friends over to watch the game. However, the Redskins are going to be on CBS meaning no Steelers game on local TV. Oh well, I guess I'll have to go out to watch it. And now a lot of Washington area residents are probably going to tell me to move back to Pittsburgh if I want to watch the game.

What Not To Do With an Old Jersey

I've written several times about my quest for a new Steelers jersey. My Kendrell Bell and Kordell Stewart jerseys are in the closet and will probably stay there until I move (which is several years away). I've never thought about doing what two people did at last night's Steelers game. They were both wearing a #80 Plaxico Burress jersey. However, they covered up "Burress" with duct tape or masking tape and wrote another name (not Wilson) on the back. It looked ridiculous.

Pittsburgh's own (apparently) Povertyneck Hillbillies performed the National Anthem and the halftime show at the game. I've never heard of them, but the announcer made it sound like they were a big deal (or at the very least a rising star) in country music. They sounded OK, but I think they need a new name. Maybe they can change it to the Oneders. A special congratulatory message to anyone who knows this movie reference.

Steelers Win!

I just got back from the Steelers game within the last hour. I'll write more about the game tomorrow (well, today) and about the rest of my weekend. The only negative about being at the game is not knowing the status of injured players. I still haven't heard what happened to Charlie Batch (I know it involves his hand) or when he got injured. Is Ben going to be back next week or am I going to get a call to be the back-up?

Time to go to sleep, although I'd like to see Grey's Anatomy. They are showing it in ten minutes (2:00AM) due to the game, but I don't think I can stay up that late and drive safely back to Virginia in the morning. I feel bad for any Steelers fan (especially those at the game) who has to be at work in the morning. Good luck!

Sean's News & Notes

* I visited a kindergarten class today for their fall celebration. I got to read a Clifford book and basically helped out while class participated at five different stations: cookie decorating, fall bingo, storytelling, pumpkin measuring and another one that I can't seem to remember at the moment. The kids are very cute.

* Thanks to VH1's Best Week Ever, I learned that the Tony Danza Show had a Who's the Boss Reunion. How did I not hear about this? Was Alyssa Milano there?

* "The Biggest Little Game in the Nation" takes place Saturday. (I didn't make up the name; Sports Illustrated did.) I'm sure that you know that I'm referring to the Cortaca Jug game between Ithaca College and SUNY-Cortland. Here is a preview of the 64th Bombers/Red Dragons game and here is another one if want more. If you can't make it to Ithaca for the game, go to Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington (which is where I will be).

* Today is November 11th. Isn't it a little bit early for college basketball? George Mason has already played two games including tonight's 83-78 overtime loss at Wake Forest. Although there is no such thing as a moral victory, hopefully Mason will be able to build off this game for a successful season.

* Finally, thank you to all of the veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Rogan's Pizza

I recently learned that my favorite pizza place from college is gone. I ate Rogan's Pizza at least twice a week when I was at Ithaca College, and nearly every day during Finals Week. I actually had a different name for Finals Week with some friends: Week of Rogan's. My favorite was a plain cheese pizza with blue cheese dressing. It may sound terrible, but it is really, really good. The dressing was their specialty and they refused to give out the ingredients. Rogan's also had a double dough pizza where I could never eat more than two pieces.

Anyway, I heard about Rogan's being gone a few weeks ago and finally got around to doing some research about what happened. According to a March 24, 2005 article summary (I didn't want to pay $2.95 to view a 683-word article) in the Ithaca Journal, Tim Reynolds and Brian Carvill took over the restaurant, gas station and coin laundry in the Rogan's Corner complex. They even have a website that says King Subs & Pizza (formerly Rogan's). I've heard from two different sources that the pizza is not the same and that's putting it nicely.

I don't understand why someone would change Rogan's. Who are these guys that bought and changed Rogan's? The place was a goldmine; the only convenient pizza place right next to a campus of 6,000 students. I don't get it.

Make It Stop

I can't get Madonna's new song "Hung Up" out of my head. Besides the ABBA sample, it's not a good song.

Congratulations to...

Sarah & Gobo on the addition of Freebird who arrived yesterday afternoon. He is 8 pounds, 8 ounces and already a Steelers fan!

Tim Kaine for being elected Governor of Virginia.

Virginia residents who no longer will have to receive campaign mail and phone calls and watch constant TV ads.

Ice Princess

Back in July, I gave a review of the Disney movie "Ice Princess" that I saw on my flight from San Diego to Washington. You can probably guess what movie was on my flight back from Puerto Rico today. Do airlines regulate or monitor what movies they show on flights, or am I going to get stuck watching Ice Princess again on my next flight?

PR Update

* I lost $40 in the hotel's casino playing blackjack last night. I can thank most of my losses to people who have no idea how to play. Hitting when they should not be not hitting (or staying when they should hit) really affects the cards for the rest of the players and the dealer. It is certainly OK to watch before you play or even ask other people at the table. Stupid people!

* A few blocks from the hotel is a place for cockfighting. I didn't have time to go, but it seems like it would be an interesting sport (I don't know what else to call it) to see. I'm sure PETA would not approve.

* The emergency message on Friday night turned out to be an Amber Alert message. I haven't heard any other information since, but hopefully everything is OK.

* I really want to watch Grey's Anatomy tonight, but it does not start until 11:00pm San Juan time. I could really be hurting tomorrow morning if I decide to stay up that late.

* I was very tempted to crash a hotel at the wedding last night that must have cost a minimum of $100,000. I definitley do not have the courage to do it. If someone asked who I was or if I knew the bride or groom, I would have said my name is Sean and I am staying at the hotel. Maybe they would have appreciated my honesty! Of course they could have called security and banned me from the hotel.

* Although this trip has been for work, swimming in the warm water of the ocean is very nice!

Little Help?

There was just a message on every TV station from the Emergency Alert System with a Civil Emergency Message. That's what it said on the TV screen. Then a voice came on the TV with the message being in Spanish, which makes sense since I'm in Puerto Rico. I really hope that they said in case of a real emergency we'll let you know. If there is a real emergency, I hope someone will tell me. In the meantime, I'm going to watch the end of White Chicks (I missed the beginning; I hope I'm able to pick up the plot) and go to sleep.

Good Morning From PR

I made it to San Juan and the hotel and weather are beautiful. I was able to be a tourist for a little bit yesterday. If you ever visit Puerto Rico, I highly recommend visiting Old San Juan and especially the incredible fort which was built by the Spanish army starting in 1539. Off to work. Have a good Friday!

Do You Know the Way to San Juan?

I actually don't, but hopefully the pilot does since I'm flying there tomorrow (Thursday). I will try to post some notes from the trip, but I'm not sure about the internet access in the hotel. While I am very excited about going to Puerto Rico, it looks like I'm going to miss my first Steelers game of the year. The 88 degree weather and being on the beach should more than make up for missing the game!

New Month, New Ramblings

* Mr. (Creigh) Deeds is running for Attorney General in Virginia. I don't know anything about him, but he has great name recognition. Younger voters may remember Adam Sandler as Mr. Deeds. Older voters may remember Gary Cooper as Mr. Deeds. I like his chances.

* Did anyone else know that the NBA season starts tonight?

* The best show on TV right now may be Grey's Anatomy. Good storylines, good cast and characters that you actually care about. Plus a sort-of regular role for My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé who plays Joe the Bartender. It may make my list of "must watch" shows each week. Right now, the only show on that list is the Steelers game.

* One final thought on last night's Steelers game. I'm a little concerned that the Steelers never really got much pressure on Ravens QB Anthony Wright. I'm not sure if it was by design (playing more players in pass coverage), but it seemed like Wright had a lot of time to complete passes.

* I have a theory of why Freebird has not yet arrived. He/she was waiting to see the Penguins to win another game. Any coincidence that the Pens won in New Jersey?

Final Halloween Message

Trick: We didn't have any kids last night.
Treat: I guess that means candy for me and people at work.

Trick: I didn't go to sleep until 12:30 last night/this morning.
Treat: The Steelers won, so at least I was happy about going to bed so late.